MICHIGAN MDOT TRAFFIC DRIVERS

Figure 1 shows the coverage areas for each of the TOCs in Michigan, including the Blue Water Bridge TOC in Port Huron. In addition to traffic and incident management activities at the SEMTOC, the Detroit-area Freeway Courtesy Patrol (FCP) covers 300 miles of freeway operates 24 hours, 7 days a week and averages about 50,000 assists per year. Also, because the WMTOC only operates during daytime hours, the STOC covers overnight operations in the Grand Region. The STOC covers the remaining five regions in the state (Southwest, University, Bay, North, and Superior Regions). The Statewide TOC (STOC) covers approximately 1200 miles of freeways and operates around the clock, every day of the year. The WMTOC is monitored 14 hours a day on weekdays and 8 hours a day on weekends. The Western Michigan TOC (WMTOC) covers 45 miles of freeways and 18 miles of non-freeway state trunkline in eight counties in the Grand Rapids and Grand Haven areas (Grand Region). The SEMTOC is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Southeastern Michigan TOC (SEMTOC) covers 200 miles of freeways around the Detroit metropolitan area (Metro Region). Regardless of the physical width, an unmarked median crossover should always be treated as a single-lane crossover.The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) operates three traffic operations centers (TOC) – two regional TOCs and one statewide TOC. While some crossovers may appear to be wide enough to fit multiple passenger vehicles side-by-side, that extra room is actually there to accommodate larger vehicles, like tractor trailers and recreational vehicles, that need a wider turning radius. Unless marked as a multi-lane crossover with pavement markings and signs, a Michigan Left should be considered a single-lane median crossover. Michigan Lefts increase capacity and safety and have been used on state routes with average traffic volumes between 10,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day. Intersections with traffic signals need to be far enough apart that vehicles lined up to turn will not cause significant congestion.Īdditionally, there are no absolute maximum/minimum traffic volume requirements for a Michigan Left to be installed. Ideal spacing for Michigan Lefts is between a quarter and three quarters of a mile, but the actual distance is determined by the locations of major crossroads and driveways. Indirect left turns can be built on divided roads with any number of lanes (i.e., four, six or eight lanes), but they are not used on freeways or limited-access roads. Michigan Lefts are most often used in urban situations where congestion and crashes are more common. Not every intersection is created equal, and installing a Michigan Left depends on a few factors, including crash history, type of road, and traffic volumes.īefore a Michigan Left is installed, MDOT will study the crash history and traffic volumes at major intersections along the road to determine appropriate placement. How does MDOT determine where to build a Michigan Left? However, smoother traffic flow and safety offset the impact of the relatively small inconvenience of driving further. The one downside to restricting left turns is that vehicles may be required to travel a little bit further before turning.

MICHIGAN MDOT TRAFFIC DRIVERS

Michigan Lefts not only improve safety for motorists, but pedestrians, bicyclists, and truck drivers as well. Installing a Michigan Left at an intersection is one way to limit left-turn movements, reduce the number and severity crashes and fatalities (30 to 60 percent reduction), and relieve congestion (providing 20 to 50 percent more capacity than direct left turns). Research has shown that eliminating left turns improves safety and traffic flow. In addition, roughly 30 percent of all Michigan fatal crashes occur at intersections. In fact, approximately 30 percent of all crashes in Michigan occur at intersections and nearly 40 percent of those are head-on left-turn and angle crashes. These potential conflict points make an intersection much more complicated and increase the chance of a serious crash or fatality, especially during left-turn movements. This is because intersections are where vehicles, often moving very fast and in different directions, meet or cross. Intersections can be challenging and a major factor for stress for many drivers.

Michigan mdot traffic