Kentucky Transportation District Four says the installation of restricted crossing u-turn or RCUT intersections and roundabouts in Hardin County has led to a clear reduction in crashes and injuries.
The KYTC says after looking at before-construction and after-construction crash data from the 10 RCUTs and 11 roundabouts built in the last three years, the annual average of crashes at the RCUTs went from 267 to 138, and the number of injuries dropped from 44 to 8. For the roundabouts, the average number of crashes dropped from 33 to 23 and injuries dropped from 6 to 1. The preliminary data also shows a reduction in traffic delays.
KYTC District Four Public Information Officer Chris Jessie said dividing public opinion from the facts and figures of a construction plan is not easy.
“When we do these projects and then some time goes by and we get real, usable, localized data, the improved safety factor here becomes an undeniable consideration that we have to weigh heavily in doing these projects, and we’re very encouraged by the reduction of crashes and injuries in these roundabouts and RCUT locations, and we’re relying heavily on these safety improvement results as we design and build projects moving forward,” Jessie said.
Additional roundabouts and RCUTs are part of the design of several upcoming area projects. Contact KYTC District Four for more information.
