Interchanges

Highway interchanges allow traffic to move from one roadway to another while maintaining speed. They accomplish this by separating traffic from grade and re-inserting into another stream while not directly crossing that stream.

Here are some different types of interchanges.

Full Diamond Interchange

Directional Interchange

Single Point Interchange

Two-Level Cloverstack Interchange

Y-Interchange

Half-Clover Interchange

Trumpet Interchange

Diverging Windmill Interchange

Windmill Interchange

Turbine Interchange

Roundabout Interchange

And there are many more...

Pedestrian Walkways

This post will feature different components of sidewalks and some other pedestrian walkways.

Very Old Sidewalks

Sidewalks have been around for a very long time. Pictured above are sidewalks beside a street in Pompeii, Italy.

Japanese Crosswalk Intersection

When sidewalks cross streets, they are called crosswalks. Some crosswalks cross intersections diagonally.

Pathway

When a sidewalk leaves the roadway, it can be referred to as a pathway.

A Square Curb

Curbs are the edge of a sidewalk. They can be made in a variety of profiles.

A Slanted Curb

A Soft Curb

Sidewalk with Verde Strip

Sidewalks can be separated from the street by a strip of planting.

Sidewalk with Bike Path

Sidewalks can include a bike path.

Sidewalk Ramp

 Sidewalks need to be accessible to wheel chairs or other wheeled devices such as baby strollers.

Side Walk leading to a Ramp leading to a Cross Walk

Sidewalk Art

Sidewalk art can be amazing! CLICK ON THE IMAGE for a close-up.

Four-Way Stop

Four-way stops, also known as all-way stops, are a very common road way feature.

A Typical Four-Way Stop

Here are some common elements of these traffic control devices.

Typical Four-Way Stop Sign

4-way intersections are always marked as such, and you are always required to come to a complete stop.

'STOP' painted on the road way

Lettering will frequently be applied to the area directly in front of the intersection to further indicate to the driver that a complete stop is required.

Blinking Lights

Blinking lights will sometimes be used to further draw attention to the driver that they must come to a complete stop.

Typical Layout of a 4-Way Stop

A 4-way stop will typically have the above geometry.

A Crosswalk

4-way stops will sometimes incorporate a cross-walk.

Cross walk sign

Additional cross walk signage is sometimes used.

Cross walk signal

Pedestrians will sometimes be signaled to cross with a cross walk signal at busier intersections.

Multi-Lane 4-way Stop

A four-way stop may have more than two lanes coming from each direction.

Crowded Intersection

Sometimes a simple 4-way stop is not sufficient to handle traffic volumes.

NEXT TIME: PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS