US 50 Reduced-Conflict Intersection Improvement

The US 50 Reduced-Conflict Intersection (RCI) Improvement project involved the construction of two consecutive Reduced-Conflict Intersections in the town of Dillsboro that increased safety of these intersections by reducing the number of conflict points and reconfiguring the intersection to reduce the number of crossing conflicts. The need for this type of improvement was driven by crash history.
The project began as a single RCI improvement project at the intersection of US 50 and Front Street, but after evaluating the traffic patterns, it was determined that the proximity of the two intersections should be considered, as well as the benefits to the nearby Town of Dillsboro from reconfiguring both. The initial traffic study did not warrant the installation of traffic signals at either intersection, but the need for safety improvements was still apparent based on accident history. These design considerations informed the construction of consecutive RCI’s that limited the dedicated mainline left turn to one direction at each intersection, resulting in a significant improvement to safety and mobility.

Infrastructure Engineering Inc. (IEI) was selected as the prime consultant to design the two Reduced Conflict Intersections to improve safety and traffic flow. The project enhanced pedestrian access, signage, and safety, accommodated commercial vehicles with wider turning paths, and coordinated lighting with town-wide upgrades for a consistent, safer, and more efficient transportation corridor.

It was important to the community to maintain access to private businesses and the cemetery on the north side of US 50. During the design process, measures were incorporated to improve safety for pedestrians who needed to cross US 50 within the project area.