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21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Traffic Bottlenecks

Traffic Bottlenecks > Combating Bottlenecks

Combating Bottlenecks

Utah

Installation of a Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) in lieu of a traditional fix.

Background: A study of the intersection at 3500 South & Bangerter highway yielded congestion and safety problems. Motorists were forced through up to four traffic cycles during some peak periods. Congestion here has a ripple effect in this corridor.

Bottleneck Project: 3500 South & Bangerter Highway. After several alternatives were studied, including a grade-separated interchange, it was decided to install a continuous flow intersection (CFI), the first in Utah. A CFI reduces the steps in the light cycle and puts left turns along atypical paths. It is a lower cost alternative than a grade-separated interchange. Note: for a demonstration of how a CFI works, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVI3Ledw7mc.