A continuous flow intersection (CFI), also called a crossover displaced left-turn (XDL), is an at-grade intersection that moves the turn conflict (to the left where traffic drives on the right and vice versa) out of the main intersection. A CFI moves the left-turn down the road several hundred feet eliminating the left-turn traffic light phase. The CFI is a patented design invented by Francisco Mier, of Mexico, where over 40 have been implemented over the past decade. As the design is patented, agencies must pay to obtain the rights for use of the design.^[1] An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level (or grade). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... In the field of road transport, an intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade (they are at the same level). ... “Traffic Signal” redirects here. ...

Locations outside of Mexico

Listed in order of implementation:

1. Oaklyn, New Jersey, New Jersey Route 168 at U.S. Route 130 - This one is several decades old and predates the other continuous-flow designs.
2. Shirley, New York, at the entrance to Dowling College.^[2]
3. Accokeek, Maryland, at the intersection of Routes 210 and 228.^[2].
4. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the intersection of Airline Hwy and Siegen Lane.^[3]
5. West Valley City, Utah, at the intersection of Bangerter Highway and 3500 South^[4]

As of June 2007, CFI configurations currently under construction include: Oaklyn highlighted in Camden County Oaklyn is a borough located in Camden County, New Jersey. ... Route 168 is a 10. ... U.S. Highway 130 (typically called U.S. Route 130) is an 83. ... Shirley is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Suffolk County, New York, United States. ... Dowling College is a private college on Long Island, New York, with more than 7,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students through four schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, Townsend School of Business, School of Education and School of Aviation. ... Accokeek is an unincorporated community in Prince Georges County, Maryland, United States. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29... Maryland State Highway 210, or Indian Head Highway, is a state highway in Prince Georges and Charles counties in Maryland. ... Highways in Maryland Numbered highways State highways - Minor state highways Maryland Route 228 (sometimes called Berry Road) is an east-west divided four-lane state highway that runs through a majority of Charles County, Maryland and a small part of Prince Georges County, Maryland. ... Nickname: Motto: Authentic Louisiana at every turn Location of Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Coordinates: , Country United States State Louisiana Parish East Baton Rouge Parish Founded 1699 Incorporated 16 January 1817 Government  - Mayor Melvin Kip Holden (D) Area  - City  79. ... West Valley City seal West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County in the state of Utah. ... Bangerter Highway, or Utah State Route 154, named after former Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter, is an expressway running north to south beginning at Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... Utah State Route 171 is a major city street running from SR-111 (8400 West) to the eastside Interstate 215 belt route. ...

• Fenton, Missouri, at the intersection of Highway 30 and Summit Drive.^[5].

Fenton or F-town is a city in St. ...

Operational details

Sample continuous flow intersection implemented for north/south traffic while east/west traffic has a regular left-turn lane

Part of the delay at a regular, high-volume intersection is because of the left-turn cycle of the traffic lights; through-traffic must wait for the traffic turning left. The continuous flow intersection moves the left-turn conflict to the light cycle of the cross-traffic. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

In the diagram to the right, while the east/west traffic is flowing through the intersection, the north/south left-turn traffic is allowed through each of the smaller intersections that are a few hundred feet from the main intersection. When the north/south through traffic is allowed through the main intersection, the north/south left-turn lanes are also allowed through the intersections. All traffic flow is controlled by traffic lights as at a regular intersection.

To reduce confusion regarding the left-turn lane, the left-turn lane and the straight-through lanes are usually separated by a concrete barrier or traffic island. This diagram shows the straight-through lanes offset by one lane through the intersection and are guided by lines painted through the intersection. But this is just a sample configuration; the lanes may be offset by more lanes or none at all. Jersey wall on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge near Washington, D.C. A Jersey barrier or Jersey wall separates lanes of traffic (often opposing lanes of traffic) with a goal of minimizing vehicle crossover in the case of accidents. ... A traffic island is a stretch of raised concrete in the middle of some roads so people dont drive into oncoming traffic or private roads. ...

Nonetheless, due to the provision of traffic between two directions of opposing traffic, some motorists tend to maintain an ongoing criticism of the intersection. Additionally, as in the case of the half-CFI in Accokeek, the offset left-turn traffic reenters the main traffic stream via a half-signal, requiring motorists to merge from a stop condition onto the higher-speed mainline. Motorists sometimes cite discomfort due to this, though conflicts can be reduced through the provision of an adequate acceleration lane and merge area.

This type of intersection can require a significant amount of right-of-way to implement, which is why such configurations are not frequently used in urban areas^[1]. However, the amount of land necessary for construction and final operation is still typically less than that of an interchange. Additionally, as there is no grade separation involved, costs are considerably less than that of an interchange alternative. An easement is the right to do something or the right to prevent something over the real property of another. ... High-capacity freeway interchange in Los Angeles, California. ... An example of a four-level stack interchange in the Netherlands. ...

References

External links

• Federal Highway Administration, Alternative Intersection Treatments - CFI

• 39.90401° N 75.09585° W Location of a CFI in Oaklyn, New Jersey, USA
• 40.826443° N 72.881042° W Location of a CFI in Shirley, New York, USA
• 38.664126° N 77.016928° W Location of a CFI in Accokeek, Maryland, USA
• 30.398914° N 91.054119° W Location of a CFI in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
• 38.504276° N 90.456995° W Location of current construction of CFI in Fenton, Missouri, USA

Note that due to the relatively recent installation of the CFI in Baton Rouge, some images may not show the existing conditions. Also, as construction of the CFI in Fenton began in June 2007, some images may not show a completed intersection.

• Deseret News story about CFI
• KSL News story about CFI
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• PB CFI Engineering Website