Diverging diamond interchange

A diverging diamond interchange (DDI), also called a double crossover diamond interchange (DCD),[1][2] is a type of diamond interchange in which the two directions of traffic on the non-freeway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge at the freeway. It is unusual in that it requires traffic on the freeway overpass (or underpass) to briefly drive on the opposite side of the road from what is customary for the jurisdiction.[2] The crossover "X" sections can either be traffic-light intersections or one-side overpasses to travel above the opposite lanes without stopping, to allow nonstop traffic flow when relatively sparse traffic.

A diagram illustrating traffic movements in the interchange
Plan of rejected diverging diamond interchange in Findlay, Ohio

Like the continuous flow intersection, the diverging diamond interchange allows for two-phase operation at all signalized intersections within the interchange. This is a significant improvement in safety, since no long turns (e.g. left turns where traffic drives on the right side of the road) must clear opposing traffic and all movements are discrete, with most controlled by traffic signals.[3] Its at-grade variant can be seen as a two-leg continuous flow intersection.[4]

Additionally, the design can improve the efficiency of an interchange, as the lost time for various phases in the cycle can be redistributed as green time—there are only two clearance intervals (the time for traffic signals to change from green to yellow to red) instead of the six or more found in other interchange designs.

A diverging diamond can be constructed for limited cost, at an existing straight-line bridge, by building crisscross intersections outside the bridge ramps to switch traffic lanes before entering the bridge. The switchover lanes, each with 2 side ramps, introduce a new risk of drivers turning onto an empty, wrong-way, do-not-enter, exit lane and driving the wrong way down a freeway exit ramp to confront high-speed, oncoming traffic. Studies have analyzed various roadsigns to reduce similar driver errors.

Diverging diamond roads have been used in France since the 1970s. However, the diverging diamond interchange was listed by Popular Science magazine as one of the best innovations in 2009 (engineering category) in "Best of What's New 2009".[5]

The design also is promoted as part of the Federal Highway Administration's Every Day Counts initiative which started in 2011.[6]

History
Pictures from the first diverging diamond interchange in the United States, in Springfield, Missouri
Top left: Traffic enters the interchange along Missouri Route 13
Top right: Traffic crosses over to the left side of the road
Bottom left: Traffic crosses over Interstate 44
Bottom right:Traffic crosses back over to the right side of the road.
Southbound approach to the I-44/Route 13 interchange in Springfield

Prior to 2009 the only known diverging diamond interchanges were in France in the communities of Versailles (A13 at D182), Le Perreux-sur-Marne (A4 at N486) and Seclin (A1 at D549), all built in the 1970s.[7] (The ramps of the first two have been reconfigured to accommodate ramps of other interchanges, but they continue to function as diverging diamond interchanges.)

Despite the fact that such interchanges already existed, the idea for the DDI was "reinvented" around 2000, inspired by the former "synchronized split-phasing" type freeway-to-freeway interchanges. Examples of this type of interchange include the intersection of Interstate 95 and I-695 north of Baltimore (since reconfigured), and the intersection of I-20/59 and Interstate 65 in Birmingham, Alabama.[8]

In 2005, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) considered reconfiguring the existing interchange on Interstate 75 at U.S. Route 224 and State Route 15 west of Findlay as a diverging diamond interchange to improve traffic flow. Had it been constructed, it would have been the first DDI in the United States.[9] By 2006, ODOT had reconsidered, instead adding lanes to the existing overpass.[10][11]

The Missouri Department of Transportation was the first US agency to construct one, in Springfield at the junction between I-44 and Missouri Route 13 (at 37.2503°N 93.3107°W / 37.2503; -93.3107 (Springfield, Missouri diverging diamond interchange)). Construction began the week of January 12, 2009, and the interchange opened on June 21, 2009.[12][13] This interchange was a conversion of an existing standard diamond interchange, and used the existing bridge.[14]

In November 2016, the Delaware Department of Transportation completed the conversion of the DE-1 and DE-72 (Wrangle Hill Rd) overpass west of Delaware City, DE into a diverging diamond interchange.[15]The interchange is viewable via live traffic camera on the DelDOT website.[16]

In December 2019, the Virginia Department of Transportation completed the conversion of the interchange at Courthouse Road and I-95 in Stafford, VA into a diverging diamond interchange.[17]

The first interchange in Canada opened on August 13, 2017, at Macleod Trail and 162 Avenue South in Calgary, Alberta.[18] Followed by one in Regina, Saskatchewan the next year as part of the Regina Bypass project.[19]

The interchange in Seclin (at 50°32′41″N 3°3′21″E) between the A1 and Route d'Avelin was somewhat more specialized than in the diagram at right: eastbound traffic on Route d'Avelin intending to enter the A1 northbound must keep left and cross the northernmost bridge before turning left to proceed north onto A1; eastbound traffic continuing east on Route d'Avelin must select a single center lane, merge with A1 traffic that is exiting to proceed east, and cross a center bridge. All westbound traffic that is continuing west or turning south onto A1 uses the southernmost bridge.

Additional research was conducted by a partnership of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and published by Ohio Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.[20] The Federal Highway Administration released a publication titled "Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Informational Report (AIIR)"[21] with a chapter dedicated to this design.

Usage

Operational

As of December 4, 2019, 124 DDIs were operational across the world including:

  • 2 in Canada
  • 1 in Denmark opened September 17, 2017[22]
  • 2 in France, built in 1970s
  • 2 in Malaysia
  • 2 in Saudi Arabia
  • 2 in South Africa
  • 1 in the United Arab Emirates
  • 112 in the United States of America with 29 more under construction[23]

Proposed
  • Australia – Caloundra Road interchange on the Bruce Highway (Exit 188) in the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland as part of a wider upgrade. Construction began in May 2017 and is expected to be complete late 2020.[24]
  • Belgium – The junction of N4 and N25 in Mont-Saint-Guibert near E411, currently a roundabout, will be converted to a diverging diamond interchange.[25]
  • Canada, listed by planned completion date:
  1. Glendale Avenue interchange on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is planned to be reconstructed as a diverging diamond interchange.[26]
  2. The MTO is planning to reconfigure the interchange at Highway 400 and Mapleview Drive in Barrie, Ontario.[27]
  • Lithuania – The existing interchange between A1 and A6 near Kaunas is planned to be reconstructed as a diverging diamond interchange.[28]
  • United States, listed by planned completion date:
  1. The existing overpass of DE-1 and DE-72 (Wrangle Hill Rd) west of Delaware City, DE was converted to a diverging diamond interchange in November 2016 with planning that began in early summer 2015.[15]
  2. The existing interchange between FM 60 (Raymond Stotzer Parkway) and FM 2818 (Harvey Mitchell Parkway) at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas is being converted to a DDI; construction began on March 6, 2017 and is expected to last 25 months, with an estimated cost of $14.1 million.[29]
  3. The existing at-grade intersection between the Mopac Expressway (State Highway Loop 1) and Slaughter Lane in Austin, Texas is being converted to a diverging diamond interchange;[30] construction is ongoing and the DDI opened on November 11th, 2018. Final construction was completed in January 2019.[31][32]
  4. The Interstate 5/State Route 510 interchange in Lacey, Washington (Exit 111) will be reconstructed into a DDI, the first in the state; construction is planned to start in late 2018 and to be complete in 2020.[33]
  5. The existing interchange at I-17 and Happy Valley Road in Phoenix, Arizona (Exit 218) is currently being converted to a DDI. The project is projected to be finished in the fall of 2020.[34]
  6. The existing interchange between Interstate 75 and Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio, near Cincinnati (Exit 19), is planned to be converted to a DDI; the project is scheduled to begin in 2019 and be completed a year-and-a-half later at a projected cost of $13 million.[35][36]
  7. The existing interchange of Interstate 90 and Lacrosse Street in Rapid City, South Dakota (Exit 59) is planned to be converted to a DDI; construction is scheduled to begin in 2020.[37]
  8. The existing interchange of Interstate 89 and the concurrent stretch of U.S. Route 7 and U.S. Route 2 in Colchester, Vermont, near the Winooski city line (Exit 16), will be developed into a DDI in the spring of 2021.[38]
  9. The existing interchange at Loop 1604 and FM 2696 (Blanco Road) in San Antonio, Texas will be converted to a DDI. Construction is currently projected to start in 2021.[39]
  10. The existing interchange between Interstate 90 and State Route 18 (Snoqualmie Parkway) in King County, Washington, near Snoqualmie (Exit 25), is planned to be converted to a DDI; construction is projected to start in 2021, with project completion expected in 2023. [40]
  11. The existing interchange between I-75 and State Route 725 in Miamisburg, Ohio, near Dayton (Exit 44), is planned to be converted to a DDI; the project will not be built until 2023 and its projected cost is $4.1 million, entirely funded by the state.[41]
  12. As part of the Puget Sound Gateway Program's SR 167 Completion Project in northeast Pierce County, Washington, which will complete the State Route 167 limited access freeway from Puyallup to Interstate 5, and construct a new spur route from Interstate 5 to State Route 509 at the Port of Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington, a new modified DDI will be constructed between the new SR 167 freeway, new SR 509 Spur, and Interstate 5 (Exits 132-136). Construction of the first stage, which will include the DDI interchange, is planned to start in 2019 and finish sometime in 2026. [42]
  13. The existing interchange between I-70 and North Kipling Street (SH 391) in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, near Denver (Exit 267), is planned to be converted to a DDI. As of February 2019, neither the timeline nor the cost have been established.[43]
  14. The existing interchange at US 281 and Jones-Maltsberger Road in San Antonio, Texas will be converted to a DDI. This project has not yet been funded, so no timeline has been set.[44]

Advantages
  • Two-phase signals with short cycle lengths, significantly reducing delay.[45]
  • Reduced horizontal curvature reduces the risk of off-road crashes.
  • Increases the capacity of turning movements to and from the ramps.
  • Potentially reduces the number of lanes on the crossroad, minimizing space consumption.
  • Reduces the number of conflict points, thus theoretically improving safety.[2]
  • Increases the capacity of an existing overpass or underpass, by removing the need for turn lanes.
  • Costs significantly less than a normal interchange.[46]

Disadvantages
  • Drivers may not be familiar with configuration, particularly with regard to merging maneuvers along the opposite side of the roadway or the crossover flow of traffic.[47]
  • Pedestrian (and other sidewalk-user) access requires at least four crosswalks (two to cross the two signalized lane crossover intersections, while two more cross the local road at each end of the interchange).[48][47] This could be mitigated by signalizing all movements, without impacting the two-phase nature of the interchange’s signals.
  • Free-flowing traffic in both directions on the non-freeway road is impossible, as the signals cannot be green at both intersections for both directions simultaneously.
  • Highway bus stops are appropriately sited outside the interchange.
  • Allowing exiting traffic to re-enter the through road in the same direction requires leaving the interchange on the local road and turning around, e.g., via a median U-turn crossover. This affects several use cases:[47]
    • Drivers who take the wrong exit
    • Bypassing a crash at the bridge
    • Allowing an oversize load to bypass a low bridge

Further considerations
  • No standards currently exist for this design
  • The design depends on site-specific conditions.
  • Additional signage, lighting, and pavement markings are needed beyond the levels for a standard diamond interchange.
  • Local road should be a low-speed facility, preferably under 45 mph (72 km/h) posted speed on the crossroad approach. However, this may be mitigated by utilizing a higher design speed for the crossing movements.

Double crossover merging interchange
3D computer generated DCMI
DCMI traffic flow patterns

A free-flowing interchange variant, patented in 2015,[49] has received recent attention.[50][51][52] Called the double crossover merging interchange (DCMI), it includes elements from the diverging diamond interchange, the tight diamond interchange, and the stack interchange. It eliminates the disadvantages of weaving and of merging into the outside lane from which the standard DDI variation suffers. As of 2016, no such interchanges have been constructed.

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See also

References
  1. Hughes, Warren; Jagannathan, Ram (October 2009). "Double Crossover Diamond Interchange". Federal Highway Administration. FHWA-HRT-09-054. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. "Missouri's Experience with a Diverging Diamond Interchange" (PDF). Missouri Department of Transportation. May 2010. p. 4.
  3. "Diverging Diamond Interchange". OHM Advisors. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  4. Gilbert Chlewicki: About History
  5. "Gallery: Looking Back at the 100 Best Innovations of 2009". Popular Science. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  6. Schroeder, Bastian; Cunningham, Chris; Ray, Brian; Daleiden, Andy; Jenior, Pete; Knudsen, Julia (August 2014). Diverging Diamond Interchange Informational Guide (PDF). Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety.
  7. Staff (June 13, 2013). "I-64 Interchange at Route 15, Zion Crossroads". Virginia Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  8. Chlewicki, Gilbert (2003). "New Interchange and Intersection Designs: The Synchronized Split-Phasing Intersection and the Diverging Diamond Interchange" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  9. Patch, David (May 2, 2005). "French Connection May Control Traffic Flow". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  10. Sedensky, Matt (March 30, 2006). "Missouri Drivers May Go to the Left". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Associated Press. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  11. "Wrong Way? Not in Kansas City". Land Line Magazine. March 31, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  12. Staff (April 2009). "I-44/Route 13 Interchange Reconstruction: Diverging Diamond Design". Missouri Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
  13. Springfield District Office (June 19, 2008). "Public Meeting Tuesday, June 24, On I-44/Route 13 Reconstruction To Reduce Congestion, Improve Safety" (Press release). Missouri Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209163854/http://www.ijtte.com/uploads/2016-03-08/935be804-aeae-25eaIJTTE_Vol%206(1)_4.pdf
  15. "Delaware Department of Transportation - SR 72/SR 1 Diverging Diamond Interchange". deldot.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  16. "DelDOT Interactive Maps". Delaware Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  17. "This New, Trippy Interchange Will Have You Driving On The Wrong Side Of The Road In Virginia". DCist. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  18. Yourex-West, Heather (August 14, 2017). "Canada's first 'diverging diamond interchange' now open to Calgary traffic - Calgary | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  19. "Saskatchewan's First DDI".
  20. Edara, Praveen K.; Bared, Joe G. & Jagannathan, Ramanujan. "Diverging Diamond Interchange and Double Crossover Intersection: Vehicle and Pedestrian Performance" (PDF).
  21. Hughes, Warren; Jagannathan, Ram; Sengupta, Dibu & Hummer, Joe (April 2010). Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Informational Report (AIIR) (Report). Federal Highway Administration.
  22. Ministeren markerede ibrugtagning af det dynamiske ruderanlæg
  23. "Alternative Intersections and Interchanges". Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  24. "Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway". Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  25. "Un nouvel échangeur pour supprimer les bouchons au carrefour de la N4 et de la N25". RTBF Info (in French). June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  26. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news-story/8368597-unique-interchange-proposed-for-glendale-qew/
  27. https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/7093683-diverging-diamond-interchange-would-be-a-positive-for-barrie-says-american-expert/
  28. "Žemės paėmimo visuomenės poreikiams projektas" (PDF).
  29. "FM 60 (Raymond Stotzer Parkway) Overpass Improvement".
  30. "MoPac South: Diverging Diamond Interchange Simulation". Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. April 16, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  31. "About MoPac Intersections". Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  32. "MoPac Intersections". www.txdot.gov. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 27, 2018. Note: This source incorrectly refers to interchanges as intersections.
  33. Washington State Department of Transportation. "I-5 - SR 510 Interchange - Reconstruct Interchange". Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  34. "Happy Valley Road". www.azdot.gov. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  35. Callahan, Denise G. (March 30, 2017). "Relief on the way for Union Centre Boulevard traffic congestion". Journal-News. Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  36. Callahan, Denise G.; Blizzard, Nick (October 4, 2018). "Union Centre traffic to get help from new Ohio interchange design". Journal-News. Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  37. http://www.i90lacrosseddi.com/documents/I90_IMJR_April2014.pdf
  38. "Exit 16 DDI: Diverging Diamond Interchange". Vermont Agency of Transportation. 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  39. "Public Hearing - Loop 1604 at FM 2696". www.txdot.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  40. "I-90 - SR 18 Interchange Improvements | WSDOT". www.wsdot.wa.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  41. Blizzard, Nick (October 4, 2018). "New Ohio interchange design to aid traffic, safety near Dayton Mall". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  42. "SR 167 Completion Project | WSDOT". www.wsdot.wa.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  43. Aguilar, John (February 21, 2019). "Time-saving "diverging diamond" may be coming to busy I-70 interchange in Wheat Ridge". Denver Post. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  44. "Open House - US 281 at Basse Road and Jones Maltsberger Road Interchanges". www.txdot.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  45. "Missouri's Experience with a Diverging Diamond Interchange" (PDF). www.modot.org. May 2010. p. 5.
  46. "Diverging Diamond Interchange". Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  47. "Missouri's Experience with a Diverging Diamond Interchange" (PDF). www.modot.org. May 2010. p. 6.
  48. "The 'Diverging Diamond' Interchange Is an Abomination - Sarah Goodyear". The Atlantic Cities. September 20, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  49. "United States Patent 8,950,970: Double Crossover Merging Interchange". United States Patent and Trademark Office. February 10, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  50. "TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COUNCIL BEST PAPER and BEST PRODUCT AWARD: Past Recipients". Institute of Transportation Engineers. 2016. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  51. "Alternative Intersections & Interchanges Symposium" (PDF). Transportation Research Board. July 21, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  52. Buteliauskas, Stanislovas; Juozapavičius, Aušrius (June 15, 2014). "Interchange of a New Generation Pinavia" (PDF). Military Academy of Lithuania. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.

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