Similar to a MUTI, a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection involves indirect left turns at an intersection with an opposing road. Unlike the MUTI, however, the roads do not cross. RCUTs usually involve a major split road intersecting a minor road, and direct turn lanes exist at the median to turn left onto the minor road. As a result, “thru” traffic on the minor road must complete a right turn, median u-turn, and then another right turn to continue on the original roadway. Alternative names for an RCUT include Superstreet and J-turn. Due to the dedicated left turn for the major split road, signage may not exist to aid the minor road with the median u-turn. Even without signage though, the following treatments should still be applied.
Conventions for the two outer median u-turns are the same as MUTI:
- Naming Convention: to [street name] [opposing direction] / to [cross street name] [direction] (i.e. "to Big Beaver Rd E / to Lakeview Dr S")
- This may vary by locale, but standards should be consistent within a state or at least within a metropolitan area. Depending on whether the median u-turn is signed or locally called something else (i.e.
- Road Type: Ramp
- Although this departs from traditional rules for at-grade connectors and for use of the ramp road type, it hides the instructional street name in the client.
- Junction Angles: Between 45 and 90 degrees for the first turn instruction, while the second instruction may vary based on local usage
- Junction Position:
- The initial junction ideally should be as close to the start of the solid white line as possible (if present). This prevents a turn instruction from occurring too early or too late. In many cases, this will require adding a geometry node at the start of the segment at the most detailed zoom level to generate the correct turn angle.
The interior direct left turns from the major split road onto the opposing roadway should be mapped as distinct turn lanes but treated as standard at-grade connectors. These turn lanes should not be ramp segments.
Sample RCUT as it appears in Waze Map Editor:
