The City of Raleigh Public Works Department conducted a left turn study for the location of Chapanoke and Wilmington Street. This study included examining current traffic volumes, crash history, and performing field investigations.

There are two main reasons for installing protected left turn signals at an intersection; (1) to correct a crash problem and (2) to reduce delay. This intersection did not meet the guidelines from the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ most current edition of the Traffic Control Devices Handbook which are generally accepted by NCDOT.

Crash history shows that for the last 3 year study period from 2/01/2011 thru 2/01/2014 there have been four reported crashes at the intersection of Chapanoke and Wilmington Street, which might be considered correctable by the installation of left turn signals. The most recent twelve month study period shows there have been two reported crashes that the installation of a protected left turn signal may have addressed. This location does not meet the crash warrant criteria for consideration of a traffic signal, which are 4 or more crashes from the same approach in a recent 12 month study period.

Traffic volumes were studied and found that the intersection of Chapanoke and Wilmington Street did not meet the cross product threshold lower limit for the installation of protected left turn signals. Based on the traffic signal study, the Public Works Department can not recommend protected left turn signal be installed for this location at this time. However, The City of Raleigh will monitor this intersection and adjust current traffic signal timings, if needed, which may help resolve these issues.