Economic Analysis of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Access Impacts in Georgia

Details

• Creators:
  Tsai, Yichang (James) ; Yang, Zhongyu ; Diaz, Keyanna ; Chau, Duong ; Cheng, Letian ; Balkaran, Dylan ; Chimmili, Roshni
• Corporate Creators:
  Georgia Institute of Technology ; Georgia Tech Research Corporation
• Corporate Contributors:
  Georgia. Department of Transportation ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Restricted crossing U turn intersections
  • Highway access management
  • Economic impacts
  • Property values
  • Accessibility
  • Remote sensing
  • Intersections
  • Sales tax
  • Data collection
  • Surveys
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-GA-26-2412
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Georgia
• Edition:
  Final Report (January 2025 - October 2026)
• Corporate Publisher:
  Georgia. Department of Transportation
• Description:
  Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections are an established roadway design that state transportation agencies use to improve traffic operations. When the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes an RCUT, however, local communities and business owners frequently express concern that changing how customers enter and exit their properties will reduce revenue and harm local economic health. Because private sales tax data is strictly confidential under Georgia law, direct sales figures cannot be used to measure these effects. To overcome this lack of direct data, this study analyzes the economic impact of RCUT installations on nearby businesses at eight locations in Georgia using four alternative methods: 1) a property value analysis to determine whether the access changes affected adjacent real estate markets; 2) a satellite nighttime lights analysis using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) radiance as a proxy for commercial activity; 3) a traffic detour model that estimates how added out-of-direction travel distance affects the probability of an impulsive customer stop; and 4) a direct survey of local business owners and residents to capture their perceptions and experiences. The combined results show that RCUT installations do not cause significant economic harm to most commercial businesses, although localized negative effects can occur at industrial or residential corridors where the required detour is long. Based on these findings, this study provides GDOT with a practical screening tool, proactive community outreach strategies, and geometric design guidance to balance intersection performance with local economic health.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  PI# 0000303430
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93790/dot_93790_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.62 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6bfa3b3a103cf04b1ccad132c6936abe7a1b60d094b0282c20af1b05239acb06de8e79a4046ba00a1eb8884f69cd85f848551cb4363759e9f8b268babe6c1e28