Turn Wedges / Hardened Right Turns

Purpose

Reduce vehicle turning speed and increase vehicle yielding to pedestrians and bikes.

Description

Turn wedges are raised humps or flexible delineator posts and pavement markings wedged between the sides of perpendicular crosswalks at an intersection to reduce turning speeds and encourage driver yielding.

Right turn hardening for turns across bike lanes can also be accomplished through the use of flex posts or mini-speed hump devices. Arlington tested varying uses of right turn hardening for locations with a bike lane on a downhill slope through a pilot project in 2025 that resulted in significant decreases in turning speeds. 

Safety Benefits

• Slows left-turning vehicles without reducing traffic capacity.
• Guides vehicles to wider turning angle for safer and more predictable turns.
• Increases visibility of pedestrians in crosswalk or bikes in bike lanes to turning drivers. 

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

Principal and Minor Arterials in Urban and Urban Core contexts. Local Principal and Local Minor streets in all contexts.

Other Location Guidance

• In areas with turn-related crash histories or observed improper yield behaviors.
• Turn wedges can be installed at the corners of an intersection.

Primary User Groups

Key Implementation Considerations

• The turning paths of the design vehicle must be considered.
• Can be constructed rapidly and inexpensively using markings, flexible delineators, and/or mini speed humps.
• The turning radius of trucks and buses should be considered when installing right turn hardening.
• Roadway maintenance activities like snow removal and street sweeping must also be considered when designing in-street infrastructure.

Expected Crash Reduction

Across the four 2025 right turn hardening pilot locations, before/after data showed that average vehicle speeds declined by about 5 MPH, a 40% reduction.

Cost

Typically, a lower cost treatment.

Timeline

Typically, a quick-build treatment

References

• Chapter 8 of Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access: Part II of II: Best Practices Design Guide
• American Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
• FHWA Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations
• FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasures

Right turn / bike lane conflict pilot location at Clarendon Blvd & N Scott St