Truck Priority

Project Description

This study was a continuation of the 2002 study undertaken by MnDOT to determine if there were ways to improve the operation of heavy trucks passing through traffic signal controlled intersections on rural high-speed highways.

The design chosen for the current Truck Priority system implements a series of two standard loop detectors located a specific distance apart in advance of the intersection. The signal controller will hold the green phase for a vehicle only if both loop detectors are activated, which denotes a truck or other large vehicle.

The intersection of T.H. 24 and Sherburne County State Aid Highway 8 was selected based on the recommendations from the 2002 study. The intersection is isolated on a high speed two-lane highway without advance warning flashers and relatively high volumes of traffic (17,800 AADT) and truck traffic (1,850 HC).