Safer Intersections: Reassessing RTOR Policies

Since 1980, all states have permitted right turns on red as a general rule as an energy-saving measure. However, there is a growing interest in prohibiting right-turn-on-red (RTOR) policies in the name of pedestrian and bicycle safety. New Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) research, Right Turn on Red: Energy-Saving Measure or Unsafe Maneuver?, examines the infrastructure design and built environment-related factors associated with RTOR collisions—particularly those involving pedestrians and bicyclists. 

The study’s findings revealed that:

• RTOR movements are generally unsafe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.

  • Data analysis showed that right-turn collisions at signalized intersections were responsible for over 39,000 collisions and 217 fatalities (involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) between 2011–2022 in California alone.

• Despite RTOR crashes being a small portion of collisions and fatalities at signalized intersections, they tend to be more severe for vulnerable road users.

• ROTR movements only marginally lower emissions and only in certain contexts.

“Rather than attempting to prohibit RTOR on an intersection-by-intersection basis, the law should allow cities to institute a blanket prohibition (or permission),” explain the study’s authors. “With this policy, the state would allow cities to elect to ban RTOR as the default and then indicate intersections where the maneuver will be permitted.The implementation of Leading Pedestrian Intervals—which give pedestrians a head start before parallel traffic is allowed to turn right—can also improve safety at signalized intersections.”

This study underscores the need to reevaluate the safety implications of right-turn-on-red policies in light of the significant risks they pose to pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. While originally introduced as an energy-saving measure, this study indicates that the minimal emissions benefits do not outweigh the safety hazards. By adopting policy changes such as default RTOR prohibitions and implementing measures like Leading Pedestrian Intervals, cities can take significant steps toward making mobility safer for all.

ABOUT THE MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE

At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nations’ transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. Founded in 1991, MTI is a university transportation center funded by the US Department of Transportation, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants, including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Bruce Appleyard is a Professor of City Planning and Urban Design at San Diego State University (SDSU) where he serves as SDSU’s Director of the National Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety. Dr. Anurag Pande is a Professor of Civil Engineering at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). Dr. Joseph Gibbons is a Professor of Sociology at San Diego State University. Dr. Shams Tanvir is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Cal Poly. Megan Honey is a Master of City Planning graduate from SDSU. Nell Ahangarfabrik is a Master of City Planning graduate from SDSU. Mario Carbajal is a Master of City Planning student. Dr. Madison Swayne is an Assistant Professor of City Planning and serves as the associate director of the Center for Regional Sustainability at SDSU.

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