COLLEGE STATION, TX Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and Texas A&M University Transportation Services completed construction on a first-of-its-kind non-signalized, Dutch-style intersection. The protected intersection includes bright green solar luminescent pavement markings used to delineate the bicycle pathwaysalso a first use in the United States. In this innovation, the illuminating green pavement marking keeps the pathways lit for the cyclists by storing solar energy during the day and emitting light during nighttime.

The Dutch Junction, which was developed in the Netherlands and refined in other locations, moves bicyclists in front of vehicles at the intersection, increasing the protection for cyclists. The key to its design are the islands at the intersection corners, which separate cars and cyclists turning right; they also move cyclists traveling straight into the view of automobiles and away from their blind spot.

"The marriage of the Dutch Junction design and explicit delineation of the bike lanes, with advanced materials that are highly visible both day and night, embody the concept behind the technology initiativeto enhance the safety and mobility options across the Texas A&M University campus. This is the first of many implementations and technology demonstrations planned over the next year," said Robert Brydia, Senior Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

The protected intersection with solar luminescent bike lanes is located at the corner of Bizzell and Ross Streets, an unsignalized on-campus crossing with high pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle volumes. With nearly 70,000 students, faculty and staff traveling to and from campus daily, the intersection will enhance the safe flow of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic in this area.