New reversible lane set up in Zhuzilin

Writer: Liu Jieyu  | Editor: Holly Wang  | From:  | Updated: 2019-07-03

A branch road for vehicles turning from Zizhu No. 7 Road onto Nonglin Road in Zhuzilin, Futian District, has been renovated into a reversible lane and was put into use recently, according to a notice by Shenzhen’s transport bureau Monday.

A reversible lane, which is also known as a counterflow lane or tidal lane, allows traffic to travel in either direction depending on the current conditions. Typically, overhead traffic lights and lighted street signs notify drivers which lanes are open and closed.

This branch road was originally designed in 2012 to be a one-way road for eastbound vehicles, which can make a U-turn to converge on Shennan Boulevard, yet it caused traffic jams at the T-shaped intersection of Nonglin Road and Shennan Boulevard.

To improve the traffic condition in the Zhuzilin area, Futian’s transport bureau suggested turning the one-direction branch road into a tidal lane to allow vehicles to travel in different directions depending on the time period.

During rush hours between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day, vehicles will be allowed to travel westbound. During the rest of the time, eastbound vehicles are allowed.

To make use of the tidal lane, Shenzhen’s transport authority had to renovate the intersection of Jianye Street and Nonglin Road to allow vehicles to turn left onto Nonglin Road to head north.

Shenzhen has introduced tidal lanes on Buji Road, Wenjin Road, Xinzhou Road and Caitian Road since 2016.