{{short description|Traffic that moves in a single direction}} {{Redirect-several|dab=off|One Way Road (disambiguation){{!}}One Way Road|One Way Street (disambiguation){{!}}One Way Street|One Way System}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} [[File:WSTM-CornFedChicks0008.JPG|thumb|upright|One-way street sign in New York City]] [[File:Presbyterian Church, No trucks over 5 tons, nonstandard lettering Cullom Ave, One way signs (37412484074).jpg|thumb|upright|No trucks over 5 tons, nonstandard lettering Cullom Ave, One way signs in Chicago, Illinois]] '''One-way traffic''' (or '''uni-directional traffic''') is traffic that moves in a single direction. A '''one-way street''' is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction. One-way streets typically result in higher traffic flow as drivers may avoid encountering oncoming traffic or turns through oncoming traffic. Residents may dislike one-way streets due to the circuitous route required to get to a specific destination, and the potential for higher speeds adversely affecting pedestrian safety. Some studies even challenge the original motivation for one-way streets, in that the circuitous routes negate the claimed higher speeds.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jaffe|first=Eric|title=The Case Against One-Way Streets|url=http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2013/01/case-against-one-way-streets/4549/|work=The Atlantic Cities|publisher=Atlantic Media Company|access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref>
==Signage==
===General signs=== thumb|upright=0.8|Another style of one-way sign, located in Chicago Signs are posted showing which direction the vehicles can move in: commonly an upward arrow, or on a T junction where the main road is one-way, an arrow to the left or right.<ref>{{cite web |title=Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/223943/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-03.pdf |publisher=The Stationery Office |access-date=28 December 2018 |pages=25–26 |date=2008}}</ref> At the end of the street through which vehicles may not enter, a prohibitory traffic sign "Do Not Enter", "Wrong Way", or "No Entry" sign is posted, e.g. with that text, or a round red sign with a white horizontal bar. Sometimes one portion of a street is one-way, another portion two-way. An advantage of one-way streets is that drivers do not have to watch for vehicles coming in the opposite direction on this type of street.
A number of European countries, including Russia and post-Soviet states, use one-way rectangular road signs with a white arrow on a blue background. In Russia and post-Soviet countries, such signs are called as "Exit to a one-way road" ({{Langx|ru|Выезд на дорогу с односторонним движением}}) and are placed in front of an intersection, often in combination with a Yield sign or Priority road sign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=<span lang{{=}}"ru">Знаки 5.7.1., 5.7.2. Выезд на дорогу с односторонним движением.</span> |url=https://www.drom.ru/pdd/pdd/sign_5_7/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=Дром |language=ru}}</ref>
Rectangular one-way traffic signs in different countries of the world may have such inscriptions inside the arrow:
* Austria uses '''{{Lang|de|EINBAHN|italic=unset}}'''; * Denmark uses '''{{Lang|da|Ensrettet|italic=unset}}'''; * Germany uses '''{{Lang|de|Einbahnstraße|italic=unset}}'''; * Jordan uses '''{{Lang|ar|اتجاه واحد|italic=unset}}'''; * Luxembourg uses '''{{Lang|fr|Sens unique|italic=unset}}'''; * Romania and Moldova use '''{{Lang|ro|SENS UNIC|italic=unset}}'''; * Some Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas use '''{{Lang|es|UNA VIA|italic=unset}}'''; * Thailand uses '''{{Lang|th|เดินรถทางเดียว|italic=unset}}'''; * Turkey uses '''{{Lang|tr|TEK YÖN|italic=unset}}''';
In Russia and post-Soviet countries, the "End of one-way traffic" ({{Langx|ru|Конец дороги с односторонним движением}}) sign is used to indicate the end of a one-way road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=<span lang{{=}}"ru">Дорожный знак 5.6 «Конец дороги с односторонним движением»</span> |url=https://www.vozhdenie-nn.ru/law/dorozhnye-znaki/znaki-osobyh-predpisanij/konec-dorogi-s-odnostoronnim-dvizheniem |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=www.vozhdenie-nn.ru}}</ref> This sign shows a big white arrow crossed out by a red diagonal line on a blue background. Such sign in this form is not found anywhere else in Europe and Asia. [[File:Улица Губаревича, Элиста - одностороннее движение.jpg|thumb|320x320px|Road signs "Give way" and "Exit to a one-way road" at the exit to Gubarevicha Street in Elista, Russia.]]
===No entry signs=== {{Redirect|No entry}} {{Redirect|Do not enter|the Paraguayan-Argentine film|Do Not Enter (2024 film)|the American film|Do Not Enter (2026 film)}} The abstract "No Entry" sign was officially adopted for standardization at the League of Nations convention in Geneva in 1931. The sign was adapted from Swiss usage, derived from the practice of former European states that marked their boundaries with their formal shield symbols. Restrictions on entry were indicated by tying a blood-red ribbon horizontally around the shield.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lay |first1=M.G. |title=A History of the World's Roads and of the Vehicles That Used Them |date=1992 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=9780813526911 |page=190 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flvS-nJga8QC&pg=PA190 |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> The sign is also known as ''C1'', from its definition in the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.
The European "No Entry" sign was adopted into North American uniform signage in the late 1960s / 1970s, replacing a previous white square sign bearing only the English text in black "Do Not Enter". In addition to the standardized graphic symbol, the US version still retains the wording "Do Not Enter", while the European and Canadian versions typically have no text.
Since Unicode 5.2, the Miscellaneous Symbols block contains the character {{unichar|26D4}}, representable in html as {{code|⛔}} or {{code|⛔}}.
===Gallery=== <gallery> File:SADC road sign R4.1.svg|One-way sign used in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Lesotho, and Tanzania File:HR road sign C05-2.svg|One-way sign used in Croatia, BiH, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia File:Australia road sign R2-2-L.svg|The contemporary Australian one way sign is vertically oriented, but older signs similar to those used in North America are still common. File:5.5 Russian road sign.svg|One-way road sign used in Russia and post-Soviet states File:5.6 Russian road sign.svg|Sign used in Russia and post-Soviet states (except Lithuania) to indicate end of one-way traffic File:Lithuania road sign 504.svg|Sign used in Lithuania to indicate end of one-way traffic File:Zeichen 267 - Verbot der Einfahrt, StVO 1970.svg|"No entry" signs are often placed at the exit ends of one-way streets File:Sweden road sign E16-1.svg|A Swedish one-way sign used on T junctions File:Zeichen 220-20 - Einbahnstraße (rechtsweisend), StVO 1992.svg|Some countries, like Germany, show text on one-way signs ({{Lang|de|Einbahnstraße}} means "one-way street") File:Ontario Rb-21R.svg | Canada File:Ecuador road sign R2-1D.svg|Sign "{{Lang|es|Una via|italic=unset}}" used in Latin American countries (e.g. Ecuador) File:MUTCD R6-1R.svg|One-way road sign used in US File:MUTCD R6-2R.svg|One-way road sign used in US (alt) File:MUTCD R5-1.svg|"No entry" signs are often placed at the exit ends of one-way streets (US) New Zealand RG-14 (L).svg|New Zealand and Fiji one way road sign NZ road sign R3-4.svg|New Zealand and Fiji no entry sign UK traffic sign 652.svg|UK one-way sign UK traffic sign 616.svg|UK no entry sign Brasil_R-3.svg|Brazil no entry sign </gallery>
==Applications==
[[File:Geöffnete Einbahnstrasse für Radverkehr Zwischenhausen Marburg 2016-02-26.JPG|thumb|Opened One-way street for cyclists as part of cycling infrastructure (Germany)]] One-way streets may be part of a one-way system, which facilitates a smoother flow of motor traffic through, for example, a city center grid; as in the case of Bangalore, India. This is achieved by arranging one-way streets that cross in such a fashion as to eliminate right turns (for driving on left) or left turns (for driving on right). Traffic light systems at such junctions may be simpler and may be coordinated to produce a green wave.
Some of the reasons one-way traffic is specified: *The street is too narrow for movement in both directions and the road users unable to coordinate easily<ref>{{cite web |title=One way streets |url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/road-safety/traffic-schemes/one-way-streets |publisher=Bath and NE Somerset Council |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> *Prevent drivers from cutting through residential streets to bypass traffic lights or other requirements to stop (a so-called "rat run") *Discourage drivers from cruising through a residential neighborhood (e.g. by having mostly one-way streets pointing outwards, with relatively few vehicular entrances) *Part of a one-way pair of two parallel one-way streets in opposite directions (such as a divided highway) *For a proper functioning of a system of paid parking<ref>{{cite web |title=One Way Signs: Helping Improve Traffic Flow With Single Direction Traffic |url=https://www.seton.com/blog/2013/05/one-way-signs-helping-improve-traffic-flow-with-single-direction-traffic |publisher=Seton - A Brady Corporation Company |access-date=28 December 2018 |date=8 May 2013 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422220359/https://www.seton.com/blog/2013/05/one-way-signs-helping-improve-traffic-flow-with-single-direction-traffic |url-status=dead }}</ref> or other restricted vehicular access (these may also use one-way treadles which puncture tires if traversed in the forbidden direction) *To calm traffic, especially in historic city centers *Eliminate turns that involve crossing in front of oncoming traffic *Increase traffic flow and potentially reduce traffic congestion<ref>{{cite news |last1=Matchett |first1=Conor |title=Calls for one-way traffic trial after roadworks improve traffic flow |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/calls-for-one-way-traffic-trial-after-roadworks-improve-traffic-flow-1-5725402 |access-date=28 December 2018 |publisher=Archant Community Media Ltd |date=5 October 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106033841/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/calls-for-one-way-traffic-trial-after-roadworks-improve-traffic-flow-1-5725402 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Add an additional parking lane in a former two-way street, formerly with parking on one side only. (Commonly found in Malta) *Eliminate the need for a center turn lane that can instead be used for travel *Better traffic flow in densely built-up areas where road widening may not be feasible *Simplify pedestrian crossing of the street due to walkers only needing to look for oncoming traffic in one direction *Eliminate cars' driver-side doors opening into the travel lane in parallel parking spaces for parking lanes located on the left (right-hand drive) or right (left-hand drive) side of a street *Locate a one-way bike lane on the opposite side of the street from parallel parking spaces to prevent dooring *Limited-access highway entrance and exit ramps.
=== Couplets === {{main|One-way pair}} Successful one-way streets typically have "couplets" within close distance. This creates a pair of streets with similar design features to balance travels in both directions. However, it can create a problem if one street in the pair is a major traffic generator, which will create an imbalance.<ref name="Roess2004" />{{rp|p=761}}
=== Disadvantages === {{Multiple image |header=One-way street system increases trip length required to reach desired destination. |image1=One-way street results in longer trip (regular street).svg |caption1=Without one-way street system |image2=One-way street results in longer trip (one-way street).svg |caption2=With one-way street system }}
One-way street systems often result in an increase in the trip length due to extra turns must be made before reaching the destination. Another major impact is to transit routing. Bus routes must split onto two separate streets, adding to confusion and walking distances. Business owners often object to building one-way streets too, fearing a decline in the business due to changing circulation patterns, though most studies show one way streets in commercial area result in an enhanced economic activity.<ref name="Roess2004">{{cite book |last1=Roess |first1=Roger P. |last2=Prassas |first2=Elena S. |last3=McShane |first3=William R. |title=Traffic engineering |date=2004 |publisher=Pearson/Prentice Hall |location=Upper Saddle River, N.J |isbn=0-13-142471-8 |edition=3rd}}</ref>{{rp|p=762}}
==Left turn on red== In the United States, 37 states and Puerto Rico allow left turns on red only if both the origin and destination streets are one way. See South Carolina law<ref>[http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.htm scstatehouse.gov] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105041746/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.htm |date=November 5, 2011 }}</ref> Section 56-5-970 C3, for example. Five other states{{spaced ndash}}Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington{{spaced ndash}}also allow left turns on red into a one-way street from a two-way street.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/aac/title13/chapter002/section010.htm|title=13 AAC 02.010. Traffic-control signal legend|website=touchngo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH8SECT49-802.htm|title=legislature.idaho.gov|access-date=31 October 2011|archive-date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006102310/http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH8SECT49-802.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-257-612|title=Michigan Legislature - Section 257.612|website=legislature.mi.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.055|title=RCW 46.61.055: Traffic control signal legend.|website=apps.leg.wa.gov}}</ref>
==History== An attempt was apparently made in 1617 to introduce one-way streets in alleys near the River Thames in London by The Worshipful Company of Carmen who were commissioned by the King to regulate traffic in the square mile of the City of London.<ref>{{cite book|first=Trevor|last=Homer|title=The Book of Origins|location=London|publisher=Portrait|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7499-5110-8|pages=283–4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Penguin Pocket On This Day|publisher=Penguin Reference Library|isbn=978-0-14-102715-9|year=2006}}</ref> The next one-way street in London was Albemarle Street in Mayfair, the location of the Royal Institution. It was so designated in 1800 because the public science lectures were so popular there.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Simon Singh|last=Singh|first=Simon|url=http://www.simonsingh.net/media/articles/maths-and-science/stars-in-whose-eyes/|title=Stars In Whose Eyes?|access-date=2013-08-10}}</ref> The first one-way streets in Paris were the Place Charles de Gaulle around the Arc de Triomphe,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Higonnet |first1=Patrice L. |title=Paris: Capital of the World |date=2009 |publisher=Harvard University Press |page=187 |isbn=9780674038646 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-E7P9dVSbgC&pg=PA187 |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> the ''Rue de Mogador'' and the ''Rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin'', created on 13 December 1909.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eno |first1=William Phelps |title=The story of highway traffic control, 1899-1939 |date=1939 |publisher=The Eno foundation for highway traffic control, inc. |page=243 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0mA5AAAAMAAJ&q=%22le+systeme+eno%22 |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>
According to the folklore of Eugene, Oregon, the use of one-way streets in the United States started in Eugene itself. In 1941 6th Ave was converted into a one-way avenue by the Highway Department.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/24803 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-08-24 |archive-date=2016-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129075821/http://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/24803 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other sources claim the fad arose in relation to the disaster of the SS ''Morro Castle''. On 9 September 1934, the on-fire SS ''Morro Castle'' was towed to the New Jersey shoreline near the Asbury Park Convention Center and the sightseeing traffic was enormous. The Asbury Park Police Chief decided to make the Ocean Avenue one-way going north and the street one block over (Kingsley) in one-way going south, creating a circular route. By the 1950s this "cruising the circuit" became a draw to the area in itself since teens would drive around it looking to hook up with other teens. The circuit was in place until the streets went back to two way in 2007 due to new housing and retail development.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Friedman |first1=Alexi |title=75-year-old film footage shows aftermath of fire aboard luxury liner in Asbury Park |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/film_shows_famous_1934_sinking.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |publisher=Advance Local Media LLC |date=6 September 2009}}</ref>
==One-way traffic of pedestrians== [[File:One Way Trail, Arrowhead Loop Trail, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve.webp|thumb|right|A one-way trail sign in a California nature preserve applies to all trail users, including equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers. The restriction was originally implemented as a social distancing measure during the COVID-19 pandemic but persisted for crowd control.]]
Sometimes one-way walking is specified for smooth pedestrian traffic flow, or in the case of entrance checks (such as ticket checks) and exit checks (e.g. the check-out in a shop). They may be outdoors (e.g. an extra exit of a zoo), or in a building, or in a vehicle (e.g. a tram). In addition to signs, there may be various forms and levels of enforcement, such as: *personnel; sometimes a "soft" traffic control system is supported by vigilant staff monitoring *a turnstile; however, turnstile jumping is possible *a High Entrance/Exit Turnstile (HEET) *a one-way revolving door *an escalator; however, the escalator can be traversed in opposite direction, by walking up or down the stairs faster than it moves *an elevator that can only be called from one floor; this is common in IKEA stores. * Two-way elevators: passengers enter from the front on one floor and exit from the back in another floor. This is common in two-level Target stores. *a door or gate that can only be opened from one side (a manual or electric lock, or simply a door that is pushed open and has no doorknob on the other side), or which automatically opens from one side. (However, with help from someone on the other side, it may often be bypassed in the reverse direction.) **entrance of a shop **an emergency exit, which may activate an alarm * Airports - (e.g. passport control, customs, baggage security)
Sometimes a door or gate can be opened freely from one side, and only with a key or by inserting a coin from the other side (house door, door with a coin slot, e.g. giving entrance to a pay toilet). The latter can be passed without paying when somebody else leaves, and by multiple persons if only one pays (as opposed to a coin-operated turnstile).
==See also== {{infobox symbol |mark=⛔ |unicode={{unichar|26D4}} |different from={{unichar|2296|nlink=⊖ (disambiguation)}}<br /> {{unichar|229D|nlink=}} }} *Circulation plan * Glossary of road transport terms
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Commons category|One-way traffic}}
{{Traffic signs}}
Category:Types of roads