Final answer:
A shared left turn lane, also known as a center turn lane, is a designated lane in the middle of a road that is used for facilitating left turns from both directions of a two-way road. It helps improve traffic flow and safety by reducing conflicts between turning vehicles and through traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
A shared left turn lane, also known as a center turn lane, is used for facilitating left turns from both directions of a two-way road. It is a designated lane in the middle of the road, separated by solid yellow lines on each side. Vehicles can enter the shared turn lane and wait there until they can safely make a left turn, without disrupting the flow of through traffic.
For example, imagine a situation where there is one lane of traffic going in each direction on a two-way road. If a vehicle in the left lane heading west wants to make a left turn, they can enter the shared left turn lane and wait until it is safe to turn. This allows other vehicles behind them to continue passing by in the right lane.
Shared left turn lanes help improve traffic flow and safety by reducing the number of conflicts between turning vehicles and through traffic. They provide a designated space for turning vehicles, reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions and streamlining traffic movement.