What is the purpose of a shared turn lane?

The purpose of a shared turn lane is to allow vehicles from both directions to turn left using the same lane. This design facilitates smoother traffic flow by providing a dedicated lane for left turns, reducing the need for vehicles to wait in the through lanes for an opportunity to make a left turn. Shared turn lanes are typically painted with lane markings and may include signage to alert drivers of their purpose. This configuration can help manage conflicting traffic movements, enhance safety, and minimize delays at intersections, ultimately improving the overall efficiency of the roadway.

In this scenario, the other options do not accurately represent the function of a shared turn lane. The first option about allowing parking refers to a different type of lane usage, while facilitating only right turns is not relevant to the function of a shared turn lane, which specifically caters to left-turning vehicles. Lastly, indicating lanes solely for bicycles pertains to dedicated bike lanes, which have a different purpose altogether.