Get ready to hang a U-ey, London.

Drivers will face a bevy of future changes as the city rolls out details of its $500-million bus rapid transit network.

The introduction of spots to make U-turns along streets divided down the middle by BRT corridors is perhaps the most notable example.

That alone may be enough for those already unhappy with BRT to predict roadway chaos, but ­traffic experts say using U-turns — a driving manoeuvre that’s legal in Ontario, with some restrictions, — could improve safety on the road.

Sam Qazi, who owns Driverzed driving school in London, said he expects a steep learning curve.

“This change will contribute in a negative way if they don’t address the generally poor driving habits of Londoners,” he said.

“We all need to be safer, smarter, slow down.”

Designs unveiled this week recommend running BRT-only lanes down the centre lanes of major routes such as Richmond and Oxford streets and Wellington Road. That means drivers won’t be able to cross those dedicated bus lanes to turn left into driveways, parking lots or side streets.

Instead, they’ll have to make a U-turn at the next intersection and double back.

Waterloo Region uses similar rules — inviting U-turns during an advance left turn signal — to help drivers navigate the tracks for its light rail rapid transit. Trains aren’t up and running yet, but ­construction has given drivers time to practise, said Matthew O’Neil, a project manager in the rapid transit division.

“That habit has become fairly ingrained in drivers,” he said.

O’Neil said the region hasn’t seen a rise in crashes where U-turns are allowed.

London plans to ban right turns at red lights for drivers turning onto streets divided by BRT corridors, to prevent collisions with U-turning drivers.

The rule will apply only to areas where there is one lane of general traffic, like Richmond Street.

For example, if a driver heading north on Richmond Street makes a U-turn at Oxford Street to go south on Richmond, eastbound drivers on Oxford looking to turn south on Richmond would have to wait for a green light.

Sgt. Sean Harding, who heads the London police traffic unit, said many drivers have misconceptions about U-turns.

“It’s legal to do, you just can’t be in violation of the Highway Traffic Act,” he said.

Those rules restrict U-turns around railways, blind hills and other areas where there isn’t room to see oncoming traffic or make the turn safely.

“As with anything, it will take some learning,” Harding said of more widespread U-turns in London.

But one road safety expert said allowing 180s under advanced left turn signals could create a safer system. Vehicles making left or U-turns wouldn’t have to worry about straight-through traffic, which is generally faster and more dangerous, during those advance signals.

“The types of collisions that occur when a vehicle turns right while another turns left would more likely be a sideswipe collision at a lower speed, which often are lower severity collisions,” said Maurice Masliah, a transportation consultant.

BRT will force changes on drivers, but not all are as polarizing as U-turns. Even if you have no plans to leave your car when London rolls out the 24-kilometre network of high-frequency buses, here are the facts you need to know:

New look, same space

When BRT-only lanes are unrolled across the city over the next decade, some areas, like Richmond Street, will lose lanes currently available for cars. But that’s not the case on most roads. Only five kilometres of the 24-kilometre BRT network will reduce the number of traffic lanes that drivers now enjoy. Richmond Street north of Central Avenue, King Street between Colborne and Ontario streets, and Dundas Street between Ontario and Highbury, will feel the pinch.

Smart signals

Part of the bus rapid transit project includes a smart traffic signal system. It’s the next level above “synchronized lights” — technology for which London drivers have been begging for years. As part of the BRT construction, the city will invest in and install an intelligent transportation system to better manage traffic signals, and by extension, the flow of vehicles.

BRT-only lanes – mostly

Downtown drivers on King Street will have to take a second look before turning right when the downtown BRT routes are up and running. King is one of the only streets where a curb-running BRT lane is recommended (as opposed to dedicated BRT lanes running down the middle of a street). Drivers will have to enter the bus lane to turn right. But with rapid transit buses expected to go by every five minutes at peak periods, there will be lots of time to turn.

Snow melt success

As city plows clear snow and spread salt on centre-running BRT lanes — which will be a top priority after snowfalls — traffic lanes on those roads will benefit, too. A very slight tilt in the road, the same one that lets water drain at the curb, will help push snow-busting salt and sand out toward lanes for cars and other non-transit traffic.

Emergency vehicles excepted

Though dedicated BRT lanes will be closed to other traffic, there will be exceptions, including ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers. Emergency vehicles will be able to use BRT-only lanes to whip through the city on the way to crime scenes, fires, or medical episodes.

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A. At intersections with traffic signals, drivers will be able to cross BRT lanes to turn left during an advance green light, and turn right as usual.

B. Between intersections, drivers only will be able to turn right in or out of side streets, driveways and other entrances. Drivers will not be able to cross BRT lanes to make left turns.

C.Drivers trying to turn left out of driveways or side streets will instead drive to the next intersection to make a U-turn. An advance green light will allow for drivers to make left turns and U-turns at the same time, while rapid transit buses and other vehicles are stopped.

D.On rapid transit corridors where there is only one lane each way for general traffic, like Richmond Street, right turns at red lights will be prohibited during the advance turn signal. Right turns may be allowed at red lights, when drivers travelling in the opposite direction are making advance left turns and U-turns, but only if there are two lanes each way for traffic.