---
title: "Uncontrolled"
url: "https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/uncontrolled/"
id: "INT-UNC-07"
description: "An intersection with no assigned right-of-way control, realistic only at the lowest density and traffic volumes."
updated: "2026-09-10"
---

# Uncontrolled

`INT-UNC-07`

Situational / Discouraged Intersections & Crossings

Uncontrolled

An intersection with no stop, yield, signal, or roundabout control, right-of-way resolved informally by the drivers and other road users present.

Typical at: Undeveloped Rural

Suburban is an edge case. Compact, Urban, and Core are unlikely pairings.

## Design notes

Uncontrolled intersections are only realistic where traffic volume is low enough on every approach that informal right-of-way resolution stays safe, which narrows this pattern to the lowest end of the density range.[1] Where volume rises past that point, Stop / Yield (Two-Way) is the first applied control tier.

## Related patterns

[Stop / Yield (Two-Way)](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/intersections/stop-yield.md) (INT-SYD-05) (the next control tier up as volume exceeds informal right-of-way resolution, made explicit by the sentence added to this page's own Design notes)

## References

1.  Precedent-based [SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research, "Principles for a Safe Road Network."](https://swov.nl/en/fact-sheet/principles-safe-road-network)