Due　to　the　lack　of　detailed　designs　for　the　channelization　at　widened　intersection　approaches　in　Beijing,　it　is　not　unusual　to　encounter　a　through　lane　that　changes　to　a　left-turn　lane　without　any　transition　in　between.　This　paper　first　compares　widened　intersections　in　Beijing　with　America　(Austin,　TX)　by　analyzing　traffic　flow　characteristics　and　actual　vehicle　tracking.　The　results　show　that　this　type　of　design　more　likely　confuses　drivers　and　causes　unnecessary　merging,　which　in　turn　deteriorates　traffic　operations　and　safety　at　the　intersection.　The　typical　form　in　Beijing　and　two　design　forms　of　Austin　are　evaluated　using　simulation.　It　is　shown　in　simulation　that　both　of　the　Austin　designs　perform　better　than　the　existing　Beijing　design　in　terms　of　measures　of　effectiveness　(MOEs),　such　as　delay　and　queue　length.　It　is　noted　that　intersection　approach　channelization　and　lane　arrangement　should　be　designed　consistent　with　road　condition.　©　2010　ASCE.