In the US, I've never seen a two-way passing middle lane, only three lane roads where the middle lane is designated for making left-hand turns for either lane. Usually these are in the "strip" regions in towns, where there are strip malls and big-box stores lining both sides of the road.
Rt.53 in Hingham,MA has a suicide lane. This is the appropriate name for a single track bidirectional lane for turning left. It is not used for passing. Great fun when people enter the lane too soon and facing cars must pass before each turns left. this leads to last minute entry into the lane and many stale-mates with stubborn cursiing drivers facing each other with no where to go as the prevailing traffic passes them on both sides.
I have seen 3-lane roads where the middle lane switches direction depending on time of day, with clear lit-up overhead signage telling you which lanes are going which direction. During non-rush hours it acts as a standard protected turning lane as you describe.
It's not very good for safety: many drivers forget or don't see the signage, so driving even in the direction the sign tells you you're allowed can be dangerous.
Vancouvers Lions Gate bridge (the big green one) uses this system. I havent heard of a non-drunk ever getting that confused. If you cannot obey the 100s of lit signs, youll also be having trouble with hasic red-light intersections.
One cool trick is that the center lane can be shut both ways to allow ambulances and cops to rush the bridge when needed.
