A modern roundabout is a transportation management tool that moves traffic through an intersection without the aid of traffic signals. It involves one-way-traffic moving around a circular central island where entering traffic must yield to the traffic already in the roundabout. The objectives of roundabouts are to reduce traffic speeds and reduce the number and severity of crashes, while improving traffic flow. Roundabouts are designed to accommodate all sizes of vehicles. A Roundabout is Not a Traffic Circle
Many people confuse modern roundabouts with traditional traffic circles or rotaries, such as those found on the East Coast. Three basic principles distinguish the modern roundabout from a traffic circle.
Safety Benefits of Modern Roundabouts
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, installing a roundabout typically results in:
76% reduction in injury-accidents
90% reduction in fatalities
40% reduction in pedestrian injuries
90% reduction in fatalities
40% reduction in pedestrian injuries
75% fewer “conflict points” compared to standard intersections
Why do roundabouts have such a good safety record? Conflicts are reducedWith fewer conflict points, roundabouts eliminate the potential for hazardous conflicts, such as right angle and left-turn head on crashes.
Speeds are reduced and are more consistent
Low speeds driven in roundabouts allow drivers more time to react to potential conflicts, thus helping to improve the safety of roundabouts. Since most drivers travel at low speeds (15-25 mph) through roundabouts, crash severity is reduced compared to traditional intersections.
Pedestrian friendly
Pedestrians need only cross one direction of traffic at a time at each roundabout approach, as compared with signalized intersections. The distance the pedestrian travels to cross traffic is also shorter than a traditional intersection.
