If you have visited a city which features roundabouts and were unfamiliar with them, chances are they seemed a bit intimidating and confusing. However, once you get the hang of them, they can be a great way to keep traffic moving quickly, and avoid long waits at lights.

Modern roundabouts were developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and now are widely used in many countries. The modern roundabout is a circular intersection with design features that promote safe and efficient traffic flow.

At roundabouts in the United States, vehicles travel counterclockwise around a raised center island, with entering traffic yielding the right-of-way to circulating traffic. In urban settings, entering vehicles negotiate a curve sharp enough to slow speeds to about 15-20 mph; in rural settings, entering vehicles may be held to somewhat higher speeds (30-35 mph).

Within the roundabout and as vehicles exit, slow speeds are maintained by the deflection of traffic around the center island and the relatively tight radius of the roundabout and exit lanes. Slow speeds aid in the smooth movement of vehicles into, around, and out of a roundabout.

Drivers approaching a roundabout must reduce their speeds, look for potential conflicts with vehicles already in the circle, and be prepared to stop for pedestrians and bicyclists. Once in the roundabout, drivers proceed to the appropriate exit, following the guidance provided by traffic signs and pavement markings.

Several features of roundabouts promote safety. At traditional intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, some of the most common types of crashes are right-angle, left-turn, and head-on collisions.

These types of collisions can be severe because vehicles may be traveling through the intersection at high speeds. With roundabouts, these types of potentially serious crashes essentially are eliminated because vehicles travel in the same direction.

Installing roundabouts in place of traffic signals can also reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes and their severity by removing the incentive for drivers to speed up as they approach green lights and by reducing abrupt stops at red lights. The vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts that occur at roundabouts generally involve a vehicle merging into the circular roadway, with both vehicles traveling at low speeds – generally less than 20 mph in urban areas and less than 30-35 mph in rural areas.

Several studies conducted by the Institute and others have reported significant improvements in traffic flow following conversion of traditional intersections to roundabouts. A study of three intersections in Kansas, Maryland, and Nevada, where roundabouts replaced stop signs, found that vehicle delays were reduced 13-23 percent and the proportion of vehicles that stopped was reduced 14-37 Kamagra percent.

A study of three locations in New Hampshire, New York, and Washington, where roundabouts replaced traffic signals or stop signs, found an 89 percent average reduction in vehicle delays and a 56 percent average reduction in vehicle stops. A study of 11 intersections in Kansas found a 65 percent average reduction in delays and a 52 percent average reduction in vehicle stops after roundabouts were installed.

A 2005 Institute study documented missed opportunities to improve traffic flow and safety at 10 urban intersections suitable for roundabouts where either traffic signals were installed or major modifications were made to signalized intersections. It was estimated that the use of roundabouts instead of traffic signals at these 10 intersections would have reduced vehicle delays by 62-74 percent.

This is equivalent to approximately 325,000 fewer hours of vehicle delay on an annual basis. That is timed saved for every individual.

Drivers may be skeptical, or even opposed, to roundabouts when they are proposed. However, opinions quickly change when drivers become familiar with roundabouts.

A 2002 Institute study in three communities where single-lane roundabouts replaced stop sign-controlled intersections found 31 percent of drivers supported the roundabouts before construction compared with 63 percent shortly after. Another study surveyed drivers in three additional communities where single-lane roundabouts replaced stop signs or traffic signals.

Overall, 36 percent of drivers supported the roundabouts before construction compared with 50 percent shortly after. Follow-up surveys conducted in these six communities after roundabouts had been in place for more than one year found the level of public support increased to about 70 percent on average.

The additional travel lanes in multi-lane roundabouts increase the complexity of the driving task. Information is not yet available on drivers’ attitudes toward multi-lane roundabouts in the United States.

As you can see, they are certainly not as intimidating or complicated as they may seem, and can save you time. With the added benefits of increased safety to drivers, these traffic diversions are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Author Bio: Tom Selwick is a public safety representative for 25 years and has authored hundreds of articles relating to public safety and safety signs. He has worked in public safety for years promoting safe transportation practices.

Contact Info:
Tom Selwick
TomSelwick09@gmail.com
http://www.interwestsafety.com

Category: Culture and Society/Social Issues
Keywords: safety signs