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Roundabouts – An FHWA Perspective Mark Doctor, PE FHWA Resource Center

FHWA roundabout presentation

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Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) roundabout presentation.

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Page 1: FHWA roundabout presentation

Roundabouts – An FHWA Perspective

Mark Doctor, PEFHWA Resource Center

Page 2: FHWA roundabout presentation

Progress in building roundabouts Progress in building roundabouts

MD

DE

DC

MA

OR

RINJ

NH

ME

PA

WV

NC

SC

GA

FL

OH

MI

INIL

WI

IA

MO

LA

NM

CO

SD

ID

CA

WA

TN

VT

MS

MT ND

NV

AZ

UT

WY

NE

KS

OK

TX

AR

MN

AL

KY VA

NY

CT

AK

HI

moderate

little or no activity

substantial

Disclaimer: This is a subjective assessment based on information available on certain factors and conditions. If you have data to suggest revising this assessment, please contact Mark Doctor at FHWA ([email protected])

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So, why aren’t more agencies So, why aren’t more agencies building roundabouts?building roundabouts?

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““TOP TEN” TOP TEN” Roundabout Myths Roundabout Myths

and and MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings

From the Home Office in Lumpkin, GA -From the Home Office in Lumpkin, GA -

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Myth #10 - Roundabouts and Myth #10 - Roundabouts and traffic circles are the same thingtraffic circles are the same thing

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FACT: Roundabouts are a FACT: Roundabouts are a subset of circular subset of circular

intersectionsintersections

Roundabouts

Rotaries

Neighborhoodtraffic circles

All circularintersections

Others

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Myth #9 - Roundabouts cause Myth #9 - Roundabouts cause more crashesmore crashes

FACT: Study after study conclusively shows that FACT: Study after study conclusively shows that modern roundabouts reduce motor vehicle crashes.modern roundabouts reduce motor vehicle crashes.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ((www.highwaysafety.org)) "most serious kinds of crashes at "most serious kinds of crashes at conventional intersections are virtually eliminated conventional intersections are virtually eliminated by roundabouts…Crashes that do occur tend to be by roundabouts…Crashes that do occur tend to be minor because traffic speeds are slower." minor because traffic speeds are slower." Studies of intersections around the U.S. that have Studies of intersections around the U.S. that have been converted from stop signs or traffic signals to been converted from stop signs or traffic signals to modern roundabouts. modern roundabouts. – Total crashes were reduced by 39% Total crashes were reduced by 39% – Serious crashes were reduced by 76% Serious crashes were reduced by 76% – Fatal or incapacitating injuries reduced by 89% Fatal or incapacitating injuries reduced by 89%

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What makes roundabouts safer?What makes roundabouts safer?Two key reasons:Two key reasons:

1) They reduce the number of potential conflicts 1) They reduce the number of potential conflicts

2) They reduce speeds (higher-speed crashes are 2) They reduce speeds (higher-speed crashes are more likely to result in serious injury or death)more likely to result in serious injury or death)

32 conflict points• High-speed• High-angle• High-energy

8 conflict points• Low-speed• Low-angle• Low-energy

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Myth #8 - The public will never Myth #8 - The public will never accept roundaboutsaccept roundabouts

Photo source: NYSDOT

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FACT: Public Attitude Toward FACT: Public Attitude Toward Roundabouts Quickly ChangesRoundabouts Quickly Changes

After ConstructionAfter ConstructionAttitude Attitude BeforeBefore AfterAfter Construction Construction ConstructionConstruction

Very NegativeVery Negative 23%23% 00%00%

NegativeNegative 45%45% 00%00%

NeutralNeutral 18%18% 27%27%

PositivePositive 14%14% 41%41%

Very PositiveVery Positive 0%0% 32%32%

NCHRP Synthesis 264

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Drivers Who Favor or Oppose Drivers Who Favor or Oppose RoundaboutsRoundabouts

0

1020

3040

5060

70

PE

RC

EN

T

Before After Before After

FAVOR STRONGLYOPPOSEInsurance Institute for

Highway Safety

31

63

41

15

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From Opposition To From Opposition To SupportSupport

ITE Journal Sept 2002: Surveys in Kansas, Maryland and Nevada

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Myth #7 - Roundabouts cost moreMyth #7 - Roundabouts cost more

Actual costs depend on several site specific conditionsActual costs depend on several site specific conditionsMost agencies find the initial construction cost of a Most agencies find the initial construction cost of a roundabout is comparable to the initial construction cost roundabout is comparable to the initial construction cost of a signal of a signal A “life-cycle” cost comparison should be used since A “life-cycle” cost comparison should be used since roundabouts do not require signal equipment roundabouts do not require signal equipment maintenance ($15,000 + per year). Over the long run, maintenance ($15,000 + per year). Over the long run, roundabouts are typically less expensive than signalsroundabouts are typically less expensive than signalsIn some instances a roundabout may cost less because In some instances a roundabout may cost less because fewer lanes may be needed than at a signalized fewer lanes may be needed than at a signalized intersection. Typically the number of turn lanes can be intersection. Typically the number of turn lanes can be reduced and in some instances the improved efficiency reduced and in some instances the improved efficiency at the intersection allows the number of through lanes to at the intersection allows the number of through lanes to be reduced. be reduced.

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R.O.W. ComparisonR.O.W. Comparison

Main St. and Center St. Hamburg, NY

Source: NYSDOT

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Fact: Roundabouts are very efficient from a traffic Fact: Roundabouts are very efficient from a traffic operations perspective and for a given volume operations perspective and for a given volume will typically have less delay time than a signal will typically have less delay time than a signal or stop controlled intersection.or stop controlled intersection.

Roundabouts must be designed to accommodate Roundabouts must be designed to accommodate the proper demand volumes. An oversaturated the proper demand volumes. An oversaturated roundabout will operate poorly as will an roundabout will operate poorly as will an oversaturated signalized intersection.oversaturated signalized intersection.

Myth #6 – Roundabouts have Myth #6 – Roundabouts have less capacity than signalized less capacity than signalized

intersectionsintersections

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Fact: A well-designed modern roundabout Fact: A well-designed modern roundabout includes a “truck apron” sized in includes a “truck apron” sized in accordance with the appropriate design accordance with the appropriate design vehicle for the highway typevehicle for the highway type

Myth #5 – Fire trucks and other Myth #5 – Fire trucks and other large vehicles can’t make it large vehicles can’t make it

through a roundaboutthrough a roundabout

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Myth #4 - Roundabouts are not Myth #4 - Roundabouts are not good for pedestrians and good for pedestrians and

bicyclistsbicyclists

Fact: Roundabouts are very pedestrian friendlyFact: Roundabouts are very pedestrian friendly

- The splitter islands provide a space for pedestrians in - The splitter islands provide a space for pedestrians in the middle of each crossing. Therefore, pedestrians only the middle of each crossing. Therefore, pedestrians only need to cross one direction of traffic at a time. need to cross one direction of traffic at a time. - The pedestrian crosswalks are set at least one full car - The pedestrian crosswalks are set at least one full car length back from the yield line. That way, pedestrians do length back from the yield line. That way, pedestrians do not have to cross in front of drivers that are looking for not have to cross in front of drivers that are looking for their gap in traffic. Experience has shown that the their gap in traffic. Experience has shown that the stopped vehicle one car length back from the yield line is stopped vehicle one car length back from the yield line is more aware of pedestrians.more aware of pedestrians.

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Comparison of Vehicle / Pedestrian Comparison of Vehicle / Pedestrian ConflictsConflicts

16 Conflicts 8 Conflicts

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Myth #3 – Roundabouts aren’t Myth #3 – Roundabouts aren’t good for older driversgood for older drivers

Some Demographic Facts:Some Demographic Facts:Americans aged 85 and older are the fastest growing part of the population.The size of the population aged 65 and older is projected to double over the next 30 years.By 2020 one in five people will be aged 65 or older.In other words - before 2020, the 85%ile design driver will be someone aged 65 or older.

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Older users are especially at risk at intersections

• About 35%-40% of pedestrian deaths among people aged 65

and older occur at intersections

• Older drivers are about twice as likely to be killed while driving through an intersection than younger drivers.

• Drivers 85 years of age and older are more than 10 times as likely as drivers in the 40-49 age group to have multi-vehicle intersection crashes.

“There is agreement that elderly road users require mobility, and that they should be accommodated by the highway’s design and

operational characteristics to the greatest extent practicable. Thus, designers and engineers should be aware of the problems and

requirements of the elderly, and consider applying applicable measures to aid their performance.” — AASHTO Green Book

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What Roundabouts Provide:

• Lower speeds Situation changes slowly

• Very forgiving environment

• More time to make the right response

• Judging gaps is easy and mistakes are not lethal

• NO demand to accurately judge closing speeds of fast traffic

• Low energy crashes: low closing speeds, low angle, low impact

• No wide visual scans needed

• Reduced need to look over one’s shoulder

• Uncomplicated situations; simple decision-making

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The Acacia RoundaboutThe Acacia Roundabout

Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL

……opened inopened in December,December, 20012001

Page 23: FHWA roundabout presentation

Fact: Most business owners agree that Fact: Most business owners agree that slower speeds and safer travel enhance slower speeds and safer travel enhance business along the corridorbusiness along the corridor

Fact: Some “blighted” communities have Fact: Some “blighted” communities have actually experienced economic actually experienced economic revitalization following roundabout projects revitalization following roundabout projects

Myth #2 – Roundabouts are bad Myth #2 – Roundabouts are bad for the nearby businessesfor the nearby businesses

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Case Study: Golden, ColoradoCase Study: Golden, Colorado

South Golden Road

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AFTER

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Case Study: Golden, COCase Study: Golden, COSouth Golden Road – 15,000 South Golden Road – 15,000

ADTADT$1.3M project in 1999 to construct four $1.3M project in 1999 to construct four roundabouts, landscaping, medians & sidewalksroundabouts, landscaping, medians & sidewalksSignificant drop in number and severity of crashesSignificant drop in number and severity of crashes– 1997 crash rate = 5.9 crashes/MVM1997 crash rate = 5.9 crashes/MVM– 2004 crash rate = 0.2 crashes/MVM2004 crash rate = 0.2 crashes/MVMSlower speeds but faster travel time thru corridorSlower speeds but faster travel time thru corridor60% sales tax revenue increase along corridor60% sales tax revenue increase along corridor– Roundabouts are good for business !!!Roundabouts are good for business !!!

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Myth #1 – The roundabout center Myth #1 – The roundabout center island is a great place to put a island is a great place to put a

park, a monument, or a fountain park, a monument, or a fountain

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Roundabout Landscaping

“Musica” at the Music Row Roundabout – Nashville, TN

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Roundabout Landscaping

Bloomington, IN

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Principles for Good Roundabout Principles for Good Roundabout LandscapingLandscaping

Make the center island more Make the center island more conspicuousconspicuous

Minimize roadside hazardsMinimize roadside hazards

Maintain adequate sight distanceMaintain adequate sight distance

Discourage pedestrian traffic Discourage pedestrian traffic through the center islandthrough the center island

Improve area aestheticsImprove area aesthetics

Page 31: FHWA roundabout presentation

For more information ….Contact:

Mark Doctor

FHWA Resource Center

(404) 562-3732

[email protected]