Driving Roundabouts

How to Safely Maneuver through Roundabout Trafficways—Preparation for the New Roundabout at

State Route 64 and Finzel Rd.

The Village of Whitehouse, Ohio

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What are Roundabouts?

• Roundabouts are circular intersections that require all entering traffic to yield at entry.

• Geometric features of a roundabout include channelized approaches, geometric curvature that ensures travel speeds within the roundabout are around 30mph or less, and diameters usually between 80ft to 200ft.

• They are designed to be safer and more efficient than a traditional intersection.

What are Roundabouts?

• The geometry creates a low speed (20-30mph) environment inside the circulatory roadway, as

well as at the entry and exit locations.

• The geometry also prevents high angle crashes such as “T-bone” and left turn angle crashes.

• Lower angle, low speed crashes tend to be less severe than higher angle, high speed crashes.

Rules for Roundabouts

• Remember these 2 important rules of using a roundabout: ▫ ALWAYS Yield and ▫ Stay in your lane!▫ State Law requires motorists to yield to

pedestrians waiting to cross at the crosswalk, just like they are to yield to cars in the circulating portion of the roadway.

▫ Lane use is very similar to a typical four-way intersection, except for a slight circular adjustment.

Why Roundabouts?

• More efficient operation results from the yield at entry – drivers only have to watch for traffic from the left, and if there is an adequate gap available, they can enter the roundabout without stopping.

• Once in the roundabout, drivers have the right-of-way, so they will not have to stop or yield to exit.

• If the driver does need to yield at entry to traffic inside the roundabout, their delays are brief and typically less than the time they would have been delayed at a traffic signal.

Roundabout Example

Can larger Vehicles Travel through

Roundabouts?• Many highway/freeway roundabouts consider the

mix of traffic using the road, and can accommodate vehicles with large turning radii such as trucks, buses, and tractor-trailers.

• Many of these roundabouts provide an area between the roadway and the central island over which the rear wheels of these vehicles can safely go. The area is known as a truck apron.

• Truck aprons are generally composed of a different material than the paved roadway to discourage routine use by smaller vehicles.

Are Roundabouts safe near Schools?

• Because roundabouts slow vehicle speeds and have safety advantages for both motorists and

pedestrians, they are often a good choice near

schools.

• Throughout the nation, many roundabouts have been built near schools, including a Nevada

state roundabout installed on State Route 88 in

front of Douglas High School.

Roundabout Signage

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How a Roundabout Works

How do you Navigate through a

Roundabout?• Roundabouts do not require new driving skills.

Entering a roundabout uses many of the same

skills as making a right-hand turn out of a

driveway.

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Step #1 Slow Down

• First, yield to pedestrians/bicyclists, then check for traffic approaching from the left. Wait for a

suitable gap in traffic and then proceed into the

roadway (in this case, the roundabout).

Step #2 Yield at Entry

• Look to left, and yield to vehicles already inside the roundabout.

Step #3 Keep Moving

• Once in the roundabout, you have the right-of-way

Step #4 Exit the Roundabout

• Use 1st exit to turn right.

• Use 2nd exit to go straight.

• Use 3rd exit to turn left.

• Use 4th exit to make a U-turn.

What to do when Emergency Vehicles

enter the Roundabout • If you have not entered the roundabout when an

emergency vehicle with lights and siren

activated is in the roundabout, do not enter the

roundabout.

• Yield to the emergency vehicle.

• Once the emergency vehicle has passed and it’s safe to o so, you may enter the roundabout.

What to do when Emergency Vehicles

enter the Roundabout • If you are already in the roundabout when the

emergency vehicle enters with lights and siren

activated, continue through and exit the

roundabout, and quickly and safely pull to the

right side of the roadway outside the roundabout

to let the emergency vehicle pass.

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When is the Roundabout coming to

Whitehouse?• According to the Ohio Department of

Transportation (ODOT), the construction of the

roundabout on SR 64 at Finzel Rd. is scheduled

for 2017.

• However, according to ODOT, the roundabout may be constructed as soon as 2015.

Summary• Remember the 4-Steps to safely navigate the

roundabout:

▫ Slow Down when approaching the roundabout.

▫ Yield to traffic inside the roundabout

▫ Enter safely and keep moving once in the roundabout.

▫ Exit safely.

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• www.youtube.com/watch?v=MywmtskFiiI

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