I recently read about a study the North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) completed on 12 of the 14 roundabouts on its state highway system. It showed a reduction of crashes by 33 percent and fatal crashes by 59 percent. While this is great news, it’s not surprising. Similar results have been achieved across the country. The Federal Highway Administration reports roundabout installations lead to a 44-percent reduction in crashes and a 72-percent reduction in serious injury or death crashes (www.makeroadssafe.org). By the way, North Dakota DOT plans to add 13 roundabouts to its system during the next few years.
They’ve Been Around
Traffic circles (also known as rotaries or roundabouts) have been in existence since 1905 when Columbus Circle opened in New York City. I remember my father driving through traffic circles in New Jersey when I was growing up some 50 years after that first circle. We called it a traffic circle, but I believe the technical term was rotary. They were huge multi-lane circles at the intersection of major highways; New Jersey had a hundred of them.
These traffic circles had names such as the Bayway Circle and the Asbury Park Circle. They were so big that you just kind of entered and found your way to your exit no matter how many lanes you changed. Traffic already in the circle actually had to yield to entering traffic. My father would say, “if you miss your exit, just go around again.” I think we did that several times.
Some Adjustment Needed
In my hometown, we have several roundabouts that have been in place for a few years now. I regularly drive though (or do you drive around?) five of them. Two are very simple: a single lane with four legs. One of them is dual lane but otherwise straightforward. Two of them are somewhat complex with five points of access or exit and dual lanes. After the initial “shock” of navigating through the roundabouts, they’re working smoothly, and although I don’t have actual data, I’m confident they’re safer than the intersections they replaced.
For a while, there was discussion among non-traffic engineers questioning the value of roundabouts. The most-common comment was that it takes longer to get through than the original intersection, which is probably false unless you happen to catch the green light. Some of my engineering students did a study with some traffic software that showed a roundabout generally improves traffic flow by one level of service. This was authenticated by actual traffic counting. Another comment was that drivers didn’t know what to do upon approach, but drivers have shown quick learning once they become familiar with the flow. It’s sometimes difficult for the traveling public to understand that the roundabout allows more traffic through than a traditional signalized or stop-controlled intersection; it’s actually more efficient and safer for the “driving community.”
A Trip Around the Capital
I recently drove through Carmel, Ind., which has a population of approximately 102,000 and has about 150 roundabouts, leading the nation. The city advertises as “America’s Roundabout Capital” and promotes all the benefits of safety and reduced environmental impacts. However, there are streets such as 96th Street, which has a roundabout seemingly every quarter mile. If using voice navigation, the voice barely finishes getting you through one roundabout when it starts telling you “in a quarter mile, take the second exit to stay on 96th Street.” (Go to Carmel on Google Maps and zoom in on 96th or 106th and see that every intersection is a roundabout.)
Some complain that this is overkill, and some say it makes them disoriented. But they work—they’re safer and are better for the environment. And the design is basically the same for each roundabout. All you need is a location station and, because this is central Indiana, chances are good the elevations also are the same.
So, I “survived” my drive across 96th Street, and I’m certain roundabouts have proven themselves and are here to stay. If I had a vote, I would say “yes” to roundabouts. Plus, there’s the added effect of reminding fans of the band Yes and their song “Roundabout,” which is, once again, stuck in my head.
About Robert Schickel
Robert Schickel was born in New Jersey and received his BS in Civil Engineering degree in 1971 from Valparaiso University in Indiana. His career started as a bridge design engineer and expanded to include design of various transportation facilities, including highways, bridges, rail lines and stations, and airport runways. Mr. Schickel managed engineering offices ranging from 20 to 140 people. He also served as a consultant to a large utility company.
Mr. Schickel currently resides in Indiana and serves as Adjunct Professor for the College of Engineering at Valparaiso University. He enjoys his retired life at his lake house, playing golf, listening to music and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
The post From the Editor: Yes, I’ll Be On the Roundabout first appeared on Informed Infrastructure.