Modern roundabouts make streets safer for pedestrians and motorists.
A modern roundabout is a circular intersection that improves air quality, safety and traffic flow.
- Cars move at lower speeds as they navigate the curved road
- Counterclockwise movement reduces crash risks
- Roundabouts reduce backups and delays even while calming traffic
- Roundabouts reduce emissions because vehicles remain in motion
Proven Safety Measure
Replacing a two-way stop-controlled intersection with a roundabout results in an 82% reduction in serious injury and fatal crashes.
Converting an intersection with a stop light to a roundabout results in a 78% reduction in fatal and injury crashes.
See the Data
Reducing the number of potential conflict points means that the chances of a motorist striking a pedestrian or other vehicle are significantly reduced.
Pedestrian Safety
You'll cross more safely and quickly.
Because of the design, pedestrians will cross the intersection in small sections. The reduced amount of time in the road decreases the chances of being struck by a motorist.
You won't have to worry about motorists.
On average, a roundabout reduces speeds by 20 mph when compared to a traditional intersection.
Islands are wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to wait.
You don't have to cross the whole thing at once.
Landscaping directs pedestrians to proper crossing points.
Crossing in the proper place where motorists can expect to see pedestrians minimizes the opportunity for collision.
A nearby shared use path can provide a separate path for pedestrians.
While not all roundabouts will include this feature, it can be incorporated into the design in areas where it is most appropriate.
Include guided crossings to orient pedestrians toward the oncoming traffic they need to watch for.
Designing the whole roundabout project with pedestrian safety in mind means that we are looking for opportunities to ensure each potential conflict point maximizes visibility.
You only need to look one way before crossing.
Look left, turn right for motorists. Look left and cross for pedestrians.
The yellow line shows where pedestrians should cross.