75% fewer conflict points than four-way intersections
Slower vehicle speeds (generally under 25 mph)
Motorists have more time to judge and react to other cars or pedestrians
Advantageous to older and novice motorists
Reduces the severity of crashes
Keeps pedestrians safer
Efficient traffic flow
• 30-50% increase in traffic capacity
Reduction in pollution and fuel use
Improved traffic flow for intersections that handle a high number of left turns
Reduced need for storage lanes
Potential money saved
No signal equipment to install and repair
Savings estimated at an average of $5,000 per year in electricity and maintenance costs
Service life of a roundabout is 25 years
(vs. the 10-year service life of signal equipment)
Community benefits
Traffic calming
Aesthetic landscaping
Source: Federal Highway Administration
What is a Roundabout?
A roundabout is a circular intersection without traffic signal equipment in which traffic flows around a center island.
Why Modern Roundabouts?
In Florida, over 44% of all traffic fatalities and serious injuries occur at conventional (stop & signal-controlled) intersections. Roundabouts have been proven to reduce the number of fatal and severe injury crashes by 82% over a stop-controlled intersection, and 78% over a signalized intersection.
Conventional intersections have 32 vehicle and 16 pedestrian conflict points, while roundabouts have only 8 vehicle and 8 pedestrian conflict points. Because there are no crossing movements in a roundabout, left-turn and right-angle crashes are eliminated.
For safety tips and more information, please visit:
www.AlertTodayFlorida.com