Roundabouts

More roundabouts—one-way circular intersections where traffic flows around a center island—are coming to Richfield.

Roundabouts keep traffic flowing and offer safety benefits for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Vehicles entering a roundabout yield to those already in it, providing safe and efficient traffic flow. No more red lights!

Pictured above: 66th and Nicollet


Why Roundabouts?

Slower speeds are generally safer for pedestrians, and studies show that roundabouts at busy intersections are dramatically safer than stop lights, offering:

  • a more than 90% reduction in fatalities*
  • a 76% reduction in injuries**
  • a 35% reduction in all crashes**

* “Safety Effect of Roundabout Conversions in the United States: Empirical Bayes Observational Before-After Study.” Transportation Research Record 1751, Transportation Research Board (TRB), National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Washington, D.C., 2001.

** NCHRP Report 572: Roundabouts in the United States. National Cooperative Highway Research Program, TRB, NAS, Washington, D.C., 2007.

Roundabouts move traffic safely and efficiently by:

  • slowing driver speeds
  • reducing conflict points
  • allowing easy decision-making

Slower vehicle speeds mean:

  • Drivers have more time to judge and react
  • Older and beginner drivers find intersections safer to navigate
  • The severity of accidents is reduced
  • Pedestrians are safer

Other benefits:

  • Traffic is always on the move so there is less delay
  • Traffic capacity in the intersection is increased 30 to 50%
  • Pollution and fuel use are reduced
  • Fewer stops and starts means less noise
  • There is no signal equipment to install and repair

Compared to standard instersections, there are fewer conflict points in a roundabout:

        

(Left) A traditional intersection has 32 conflict points. (Right) A modern roundabout has 16 conflict points. Accidents in roundabouts are typically minor due to slower speeds and indirect contact points.


WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROUNDABOUTS?
Check out these links: