The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has released a study that finds that roundabouts, or traffic circles, can reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. By a lot.
Specifically, converting a traditional signalized intersection to a roundabout, the reduction can be as high as 78% and converting a two-way stop-controlled intersection can reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 82%. Run a light or a stop sign anyone?
The image is an aerial view of a teardrop roundabout, in of Allen, TX, which extends over another highway.
I run through at least one traffic circle nearly every day, and I have to say that reading the report was a ‘duh’ moment. Of course they do! Its nearly impossible to approach a circle at the same rate of speed as happens with other intersection types.
And the Allen, TX intersection combines highway access with a cross road and looks like a stroke of genius. The FHWA says the roundabout is considered an operational and aesthetic success, having received the American Public Works Association Texas Chapter Project of the Year in 2023 as well as a Top 10 Road Award from Roads & Bridges Magazine. The interchange is the largest and most recent example, but five other roundabouts have been installed in the City since the year 2003 and they are considered a viable solution in the right context.
Visitors to the east coast of the U.S. who have never experienced a traffic circle are often frustrated by the experience, but this is pretty much only due to to the lack of experience with the intersection style. Once mastered, they are generally simple to navigate.
There are more complex types involving multiple lanes and sometimes multiple intersections, but even these can be handled with experience. And the FHWA, along with many state and local agencies, continues to advocate for roundabouts to reduce fatal and severe injury crashes at intersections.
Something that this publication can get behind. The full report can be found here.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Surprise? FHWA finds roundabouts greatly reduce accidents
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has released a study that finds that roundabouts, or traffic circles, can reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. By a lot.
Specifically, converting a traditional signalized intersection to a roundabout, the reduction can be as high as 78% and converting a two-way stop-controlled intersection can reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 82%. Run a light or a stop sign anyone?
I run through at least one traffic circle nearly every day, and I have to say that reading the report was a ‘duh’ moment. Of course they do! Its nearly impossible to approach a circle at the same rate of speed as happens with other intersection types.
And the Allen, TX intersection combines highway access with a cross road and looks like a stroke of genius. The FHWA says the roundabout is considered an operational and aesthetic success, having received the American Public Works Association Texas Chapter Project of the Year in 2023 as well as a Top 10 Road Award from Roads & Bridges Magazine. The interchange is the largest and most recent example, but five other roundabouts have been installed in the City since the year 2003 and they are considered a viable solution in the right context.
Visitors to the east coast of the U.S. who have never experienced a traffic circle are often frustrated by the experience, but this is pretty much only due to to the lack of experience with the intersection style. Once mastered, they are generally simple to navigate.
There are more complex types involving multiple lanes and sometimes multiple intersections, but even these can be handled with experience. And the FHWA, along with many state and local agencies, continues to advocate for roundabouts to reduce fatal and severe injury crashes at intersections.
Something that this publication can get behind. The full report can be found here.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY