Date:    Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:23:13 -0500

From:    TONY Redington <tonyrvt99@GMAIL.COM>

Subject: THE CASE FOR ROUNDABOUTS

Hi all:

Ran into the best stated case for roundabouts in my experience.  Of course, it comes in an apparently signed Canadian editorial in the Thunder Bay, ON Chronicle Journal, November 10.  Enjoy.

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/letters/2012-11-10/case-modern-roundabouts-replace-traffic-light-intersections

--

Tony Redington

Burlington, Vermont

Howdy:

Generated a blog entry, address below, on states/provinces "roundabouts only" policies now that Alberta has joined British Columbia, New York and Virginia.

Found the provinces criterion for triggering roundabout consideration really neat and simple, roundabouts are "first option" whenever "a greater degree of traffic control than a two-way stop is required on a paved roadway, e.g. a signalization or 4 Way stop control."

The factors which form the basis or cause of the policy also deserve note--those included and those omitted.  Factors cited in introductory sections are:

(1) reduction of crash

severity; (2) reduction of "fatal or incapacitating injuries" (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety study referenced by NYSDOT); (4) improved scenic quality (Alberta); (5) general assertion of "benefits realized by both transportation agencies and road users" (both Provinces); (6) superior performance addressing "safety and operational objectives" (VADOT);

(6) traffic calming; (7) reduction of greenhouse gases (both Provinces); and (8) roundabouts operate

at full capacity during power outages.  

The omissions of the reasons for roundabouts over other types of intersection control are noteworthy.

 Other than than a non-specific statement "benefits realized by both transportation agencies and road users" the following did not appear in the policies: (1) references to the safety and operational benefits to the walking

(pedestrian) mode;  (2)

reduction in both motor fuel use as well as resulting key pollutants, SOx and NOx; (3) maintenance cost reduction; (4) increased access to adjacent properties; (5) a general positive land use impact (short and long term); and

(6) economic development benefits.  Clearly the bicycle mode at a minimum gains an operational benefit and both commercial and public transit vehicles obtain a measurable benefit from reduced travel times as well as operational costs at intersections. Overall, the policies reflect a certain lack of appreciation that intersections play a key role in transportation and that roundabout benefits need to be related to the larger concept of transportation.  Alb

Considered "roundabouts first" versus "roundabouts only"--but the stark quantum leap in benefits or the roundabouts over alternatives leaves the roundabout as the only choice in the vast majority of cases where they are feasible.  Finally--and this admittedly may be viewed as a stretch--the roundabout enables ultimately the installation and expansion of nodes, areas, and corridors of strong single-lane traffic calmed roundabouts as well as "shared space"

fully accessible to all with a handicap.

Hopefully other states/provinces and more of their governmental subdivisions will adopt "roundabouts only" policies and broaden the reasoning behind this sensible path. 

Tony Redington

Montreal

New Blog: TonyRVT.xanga.com

Ken Sides 25 reasons

  Safety

    1) Reduce fatalities up to 90% (FHWA)

    2) Reduce signalized intersection injury crashes 76% (FHWA)

    3) Reduce signalized intersection pedestrian crashes 30-40% (FHWA)

    4) Greatly reduce the severity of injuries sustained in crashes

  Movement

    8) Reduce queue lengths

    14) Provide free flow during the late night

    15) Provide LOS A&B in off-peak hours

    16) Provide 20-30% increase in capacity during peak hours (in many instances)

    25) Perfectly complement a road diet project

    23) Create a roundabout corridor with safe, efficient access management

    12) Have storm-proof intersections that continue to operate just fine after hurricanes and tornados

    17) Solve special problems, such as 5-legged or skewed intersections, light rail, etc.

  Green

    5) Reduce greenhouse gases (carbon footprint)

    6) Reduce toxic emissions

    7) Reduce gas consumption

  Quality of Life

    10) Have a stronger sidewalk network, with friendly nodes (intersections) and real connectivity

    9) Have a pedestrian/child/older/ wheelchair/bike/skate-friendly intersection

    11) Preserve/enhance/celebrate local history/culture/geology/horticulture/pride while accommodating motorized traffic flow (Context Sensitive Solution)

    21) Make possible pleasant sidewalk conversations among pedestrians or sidewalk cafe patrons or persons sitting on benches

    13) Support the principles of Smart Growth, Active Living and New Urbanism

    22) Revitalize a depressed district

  Beauty

    19) Make a statement with a signature project, and create a sense of place

    20) Replace no-man's lands-seas of asphalt-with beauty

    18) Create a gateway to a district, such as business or residential

    24) Create a scenic corridor with speed management