Roundabouts

The roundabout has become an acceptable form of intersection improvement (like traffic signals and stop signs). The roundabout intersection provides several benefits when considering intersection improvements.

A roundabout can provide safety improvements to a closely-spaced intersection by channeling traffic around the central island, and using yield signs to help reduce vehicle wait time. The Federal Highway Administration released their brochure (FHWA-SA-08-006) that showed modern roundabouts provide a 76% reduction in injury crashes.

Roundabouts also provide a traffic calming effect along a roadway corridor and aesthetic benefits with landscaping at the island and around the intersection.

Roundabout Benefits

  • Roundabouts help to reduce speeds along a roadway corridor. 
  • Because there are slower travel speeds and no right-angle turns in a roundabout, roundabouts typically have fewer collisions when compared to intersections with signals or stop signs.
  • Entering the roundabout by merging with traffic takes less time than waiting at a light to cross an intersection.
  • Because vehicles are not idling at intersections, roundabouts contribute to less fuel consumption.
  • Roundabouts provide aesthetic landscaping and green space in the central island.
  • Roundabout intersections can navigate high left turn and U-turn movements better than other intersections.

Current Roundabouts

  • Imperial Blvd at Stadium Drive (multi-lane)
  • Lexington Blvd at Oxbow Drive (single lane)
  • Commonwealth Blvd at LJ Pkwy (single lane)
  • Savannah Heights Blvd (single lane)

Future Roundabouts

  • Owens Rd (multi-lane)
  • First Colony Blvd at Soldiers Field (multi-lane)

  1. What are the differences between roundabouts and traffic circles?
  2. What do these advance lane control signs mean?
  3. Are roundabouts safe for pedestrians?
  4. Do I need to stop at the yield signs?
More FAQs

Roundabout education and resources

The following resources are available to help maintain improved safety and traffic flow, environmentally-friendly, and landscape beautification benefits at roundabouts. The video and graphics provide steps for navigating single and multi-lane roundabouts for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The resources also provide guidance on what to do when large trucks, buses, and emergency vehicles travel through a roundabout. In addition, information is provided about roundabout design and frequently asked questions about roundabouts.

Videos

More about roundabouts 


For more information on the City's roundabout design standards and construction details, please go to the Engineering Standards site:

Standards & Permits

Design Standards Section 5.10 contains the roundabout standards.

Construction Details Sheet SL-29 through SL-31 contains the roundabout details.

Navigating Single-lane roundabouts (click icon)

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Navigating Multi-lane roundabouts (click icon)

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