This post is second in a series: 3-Plus Design, 100-Plus Benefits. In this series, we will focus on an individual aspect of the ‘3-Plus for Russell Street’ Citizens’ Plan, and discuss why the plan is more effective than the agencies’ preferred alternative.
3-Plus for Russell Street Single Lane Roundabouts Key to Safe, Smooth Flow
Single lane roundabouts are the preferred intersection design for the 3+ plan at Russell and Wyoming, 3rd, 5th, and Mount. Under discussion is either a roundabout or turn pockets at 7th and 11th. Why roundabouts? Well-designed roundabouts have been found to virtually eliminate injury crashes when compared to stop lights. Indeed, we just had another traffic fatality at a stop light 2 weeks ago in Missoula- the 4th one in the last few years. A roundabout prevents T-bones and head-ons- the types of crashes that lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
Why are roundabouts safer? There are three main reasons. First, speeds are low. Crashes seldom happen at low speeds and when they do happen the impacts are minor. Second, people are looking at each other and not staring up at a light. How often do you see someone speeding down the road looking way up at a fixed point down the road? You just know they are racing to catch that green light. The combination of going faster while having the eyes off the road can be deadly. A roundabout solves all that. And, third, a roundabout simplifies turning movements. All turns are right turns. Even if you want to go left, you start by turning right into the roundabout, going around, and then making a right turn out of the roundabout. Think about how complex making a left turn at a stop light can be: not only does a driver have to find/judge gaps in on-coming traffic at various speeds, but they also have to make sure a pedestrian is not crossing with the ‘walk’ light.
Speaking of pedestrians, single lane roundabouts have been shown to be much safer for walking. Federal Highways has a great brochure showing the safety benefits to pedestrians. Likewise, cyclists have a safe and easy crossing. The best practice for cyclists is to end the bike lane 100 feet before the roundabout and give the cylist two options: either ‘take the lane’ and go through the roundabouts just like a motor vehicle (easy to do with cars going about 15mph) or use the ramp onto a widened sidewalk.
Safety is a big benefit of roundabouts for sure. Yet, here are some more benefits: $5,000 savings per year on electricity (all those light bulbs for stop lights take a lot of power!), easy U-turns, no idling for no reason, create sense of place, more green space than asphalt space, a calming effect not only at the intersection but on the approaches too. This last benefit speaks towards the power of a corridor of roundabouts. By maintaining slow and smooth speeds, people can keep moving and save time. Wait, slow speeds equals saving time? How can that be? Simply put, think about how the tortoise beats the hare.
We could go on and on about the benefits of roundabouts, yet there is so much info out on the web already. It must be mentioned though that roundabouts are not the same as east coast rotaries (mainly New Jersey and Boston) and are different from neighborhood traffic circles (roundabouts have splitter islands and are larger). It also must be stressed that the 3+ is proposing _single_ lane roundabouts, not multi-lane roundabouts. Single lane roundabouts are a great way to improve an intersection!