Modern Roundabout Intersections: When To Use Them? A Comparison With Signalized Intersections

Across the nation, traffic growth and congestion continue to outpace growth in highway capacity. A large amount of this congestion occurs at intersections, rather than along the links between intersections, it is of utmost importance that traffic engineers use every available technique for improving intersection performance and safety. This paper examines the benefits of roundabouts as an alternative to traffic signals in appropriate situations. The differing operational characteristics of roundabouts and traffic signals are compared. Consideration is then given to how traffic engineers can make good use of the differences in roundabout and traffic signal operation to achieve safe and efficient traffic operation, reduce congestion, and mitigate the negative impacts often associated with roadway and highway projects.