What is a Roundabout?

Roundabouts represent a potential solution for intersections with many conflict points. Though not appropriate for all situations, roundabouts reduce vehicle movements across traffic. A study of four intersections that were replaced with roundabouts in Maryland found a drop in crashes between 18 and 29 percent and a reduction in injury crashes between 63 and 88 percent. The cost of crashes at these locations – one measure of severity – was also reduced by 68 percent. Overall crashes on roundabouts were more minor than those at left turn locations. Another study of roundabouts in several locations found a 51 percent reduction in crashes, including a 73 percent reduction in injury crashes and a 32 percent reduction in property-damage-only crashes for single-lane roundabouts.

Source: FHWA