Roundabouts

• Roundabouts are a Proven Safety Countermeasure since they can substantially reduce crashes that result in serious injury or death. Roundabouts can be safer than traditional intersections and can shorten travel times for both drivers and pedestrians. As motorists move through the roundabout in the same direction, the chance of a potential head-on collision is greatly reduced. In fact, roundabouts have been shown to reduce the number of fatal and severe injury crashes by 78 percent to 82 percent compared to a stop-controlled intersection or a signalized intersection, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Furthermore, motorists must slow down when using a roundabout, helping to make the road safer. Roundabouts also keep traffic moving, as opposed to intersections, which force drivers and pedestrians to wait at stoplights or to wait at stop signs for vehicles to cross.
   
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Roundabouts | Intersection Safety - Safety | Federal Highway Administration (dot.gov)

• How to Use a Roundabout While Driving a Vehicle:  While navigating intersections comes naturally to most drivers, some might not be as used to using roundabouts. Similar to an intersection, a motorist should decide which direction he or she wants to go in before approaching the roundabout. Always pay attention to the upcoming signage to understand which lane to take to reach your exit.

  Before entering the roundabout, drivers should slow to about 10 to 15 mph and yield to any pedestrians or cyclists attempting to cross in crosswalks. Before entering, drivers should yield to traffic within the roundabout. Once there is a gap in traffic, the driver can enter the roundabout. While driving through the roundabout, the driver should stay in their lane and then exit at the street they want to go on.

   

Diverging Diamonds:

• Diverging Diamond Interchanges (DDI) improve safety and traffic efficiency where highways connect to busy local roads. This video explains how DDIs work and how they benefit drivers.
• VIDEO: Learn more about Diverging Diamond Interchanges: https://fdot.tips/DDI

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon:

• A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device similar to a European pedestrian signal (PELICAN) that was imported to the United States and adapted by engineers in Arizona to increase motorists’ awareness of pedestrian crossings at uncontrolled marked crosswalk locations. A PHB is distinct from pre-timed traffic signals and constant flash warning beacons because it is only activated by pedestrians when needed.
   
• Federal Highway Administration research found that PHBs can lead to lower conflict and crash rates for pedestrians and vehicles. FHWA’s evaluation of pedestrian PHBs found that their installation can reduce crashes. Pedestrian crashes were reduced by 69 percent (significant at the 95 percent confidence level) while there was a 19 percent reduction in total crashes (95 percent confidence level).
   
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Brochure:
   https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/fhwasa14014/fhwasa14014.pdf