The Roundabout Design course provides guidelines for the design, construction and operation of roundabouts. 

The course begins with the definition of physical features and dimensions.  Roundabouts are distinguished from other circular intersections and placed into categories such as mini-roundabouts, urban roundabouts and rural roundabouts.  Both single lane and double lane roundabouts are included.  Policy considerations are discussed such as multimodal considerations and benefits/costs associated with roundabouts.   The planning steps to develop a roundabout are detailed.  Areas of concern include number of entry lanes, selection of categories, comparing operations performance of alternative intersection types, space requirements and economic evaluation.

The student will understand: 

 

Types of circular intersections from the earliest rotaries to the more recent neighborhood traffic circles and roundabouts

 

Types of roundabouts categories including mini-roundabouts, urban compact roundabouts, urban single-lane roundabouts, urban double-lane roundabouts, rural single-lane roundabouts and rural double-lane roundabouts

 

Operation including spatial requirements, operation and maintenance costs and accommodation of pedestrians and large vehicles are also discussed

 

Reasons for increased safety at roundabouts

 

Geometric design of a roundabout as a process of determining the optimal balance between safety provisions and operational performance

 

Traffic design as it relates to specialized signing and pavement marking

 

Landscaping advantages and the types and locations of landscaping that are discouraged in roundabout deisign