Roundabouts are a proven safety strategy for intersections. Compared to intersections controlled by traffic signals, roundabouts have approximately 80 to 90 percent fewer injury or fatal crashes. In addition, roundabouts typically reduce delay at intersections versus intersections controlled by traffic signals or STOP signs.
St. Louis County opened the first roundabout on the county highway system at the intersection of MNTH-73 and CSAH 5 (Hwy 5) in the City of Chisholm in 2017. St. Louis County will open a roundabout at the intersection of CSAH 13 (Midway Road) and CSAH 6 (Maple Grove Road) in the City of Hermantown in 2018. St. Louis County will continue to consider roundabouts for other intersections as an effective design to improve traffic safety and mobility.
Still skeptical? Watch this YouTube video:
Additional resources about roundabouts can be found on the Federal Highway Administration and Minnesota Department of Transportation websites
Why use a roundabout instead of a traffic signal?
Traffic signals are not safety devices. Most serious crashes within the cities of Duluth, Hermantown and Proctor occur at signalized intersections. This is because traffic signals do not eliminate high speed, right-angle conflict points. By definition, crashes at traffic signals are due to drivers running the red light.
Roundabouts are designed to virtually eliminate high speed, right-angle crashes. This is because vehicles enter the roundabout at an angle and low speeds. Overall, a roundabout creates an environment of lower speeds and reduces conflict points compared to a standard intersection. The lower speeds and reduction of conflict points creates a safer intersection, especially in terms of crash severity.
Additionally, traffic signals are inefficient when there are few vehicles driving through an intersection. Drivers commonly find themselves waiting at a red light when no other vehicles are arriving on the street with a green light. When approaching a roundabout, if there are no other vehicles in the roundabout, drivers simply continue into the roundabout and on their way.
How do I drive through a roundabout?
Motorists
- Slow down when approaching a roundabout.
- Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
- Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Enter when a gap exists (no vehicles approaching your entry point).
- Continue through the roundabout to your destination. Don't stop or pass in a roundabout.
- Exit the roundabout immediately if an emergency vehicle approaches and then pull over. Don't stop in the roundabout.
- Yield to pedestrians as you exit a roundabout.
- Large trucks may need to use the truck apron when navigating a roundabout.
Bicyclists
- Ride with traffic inside the roundabout or use the trail system and navigate as a pedestrian
- Follow the same rules as vehicles when riding with traffic and yield when entering the roundabout. Since traffic is slower inside the roundabout, cyclists should be able to travel at our near the same speed as motorists, staying in line with the circulating traffic.
Pedestrians
- Cross only at marked crosswalks and always stay on the designated walkways.
- Never cross to the central island.
- Cross the roundabout one approach at a time. Use the median island as a halfway point where you can check for approaching traffic.