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Roundabouts

Roundabout yellow sign We hope this site will answer your questions and we welcome your comments!

Roundabouts are being used in many cities. Did you know Atlantic Canada has over 10 roundabouts in use, there's over 120 in Canada and more than 25,000 in Europe!

Why install roundabouts?

Greater safety: Roundabouts are safe as vehicles travel at much slower speeds, fewer collision points for pedestrians and motorists, and reduce collision angles compared to STOP signs or traffic signalized intersections.

Reduced delay: Since motorists don’t necessarily have to stop, delays are usually less than at STOP sign or traffic signals.

Environmental benefits: With reduced delays, roundabouts lessen noise, air pollution, emissions and fuel consumption.

A roundabout is a circular intersection designed to manage traffic in a simple and effective manner. In a roundabout, vehicles move in a counter clockwise direction around a central island. Drivers yield before entering the circle, and proceed when there is a gap in traffic. Vehicles within the circle have the right-of-way. Get the facts.


Roundabouts vs. Rotaries and Traffic Circles Roundabouts are not the same as rotaries or traffic circles. A rotary can be confusing, because drivers sometimes stop inside the circle to allow other cars to enter, slowing down traffic and increasing the possibility for collisions. In large traffic circles, the design allows for higher speed and priority is given to the vehicles entering the circle, making it stressful and uncomfortable for drivers. In modern roundabouts, however, drivers inside the roundabout have the right-of-way. Drivers entering the roundabout simply yield to traffic before entering.

Roundabouts vs. Rotaries and Traffic Circles

Roundabouts are not the same as rotaries or traffic circles. A rotary can be confusing, because drivers sometimes stop inside the circle to allow other cars to enter, slowing down traffic and increasing the possibility for collisions. In large traffic circles, the design allows for higher speed and priority is given to the vehicles entering the circle, making it stressful and uncomfortable for drivers. In modern roundabouts, however, drivers inside the roundabout have the right-of-way. Drivers entering the roundabout simply yield to traffic before entering.

Safety

Roundabouts are proving to be much safer than intersections around the world. Statistics show that roundabouts reduce fatal and injury collisions by as much as 76% in the United States, 75% in Australia, and 86% in Great Britain.


Signs At roundabouts, signs like those shown below will be used to direct traffic. Roundabout Ahead Sign The Roundabout Ahead Sign will indicate that you are approaching a roundabout. Roundabout Yield Sign The Roundabout Yield Sign indicates that you must yield to right-of-way, stopping is necessary, before entering the roundabout, and proceed when there is a gap in traffic. Roundabout Directional Sign The Roundabout Directional Sign indicates the direction you must follow in the roundabout. Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign The Pedestrian Crosswalk Signs indicates that there is a crosswalk before entering the roundabout and that you must yield to pedestrians.

Signs

At roundabouts, signs like those shown below will be used to direct traffic.

Roundabout Ahead Sign
Sign_Roundabout The Roundabout Ahead Sign will indicate that you are approaching a roundabout.

Roundabout Yield Sign
Sign_Yield The Roundabout Yield Sign indicates that you must yield to right-of-way, stopping is necessary, before entering the roundabout, and proceed when there is a gap in traffic.

Roundabout Directional Sign
Sign_direction The Roundabout Directional Sign indicates the direction you must follow in the roundabout.

Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign
Sign_Ped The Pedestrian Crosswalk Signs indicates that there is a crosswalk before entering the roundabout and that you must yield to pedestrians.

Roundabouts in Moncton

Project 2010 - Ryan Street at Horsman Road link

Project 2012 - Killiam Drive at Collishaw link

Additional Resources on Roundabouts

Prince Edward Island

http://www.gov.pe.ca/tir/roundabouts

Nova Scotia

http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/hottopics/roundabout.asp

Region of Waterloo

http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/roundabout_index2.html?OpenPage

City of Hamilton (Live web cam)

http://www.ourston.com/index.php?id=66

Ministry of Transportation of Ontario

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/engineering/roundabout/roundabout-video.shtml


How to get around As drivers approach a roundabout, they slow down and yield to the circulating traffic. When a gap in traffic is available on the left, drivers enter the roundabout by turning right and then follow the circle until they reach their exit. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Take a tour!

How to get around

As drivers approach a roundabout, they slow down and yield to the circulating traffic. When a gap in traffic is available on the left, drivers enter the roundabout by turning right and then follow the circle until they reach their exit. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Take a tour!


Pedestrians Roundabouts are designed to be safe for pedestrians. Crosswalks are located before the yield line. The pedestrian crosses before the driver is focused on entering the roundabout. Drivers are required to yield at crosswalks, as with all crosswalks. Try it! Cyclists Cyclists can either ride inside a roundabout or dismount and walk the bicycle across the crosswalks. Experienced riders may choose to cycle, but they must follow the same rules as vehicles and yield at entry to the circle. Inexperienced cyclist / Experienced cyclist Vehicles Roundabouts can be designed to handle all types of vehicles such as large trucks, emergency vehicles and buses. The design often accommodates aprons to provide improved space for larger vehicle maneuvering. Remember that vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to traffic in the roundabout. Take a look!

Pedestrians

Pedestrian2 Roundabouts are designed to be safe for pedestrians. Crosswalks are located before the yield line. The pedestrian crosses before the driver is focused on entering the roundabout. Drivers are required to yield at crosswalks, as with all crosswalks. Try it!

Cyclists

green bike Cyclists can either ride inside a roundabout or dismount and walk the bicycle across the crosswalks. Experienced riders may choose to cycle, but they must follow the Bike_Walk same rules as vehicles and yield at entry to the circle. Inexperienced cyclist / Experienced cyclist

Vehicles

Roundabouts can be designed to handle all types of vehicles such as large trucks, emergency vehicles and buses. The design often accommodates aprons to provide improved space for larger vehicle maneuvering. Remember that vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to traffic in the roundabout. Take a look!