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Roundabout
User Guide
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Morse Road and
Johnstown Road
We want everyone to feel confident and secure
as they travel the modern roundabouts located in Franklin
County.
To help the public
become more familiar with how to drive a roundabout, we've created this user guide that shows the various traffic patterns, rules, and general
instructions that we hope everyone will follow.
What is a modern
roundabout?
A modern roundabout is a
one-way circular intersection with yield control of all entering traffic.
The circulation is counter-clockwise with travel speeds of 20 M.P.H.
Lane use is very similar
to a typical four-way intersection except for a slight circular adjustment.
What are the rules
for driving through a modern roundabout?
• Slow down
• Get in the correct lane before
entering the roundabout:
Use the right lane for right
turn and through
movements (same as a conventional
intersection).
Use the left
lane for through and left
turn movements (same as
a conventional intersection).
Use the left
lane for U
turn movements.
• Look for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
before
entering the roundabout.
• Yield to
all circulating traffic when entering the roundabout.
• Circulate counter-clockwise, following the one-way traffic
pattern.
• Do not change lanes within the roundabout.
• Look for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk upon
exiting the roundabout.
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Typical
intersection compared to a modern roundabout
Why build a modern
roundabout instead of a typical intersection?
Modern roundabouts are
safer than traditional intersections, which have more conflict points and
operate at higher speeds.
Studies have shown that
roundabouts provide nearly a 75 percent reduction in injury accidents since the
circular layout dramatically reduces the likeliness of head-on or broadside
collisions.
What are some of the other benefits of modern roundabouts?
•
Sight distance is dramatically improved giving motorists more time to judge and
react to traffic.
• Shorter and better-planned crosswalks are located away from the busy
intersection.
• There is a reduction in pollution and fuel use since traffic is always
moving.
• Slower speeds and fewer stops and starts result in less traffic noise.
• There are no expensive traffic signals to install or maintain.
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