Vol. 3, No. 15
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June 1, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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Top News Story:
What Is This Big Push For Traffic Roundabouts By NDOT?
Signals To Become Thing Of The Past? NDOT Says No, Roundabouts In Addition To
by Johnny Gunn
In Reno, Carson City, Pahrump, Gardnerville, Fernley, and other places around the Silver State there seems to be a big push by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to build traffic roundabouts at dangerous or busy intersections instead of installing traffic signals. Why the change from what has been known as a safety standard for years? NDOT representative Scott Magruder answered our questions as fully as he could.
There have been questions raised that ask is it the federal highway agency that is behind the push, that the federal highway agency is attempting once again to determine how a state's highway system will be built? It wouldn't be the first time if you remember the seat belt law, the DUI standard, and the motorcycle helmet law. For those a little older, you might remember that Nevada had a delightful warning sign telling of the possibility of range cattle on the highway.
That sign was designed by John Borda back in the 1970s when he was director of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. The federal government forced Nevada to stop using the sign because it wasn't officially accepted by the federal government. It didn't conform. Usually the government gets its way by threatening to take away highway funding. That's a strong-arm tactic that works.
Magruder was adamant in saying the federal government is not involved in Nevada's traffic roundabout program, that it is purely a safety issue. "Roundabouts won't work just anywhere," Magruder said, "but in specific locations a roundabout is far safer and will keep traffic moving." He said signals tend to back up traffic, as do regular stop signs. "Using a roundabout is similar to a typical rolling stop that so many of us are guilty of."
A large roundabout is being planned at one of Reno's intersections that has traffic continually backed up, sometimes for as much as half a mile. Kietzke Lane crosses what used to be Del Monte Way and is now part of the Neil Road extension. Thousands of cars use Kietzke to access I-580 morning, noon, and night, and the bottleneck has become a serious safety problem. "This is a perfect location for a large roundabout," Magruder said. "Traffic will be naturally slowed by the roundabout but won't be stopped, there won't be any back up, and it should be far safer than what is there now."
The roundabout will improve traffic flow and increase safety at the busy intersection according to Magruder. Construction cost for the project is $1.5 million and includes new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and a public art component. Magruder says most of the work will take place at night and on weekends. Magruder cited studies that prove the safety of the roundabout. He said collisions have been reduced by 39 percent and injury accidents by 76 percent.
The biggest problem with roundabouts, Magruder insists is their engineering. "Too many that I've seen are just not large enough for a smooth traffic flow." He used the roundabout on Wells Avenue in Reno as an example of one engineered too small for it to work conveniently. Another basic problem with roundabouts, he said, is a lack of understanding by the driving public. At this time the Department of Motor Vehicles does not have a section in their driver's education booklet describing traffic roundabouts and how to negotiate them.
Many drivers and others in Nevada are skeptical of roundabouts. Reading local newspapers where roundabouts are being contemplated proves this point, but Magruder says, "Opinions quickly change when drivers become familiar with them." He said that studies have shown that prior to a roundabout installation about 30 percent of drivers supported the idea, but after one year, the level of public support increased to about 70 percent.
Here is a set of safety and driving guidelines developed by NDOT to educate drivers regarding roundabout traffic. Simple tips for driving a two lane roundabout:
Driving Rules
• If you need to make a right turn at the intersection, get in the right lane as designated by the roundabout signs and markings, stay in the outside right lane, signal and make your exit.
• If you need to make a left turn at the intersection, get in the appropriate lane as designated by the roundabout signs and markings, enter and stay in the designated lane, signal and make your exit.
• If you need to go straight at the intersection, get in the appropriate lane as designated by the roundabout signs and markings, enter and stay in the designated lane, signal and make your exit.
• If you cannot safely move into the exit lane just continue around the roundabout and move to the exit when safe.
Bicycles Using the Roundabout
Bicyclists can ride the roundabout either using the traffic lanes or the pedestrian walkways. Bicycles follow the same rules as vehicles when using traffic lanes.
Rules for Pedestrians
Never walk through the center of a roundabout. Use the designated crosswalks and watch for vehicles.
"The sign says yield, you idiot, not give up." Road rage incidents do take place at roundabouts because many people don't understand how they work. Everyone has seen motion pictures of European traffic circles and have a fear that that is a roundabout, says Magruder. "We are not building traffic circles as are found overseas. Roundabouts are safe. Traffic must slow to enter, traffic continues to move, and safety studies have proved them safer than signals." Magruder said that studies have indicated that most accidents in roundabouts are rear ender type and take place at rather slow speeds. "Unlike a rear ender when one car is fully stopped and the other is at speed."
There is a considerable difference in cost to establish a roundabout compared to a traffic signal system. Magruder says most roundabouts can be built for $.5 million to $1 million while most traffic signal systems cost between $300,000 and $400,000. Others aren't quite as generous and believe a roundabout costs almost five times what a signal system would cost. From a purely cost factor, just leaving the four-way stop signs would be best. Second best when only considering cost are traffic signals. Engineers say cost alone cannot be the only factor in creating a smooth flowing and safe intersection.
Used traffic signals can be purchased for as little as $75 and completely engineered systems can be purchased, constructed, and installed for under $400,000 in Nevada. In other states the costs can be less, and why that is, is determined by local factors such as purchase requirements, salaries, and distances from manufacture. The key to a safe intersection, says Magruder and NDOT engineers is a constant flow of traffic at a relatively low speed. Stopping that flow with signals or stop signs is an impediment that leads to unsafe conditions in some intersections.
"It's the engineers that believe in roundabouts, those that design traffic patterns, those that are closest to traffic safety questions," he said. Magruder said that engineers from regional transportation commissions around the state are working with NDOT and are on the record supporting the concepts of roundabouts in some situations.
"A roundabout is the not the answer to every busy or even dangerous intersection. There are intersections in Las Vegas and in Reno where roundabouts simply wouldn't work." He said however, that those currently being planned, in Washoe, Carson City, Douglas, and Nye Counties have been studied closely by traffic and safety engineers and are the best answers. "We want to make intersections safe for drivers, for pedestrians, and at the same time keep traffic moving." He emphasized over and over that roundabouts keep traffic flowing and signals back up traffic. "That leads to unsafe driving by some that simply won't follow the rules." It also leads to road rage.
One question that has been raised is what to do if an emergency vehicle comes onto the scene while you are in a roundabout. A pamphlet offered by NDOT says, "Exit the roundabout at the nearest exit and pull over to the right and stop. Do not stop in the roundabout as you might block the path of a large emergency vehicle.
When roundabouts have been constructed, most drivers feel intimidated, Magruder said and immediately come to the conclusion that they won't work. "What we've found is fear, intimidation, and a desire to stay away from a roundabout intersection. But after just a few weeks, we have found that traffic is flowing much smoother, there are far less accidents, and the users are satisfied with the situation."
There is a lot of education that needs to be done, not just by NDOT but by DMV, and school systems. Too often one comes onto a roundabout only to find someone frustrated and unwilling to move away from the yield signs. Too often also, too many don't believe in the concept of yield. Traffic enforcement officers also need much more education on the matter. Roundabouts are an entirely new traffic concept in Nevada and we might as well get used to them.
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