LOCAL MEDIA

A roundabout is a circular intersection or junction of two or more streets or highways. By design, roundabouts are intended to move traffic more smoothly and consistently with fewer and less severe collisions than other types of intersections. All roundabouts are characterized by special approaches, instructional signage, and a center circle island that often is landscaped. Many roundabouts have “splitter” islands at exits to separate exiting and entering vehicles, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes.

Roundabout traffic moves in a counterclockwise fashion around a center island. Drivers exit at the adjoining street or highway of their choosing. Unlike traditional intersections that control traffic flow with lighted signals or stop signs, roundabouts are yield-only, meaning that unless there are vehicles in the roundabout, drivers approaching the roundabout do not have to stop. In a common four-leg roundabout, a driver making a right turn takes the first exit; the second exit to continue going straight; and the third exit to turn left.

Yes, in many ways, they are. Research shows roundabouts move 30-50 percent more traffic, have far fewer “accident points” (16 compared to 56 for traditional intersections), reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent, save $5,000 per year on average in electricity and maintenance costs, cut vehicle emissions and fuel use, and last 15 years longer than intersections with traffic signals.

According to traffic research studies, it won’t. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program reports that there are 76 percent fewer crashes with injuries on roundabouts compared to traditional intersections. The crashes that do take place on roundabouts usually are sideswipes, not the more severe right-angle “T-bone” crashes.

Taxes will not go up to pay for the roundabout. The funding for this project comes from existing tax money that was brought in by sales and income tax.

The roundabout is expected to have a positive economic impact on Dubois County. Certainly, fewer and less serious traffic crashes would mean savings to the county in emergency services and police and, presumably, taxpayers. The impact the roundabout might have on the commercial economy is less clear, although the improved safety can only be a plus for local businesses and those who work for, and frequent, them.

Two reasons: the first, and most important, is improving the safety of an intersection that has seen hundreds of crashes over the years. Between 2016 and 2018, there were nine incapacitating crashes, two others with less serious injuries, and 25 with property damage only. Two highway safety rating indices place the intersection at a 2.74 for crash frequency and 2.85 for crash cost. Intersections rated “safe” come in at 1.0 or lower on both indices. Increased road safety measures especially benefit younger and inexperienced drivers – as well as motorists around them.

Second, traffic flow and volume will increase. Since there are no mandatory stops other than waiting to enter, roundabouts keep traffic moving. Studies also show that vehicle capacity in roundabouts is 30-50 percent higher than traditional intersections. Moreover, roundabouts are becoming a fact of everyday life in both urban and rural America, their number multiplying almost 600% from 2007 to 2023.

In size, most likely. The center circle island may not mound as much as roundabouts in cities, and landscaping may be kept to a minimum to provide for better sight lines in all directions.

No, it won’t. The Jasper courthouse square is a form of traffic circle, not a roundabout. Traffic circles work opposite of roundabouts. Vehicles traveling around a traffic circle yield to those entering the circle, while vehicles entering a roundabout yield to vehicles already traveling in the roundabout.

Updates will continue to be shared on this project website. Our contact page invites visitors to fill out a short form to receive text notifications about construction, road closures and detours, and other status updates as they happen.

We plan to remain in touch with you, our local media contacts, with up-to-date information – and encourage continuing coverage of the roundabout’s progress in your outlet. You are a vital partner in our efforts to keep area residents and commuters informed and safe!