SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

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.

Once they know how to use a roundabout, it should become second nature. Here are step-by-step instructions for the single-lane roundabout that will go in at the Indiana 64/162 intersection:

1. Slow down to the posted speed when pulling up to the roundabout entry point.

2. Take note of the instructional signs indicating the Indiana 64 and 162 exit points within the roundabout.

3. Look left. If a vehicle is coming around toward the highway you are on, yield to that vehicle.

4. If a vehicle in the roundabout has exited before reaching your entry point or passed you and there are no other vehicles close behind, or if there are no vehicles in the roundabout, turn right onto the roundabout.

5. Travel counterclockwise in the roundabout and turn on your right turn signal after you pass the Indiana 64 or 162 exit prior to the one you plan to take.

6. Exit to the right onto the Indiana 64 or 162 roadway you’ve chosen.

Other instructional resources are available at INsafepassage.com and future public events to be announced.

With the way the roundabout at the Indiana 64/162 intersection is constructed, it won’t be. The single-lane roundabout is being designed to accommodate trucks with a 65-foot wheelbase (WB-65). WB-65 tractor-trailers are the size of semi-trucks that travel interstate highways. School buses have smaller WBs than this.

Also, the roadway leading up to the roundabout will be 16 feet wide from the raised median to the curb. The final sections of road that connect with the roundabout – known as “approaches” – will be wider than 16 feet.

In addition, a truck apron will be added to the roundabout’s inner circle, allowing additional lane width, larger turning radiuses and better clearance for lower frames.

A number of instructional resources have been and will continue to be developed as the construction timeline moves forward. In addition, a public event will be planned at which residents of all ages can learn more about roundabouts and even drive a roundabout simulation for practice. Check this project website above regularly for more details.

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 and their passengers.

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.

The project is still in the design phase, but the single-lane, four-leg roundabout will allow vehicles access to both east-west travel on Indiana 64 and north-south travel on Indiana 162, as the intersection is now. Because the roundabout is in a rural area heavily traveled by trucks, buses, farm machinery, and other large vehicles, the dimensions likely will be larger with other features to allow for easier navigation.

The roundabout should make it easier for nearby businesses and schools to navigate on 64 and 162. With reduced traffic speeds and a more concise flow of traffic, there will be more opportunities for entering and exiting their properties safely.