Roundabouts : an efficient form of traffic flow?

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Authors
Julius, Sam
Advisor
Kelly, Eric D.
Issue Date
2014-07-19
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.U.R.P.)
Department
Department of Urban Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This study is an examination on whether installation of roundabouts on a state road corridor can help relieve traffic congestion. When it comes to traffic congestion, cities have several way of dealing with the problem. The most common way of dealing with traffic congestion is adding lanes. After a while, just adding lanes is no longer a viable option. The physical constrains of the right-of-way makes roadway widening impossible. Roundabouts have been credited for decreasing the occurrences of fatal incidents among automobiles and pedestrians while reducing the amount of incidents overall. However, cities are turning to roundabouts as a potential solution to traffic congestion in select area of traffic corridors and networks. Roundabouts have been successful at highway interchanges and commercial and residential corridors. Along with increasing safety for automobiles and pedestrians, roundabouts may, in certain curcumstances, move automobiles and pedestrians more efficiently through intersections, helping to relieve traffic congestion.