Citation

Rutherford GS, McLaughlin RL, von Borstel E. Transp. Res. Rec. 1985; 1010: 65-68.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The city of Seattle has used more traffic circles than yield signs or stop signs to control four-way residential intersections in the past 10 years. The purpose of these traffic circles is to respond to above-average accident problems at neighborhood intersections without having to rely on the use of yield signs and stop signs. It was found in this study that both traffic circles and yield signs can reduce the number of intersection collisions by about 77 percent. Information reviewed for this study indicates that traffic circles can reduce midblock speeds by significant amounts. Locations with traffic circles reveal a variety of changes in volume after a circle has been placed. These changes are likely to be caused by other conditions in the neighborhood rather than by the circle. A total volume decrease of 2 percent (an insignificant change) was measured for 20 traffic locations. Similar data were not available for stop-sign and yield-sign locations. The cost for a traffic circle is much higher than for a yield sign, but if a city is willing to incur additional costs, circles can reduce the proliferation of traditional control devices, perhaps enhancing the effectiveness of signs elsewhere.

Record URL:
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1010/1010-009.pdf

Language: en

Keywords

ROADS AND STREETS; ACCIDENT PREVENTION - Speed Control; STREET TRAFFIC CONTROL - Planning