CATER-Center for Advance Transportation Education and Research University of Nevada, Reno 2012 ITE Western District Annual Meeting ROUNDABOUT EXPERIENCE

CATER-Center for Advance Transportation Education and ResearchUniversity of Nevada, Reno

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2012 ITE Western District Annual Meeting

ROUNDABOUT EXPERIENCE IN NEVADA AFTER 20 YEARS

SAMUEL KOFI AHIAMADIGraduate Student

University of Nevada, Reno

Email: [email protected]

CATER-Center for Advance Transportation Education and ResearchUniversity of Nevada, Reno 2012 ITE Western District Annual Meeting

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Outline

Introduction Data Collection Methods Observations Data at Selected Roundabouts Conclusions and Recommendations


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First Modern roundabout built in the UK-1966

Spreads to France, Germany, Australia etc Introduced to the United States 1990 (Las

Vegas) Currently over 2000 roundabouts across

the US in more than 40 States

Introduction


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Objective

• The objective of this paper is to discuss observations made at selected roundabouts related to vehicle and pedestrian safety, capacity and delay


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The following procedure were used• Video Recording• Radar Speed Gun for Speed

Measurements• Crossing and Observing Driver Behavior

Data Collection Methods


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Observations

Speeding Drivers


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Hesitant Drivers

Observations


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Observations

Stopping in the Circulating lane


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Observations

Illegal Turning Movement


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Observations

Pedestrian Issues• Drivers are unwilling to stop for

pedestrians• For two-lane roundabouts, one driver stops

and the adjacent driver does not stop• Very challenging for the blind and elderly


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Speed Data

MEASURED SPEEDS FOR VEHICLES AT SELECTED ROUNDABOUT


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Crash Data

NDOT, 2011

Crash Data For Selected Roundabouts In Nevada


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Failure to yield right of way Failure to maintain lane Driving too fast Unsafe lane change Improper turn

Causes of Crashes


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Roundabout Type

Critical Headway Follow-up Headway

Nevada Data National Average Nevada Data National

Average

Single Lane 3.3 - 4.4 (3.9) 4.2 - 5.9 (5.1) 2.9 2.6 - 4.3 (3.2)

Double-Lane

Left Lane 4.1 - 5.9 (4.9) 4.2 - 5.5 (4.5) 2.9 3.1 - 4.7 (3.4)

Right Lane 4.3 - 5.5 (4.8) 3.4 - 4.9 (4.2) 2.9 2.7 - 4.4 (3.1)

Preliminary Data From Research


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Conclusions

Significant number of drivers continue to speed when approaching and negotiating roundabouts

Drivers are unwilling to stop for pedestrians

Unsafe driver behavior still exist at roundabouts


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Recommendations Need for public education for any newly

installed roundabout DMV’s should consider testing new drivers

around a roundabout Increasing Roundabout information on NDOT

website with Video demonstrations Experimenting with touch button flashers for

pedestrians


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QUESTIONS

?

THANK YOU

Documents

CATER-Center for Advance Transportation Education and Research University of Nevada, Reno 2012 ITE Western District Annual Meeting ROUNDABOUT EXPERIENCE