A Roundabout Removes Need for Traffic Signals at Intersection
Roundabouts are not only for Europe. While roundabouts only made an appearance in Canada in the mid-90’s, there is growing evidence that roundabouts can make rural highway intersections safer.
Recently, Highway 7 through Kindersley was under a survey to address safety and operational issues. One of the improvements suggested was to add a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 7 and Highway 21 in Kindersley.
A common issue at this intersection is when large vehicles hit or knock over the traffic lights, causing more maintenance and greater traffic risk when waiting for replacement. A roundabout totally removes the need for traffic signals. Also, for better traffic flow, bypass lanes can be added to the design where heavy right-hand turns are expected.
Intersection safety is also another issue. The average stop or signal controlled intersection has a potential 32 conflict zones. A roundabout would reduce this to 8 possible conflict zones.
The suggested roundabout would feature elongated splitter islands to promote natural traffic calming, therefore reducing collision severity and risk. Also a central apron would be included to accommodate the turning radius of heavy trucks.
Rural roundabouts are also efficient for traffic flow as traffic can keep moving, operating speeds would be 30 km/hr free flow compared to 0 km/hr at a red light.
In order to accommodate space required for a roundabout, the north service road, 12th Avenue would be moved further north.
Roundabouts can also be good for large truck traffic, as one truck driver noted at the open-house public forum last fall, “I drive truck and love the roundabout at Camrose (Highway No. 21 and Highway No. 13). It works well and keeps traffic moving.”
You can read the full Highway 7 Corridor report HERE
Image Source: Google Maps
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