County engineer: Roundabouts work

3/3/2013

In response to the Feb. 18 Readers’ Forum letter “Roundabouts not a good idea”: Modern roundabouts have reduced the number of crashes by 40 percent, and the number of injury crashes by more than 80 percent. Deadly high-speed side-impact crashes are eliminated.

All-way stops have been shown to reduce the overall number of crashes at intersections where traffic signals are not warranted, but dangerous high-speed side impact crashes do still occasionally occur.

All-way stops create much unnecessary delay during off-peak hours, and can cause significant backups during peak hours.

Modern roundabouts are not the same as traffic circles or rotaries that were built in parts of the United States before 1990. Modern roundabouts have been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Modern roundabouts provide much improved safety, reduced delay, reduced fuel consumption, and reduced emissions.

Additional information on modern roundabouts, including a map of proposed locations in Lucas County, is available on the Lucas County Engineer Web site: http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?NID=263

KEITH EARLEY
Lucas County Engineer One Government Center Jackson Street