| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Tom Jewell (804) 524-6387 Richmondinfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
RICH-0627 Aug. 15, 2006 |
ROUNDABOUTS COME OF AGE IN VIRGINIA
Richmond District reviewing sixteen modern roundabouts
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — Get ready for a new “about” in Virginia. Not to be confused with the Australian walkabout – a rite of passage referred to in the Crocodile Dundee movies, the modern roundabout in Virginia is a new way to move traffic safely through an intersection.
Since 2001, thirteen roundabouts have been built in VDOT’s Richmond District, with an additional 16 under review. The most recent roundabout, near the Powhatan courthouse on Route 13, is an efficient and aesthetic way to move traffic through this growing area.
“Although roundabouts are often used in subdivisions for aesthetics and to control speed, VDOT has begun using roundabouts more often to enhance safety and reduce delays for motorists,” said Travis Bridewell, Richmond District Traffic Engineer. “When designed properly and installed in an appropriate location, roundabouts can save lives.”
Roundabouts, at a fraction of the size of a traffic circle, give motorists a view of all traffic and allow motorists to make direction changes without crossing in front of opposing traffic. According to March 2000 statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was a 39 percent crash reduction where roundabouts were installed in the United States. There was a 76 percent reduction in injury crashes and an 89 percent reduction in fatal and incapacitating crashes. Statistics have not been compiled for Virginia.
Roundabouts have environmental and financial benefits as well. Constructing roundabouts in place of traffic signals can reduce fuel consumption by about 30 percent. The insurance institute studied 10 intersections in Northern Virginia where signals were recently installed, and found that roundabouts in these locations would save 200,000 gallons of fuel per year.
Additional existing roundabouts in the Richmond District include:
More information on roundabouts
Tweet
Since 2001, thirteen roundabouts have been built in VDOT’s Richmond District, with an additional 16 under review. The most recent roundabout, near the Powhatan courthouse on Route 13, is an efficient and aesthetic way to move traffic through this growing area.
“Although roundabouts are often used in subdivisions for aesthetics and to control speed, VDOT has begun using roundabouts more often to enhance safety and reduce delays for motorists,” said Travis Bridewell, Richmond District Traffic Engineer. “When designed properly and installed in an appropriate location, roundabouts can save lives.”
Roundabouts, at a fraction of the size of a traffic circle, give motorists a view of all traffic and allow motorists to make direction changes without crossing in front of opposing traffic. According to March 2000 statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was a 39 percent crash reduction where roundabouts were installed in the United States. There was a 76 percent reduction in injury crashes and an 89 percent reduction in fatal and incapacitating crashes. Statistics have not been compiled for Virginia.
Roundabouts have environmental and financial benefits as well. Constructing roundabouts in place of traffic signals can reduce fuel consumption by about 30 percent. The insurance institute studied 10 intersections in Northern Virginia where signals were recently installed, and found that roundabouts in these locations would save 200,000 gallons of fuel per year.
Additional existing roundabouts in the Richmond District include:
- Chesterfield County: The Grove and Tarrington subdivisions and the county courthouse
- Goochland County: Capital One-West Creek Campus(2) and Manakin Farms
- Hanover County: Bell Creek at Pole Green Road(2)
- New Kent County: Kentland subdivision
More information on roundabouts
(END)
Tweet
Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.
Page last modified: Jan. 17, 2008
