Introduction to roundabouts
Active travel friendly infrastructure should be implemented to enhance safety and accessibility at roundabouts.
Conventional roundabouts
Conventional roundabouts aren't suitable for residential areas due to their negative impact on vulnerable road users and their poor contribution to placemaking.
Large roundabouts
Larger roundabouts are inconvenient for pedestrians because they do not allow direct walking routes to be undertaken. People waiting to cross the entry and exit arms of roundabouts may not be able to anticipate the speed at which motor traffic is moving.
Mini roundabouts
Mini-roundabouts may offer an appropriate solution for residential areas, being less disruptive and space-consuming.
Cycling and roundabouts
Roundabouts with no additional cycle facilities are unsuitable for most people wishing to cycle and can pose a high risk even for experienced cyclists.
Roundabouts are associated with a significant portion of cyclist casualties. Roundabouts with higher traffic flows and speeds should have protected space for cycling, both around the junction and on all approaches and exits, so that cyclists do not need to cycle in mixed traffic. The design of the protected space should reflect the local context. Fully kerbed cycle tracks will often be appropriate.
Roundabouts that are designed to enable inclusive cycling can offer advantages over traffic signals if cyclists can keep moving through the junction with no loss of momentum.
Cycle lanes on the outer edges of roundabouts are discouraged due to their lack of protection, increasing vulnerability to collisions. Instead, cycle-friendly infrastructure should be strategically implemented to enhance safety and accessibility for cyclists.
