Monday, December 16, 2013

Roundabouts ftw

Since demolishing 78 traffic signals and installing 80 roundabouts, the northern Indiana city of Carmel has reduced the number of accidents by 40% and the number of accidents with injuries by 78%.

Proponents say it’s nearly impossible to have a head-on or T-bone collision when using the roadways and collisions that do happen tend to occur at much lower speeds. Other benefits of roundabouts include reduced fuel consumption, due to a lack of idling, and a construction cost that is at least $150,000 less than installing traffic lights.

“We have more than any other city in the US,” says mayor James Brainard. “It’s a trend now in the US. There are more and more roundabouts being built every day because of the expense saved and more importantly, the safety.”

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