Although it was the first place to build roundabouts, America seems to have an aversion to this traffic management method.
For many, the term roundabout is quite familiar, especially among those who drive. It is considered a popular way to manage traffic flow around the world. However, this type of traffic management seems relatively unfamiliar in a developed country like the United States.
What is a Roundabout?
A roundabout is a circular intersection designed to facilitate vehicle movement. When entering a roundabout, drivers must proceed counterclockwise (in countries that drive on the right) or clockwise (in countries that drive on the left), following the directional arrows, until they exit the circle onto a connecting road.
Typical roundabout in a left-driving country.
History of the Roundabout
According to information from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the roundabout was believed to be invented by a French architect named Eugene Henard in 1877. However, this was only the initial idea, as records show that all his related projects were completed after 1900.
The first modern roundabout was realized in 1905 in Manhattan, New York City, named Columbus Circle. Just two years later, roundabouts began to be constructed in the UK and France, with even more of them built than in the US. However, this traffic coordination method quickly encountered issues with traffic flow, leading to chaotic conditions and increased accident rates. The era of the old roundabout faced a crisis.
Columbus Circle in Manhattan, New York City.
The modern roundabout era began in the United Kingdom in 1956, with the construction of the first yield roundabout. The “yield” rule requires drivers approaching a roundabout to give way to vehicles already inside it. This led to a 10% increase in roundabout capacity in the UK and a 40% reduction in accident rates.
Roundabouts are increasingly used for traffic management.
The current roundabout rules in right-driving countries are illustrated in the image above. All vehicles must proceed counterclockwise. Therefore, those wanting to make a U-turn should follow the dark blue arrow, those turning left should follow the red arrow, the light blue arrow indicates going straight, and the outer yellow arrow is for vehicles wishing to turn right.
Since then, roundabouts have been increasingly utilized in traffic management in many major cities around the world. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that roundabouts started to become popular in the United States, and even then, their numbers remain significantly lower than in other countries like the UK, France, and Germany.
Why Do Americans “Dislike” Roundabouts?
The American aversion to traffic circles stems from the introduction of the old roundabout in 1905. Instead of following the modern yield rule, the old roundabouts in the US prioritized vehicles entering the roundabout over those already circulating within it.
This led to many high-speed collisions, prompting authorities to eliminate this design in favor of straight intersections regulated by traffic signals.
Although the modern roundabout rules were later established, the negative impressions from the old design linger, which is why, despite their popularity in some European countries, the number of roundabouts in the US remains modest.
Americans tend to avoid intersections with roundabouts.
Additionally, a lack of cooperative awareness among drivers is also believed to contribute to the scarcity of roundabouts in the US. According to British journalist Stephen Beard, “Roundabouts are popular in the UK because they align with the British virtues of compromise and cooperation. The confrontational and hot-headed culture of Americans may explain why this traffic design is less favored here.”
In other words, Americans tend to be passive in their decision-making when driving. Using a roundabout requires drivers to actively signal to alert other vehicles instead of relying on third-party signals like traffic lights or police officers.
In fact, many states in the US do not include roundabout navigation in their driving training programs, leaving many drivers confused when encountering roundabouts.
So, are the advantages of roundabouts enough for Americans to reconsider this traffic management method?
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 75% at intersections where stop signs or traffic signals were previously used.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has highlighted several reasons why roundabouts are superior to stop signs or traffic lights, including: circular movement helps avoid head-on collisions, and entering a roundabout requires drivers to reduce speed, making it less likely for them to accelerate like they would on a straight road.
Roundabout combined with an overpass.
In stark contrast to the negative reactions from Americans, the British take pride in their roundabout intersections. They even have an organization called the “U.K. Roundabout Appreciation Society.” They believe that roundabouts not only ease traffic flow but also enhance the beauty of roadways.
The advantages outlined suggest that it may be time for Americans to incorporate more roundabouts into their traffic systems.
