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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations

Techbrief
This techbrief is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-RD-00-068
Date: March 2000

Roundabouts: An Informational Guide

PDF Version (344 KB)

Full Report: FHWA-RD-00-067

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Introduction

Although roundabouts have been in widespread use in other countries for a number of years, it is only during the past few years that their application in the United States has received increased attention by both the public and transportation professionals. A lack of sufficient information on roundabout operation and design under local U.S. conditions is one of the reasons why these roundabout intersections have seen only sporadic implementation. This national guide bridges this gap by providing a comprehensive source of information on modern roundabouts, from small mini-roundabouts to large freeway interchange roundabouts.

To make the information widely accessible, the guide has been structured and written to address the needs of a wide range of readers, including the general public, policy-makers, transportation planners, operations and safety analysts, and conceptual and detailed designers. Not only does the guide provide general information and planning-level analysis techniques, but it also includes evaluation procedures for assessing operational and safety performance, as well as design guidelines. Input from transportation practitioners and researchers from around the world was used in developing the guide. This book covers the needs of all travel modes and provides design guidance for incorporating these needs into final plans.

 

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