I’ve always thought of a roundabout as just a traffic control system.Yet, while I was visiting North America recently I realised that the benefits of roundabouts go far beyond safety and traffic flow performance. In fact, roundabouts have significant environmental benefits!
Modern roundabouts were developed in the UK in the 1960s and have been widely used throughout Europe and Australia ever since. According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the USA, there are now approximately 10,000 roundabouts in the UK, 15,000 in Australia and 20,000 in France.
Whilst in North America I noticed that there seemed to be far fewer roundabouts there, certainly not as many as we have here in Australia or in Europe. In fact, roundabouts only came to North America in the 1990s. In the USA, the modern roundabout is a recent phenomenon and the number of roundabouts is increasing rapidly due to the many benefits of this traffic control method.
General benefits of roundabouts
Studies from around the world show that roundabouts have the best safety performance compared to other types of intersections. Roundabouts are said to reduce injury accidents by 75% and fatal accidents by as much as 90% as stated in the IIHS report. In addition, they increase traffic flow by up to 50%; they cost less than traffic lights; they do not require additional equipment and maintenance; and… they help protect the environment!
Environmental benefits of roundabouts
In response to the Kyoto protocol reduction goals for developed nations, Canada and the USA developed strategic implementation of roundabouts. And it is easy to understand why, the environmental benefits or roundabouts include:
* Reduction of gas emissions
* Reduction of noise
* Aesthetic landscaping
* Reduction of fuel consumption
Considering the rise in motor vehicles numbers and pollution, these are benefits to seriously consider. The low entry speed, and the absence of the need to speed up or to slow down abruptly, improves the flow of traffic, which in turn reduces vehicle emissions.
With cars stopping less, and for a shorter period of time, the negative impact on air quality is significantly reduced. Studies undertaken around the world as part of the report: Modern Roundabouts, Global Warming And Emissions Reductions, show that roundabouts reduce gas emissions including CO2, HC, CO, NOx, lead, and other air pollutants.
With the reduction of both vehicle delays and the duration of stoppage, roundabouts also mean reduced fuel consumption. According to Le Journal de Montreal, fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 40% depending on traffic.
Additionally, with a reduced need for acceleration and abrupt stops, as is often the case with traffic lights, roundabouts also mean less noise. Finally, to top it off, roundabouts can be landscaped – plants and trees can be put at the centre of the roundabouts offsetting carbon emissions and making the intersection more aesthetically pleasing.
Why we need roundabouts now more than ever
There is no doubt that with the increase in population there will be a significant increase in traffic on our roads. More cars, more motorbikes, more trucks, more vans, more caravans etc … these all add up to a lot more pollution and carbon emissions.
With motor vehicle emissions already on the rise in the past few years, and considering the reality of the challenge of converting people to more sustainable transport means, it is time for environmental and transport experts to think of ways to manage this increase, limit its impact before it gets out of control, and to protect the environment – the roundabout is one of these solutions.
So next time you get to a roundabout, slow down and think of the benefits of this seemingly innocuous traffic control process.
---
More information about this topic in our carbon and transport sections
Green directory of eco-friendly Australian businesses. This green directory is providing you all details about environmental companies around Australia. Find the green business around your place.
I’ve always thought of a roundabout as just a traffic control system.
