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This roundabout is located at Intersection of Illinois 154 and Illinois 13 just west of Pinckneyville.
Modern roundabouts are becoming mainstream throughout Illinois. These circular intersections efficiently move traffic counterclockwise around a center island, offering safety, environmental and economic benefits to drivers and communities.
Not to be mistaken for traffic circles, which are often larger and include stop signs or traffic signals, modern roundabouts have yield signs at each entry point. Roundabouts are designed for lower-speed driving with all traffic moving in the same direction, eliminating left turns across traffic and creating fewer stress points that can cause crashes. An intersection’s traffic volume and size are a few factors considered when deciding a roundabout is the preferred choice over a traffic light-controlled option in a location.
Roundabouts reduce 32 conflict points from traditional intersections with traffic signals or stop signs, to only 8 conflict points, lowering chances of vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.
Improves traffic safety Increases efficiency: Yield-controlled design typically means fewer stops, fewer delays and shorter queues Reduces the number of points where vehicles cross paths and eliminates the potential for right-angle and head-on crashes Lower vehicle speeds are generally safer for pedestrians Slower speeds give drivers more time to react
Roundabouts are proven to be safer! Roundabouts require driving 25 mph or slower giving drivers more reaction time to other vehicles or pedestrians in crosswalks. Slower speeds reduce severe injury crashes.
Roundabouts are more efficient than traditional intersections!
Provide longer service life:
Roundabouts cost less long-term than traditional traffic signal intersections!
Roundabouts cost less long-term than traditional traffic signal intersections!
* “Safety Effect of Roundabout Conversions in the United States: Empirical Bayes Observational Before-After Study.” Transportation Research Record 1751, Transportation Research, National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Washington, D.C., 2001.
** NCHRP Report 572: Roundabouts in the United States. National Cooperative Highway Research Program, TRB, NAS, Washington, D.C., 2007.
Visit safety.fhwa.dot to learn more about roundabouts!
A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection in which traffic flows around a central island. Roundabouts require all entering traffic to yield to traffic already in the circle. The circular intersections have inherent geometric features that ensure slower entering and circulating speeds and provide:
•Reduced traffic delays
•Safety improvements
•Operational improvements
•Aesthetic enhancements
Single-lane roundabouts reduce vehicle speeds in and around the roundabout.
Multilane roundabouts include signs and pavement markings to direct drivers into the appropriate lanes.
Modern roundabouts create a lower-speed environment and have been shown to provide a number of safety, operational and other benefits when compared to other types of intersections. There are no traffic signals or stop signs in a modern roundabout. Drivers yield at entry to traffic in the roundabout, then enter the intersection and exit at their desired street.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has constructed 20 roundabouts on the state's highway system as of March 2021. The number of roundabouts in Illinois is much higher when you count municipalities, but for a state highway system, IDOT has 20 roundabouts. More roundabouts are currently being planned by IDOT.
Here are a few simple rules:
1. Pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the street always have the right of way. All motorists must yield to them before entering the intersection.
2. Traffic already moving inside the roundabout has the right of way. Yield to all motorists within the roundabout before entering.
3. If you’re entering the roundabout at the same time as another vehicle, the vehicle who arrives first should go first. However, drivers should always yield to any traffic that is approaching from the left. Once traffic from the left has cleared, drivers may proceed to enter the roundabout.
In a roundabout, pedestrians walk on sidewalks around the perimeter of the circular roadway. If they need to cross the roadway, they cross only one direction of traffic at a time. In addition, crossing distances are relatively short, and vehicle speeds tend to be lower.
People on bicycles can choose to ride through the roundabout with traffic or walk their bicycles through the pedestrian crosswalks much like they would in a traditional intersection. Like motorists, bicyclists must obey the rules of the roundabout as they proceed through the intersection. Cyclists who choose to walk their bicycles may find that some roundabout designs have a ramp onto the sidewalk, which makes it easier for them to use.
Circling a roundabout more than twice is careless driving. You should plan ahead as you enter a roundabout and carefully exit at the desired street.
Only in certain instances. In a multi-lane roundabout, if the white line between lanes is dashed, you may change lanes with caution. If the white line is solid, changing lanes is prohibited. To change lanes, check your mirrors and potential blind spots before signaling your intention with your blinker.
Roundabouts may be used in a variety of ways to enhance the aesthetics of the community. The centers of roundabouts may contain statues, flowerbeds or other visual elements as desired.
Several key factors are considered. First, the traffic volume composition has to be amenable for a roundabout to function properly. If there is too much traffic in one or more directions, it will hold up the other leg(s) of the intersection, since roundabouts operate with gaps provided by traffic flow.
Second, the intended location must have sufficient room to enable proper design. If the location does not allow for the proper size of the circulating road or the approaches, the roundabout will not function as safely or efficiently as it should.
Illinois Department of Transportation
Hanley Building
2300 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764
(217) 782-7820 or TTY (866) 273-3681