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to ADOT’s East Valley eNewsletter
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EAST VALLEY RESIDENTS WARM UP
TO ROUNDABOUTS
The newly opened section of the Red Mountain Freeway includes
two roundabouts engineered to ease traffic flow at the McKellips
and Brown road access points.
As area residents become more familiar with roundabout use,
many have become big fans of the way they move traffic smoothly
and eliminate delays. “The first time I drove through
a roundabout,” says east valley resident Bill McCluskey,
“I was a little cranky and anxious. I didn’t know
who had the right of way, and I wasn’t sure what lane
I should be in.
By the second or third time I drove through a roundabout, I
had figured out that I needed to slow down and yield until I
could enter into the correct lane, and from then on, I’ve
been sold on roundabouts. I enter the Loop 202 at Brown Road
nearly every day, and I jump on the 202 to US 60 without sitting
at a light, wasting time and gas. The roundabout video on the
Web site was extremely helpful. The engineer in me loved the
graphics in the video…I wish I had checked it out online
sooner.”
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ADOT
FACTORS PUBLIC OPINION INTO FREEWAY DESIGN
The use of Modern Roundabouts in Arizona’s Freeway construction
is a result of Arizona Department of Transportation’s
(ADOT) unique commitment to including the public in its freeway
planning process.
ADOT holds public meetings in advance of major freeway projects,
and uses the input from those meetings to refine the master
plans. A series of public meetings were held in the East Valley
as part of the planning process for the completion of the Loop
202 (Red Mountain Freeway).
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Table of Contents
Welcome
Residents Warm up
to Roundabouts
Public Opinion in
Freeway Design
ADOT Addresses Environmental Concerns
Modern Roundabouts On Line
Speed Reduces Serious Accidents
Contact
ADOT
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ADOT
ADDRESSES RESIDENTS’ ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
The selection of modern roundabouts for the McKellips and Brown
road interchanges was a direct response to input from the public
meetings.
Not only are roundabouts quieter, as they avoid the sound of
trucks, busses, motorcycles and cars braking and starting up,
they have a significant impact on driving safety.
- Fatal
accidents are reduced by 90%
- Efficient
traffic flow increases by 50%
- Fuel
consumption is decreased by 30 %
- Carbon
emissions are reduced by double digits*
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*Additional
research and information available from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
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Table of Contents
Welcome
Residents Warm up
to Roundabouts
Public Opinion in
Freeway Design
ADOT Addresses Environmental Concerns
Modern Roundabouts On Line
Speed Reduces Serious Accidents
Contact
ADOT
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DRIVERS
INVITED TO PRACTICE DRIVING MODERN ROUNDABOUTS “ONLINE”
Motorists encountering roundabouts for the first time may feel
unsure about the “rules” governing roundabouts.
Taking a quick online tutorial can be a big help. ADOT’s
informative video illustrates six possible scenarios drivers
can encounter when navigating one of the East Valley’s
new roundabouts. View ADOT’s Modern Roundabouts overview
video.
The animations in the video give viewers a sense of the flow
of traffic, emphasizing four important roundabout rules:
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1. Always yield to the traffic already in the
roundabout.
2. Enter the right lane if you want to turn right or go
straight.
3. Enter the left lane to turn left.
4. If you enter in the wrong lane, go around the roundabout
and.change to
the correct lane.
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Highway Hawk reminds all motorists:
Modern roundabouts get you to your destination without delays,
but they work best if you SLOW
down upon approach:
Slow
down to 15-25 mph when entering.
Let vehicles already
circulating go ahead.
Obey all one way
and yield signs.
Watch for pedestrians,
bicyclists, emergency and
large vehicles. |
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Table
of Contents
Welcome
Residents Warm up
to Roundabouts
Public Opinion in
Freeway Design
ADOT Addresses Environmental Concerns
Modern Roundabouts On Line
Speed Reduces Serious Accidents
Contact
ADOT
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SPEED
IN MODERN ROUNDABOUTS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS
ACCIDENTS
4-way
intersection
Red dots indicate 32 vehicle to vehicle conflict points
in a standard
4-way intersection. |
Modern
Roundabout
Red dots indicate 8 vehicle to vehicle conflict points
in a modern roundabout. |
Several engineering features of the newly completed roundabouts
promote safety. At traditional intersections, the most common
types of crashes are right-angle, left-turn, and head-on collisions.
Due to the high speeds of individuals trying to “beat
the green light,” these crashes comprise 75% of serious
injury accidents, and 90% of highway fatalities.*
The vehicle
to vehicle conflicts that occur at roundabouts generally involve
a vehicle merging into the circular roadway, with both vehicles
traveling at low speeds--generally less than 20-30 mph.
*Additional
research and information available from the
Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety.
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Our
Valley freeway system is part of the 2004 voter-approved
Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with
our transit partners to implement the voters’
vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication
with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the
traveling public. |
This
is your electronic connection to ADOT activities in the East
Valley.
This email list will not be shared for non-ADOT purposes.
Since the 2004 voter-approved extension of the ½ cent
transportation tax, ADOT has been working diligently with
local and regional governments to implement the Regional Transportation
Plan.
The Regional Transportation Plan is a comprehensive, multimodal
20 year regional plan that provides the blueprint for transportation
investments in the Maricopa County region through 2025. You
can view the Regional Transportation Plan at www.mag.maricopa.gov
This archived eNewsletter is presented as historical information.
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ADOT
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East Valley Transportation Projects
Arizona Department
of Transportation
Communication and Community Partnerships Division
Copyright
Arizona Department of Transportation 2008.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy
Statement
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