Overview
Traffic circles have been used in the U.S. since 1905. The modern roundabout, developed in the United Kingdom, was developed to rectify problems associated with traffic circles. This course will provide information that will guide the engineer in planning, designing and constructing several types of roundabouts. Several traffic scenarios will be provided along with information to get a solution. This 10 hour course will also discuss the safety and operational characteristics of roundabouts and give crash statistics that will educate the reader on the positive effects of utilizing roundabouts.
The course materials are based solely on the materials “Roundabouts: An Informational Guide” as published on the website of the FHWA’s Turner – Fairbank Highway Research Center.
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of forty-seven (47) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- How traffic circles are used in the U.S.
- Why roundabouts were developed
- Key features of a roundabout
- Speed designs for roundabouts
- Geometric layout of roundabouts
- Required traffic markings for roundabouts
- How pedestrians and bicycle traffic fit into roundabout design
- How to compare the cost of roundabouts to signalized intersections
- The economies related to roundabout design
- How to perform a benefit cost ratio for a build or no-build condition
- How to design a roundabout to operate effectively with the current AADT
- The environmental impacts of roundabouts
- The capacity of roundabouts and their effects on traffic
- How to determine the required queue length based on traffic volume
- The three key performances that should be known when designing a roundabout
- The number of conflict points in a conventional intersection
- The number of conflict points in a roundabout
- Why roundabouts have less conflict points than conventional intersections
- Cross slopes in roundabouts
- How central islands play a role in roundabouts
- Typical pavement markings for roundabouts
- How to design a lighting plan for roundabouts
- How public meetings play a role in roundabout design
- What raindrop islands are and how they are used
- The side friction factor for various speeds
- Steps to plan roundabouts
- Maximum service volumes for roundabouts
- How esthetics are considered at roundabouts
- The relation between traffic delay and the environment
- How roundabouts can reduce red-light running by eliminating the traffic signal, (Refer to the PDHengineer.com Course C-8004 Countermeasures to Reduce Red-Light Running for more in-depth and interesting information about red-light running that every driver should know)
- Required data to evaluate a roundabout
- Most importantly, how the public will benefit from safer intersections and roadways
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
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