How does a “Roundabout” differ from a “Rotary” or “Traffic Circle”?
Roundabouts are not Traffic circles. Traffic Circles (or rotaries) operate under different traffic rules and have experienced operational and safety problems. Older style traffic circles (such as those found in Boston, Washington, D.C., Paris, and London) are significantly larger than roundabouts, and were designed for high speed entry and multi-lane weaving. These traffic circles generally suffered high crash rates and operational problems causing many to fall out of favor in the US during the 1950s and 1960s. Roundabouts are commonly referred to as “Modern Roundabouts” to distinguish them from these older style traffic circles.
Roundabouts are not Traffic circles. Traffic Circles (or rotaries) operate under different traffic rules and have experienced operational and safety problems. Older style traffic circles (such as those found in Boston, Washington, D.C., Paris, and London) are significantly larger than roundabouts, and were designed for high speed entry and multi-lane weaving. These traffic circles generally suffered high crash rates and operational problems causing many to fall out of favor in the US during the 1950s and 1960s. Roundabouts are commonly referred to as “Modern Roundabouts” to distinguish them from these older style traffic circles (Click here for more details).
