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Roundabouts

One of the most controversial traffic subjects in Fort Collins is the use of roundabouts. While Fort Collins has only one roundabout at a major intersection, there are many in residential neighborhoods. An alternative to the standard traffic signal, roundabouts provide a safer, more efficient, economically advantageous, and environmentally friendly way to move traffic along the roadway system.

In the following section you can learn more about why Traffic Operations considers roundabouts a viable option for traffic management.

Why Build A Roundabout?

Traffic engineers recognize the reluctance of drivers to accept roundabouts as a traffic management device and believe that educating the public about the benefits of a roundabout is vital to its successful implementation on the roadway.

Roundabouts save lives...

• Up to a 90% reduction in fatalities
• 76% reduction in injury crashes
• 30-40% reduction in pedestrian crashes
• 75% fewer conflict points than a 4-way intersection

Slower vehicle speeds mean...

• Drivers have more time to judge and react to other cars or pedestrians
• An advantageous situation for older and novice drivers
• A reduction in the severity of crashes
• A safer situation for pedestrians

Efficient traffic flow...

• 30-50% increase in traffic capacity

Reduction in pollution and fuel use...

• Improved traffic flow for intersections that handle a high number of left turns
• Reduced need for storage lanes

Money saved...

• No signal equipment to install and repair
• Savings estimated at an average of $5,000 per year in electricity & maintenance costs
• Service life of a roundabout is 25 years, compared to 10 years for a traditional traffic signal