Improving Safety for People Walking and Biking at Roundabouts

Details

• Creators:
  Savolainen, Peter T. ; Gates, Tim J ; Gupta, Nischal ; Imosemi, Sunday ; Mohammadpour, Matin ; Dasgar, Yazmin ; Gupta, Gagan
• Corporate Creators:
  Michigan State University. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Corporate Contributors:
  Minnesota. Department of Transportation. Office of Research & Innovation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Bicycling Cyclists Driving Behavior Highway Design Pedestrians Pedestrian Safety Pedestrian Vehicle Interface Roundabouts Safety Speed Walking Yielding

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  2025-27
• Resource Type:
  Research Paper
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Minnesota. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  Roundabouts have been shown to enhance safety by lowering travel speeds as compared to other intersection designs. However, pedestrian and bicyclist crossings at roundabouts present unique challenges. Low yielding rates can heighten the risk of crashes, especially at entry and exit points. This study examines driver yielding behavior toward pedestrians and bicyclists at roundabout entry and exit points. Additional analyses compare vehicle speeds on the entry approach in the presence and absence of pedestrians and bicyclists at the roundabout crossing. Crossing events were staged at 16 roundabouts in Minnesota, with driver yielding behavior toward vulnerable road users recorded using video cameras. At nine of these locations, vehicle speed profiles at roundabout entries were also measured using lidar guns. Mixed-effects logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were developed to examine factors influencing yielding behavior and speed selection across different scenarios. The results showed differences in yielding behavior at the roundabout entry and exit, as well as differences based on crossing direction, roundabout geometry, and the presence of rectangular rapid flashing beacons. Additionally, speed selection varied depending on whether vulnerable road users were waiting to cross at the roundabout entry and how drivers responded to their presence.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  (c) 1036336 (wo) 11
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c68ff9f068488cc1b653b5c97281c7a0ad95bf770d1f51f1cc5c18c5b28fa60fe0838845b672ec98e62af327b7786e8a3b6d607915d4440f6c6bfc63cbac42a5
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/85626/dot_85626_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 10.09 MB ]