Synthesis of Recent & Ongoing Studies: Accessibility and Pedestrian Safety at Roundabouts Andrew T. Duerr, P.E. Northeast US Roundabouts Peer Exchange July 7, 2010

Towson Roundabout 1st Urban Roundabout Heart of CBD High Vehicular & Ped Volumes

Historical Perspective Based Largely on European Experience NCHRP Synthesis 264 (1998) Roundabouts safe for Pedestrians because: Low Speeds Shorter Crossing Distances Fewer Conflict Points 2000 FHWA Roundabouts: An Informational Guide Maintains prior assumptions The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

Back to Towson Located near Balt. Co. Commission on Disabilities CMCB files Complaint to DOJ DOJ defers to FHWA American Council for the Blind Continues to Seek Roundabout Moratorium The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

Back to Towson FHWA Finds in Favor of SHA SHA offers Concessions Improved Wayfinding Detectable Warning Surfaces APS at Signals near the Roundabout Access Board begins to Focus on Roundabouts (1999) The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

Accessibility Research 1999 Western Michigan/Vanderbilt 3 roundabouts in MD (including Towson) 3 roundabouts in Tampa, FL 2000 National Eye Institute Study (NEIS) 2001 National Institute on Disability & Rehab Research 2005 Human Factors Study 2006 FHWA Pedestrian Access to Roundabouts The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

Accessibility Research Summary of Findings – 1999-2006 Poor Yield Rates – Unsignalized Locations Noise makes Aural Gap Detection difficult Identifiable Gaps may be Infrequent Visually Impaired Pedestrians experience 3s Delay (compared to Sighted Peds) The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

Access Board Perspective Accessibility is a Civil Right Safety ≠ Accessibility Courts finding 2005 Draft PROWAG to be Best Available Guidance

Pedestrian Safety Research 2006 NCHRP 562: Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings 2007 NCHRP 572: Roundabouts in the United States TØI Report 1009/2009 Subjective and Objective Safety: The Effect of Road Safety Measures on Subjective Safety among Vulnerable Road Users Institute of Transport Economics, Norway The differences between modern roundabouts and traditional intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs have important implications for blind pedestrians. While some of these implications are not yet well understood, they must be considered by any transportation engineer or planner whose goal is to create an accessible pedestrian environment.

NCHRP 562 Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings (2006) Recommend Treatments for: Pedestrian crossings High speed, high volume roadways Unsignalized intersections Recommend Modifications to MUTCD Pedestrian Signal Warrants

NCHRP 562 Treatment Categories Marked Crosswalk Enhanced, High Visibility, or Active When Present devices Red Signal or Beacon Device Conventional Traffic Signal

NCHRP 562 Findings & Conclusions Crossing Treatment Affects Compliance Only Signals > 95% Compliance Rate Other Factors Affect Compliance Width, Speed & Environment 1-Lane Roads – Compliance > 75% 2-Lane Roads – 30% to 100%

NCHRP 572 Roundabouts in the US (2007) No Substantial Safety Problems Found Non-Yielding Rate 43% on 2-Lane Legs Additional Changes required to Improve Yield Rates Design Operational Enforcement & Education

TØI Report 1009/2009 Objective (Real) Ped Safety ↑ Subjective (Perceived) Ped Safety ↓

On-Going Research NCHRP 3-78: Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrians with Vision Disabilities Golden, Colorado Oakland County, Michigan Andy turns over presentation to Mike

NCHRP 3-78 Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrians with Vision Disabilities Objectives: Identify/Test Treatments Analysis Framework Means to Extend Findings Expected Summer 2010

NCHRP 3-78 Study Involved: Single-Lane Roundabouts Two-Lane Roundabouts Channelized Turn Lanes

NCHRP 3-78 4-Step Analysis Framework: Crossing Opportunity Criterion Crossing Opportunity Utilization Criterion Delay Criterion Safety Criterion

NCHRP 3-78 Draft Findings: CTL’s are Challenging Low Speed S/L Roundabouts are Accessible given Certain Conditions Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons & Raised Crosswalks show Promise at 2-Lane Roundabouts 2-Lane Roundabouts are Challenging w/o Additional Treatments

NCHRP 3-78 Future Research: Expand Number of Field Study Sites More Detailed Look at CTL’s Investigate Impact of Education Expand Study of Treatments at 2-Lane Roundabouts Improve Field-Based Risk Performance Auditory Environment

Andrew T. Duerr, P.E. aduerr@rkk.com Synthesis of Recent & Ongoing Studies: Accessibility and Pedestrian Safety at Roundabouts Andrew T. Duerr, P.E. aduerr@rkk.com

Eliminate/Reduce Conflict Grade Separation Simplify Geometry Eliminate or reduce entry/exit lanes Reorient pedestrian networks away from Roundabout

Minimize Pedestrian Exposure Simplify Roundabout Geometry Geometric Improvements Bulb outs Raised cross walks Buffer Strips between Sidewalk and Roadway Low Speed Design Signalized Crossings ITS Solutions Police Enforcement

Improve Gap Detection ITS Solutions Treatments that Provide Audible Cues Shift Crossings Downstream from Exits