Transcript Document

Roundabouts in
Massachusetts
State of the Practice at MassDOT
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
 Overview of current MassDOT’s approach to
“modern roundabouts”
 Negative connotation to the roundabout due to
the “rotary” design
 Changing driver behavior starts from the top with
the Drivers Manual and education of the future
motorists in the Commonwealth
 Winning the public over to the benefits of a
roundabout versus the traditional intersection
design
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
“Text Book Design” vs.
the New England
Intersection – Why we
have a tough time
selling a roundabout.
- Standard design
layout is hard to
obtain and build
without ROW takings.
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
 What are our biggest challenges:
Overcoming the stigmatism of the “rotary”
Addressing the peak-hour volume flows
Providing for accommodation of all users
Gaining public trust in the dedicated lane
assignment configuration of a roundabout
 Documenting the safety benefits of the
reduction in crashes at roundabouts
 Obtaining buy-in from the Public Safety
community
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Roundabouts in Massachusetts
Design Challenges –
 Achieve desired
capacity with 2 lanes
 Provide better
pedestrian access
 Offer improved
Aesthetic qualities
 Accommodate the
bicycle community
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
So where are we now?
MassDOT has begun to request project
designers and private developers to
consider roundabouts as a “first option” to
address a uniform approach to traffic
operations and providing accommodation
for all road-users.
Roundabouts are now being considered
as viable options for interchange junctions.
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
COMPLETED
IN DESIGN
Roundabouts in Massachusetts
Next Steps for MassDOT
 Working with the Central Transportation
Planning Staff (CTPS) from the Boston MPO on
the development of a “Roundabout Planning
Screening Tool” to assist designers in when to
consider a roundabout versus a signalized
intersection.
 Develop a “Local Community Reference Guide”
to provide details on the benefits of roundabouts
on traffic calming and livable streets. Ensure
that a roundabout is considered for the correct
reasons.