MINI ROUNDABOUTS

AND
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CIRCLES

NCTCOG Public Works Roundup

May 21, 2019
Laura Melton, PE
Dana Shumard, PE

Slide 1
Agenda
• Definitions of Mini Roundabout and Neighborhood Traffic Circle
• Comparison of Mini Roundabout and Neighborhood Traffic Circle
• Benefits of Mini Roundabout and Neighborhood Traffic Circle
• Site Selection for Mini Roundabouts
• City of Burleson Case Studies
o Summercrest Traffic Circle
o McAlister Mini Roundabout
• FHWA Mini Roundabout Study Results
• Examples and Costs
• Temporary Mini Roundabouts
• Questions

Slide 2
Mini Roundabouts
• Small Roundabouts
with fully transversable
central island
• ICD: 50 FT – 90 FT
• Minimal increase to
existing footprint
• Splitter islands to Source: Mark Lenters

direct traffic
• Yield Entry
• Target Speeds
between 15-20 MPH
• Pedestrian crossings
Source: Mark Lenters

Slide 3
Mini Roundabouts

Slide 4
Neighborhood Traffic Circle
• Intended as a traffic calming
measure
• Built within existing intersection
footprint
• Minimal to no deflection angle at
approaches
• Operates as a “rolling stop”
• Largest vehicle bus or fire truck
• Central island has landscape

Slide 5
Neighborhood Traffic Circle vs
Roundabout
Neighborhood Traffic Circle Mini Roundabout
• Traffic calming measure • Traffic control measure
• Can be built within existing intersection footprint • Larger than traditional intersection
• No Splitter islands/Minimal to no deflection angle • Splitter islands to reduce speeds and channelize traffic
at approaches entering
• Operates as a “rolling stop” • Low entry speeds
• Bus or Fire Truck largest vehicle • Larger radius on entry and exits for fire trucks and
• Central Island has landscape buses
• Mountable truck aprons for large trucks
• Increases Capacity

Slide 6
Benefits of Mini Roundabouts and
Neighborhood Traffic Circles
• Reduced delay compared to stop control (AWSC)
• Traffic calming at intersection or along corridor
• Compact Size – fits within existing right-of-way
• Low cost
• Improve traffic safety
• Meet needs of pedestrians and bicyclists
• Aesthetics/Gateway Opportunities

Slide 7
Site Selection – Mini Roundabout
• Daily entering volumes will not exceed 15,000 vpd
• Hourly entering volumes will not exceed 1,600 vph
• Typical speeds are 35 MPH or less
• ROW/Space Constraints
• Residential areas
• Rural areas, traffic calming measure (slow speed)
• Collector/local or local/local
• Low truck volume – 3% or less
• Replacement for AWSC – Can significantly reduce
delay

Slide 8
CITY OF BURLESON
CASE STUDIES

Slide 9
Summercrest Traffic Circle

BHS

Slide 10
Summercrest Traffic Circle
• Summercrest is a
Collector Street

• 9,000 vpd

• Complaints due to not

being able to enter
Summercrest from side
streets

• Traffic Study performed

by KH

• “Metering” effect of the

4-way stop added to the
problem by preventing
gaps in traffic

Slide 11
Summercrest Traffic Circle
• Existing 4 way stop causing
metering effect - a steady
stream of vehicles evenly
spaced in the next few blocks
– no gaps

• K-H recommended Traffic

Circle to:
o allow continuous traffic flow, Metering effect of
keeping groups of cars together 4-way stop
and allowing gaps to be created

o Improve intersection efficiency –

solve long lines at the stop signs

o Calm traffic – still keep speeds

down

Slide 12
 Summercrest Traffic Circle
Circle Construction

• Done within existing

ROW

• Modified curb return

on 2 sides

• Construction Cost:
$48,297.37

• Bid August 2015

• Const. Complete July

2016

Slide 13
Summercrest Traffic Circle

Slide 14
 Summercrest Traffic Circle
7’ 23’ 7’
The Numbers

Traffic Volumes:
• Summercrest : 9,000 vpd
• Thomas : 6,000 vpd

Before Section:
• Exist. Pavement: 40’ b-b
• No lane/pavement
markings
• 2 lanes w/ on-street
parking
• 4-way stop at intersection

Traffic Circle:
• 16’ Lane widths
• Inner Raised Island: 23’ Diameter (between
curbs)
• Truck Apron: 7’ wide (including curbs)
• Inside edge of Driving Lane: 18.5’ Radius

Slide 15
 Summercrest Traffic Circle
Main Complaints:
• Firetrucks can’t use it (FALSE)
• School buses can’t use it (HALF TRUE)
• Too small / difficult to maneuver
• Uncomfortable using it
• Don’t like it – don’t like change

Traffic Engineering Standpoint: Public Acceptance Standpoint:

• Significant traffic flow efficiency improvement for 9000 • Strong initial negative reaction from some (200-300 people)
vehicles per day o (most common comment - don’t like change)

• Traffic flow efficiency = air quality benefit • Some remain vocal about dislike of circle 3 years later

• Peak times – school traffic – significantly less backup • Most People are getting used to it / Positive (rebuttal)
at the intersection (5-10 cars vs. almost to SH174) comments have increased on social media

• Improved ability to access Summercrest from side • Several people that live on Summercrest like the changes
streets (no metering effect) to traffic:
o Ability to get out of their driveways (not blocked by
backup at stop signs)
o Significant noise reduction
o Much less traffic backup

Slide 16
 Summercrest Traffic Circle
Firetrucks and School Bus Facts:

• All Firetrucks and school buses can go

straight thru the circle

• All Firetrucks and school buses can turn

right

• All Emergency Vehicles except the Ladder

Truck can make left turns in the circle

• The Ladder Truck and School Buses can

not make left turns

o School bus routes have been

adjusted

o Fire Department Ladder Truck can

cut through the circle to go left

Slide 17
7 vehicles in 20 seconds 7 vehicles in 36 seconds

Traffic Circle is 44% more

efficient in this example

Slide 18
 Summercrest Traffic Circle
Addressing Complaints -- Options for Changing the Circle
Options to Change the Circle:

1. Remove it – go back to 4-way Stop:

Cost: $36,000
• Concern: Might be people that prefer the circle that would then complain

2. Make the Circle Larger

• Can we make the existing circle larger?

o Answer: NO, not recommended.

 Speeds through the circle would increase
 Differential between speed of straight and turning movements would decrease safety
significantly
 More people would be uncomfortable due to higher speeds

• Can we make a larger circle?

o Answer: YES. True mini-roundabout is an option.

o Cost: Estimated at $400,000+

Slide 19
Summercrest Traffic Circle
Lessons Learned
• Think twice before putting one in established
neighborhoods with long-term residents

• Don’t let public opinion sway you to an unsafe design

• The circle has to be tight to keep speeds down

• Figure out pedestrian issues and how to solve them

early on
• Traffic does not stop anymore
• Wait for circle to clear…

• They WORK!!
• keep traffic moving
• Prevent traffic from going too fast

Slide 20
McAlister Road - Mini Roundabout
Project
Location
Archbury

McAlister

Slide 21 IH 35 W
 McAlister Before – 3-way Stop
Existing Conditions:

• 3-way stop condition

• All roads 1 lane each direction
• High Left Turn Volumes
• Peak hour backups 1000’+

City of Fort Worth

City of Burleson

Slide 22
Mini Roundabout Retrofit
Project Elements:
• Completed Construction Mid March 2019 (6 months)
• Tie to existing City of Fort Worth section
• Pavement widening on the north side • Project Construction Cost: $465,000
• Narrow median
• Mini-roundabout at intersection • Roundabout Only ~$325,000

Slide 23
Mini Roundabout Retrofit

Slide 24
Summercrest vs. McAlister

68’ 80’

Summercrest Traffic Circle Size Proposed McAlister Mini-Roundabout

• ICD = 68’ • ICD =80’
• Design Speed 14 mph • Design Speed 18 mph
• 16’ lane width • 18’ lane width / 44’ diam truck apron
• 3” mountable curb, 7’ truck apron • 1” to 3” over 12” mountable curb
• Raised Inner median & with signs • Flat Inner median & no signs
• Not traversable • Fully traversable

Slide 25
McAlister Mini Roundabout

Slide 26
McAlister Mini Roundabout

Slide 27
 McAlister Mini Roundabout

How’s It Working?

• Great!

• No traffic backups

• Accepted well by the Public

• New Neighborhood
• Larger size
• 4-way stops nearby that
back up significantly

• Pedestrian crossings work well

Slide 28
Slide 29
FHWA Mini-Roundabout Study
• Source: TRB Webinar March 21, 2017
• Mini-Roundabout, Is the US Ready to Take Advantage of their Benefits?

• Study started in 2009 and concluded in 2016

• Evaluated a total of 15 mini-roundabouts in 7 states
• 14 were converted from existing intersections
• 8 previously AWSC
• 6 previously TWSC
• 1 new intersection
• ICD from 47’ to 90’
• Peak Hour demand up to 1350 vph
• Major road speed up to 50 mph
• Costs: $25K to $400k per intersection, high capacity mini’s tend to be
around $300 K

Slide 30
FHWA Mini-Roundabout Study Results
• Prior AWSC Intersections
• Very effective in eliminating congestion
• Prior TWSC Intersections
• Effective in lowering major road speed, and providing more gaps to
minor road traffic
• All Types of Intersections
• Reduce pedestrian crossing distance by ½ to ¾ (better safety)

Slide 31
EXAMPLES

Slide 32
Fort Worth
• TWSC
• Temporary Traffic Circle
w/ markings (30mph)
• Mini Roundabout -
Retrofit - $30,000

Slide 33
Fort Worth

Slide 34
San Antonio
San Antonio – 2
Intersections
• AWSC (30mph)
• Traffic Calming
Program
• No drives or parking
along the street (40’
wide)
• Full reconstruction due
to pavement condition
• Construction Cost:
$250,000 each (unit
price contract)
• Begin Construction
May 2019

Slide 35
 What is a Temporary Mini
Roundabout?
• Maintains Existing Intersection
Footprint
• Non-permanent roundabout
• Made with readily available
materials
• Can be installed and removed
without affecting the existing
intersection
• Allows us to test how a
roundabout will function

Slide 36
Temporary Roundabout Materials

Slide 37
Temporary Roundabout
Fort Worth
• AWSC (30mph)
• $60,000
• Truck Apron
Purchase Cost:
$20,000

Slide 38
References/Resources
• FHWA Mini Roundabout Technical Summary, 2009:
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/innovative/roundabouts/fhwasa10007/fhwasa10
007.pdf
• NCHRP 672, Section 6.6:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/exit.cfm?link=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp
_rpt_672.pdf
• ITE Mini Roundabouts in Minnesota Benefits of Roundabouts a Smaller Footprint and
Lower Cost: https://www.ite.org/pub/?id=3CDB08B4-087D-EE22-4972-9E8731B3148C
• TRB Webinar March 21, 2017 - Mini-Roundabout, Is the US Ready to Take Advantage
of their Benefits? http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/webinars/170321.pdf
• NACTO, Urban Street Design Guide: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-
guide/intersections/minor-intersections/mini-roundabout/
• Traffic Products Australia Rubber Roundabouts:
https://www.ctstraffic.com.au/roundabouts
• Traffic Systems West Rubber Roundabouts
https://www.trafficsystemswest.com.au/products/traffic-calming/rubber-roundabouts/

Slide 39
QUESTIONS?

Slide 40