Thanks largely to one alderperson’s efforts, the city has made mini-roundabouts a key piece of its road safety strategy.
Although not all residents may understand their role, Chicago’s neighborhood roundabouts are an effective traffic calming measure.
Championed by Alderperson Mary Ann Smith in the 1990s, roundabouts are an effective way to slow traffic on neighborhood streets without forcing cars to come to a complete stop, explains Shawn Allee in an article for WBEZ Chicago.
“Most of Chicago’s traffic circles have been built by alderpeople who requested one via the aldermanic menu program, a discretionary budget reserved for infrastructure projects such as alley resurfacing, speed humps and various traffic calming devices.” According to Ald. Andre Vasquez, this process leads to a piecemeal approach that could leave out streets with the highest needs, and wants to see City Hall take a more active role in the installation of traffic circles.
Read the full story: Why Chicago goes round and round with traffic circles
Study: Roundabouts are Primarily in Wealthier Neighborhoods
A North Carolina study sheds light on inequities in road safety interventions.
‘Modular Roundabouts’ Offer Quick-Build Traffic Safety Solution
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Long Beach Has Installed Nearly 100 Traffic Circles
They range from large traffic circles that reduce congestion to small neighborhood roundabouts designed to slow local traffic.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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