While some Americans find them confusing, traffic roundabouts are good for the environment and cut down on time spent in traffic, say transportation planners.
This lightweight public radio piece sets up the premise that roundabouts "cause a rift between cities and drivers", but only quotes one "unimpressed" local, who says that people find it confusing. Meanwhile, planners tout that the roundabout could inspire development, make the area pedestrian-friendly, and be good for the environment.
Tony Arnold reports on a new roundabout being constructed in Tinley Park, Illinois:
"It's just the latest example of a growing trend in suburbs around the country. The goal is to cut down on traffic congestion as well as accidents."
FULL STORY: Roundabouts cause rifts between cities and drivers
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.
Denver Could Put Pause on New Traffic Circles
The city’s fire department has asked for a moratorium on new traffic circles, installed as a traffic calming mechanism.
The ‘Quiet Roundabout Revolution’ Sweeping U.S. Cities
Roundabouts, which can dramatically improve traffic safety, have been slowly proliferating across U.S. cities over the last two decades.
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates
Housing developers will no longer be required to dedicate land to roadway widening, which could significantly reduce the cost of construction and support more housing units.
But... Europe
European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?
DC’s Hottest Neighborhoods Have the Least Shade
Areas most exposed to extreme heat also tend to lack bus shelters and benches at bus stops.
Western Conservationists, Tribes File Legal Motion to Defend Public Lands Rule
Some states and industry groups have sued to stop the Bureau of Land Management from enforcing the new rule, which promotes the conservation and restoration of public lands and shifts focus away from extractive uses.
Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California
Unusually high temperatures across the state are prompting power shutoffs and could fuel more destructive wildfires.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Placer County
Mayors' Institute on City Design
City of Sunnyvale
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)
Knoxville-Knox County Planning
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Portland, ME
Baton Rouge Area Foundation