Do drivers favor roundabouts?
Drivers may be skeptical, or even opposed, to roundabouts when they are proposed. However, opinions quickly change when drivers become familiar with roundabouts. A 2002 Institute study in three communities where single-lane roundabouts replaced stop sign-controlled intersections found 31 percent of drivers supported the roundabouts before construction compared with 63 percent shortly after.5 Another study surveyed drivers in three additional communities where single-lane roundabouts replaced stop signs or traffic signals.6 Overall, 36 percent of drivers supported the roundabouts before construction compared with 50 percent shortly after. Follow-up surveys conducted in these six communities after roundabouts had been in place for more than one year found the level of public support increased to about 70 percent on average.13

The additional travel lanes in multi-lane roundabouts increase the complexity of the driving task. Information is not yet available on drivers' attitudes toward multi-lane roundabouts in the United States.

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1. What is a roundabout?
2. How do roundabouts differ from older traffic circles and rotaries?
3. How do roundabouts affect safety?
4. What are the features of a good roundabout designs?
5. What are the common types of crashes at roundabouts? What can be done to prevent them?
6. How do roundabouts affect traffic flow?
7. Are there other benefits?
8. Can roundabouts accommodate larger vehicles?
9. How do roundabouts affect older drivers?
10. Are roundabouts safe for pedestrians?
11. Do drivers favor roundabouts?
12. What are the impediments to building roundabouts?
13. How common are roundabouts in the United States?
14. Do roundabouts require more space than traditional intersections?
15. What are appropriate locations for roundabouts?
16. What types of intersections may not be good candidates for roundabouts?