Safety is a major concern at the ministère des Transports du Québec, which is constantly seeking, in its interventions on the road network, to integrate roadway design ideas that enhance safety for users and improve traffic flow. This is why it added roundabouts to its design options. The conditions of implementation are explained in Section 2.2 of the document entitled Roundabouts, A Different Type of Management Approach.

Definition

A roundabout is a roadway layout in which one, two, or three traffic lanes go around a central island. Traffic in these lanes moves counter-clockwise. In addition, users who wish to enter this type of intersection must yield to pedestrians and to vehicles that are already in the roundabout.

Adoption

For many years, roundabouts have enjoyed great success in countries such as England, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, and Australia, because this type of roadway layout has the following advantages:

• reduced speed;
• fewer and less severe accidents;
• effective traffic management.

Roundabouts were introduced later in North America, but they have become more prevalent in recent years. In 2003, there were 310 roundabouts in the United States and close to 100 in Canada.

In Québec, roundabouts have only been in use for a few years.

• In 2001, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region was the site of the first roundabout on the network managed by the Ministère. Abitibi-Témiscamingue now has 4 roundabouts in service.
• In 2002, the Laurentides region commissioned its first roundabout at Mont-Tremblant.
• In 2003, the Outaouais region opened 2 roundabouts: one in L’Ange-Gardien and one in Gatineau. There were 31 roundabouts in operation on the ministère des Transports network in 2008. Roundabouts are rapidly gaining in popularity in terms of roadway design, and numerous other projects are currently being studied.

Roundabouts offer many advantages.

Road safety

• By forcing drivers to decrease their speed, this type of layout helps to reduce the number of accidents involving bodily injury.
• Roundabouts also have a significant advantage over intersections with traffic signals: there is no possibility of running a red light or of being involved in a high-speed lateral collision.
• Research studies in the United States and France have revealed a significant reduction in the severity of accidents compared to intersections with traffic signals or stop signs.

Traffic

• The presence of a roundabout increases traffic flow significantly, because vehicles rarely have to make a complete stop when yielding the right of way.

Environment

• Roundabouts help to reduce noise; heavy trucks don't have to come to a complete stop as often, and thus use engine brakes less frequently.
• Fuel consumption decreases slightly, with an accompanying reduction in air pollution.
• There is also an improvement in the visual landscape as the result of the planting of vegetation on the central island, among other things.

Comparison between a roundabout and an intersection with traffic signals

Conflict point: a location where the paths of two vehicles or the paths of a vehicle and a cyclist or pedestrian cross or intersect.

 

Drivers

• Slow down when approaching a roundabout
  A yellow sign located approximately 300 metres before the intersection indicates the recommended speed in the roundabout.

• Choose the proper lane 
  When approaching a multilane roundabout, choose the appropriate lane for your desired manoeuvre, and stay in that lane until you exit the roundabout.

• Yield the right-of-way
  When necessary, pedestrian crosswalks are located at the entrances to and exits from a roundabout. Before entering a roundabout, first yield to pedestrians and then to vehicles that are already in the roundabout.

• Enter the roundabout
  Roundabouts must be entered in the counter-clockwise direction, while respecting the posted speed limit. When entering a roundabout, be sure to yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout. You will usually find it easy to merge by looking to your left and adjusting your speed to the speed of the traffic. However, when traffic is heavier, it may be necessary to come to a complete stop in some cases.  A truck apron has been specially designed to facilitate traffic of heavy vehicles. Truckers can drive without any problem on this truck apron, which is located at the center of the rundabout ring.

• Plan your exit
  A green sign similar to the one shown above will be located approximately 100 metres before the roundabout, indicating the various exits from the roundabout. Do not stop in a roundabout, even if you miss your exit. Just make another complete turn around the roundabout, indicate your intentions using your turn signals, and then take the desired exit.