7/9/2008 9:57:06 PM Author: newsAuthor
A Lothian roundabout has helped reduce crashes, but new signs and curbing paint could make it even safer, according to a new study.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released a review of 38 of the state's 48 roundabouts. Overall, researchers determined that roundabouts are a positive alternative, but they continue to have crashes that cause property damage. The study highlighted two roundabouts - one in Lothian and another in Prince George's County - and offered suggestions for improvement.
Researchers studied roundabouts that had at least two years of crash data available from the State Highway Administration. Maryland's first roundabout was constructed in 1993, making it one of the first states to construct a modern roundabout. Unlike traffic circles, modern roundabouts are smaller and require motorists to negotiate a sharper curve when entering.
"We believe very strongly that roundabouts are an effective safety measure," said Richard A. Retting, an author of the study and senior transportation engineer with the Arlington, Va.-based organization. "Maryland set the stage (for roundabouts). Part of the price you pay for being first ... you learn through the design process that things can be done slightly better to make (the roundabouts) safer than they already are."
From 1993 to December 2005, there were 283 crashes at the 38 roundabouts, split almost evenly between the single-lane and double-lane roundabouts. A majority of the accidents occurred at entrances, while 15 percent of single-lane roundabout crashes and 28 percent of double-lane crashes happened within the circulatory roadway, the study stated.
In Lothian, the roundabout at Route 408 and Route 422 was created in 1995 to replace a two-way stop sign. In the researched time period, there were 34 accidents there, split between cars being run off the road and rear-end collisions. To cut down on crashes even more, researchers suggested enhancing the landscaping there, adding reflective signs to the center island and using reflective curbing paint.
SHA officials said they are pleased with the results of roundabouts statewide. In every case, they've been able to eliminate fatal accidents by using it to replace some busy intersections.
Three years ago, a roundabout was built in the York Road area of Towson, a section that previously had seven fatal accidents. There have been no fatalities since the roundabout opened, officials said.
There has been success with the roundabout, but the department still is open to suggestions.
"It was taking a problem and applying a solution, and the solution may not be something that everyone likes," SHA spokesman Valerie Burnette Edgar said. "Obviously, folks who have fender-benders are not pleased, but it's better than (having a serious accident)."
The study also made suggestions for a double-lane roundabout located at Route 1 and 34th Street in Mount Rainier. There were 61 crashes there in a four-year period, with nearly half being run-off-the-road collisions. Some changes in signs and pavement markings to reduce speeds could help.
One overriding theme has been that many drivers don't know what to do when they approach a roundabout, Mr. Retting said.
"There's definitely a learning process and some drivers learn more quickly than others," he said. "In some ways, it's analogous to switching from a typewriter to a computer. There's a learning process and once you learn that process, you're much better off for it."
Motorist John Smith has noticed this in his travels around the county. He has been to the roundabout in Lothian, but he travels the ones in Annapolis frequently. He has learned to try to figure out what the other drivers are going to do before he makes his next move.
"You've got to try to anticipate what the other driver is going to do," said Mr. Smith, of Annapolis. "It's just plain old respect. You've got to respect the other driver and watch out."
From:www.hometownannapolis.com
