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There have been few studies of pedestrian safety at roundabouts in North America and these are not conclusive because of insufficient data. Studies internationally have shown that roundabouts can lessen the frequency and severity of pedestrian-involved collisions by 50 to 80 percent.
There are four reasons why pedestrians are safer at roundabouts:
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Shorter crossing distances: Pedestrian crossing distances are often shorter because extra lanes are not needed on an approach, and where splitter islands are present the crossing is done in two-stages.
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Look in One Direction Only: Pedestrians only have to look in one direction for oncoming traffic whereas at traffic signals cars approach a crosswalk from the left and the right, often at steep angles outside of peripheral vision.
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Lower vehicle speeds: There is more time to make eye contact with a motorist and avoid a crash, and if a crash does occur it will be less severe.
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Fewer conflict points: For a single-lane roundabout, there are 2 vehicle-pedestrian conflict points on each leg, as opposed to 4 otherwise. At multi-lane roundabouts, as at other intersections, an additional conflict is added for each additional lane that a pedestrian must cross. While illegal movements are less likely to occur at stop signs and traffic signals, they are potentially the most severe for a pedestrian.
Instructions for a Pedestrian at a Roundabout:
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Pay attention. Think. Be prepared to make decisions.
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Step up to the curb and make eye contact with drivers so they know you intend to cross.
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Keep watching all the way across as you cross a multi-lane roundabout, watch for a driver coming in the next lane. Make sure that the driver sees you.
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Look and listen for a safe gap in the traffic flow before crossing. Do not start to cross if a vehicle is so close that the driver can not safely yield the crosswalk to you, or if a driver shows by the way that they are driving that they do not intend to stop for you.
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Use the sidewalks and crosswalks around the outside of the roundabout. Do not cut across the middle of the roundabout.
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Use the splitter island. This will let you cross one direction of traffic at a time. Wait on the splitter island if needed.
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The appropriate gap in traffic is something that you can create by your behaviour, not just something that will eventually occur if you wait long enough. Most drivers slow down as soon as they see a pedestrian at a roundabout crosswalk. Whether they then yield the crosswalk to you by slowing or stopping will depend mostly on your body language. There is enough sight distance at the roundabout for the driver to see you and slow or stop. Drivers are more likely to yield the crosswalk to you if your body language shows that you intend to cross. Use the following assertive body language to clearly tell drivers that you intend to cross:
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Come up to the crosswalk briskly and deliberately – this also shows that you will not make drivers wait a long time for you to cross;
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Scan for a gap in traffic as you come up to the crosswalk;
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Look at the drivers;
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If you have to wait, step up to the curb or even stand with one foot into the crosswalk;
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Start to cross as soon as you are sure that the driver intends to slow or stop to yield the crosswalk to you.
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Drivers are more likely to NOT yield the crosswalk to you if your body language shows that you are willing or expecting to wait for a very long gap in traffic before crossing. The driver will assume that you are not ready to cross or do not intend to cross. Passive body language that tells drivers that you are willing to wait may include:
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Slowly ambling up to the crosswalk;
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Not looking at drivers;
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Standing on the sidewalk back from the curb;
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Standing with your hands on your hips;
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Setting down your grocery bags;
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Playing with your cell phone or music player;
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If you are jogging up to the intersection, beginning muscle stretches to fill in the time;
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Not taking advantage of an appropriate gap in traffic to make your crossing;
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Waving drivers on; and
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Hesitating and not starting to cross even when a vehicle is slowing to yield the crosswalk to you.
Cyclist Safety:
Studies internationally are less conclusive about bicyclist safety at roundabouts. Most show they are safer at single-lane roundabouts than at other intersections, but not always safer at multi-lane roundabouts. In either case, collisions that do occur are less severe because of lower vehicle speeds.
Where a roundabout is placed along a bicycle route, the standard design will be consistent with that approved by the TAC roundabout design guidance, presently being developed. Staff will be working with the Hamilton Cycling Committee among other user groups during design stages.
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