AN INTRODUCTION TO ROUNDABOUTS Evolution

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AN INTRODUCTION TO ROUNDABOUTSEvolution
Education MPO-RPC-WisDOT ConferenceOctober 5,
2009by Patrick Fleming - WisDOT
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Wisconsin roundabouts
Mount Horeb
Wisconsin Rapids
Dodgeville
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WisDOT Roundabout Policy (April 23, 2004)

• If an intersection warrants a signal or a 4-way
  stop within the design life of the proposed
  project, the modern roundabout shall be evaluated
  as an equal alternative.
• Where there is an existing 4-way stop or signal
  and there are operational problems with the
  current control, then the roundabout shall be
  considered as a viable alternative.
• In either case, roundabouts are a potential
  intersection control strategy until such time
  that the evaluation indicates that the roundabout
  alternative is not appropriate.

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WisDOT Commitment

• Manual updates
• April 2004
• July 2005
• April 2008
• December 2008

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FHWA Memo(July 10, 2008)

• Proven Safety Countermeasures
• Item 5, Roundabouts
• Guidance Statement
• Roundabouts are the preferred safety alternative
  for a wide range of intersections. Although they
  are not appropriate in all circumstances, they
  should be considered as an alternative for all
  proposed new intersections on federally-funded
  highway projects, particularly those with major
  road volumes less than 90 percent of the total
  entering volume..

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Intersection Control Evaluation(FDM 11-25-3)

• All State Federally funded projects, on STH
  system, or at interchange ramps
• Improvement projects, Majors, HSIP, TIA, SRTS,
  CMAQ
• HSIP in FDM 11-25-3 and PMM, Preferred
  intersection control is a roundabout unless
  demonstrated otherwise.

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Process Overview
Milestones
Planning
Design
Figure 1, FDM 11-25-3, pg. 2
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Planning Level Scoping Phase

• 3 conditions may eliminate roundabout
• Coordinated system
• R/W impacts far greater
• Minor improvement
• No R/W required
• Extend left turn bay
• Add turn bay in existing median
• One intersection type is more expensive than the
  other - take both alternatives forward
• Preliminary budget within 80 of final budget

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Intersection Control Evaluation - 9
Factors(Planning Level Scoping Phase)

• Safety
• Operational Analysis
• Construction cost
• Right-of-way
• Practical feasibility

• Operations Maintenance cost
• Environmental
• Pedestrians/Bikes
• Recommendation

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Table 3 - ICE Worksheet (planning)
Table 3 FDM 11-25-3, pg. 7
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Design (PDS)

• Design confirms project scoping and major bid
  item budget Design leads effort
• Project decision point ? In-House (WisDOT) or
  Consultant
• More rigorous design phase
• More detailed information for 9 factors
• If roundabout is viable alternative
• Design team to include qualified roundabout
  designer
• Take intersection alternatives to the public
• Update State/Municipal agreement

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Table 3 - ICE Worksheet (PDS)
Table 3 FDM 11-25-3, pg. 7
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Qualified Designer Firms (11)

• GAS
• Omnni
• Bonestroo
• CTE
• Reid Middleton
• RA Smith

• Strand Associates
• DLZ
• Ourston
• MTJ
• RTE

4 firms have more than one QD Any questions
about the firms/people??
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Qualified Designer List
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Public Education Outreach (1)

• Newspaper ads running statewide (Sept. Oct.)
• 34 newspapers, How to drive roundabouts
• 50 TV stations DVD (Public access channels)
• Wis Motorists Handbook update
• DMV flier insert into license plate renewals (4
  million copies)
• Roundabout Animation program

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Public Education Outreach (2)

• State legislators provided copy of WisDOT DVD
• Legislation to mandate roundabouts to be part of
  drivers ed curriculum
• Roundabout question on written drivers exam
• DMV offices are running 2 minute video
• Enhance WisDOT roundabout web site
• www.wisconsinroundabouts.gov

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Hwy 41 44 roundabouts
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High speed approach Kaukauna
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Constructing the truck apron

• Special Provision for red color
• No stamped concrete on truck apron
• No yellow pvmt marking separation
• No dowel bars in truck apron

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New Curb Gutter
601.0580 Concrete Curb Gutter 4-Inch Sloped
36-Inch Type R 601.0582 Concrete Curb Gutter
4-Inch Sloped 36-Inch Type T
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New Casting
Neenah Foundry
611.0652 Inlet Covers Type T
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Claude Allouez Bridge, DePere
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WisDOT Roundabout GuidePavement Marking
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WisDOT Roundabout GuideSigning
Overhead Sign bridge
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WisDOT Roundabout Status

• Over 200 roundabouts planned or constructed
• State Highway System oversight projects
• 68 constructed operating (after 2009
  construction)
• 25 single lane, 43 multi-lane (2 have high
  speed approaches)
• 165 additional proposed
• 35 single lane, 130 multi-lane
• Known Local System
• 43 constructed operating
• Most single lane, some multi lane

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Wis Drivers Handbook
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DMV Insert (plate renewal)
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Roundabout References

• Wisconsin DOT web site
• www.wisconsinroundabouts.gov
• Alaska web site
• www.alaskaroundabouts.com/
• Consultant web site
• www.roundaboutsusa.com
• Google ---- Roundabouts