GAMBIER — Change is never easy, especially when the change is controversial. Such is the case with the roundabout at Ohio 229 and Ohio 308.
Since the Ohio Department of Transportation opened the roundabout in mid-November, tempers have flared, and fingers have flown as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern.
Shortly after it opened, one reader asked, “Who is going to teach Knox County how to use a roundabout?”
Dec. 5 brought an arctic blast to Knox County, but ODOT transportation engineer Joshua Otworth joined Knox Pages at the roundabout to provide tips on safely navigating the traffic flow.
Increased safety
Many residents question why a roundabout was installed rather than a traffic signal.
To qualify for a traffic signal, the intersection must meet at least one of nine Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices criteria under the Ohio Revised Code. The 229/308 intersection did not meet any of the requirements.
“A roundabout was selected for the intersection improvements because you can move as much traffic if not more through a roundabout,” Otworth said, “and it is safer.”
One reason roundabouts perform better from a safety perspective is that when drivers are at the yield line, they only have to worry about traffic over their left shoulder.
“At a typical intersection, you have to look left and right before judging whether to enter across a roadway. At a roundabout, you’ll only be concerned with one,” Otworth said.
Additionally, the design of a roundabout forces traffic to slow down.
“Slower traffic makes decision-making easier and obviously also reduces the severity of crashes if they were to occur rather than at highway speeds, which is what a lot of our ODOT intersections are going to be,” Otworth explained.
“But principally, the biggest reason why roundabouts are safer is because they eliminate conflict points that exist at normal intersections. They significantly reduce the risk of the number of interactions that can happen between vehicles.”
“There does seem to be a bit of a misconception that roundabouts are here to prevent accidents,” ODOT public information officer Chas Cosgrave said. “Roundabouts aim to reduce accidents, specifically serious-injury crashes or fatal crashes.
“At the end of the day, the only thing that can prevent an accident is the driver.”
Otworth said sideswipe crashes upon entry and possibly rear-end crashes are the most common accidents occurring at a roundabout.
How to safely enter a roundabout
“You don’t have to come to a complete stop like you would at a stop sign, but you must yield to traffic that’s in the roundabout because traffic in the roundabout has the right of way,” Otworth explained.
However, when in doubt, drivers should stop before entering. Once in the roundabout, drivers have the right of way and should proceed to their appropriate exit.
Another topic that’s generated local comment is the ability of large vehicles, such as farm machinery and semi-trailers, to navigate the roundabout safely. That’s where the pretty decorative apron comes into play.
“Whenever roundabouts are constructed on a state route, we are required to accommodate larger vehicles including semi trucks, buses, and in rural areas like this, farm machinery,” Otworth said. “During the design process, all of those vehicle types were evaluated and accommodated in our design.
“The truck apron on the center island and the truck aprons on the outside of the roadway as well are there in case larger vehicles would need them to navigate the intersection.”
Otworth recommended residents check ODOT’s website for more information on roundabouts.
“There’s also lots of interesting facts and other resources there for different types of people who might use the roundabout, such as bicyclists or the operators of larger vehicles,” he said. “There’s a lot of traffic coming from the college over the bike path.”
A word about winter weather
Cosgrave added a note of caution now that winter weather is in full swing.
“Our crews are out working to keep the roads clear and treated. Please give our folks room to work,” he said.
“I believe last year we had 22 crashes involving our plow trucks. That takes critical equipment out of service and unfortunately, it frequently means injury for those who strike the dump truck. So we just ask the folks, please give us room.”
