Now Live! New Parking Permit Management System
Stanford Transportation has launched a new, streamlined system to purchase parking permits at Stanford. Discover more about parking.stanford.edu.
Stanford Transportation has launched a new, streamlined system to purchase parking permits at Stanford. Discover more about parking.stanford.edu.
There are several goals for roundabouts at Stanford:
Instead of requiring vehicles to come to a complete stop and determine who has the right of way, vehicles and bicycles should now be able to flow in a slow but continuous and safe manner to their destinations.
As part of Stanford's decision, the university consulted traffic engineers, evaluated traffic models, and listened to testimonials from other communities.
After comparing metrics for four-way stop signs, roundabouts, and traffic signals, the university concluded that the roundabout serves as the most efficient means for vehicle circulation and provides a sensible solution for pedestrians and bicyclists at campus intersections.
Stanford engaged an expert in international roundabout design to develop the criteria for roundabouts on campus and, specifically, for the Campus Drive and Escondido Road intersection.
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection with yield control of entering traffic, islands on the approaches, and appropriate roadway curvature to reduce vehicle speeds.
Modern roundabouts are different from rotaries and other traffic circles. For example, roundabouts are typically smaller than the large, high-speed rotaries still in use in some part of the country. In addition, roundabouts are typically larger than neighborhood traffic circles used to calm traffic.
Compared to other types of intersections, roundabouts have demonstrated safety and other benefits. Roundabouts:
There are just a few simple guidelines to remember when driving through a roundabout:
Visit safety.fhwa.dot.gov to learn more about roundabouts.
Source: Roundabouts: An Informational Guide. Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., latest version, except as noted.
[1] "Safety Effect of Roundabout Conversions in the United States: Empirical Bayes Observational Before-After Study." Transportation Research Record 1751, Transportation Research Board (TRB), National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Washington, D.C., 2001. |