In a bid to steer clear of intersection-related fatalities and injuries, which account for nearly a third of such events in Texas, TxDOT is driving forward with new strategies involving roundabouts. Celebrated during National Roundabouts Week from Sept. 16-20, these circular solutions are drawing attention for reducing fatal intersection crashes significantly — by up to 90%, according to Texas officials. Brandye Hendrickson, TxDOT Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Administration, underscored the importance of exploring different methods to improve road safety in a statement obtained by TxDOT, "If we want to get to zero deaths on our roadways, we have to look at all kinds of different innovative approaches to reach that goal and roundabouts are certainly one way to do that."
The Lone Star State is now racing alongside 13 other states implementing the Intersection Control and Evaluation (ICE) process, which aligns intersection investments with pressing safety and congestion needs. Hendrickson, whose experience in Indiana fueled her insights into the safety impacts of such intersections, remarked, "I got a chance to drive roundabouts in the communities where I live and that I serve," she told TxDOT. "It really opened up my eyes to the safety impacts and benefits that come along with these innovative intersections."
These innovative intersections stand out for their ability to lessen the potential for collisions, promoting a slower driving speed and a yield system for those navigating the traffic circles. Furthermore, Reduced Conflict U-Turns (RCUTs), which alter standard left-turn and through movements, have been shown to also reduce fatal and injury crashes by up to 63%, as per Federal Highway Administration data mentioned in the TxDOT article. TxDOT's move away from the conventional traffic signal solution hinges on the principle, as stated by Mo Bur, TxDOT's director of project development, "We can’t keep doing the same thing with our designs and expect different results."
With a 40-member task force assembled, TxDOT has its sights set on reducing intersection fatalities across Texas, which currently boasts approximately 860 innovative intersections and 643 roundabouts. Cities such as Bryan, El Paso, and San Antonio are at the forefront, with multiple projects already in development phases. Amanda Austin, TxDOT’s RAID lead, explained the intricate balance required in roundabout design saying, "There is a lot more to installing a roundabout than the simple circle would suggest," she told TxDOT. "You need it just big enough to accommodate trucks but not so big that people can drive too fast through it."
Aside from ensuring the physical features such as curvature and signage are tailored to their respective urban, rural, or metro areas, TxDOT is also gearing up to educate the public on the correct use of these less conventional intersections. By providing resources and training, TxDOT not only aims to construct these roundabouts accurately but also to bolster public knowledge and thereby enhance safety on the roads of Texas.
