CRT Director, Bob Murphy, Comments on Emerging Roundabout Use in Middle Tennessee

In Davidson, Featured, Infrastructure, Issue, Rutherford, Transportation, Williamson
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Music City Circle Roundabout- Davidson County

Although roundabouts can present a learning curve for first time users, the results speak for themselves. For many problematic four way intersections, roundabouts can reduce traffic congestions, pollution, accidents, and even save government money in the long run.

Middle Tennessee has seen a rise in the implementation of roundabouts over the last decade with perhaps the best known one built in 2001 in Nashville at Music Row. However, other neighborhoods, such as McKay’s Mill and the City of Franklin have gotten in on the act, along with Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Belmont.

The reason for the rise in popularity is that roundabouts simply work better. Studies by the IIHS and Federal Highway Administration have shown that roundabouts on average achieve:

37 percent reduction in overall collisions
75 percent reduction in injury collisions
90 percent reduction in fatality collisions
40 percent reduction in pedestrian collisions

In addition, studies by Kansas State University measured traffic flow at intersections before and after conversion to roundabouts. In each case, installing a roundabout led to a 20 percent reduction in delays. Additional studies by the IIHS of intersections in three states, including Washington, found that roundabouts contributed to an 89 percent reduction in delays and 56 percent reduction in vehicle stops.

CRT Director Bob Murphy, President of RPM Traffic Consultants and designer of several roundabouts in Middle Tennessee explains,

“Roundabouts are uncomfortable. They’re different. But when you look at the facts, roundabouts are very effective at reducing crashes, reducing congestion.”

Murphy and other transportation experts expect to see roundabouts to become a growing trend in Middle Tennessee as other municipalities understand the benefits and drivers become more educated.

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