ROUNDABOUTS HOW DOES THE HAWK WORK? PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS BICYCLES IN A ROUNDABOUT When the pedestrian presses the Crossing at a roundabout is generally easier for a Bicycles have the option to operate as either ROUNDABOUTS IMPROVE SAFETY button, approaching drivers will see pedestrian than at a traditional signalized intersection. a motor vehicle (in a lane of the road) or a This is because in a roundabout, the pedestrian is Studies* indicate intersections converted from the beacon flashing yellow for a few pedestrian (in the crosswalk). As a bicyclist only crossing one direction of traffic at a time. traffic signals to roundabouts result in: seconds, indicating they should reduce approaches a roundabout, he or she should

• 90% fewer traffic fatalities speed and be prepared to stop for a decide how to navigate through the roundabout. To cross at a roundabout, pedestrians should: • 75% fewer serious-injury crashes pedestrian in the crosswalk. Flashing Yellow • If proceeding as a motor vehicle, the • Use the appropriate pedestrian crossing. The crashes that do occur tend to be much less bicyclist should move into the middle of the • Stay out of the center island. serious and rarely fatal, because they are typically lane, operate as a motor vehicle would and • When traffic clears, cross the exit or entrance low-speed sideswipes and rear-end collisions rather obey the traffic laws. In addition, the lane to the “diverter” island which separates the than the head-on, left-turn and high-speed, broadside The beacon will then change to a bicyclist should indicate his or her route collisions that occur at signalized intersections. exit/entrance lanes. solid yellow light. intentions through correct hand signals. *Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety • Continue across. These diverter islands provide safe havens where pedestrians can wait for traffic • If proceeding as a pedestrian, the bicyclist “Status Report Vol. 40, No. 9.” to clear. should exit the roadway, advance to the

INCREASED ROAD CAPACITY Solid Yellow crosswalk, and follow proper procedures for

• Continuous travel through the intersection, at a pedestrian crossing. After the solid-yellow phase, the top reduced speed, actually gets you there sooner The figure below indicates the diverter islands. two lights will turn solid red, indicating than the stop and go of a traditional signalized POPULAR WITH DRIVERS intersection. drivers must stop. When the beacon Numerous studies nationwide have • Roundabouts at the intersections of two-lane turns to solid red, the signal facing the demonstrated that drivers like roundabouts. That roads can allow the two-lane roads to carry pedestrians illuminates the walk symbol has been the case locally as well. additional capacity, in some cases nearly as and emits a tone indicating to sight-impaired pedestrians that it is safe A survey conducted by West Bloomfield many cars as a four-lane road with traffic signals. Solid Red to cross. Township reported that 66 percent of HAWK CROSSWALK BEACON respondents were in favor of constructing The Road Commission for Oakland County additional roundabouts in the future. (RCOC) is continuing to install a relatively new form The signal then changes to a of pedestrian crossing device known as the HAWK, flashing red, and the pedestrian is or High-intensity Activated cross-WalK beacon. The shown a flashing do not walk symbol HAWK is typically used at multi-lane roundabouts with a countdown timer. and mid-block pedestrian crossings of major roads. OUNDABOUTS OFFER R WHAT IS THE HAWK? IMPROVED AESTHETICS The HAWK is a new form of pedestrian Drivers are allowed to proceed • Many people think roundabouts look nicer than crosswalk beacon. It is referred to as a “beacon” during the flashing red after coming to a traffic signals. rather than a “signal” because it is only lit when it is complete stop and making sure there is • Opinion surveys in Maryland, Colorado and activated by a pedestrian pushing the crosswalk no danger to pedestrians. Vermont found that 80-90 percent of area button. It has a different configuration than residents like their new roundabouts. traditional signals, with two red lights next to each • The central island can provide space for Flashing Red other above one yellow. There is no green light. landscaping Baldwin/Indianwood/Coats Roundabout in Orion Twp. INSTRUCTIONS FOR WHAT IS RCOC?

USING A The Road Commission for Oakland County 31001 Lahser Road  Beverly Hills  MI  48025

(RCOC) maintains Michigan’s largest county ROUNDABOUT road system, with more than 2,700 miles of BOARD OF ROAD Roundabouts are different than traditional HOW TO USE A public roads (including more than 750 miles of intersections and require some different driving gravel roads). Only the state highway system is COMMISSIONERS techniques. Here are the steps to follow as you larger. navigate a roundabout. RONALD J . FOWKES RCOC also maintains: ROUNDABOUT 1. Slow down as you approach the  Approximately 90 bridges ANDREA L ALONDE roundabout. 15-20 miles per hour is  Approximately 1,500 traffic signals NANCY QUARLES

usually about the right speed for  Approximately 150,000 traffic signs with HAWK

approaching and driving in a roundabout.  More than 230 miles of state highway Dennis G. Kolar, PE 2. Pick your lane. Look for the lane-use SAFETY FIRST Managing Director Crosswalk Signals signs as you approach the roundabout, As a matter of policy, major road Gary Piotrowicz, PE, PTOE choose your lane before entering the improvements are conducted by the Road Deputy Managing Director roundabout and stay in it until you exit Commission based on a safety ranking system. the roundabout. At RCOC, “safety first” is more than a motto. County Highway Engineer

3. Yield. When approaching the roundabout, RCOC MISSION STATEMENT

always yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and RCOC strives to provi de the public with RCOC: leadership in: vehicles in all lanes (the yield sign will  Is separate from county general government • Safe and convenient roads show you where to yield). and receives no direct revenue from property • Sound financial management taxes. 4. Look left. Vehicles in the roundabout • Responsive and dependable service  Receives the majority of its funding from the have the right of way. If there is no traffic • Respect for the environment state and federal fuel taxes and the state in the roundabout, don’t stop. If traffic is vehicle-registration fee. • Sensitivity to community concerns present, wait for an opening and then enter  Has congested roads due to the tremendous Intersection of Maple and Dr the roundabout. growth in the county in past decades. AVE A QUESTION FOR H  Receives no direct revenue from economic 5. Give way to large vehicles. Allow large THE ROAD COMMISSION? growth and development. ake roads, West Bloomfield vehicles the extra turning radius needed to  Pays $3 million or more to pave a mile of CALL, WRITE OR VISIT: navigate the roundabout. Never pass or gravel road. DEPARTMENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICES drive next to a large vehicle in the  Pays $8 million or more to widen one mile of 2420 PONTIAC LAKE ROAD roundabout. road from two lanes to five. WATERFORD, MI 48328 A GUIDE TO THE USE OF  Is located in a state with a gas tax that was (877) 858-4804 6. Emergency vehicles. If you see an ROUNDABOUTS FOR MOTORISTS, below the national average for decades. TDD: (248) 645-9923 emergency vehicle coming, exit the  Is located in a state that ranks in the bottom OR, visit RCOC online at PEDESTRIANS AND BICYLISTS. roundabout; do not pull over in the nine states in per capita state and local road www.rcocweb.org roundabout. funding – and has for more than 50 years. Updated 01/21