This article describes the key differences between roundabouts and traditional intersections that have traffic signals or stop signs and discusses how these differences may affect the mobility of pedestrians who are visually impaired. It also provides a brief summary of the authors’ research on this topic and suggests strategies for addressing the access issues that roundabouts sometimes create.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AshmeadD., GuthD., WallR., LongR., & PonchilliaP. (2005). Street crossing by sighted and blind pedestrians at a modern roundabout. ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, 131.
2.
CrattyB. (1971). Movement and spatial awareness in blind children and youth.Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
3.
Federal Highway Administration. (2000). Roundabouts: An informational guide (Publication FHWA-RD-00-067). McLean, VA: Author.
4.
GeruschatD. R., & HassanS. E. (2005). Yielding behavior of drivers to sighted and blind pedestrians at roundabouts. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 99, 286–302.
5.
GuthD., AshmeadD., LongR., PonchilliaP., & WallR. (2003, April). Blind pedestrians’ vehicular gap detection at roundabout intersections. Paper presented at the 11th International Mobility Conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
6.
GuthD., AshmeadD., LongR., WallR., & PonchilliaP. (2005). Blind and sighted pedestrians’ judgments of gaps in traffic at roundabouts. Human Factors, 47, 314–331.
7.
GuthD. A., HillE. W., & RieserJ. J. (1989). Tests of blind pedestrians’ use of traffic sounds for street-crossing alignment. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 83, 461–468.
8.
GuthD., & LaDukeR. (1995). Veering by blind pedestrians: Individual differences and their implications for instruction. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 89, 28–37.
9.
GuthD. A., & RieserJ. J. (1997). Perception and the control of locomotion by blind and visually impaired pedestrians. In BlaschB. B., WienerW. R., & WelshR. L. (Eds.), Foundations of orientation and mobility (2nd ed., pp. 9–38). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
RettingR., PersaudB., GarderP., & LordD. (2001). Crash and injury reduction following installation of roundabouts in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 628–631.
12.
RouphailN., HughesR., & ChaeK. (2005). Exploratory simulation of pedestrian crossings at roundabouts. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 131(2), 211–218.
13.
SauerburgerD. (1995). Safety awareness for crossing streets with no traffic control. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 89, 423–431.
14.
SchoonC., & van MinnenJ. (1993). Ongevallen op rotondes II [Accidents on roundabouts: II. Second study into the road hazard presented by roundabouts, particularly with regard to cyclists and moped riders]. (SWOV report R-93 16). Leidschendam, The Netherlands: SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research.
15.
SchoonC., & van MinnenJ. (1994). The safety of roundabouts in the Netherlands. Traffic Engineering and Control, 35, 142–148.
16.
TumberC. (1997). Review of pedestrian safety at roundabouts.Victoria, Australia: VicRoads.
WhippleM. (2004). Curb ramp design by elements and planter strip curb ramp. Proceedings of the Wayfinding at Intersections Workshop.Washington DC: Institute of Transportation Engineers, U.S. Access Board.
