1. Roundabouts (RAB) and Channelized Turning Lanes (CTL) Dona Sauerburger, COMS November 16, 2012 CAOMS, San Diego www.sauerburger.org/dona

2. Outline of workshop What are features of RABs and CTLs? What are features of RABs and CTLs? How to recognize RABs and CTLs? How to recognize RABs and CTLs? Tasks Tasks Locating crosswalk Locating crosswalk Aligning and maintaining alignment Aligning and maintaining alignment Determining when to cross Determining when to cross Learning to recognize Situations of Uncertainty Learning to recognize Situations of Uncertainty Practice /experience Practice /experience Brainstorm / problem-solve tasks Brainstorm / problem-solve tasks

3. Features of RABs and CTLs

4. Roundabouts: An Informational Guide (NCHRP Report 672) http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/roundabouts/fhwasa10006/ http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/roundabouts/fhwasa10006/

5. Features of Roundabouts NOT mini-roundabouts or large traffic circles! Circular vehicular pathway (counterclockwise) Circular vehicular pathway (counterclockwise) Splitter islands Splitter islands Crosswalks set back from “intersecting street” Crosswalks set back from “intersecting street” Drivers entering RAB yield to traffic in the circle Drivers entering RAB yield to traffic in the circle No stop sign or signal No stop sign or signal

6. Important: Important: How many lanes? How many lanes? Turning radius? Turning radius?

7. Channelized Turning Lanes “Porkchop island;” “Channelized lane”

9. Exceptions Upstream/downstream

10. Features of CTLs Usually: Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Single lane Single lane “Upstream” traffic yields to “downstream” traffic “Upstream” traffic yields to “downstream” traffic Crosswalk at center Crosswalk at centerUSUALLY!

11. Exceptions Two lanes

12. Exceptions

13. Exceptions Stop sign!

14. Considerations for CTL IMPORTANT: does it have a: IMPORTANT: does it have a: deceleration lane? deceleration lane? acceleration lane? acceleration lane? IMPORTANT: is the turning radius IMPORTANT: is the turning radius Narrow? (slower vehicles) or Narrow? (slower vehicles) or wide? (drivers can go faster) wide? (drivers can go faster)

15. No acceleraton/deleration Acceleration lane Deceleration lane Deceleration and acceleration Deceleration lane Deceleration and acceleration

16. Turning radius

17. Wide radius

19. Narrow radius

21. OK, now the nitty-gritty! TASKS for the blind traveler: Recognize RAB or Right-turn-lane Recognize RAB or Right-turn-lane Find crosswalk Find crosswalk Align Align Determine when to start crossing Determine when to start crossing Maintain alignment / recover from veer Maintain alignment / recover from veer

22. TASK #1: Recognizing RAB or CTL

23. RAB: What might you notice? Traffic approaching and leaving roundabout seem to be split at the island (making the shape of a “Y” with leg) Traffic approaching and leaving roundabout seem to be split at the island (making the shape of a “Y” with leg) NO consistent pattern!! NO consistent pattern!! some vehicles don’t slow down, others on the same street slow down and proceed, some stop and wait; some vehicles don’t slow down, others on the same street slow down and proceed, some stop and wait; no turn-taking like at a signal. no turn-taking like at a signal. Perpendicular traffic not unusual except: Perpendicular traffic not unusual except: Only can hear traffic going to the right, and Only can hear traffic going to the right, and Can sometimes hear muffled traffic going to the left Can sometimes hear muffled traffic going to the left At some RABs, approaching traffic seems to turn right but then continues straight At some RABs, approaching traffic seems to turn right but then continues straight Splitter island may make street sound wider Splitter island may make street sound wider

24. Task #2: Find crosswalk Assuming there is one! What is a crosswalk? (Marked/unmarked) Varies from state to state Usually “extended pedestrian path” Usually “extended pedestrian path” Sometimes “corner to corner” Sometimes “corner to corner” Sometimes “extended ped path from BOTH directions” Sometimes “extended ped path from BOTH directions”

25. Find crosswalk Assuming there is one! Find crosswalk at Roundabout? (from notes) Not predictable! Shoreline on curb side (either along your approach or go to the circle and turn around and look). Shoreline on curb side (either along your approach or go to the circle and turn around and look). Listen to people (they are likely to be at the crosswalk) Listen to people (they are likely to be at the crosswalk) Curb cuts are likely to be in crosswalk especially at roundabouts Curb cuts are likely to be in crosswalk especially at roundabouts

26. Find crosswalk Assuming there is one! Find crosswalk at Right-turn lane? (from notes) Shoreline along street to find curb cut Shoreline along street to find curb cut Crosswalk is often between upstream and downstream but sometimes along the downstream street Crosswalk is often between upstream and downstream but sometimes along the downstream street Crossing at downstream (with no acceleration lane) Crossing at downstream (with no acceleration lane) Advantages Advantages Drivers are already slowing down or stopping to yield to traffic Drivers are already slowing down or stopping to yield to traffic recovery from veer may be easier recovery from veer may be easier DISadvantages DISadvantages drivers are looking toward the traffic, away from you, and are not expecting you!!! drivers are looking toward the traffic, away from you, and are not expecting you!!! if that is not where the crosswalk is, you don’t have the right of way if that is not where the crosswalk is, you don’t have the right of way

27. Align! (?) At Roundabout (from notes) Cut-through for splitter island may not straight Cut-through for splitter island may not straight Maybe align with perpendicular traffic (but be aware it may already be turning) Maybe align with perpendicular traffic (but be aware it may already be turning) Use individual features that you know are straight at that intersection (“back-up strategy”) Use individual features that you know are straight at that intersection (“back-up strategy”)

28. Align! (?) At Separate right-turn-lane no reliable solutions (Previous workshop participants had no solutions!) Listen to waiting vehicles and aim to the front of them – reliable??? Listen to waiting vehicles and aim to the front of them – reliable??? Can you rely on direction of curb cut? Can you rely on direction of curb cut?reliable???

32. Align! (?) At Separate right-turn-lane (NOT from notes – no solutions!) Listen to waiting vehicles and aim to the front of them IS NOT RELIABLE. Listen to waiting vehicles and aim to the front of them IS NOT RELIABLE. Can you rely on direction of curb cut? Can you rely on direction of curb cut? NO – NOT RELIABLE NO – NOT RELIABLE Reliable “back-up” strategy: Use individual features that you know are straight / fixed at that intersection Use individual features that you know are straight / fixed at that intersection

33. Maintain alignment ROUNDABOUT (from notes) Use veer-reduction strategies such as crossing quickly Use veer-reduction strategies such as crossing quickly Use sound of perpendicular traffic in the far lane Use sound of perpendicular traffic in the far lane Use any permanent sound features that may exist to walk toward or along Use any permanent sound features that may exist to walk toward or along Use tactual clues in crosswalk if they exist Use tactual clues in crosswalk if they exist Use slope of ground in the street while crossing. Use slope of ground in the street while crossing. HOW TO CORRECT A VEER: Not usually a problem Not usually a problem

34. Maintain alignment CHANNELIZED TURNING LANE: (from notes) Use sound of locator tone if it is on island Use sound of locator tone if it is on island Listen to where the cars are waiting at upstream street and walk toward the front of them (if the stopbar is at the corner) Listen to where the cars are waiting at upstream street and walk toward the front of them (if the stopbar is at the corner) HOW TO CORRECT A VEER (missed island) Develop skill of being able to hear vehicles pass and then know when you’ve reached the lane where they were (this skill REQUIRES TRAINING). Then: Develop skill of being able to hear vehicles pass and then know when you’ve reached the lane where they were (this skill REQUIRES TRAINING). Then: listen to the traffic on the other side of island to determine how far away it is. listen to the traffic on the other side of island to determine how far away it is. When you cross, if you walk far enough to have reached where they were, you know when you’ve gone too far! When you cross, if you walk far enough to have reached where they were, you know when you’ve gone too far! When you determine you’ve missed the island because you’ve walked too far and haven’t reached it When you determine you’ve missed the island because you’ve walked too far and haven’t reached it turn around 180 degrees and go back toward the curb where you started OR turn around 180 degrees and go back toward the curb where you started OR if you feel the street sloping, follow the slope down because it goes to a gutter and curb. if you feel the street sloping, follow the slope down because it goes to a gutter and curb.

35. Determine when to start cross No stop sign or traffic signal, SO There are only 3 conditions for crossing: Gap in traffic long enough Gap in traffic long enough Vehicles are there but they yielded Vehicles are there but they yielded Trust that if there is a vehicle coming, Trust that if there is a vehicle coming, driver will yield driver will yield

36. Determine when / whether to cross No rules ! ! ! Consider advantages / disadvantages (what are the risks) and how to deal with disadvantages (decrease risk) Consider advantages / disadvantages (what are the risks) and how to deal with disadvantages (decrease risk) Make decisions about crossing based on: Make decisions about crossing based on: ACCEPTABLE RISK! Choices: Choices: CROSS because risk is acceptable – use: CROSS because risk is acceptable – use: Gap in traffic Gap in traffic Yielding vehicles Yielding vehicles Trust drivers to yield Trust drivers to yield DON’T CROSS because risk is NOT acceptable DON’T CROSS because risk is NOT acceptable use alternatives use alternatives

37. Determine when / whether to cross Cross During Gap in Traffic (ASSUMING YOU HAVE GAPS IN TRAFFIC LONG ENOUGH!) Skill needed: Recognize whether you have enough warning you have enough warning (“Situation of Confidence”) OR you can’t hear/see far enough for warning you can’t hear/see far enough for warning (“Situation of Uncertainty”)

38. Situations of uncertainty

40. Determine when / whether to cross Cross During Gap in Traffic (ASSUMING YOU HAVE GAPS IN TRAFFIC LONG ENOUGH!) Skill needed: Recognize whether you have enough warning you have enough warning (“Situation of Confidence”) you can’t hear/see far enough for warning you can’t hear/see far enough for warning (“Situation of Uncertainty”) Traveler needs to: Determine width of street Determine width of street Understand (intuitively) own crossing time Understand (intuitively) own crossing time Recognize when not long enough warning Recognize when not long enough warning Train participants to recognize Situation of Uncertainty/Confidence 41:00

41. Situation of Uncertainty? What to do? Analyze risk! Do you have the right of way? Do you have the right of way? How likely are you to be surprised? How likely are you to be surprised? If you are, how likely is it that will it stop for you? If you are, how likely is it that will it stop for you? If it doesn’t stop for you, how likely is it that you will be seriously injured or killed? If it doesn’t stop for you, how likely is it that you will be seriously injured or killed? Practice analyzing risk of situation 35:22

42. Determine when / whether to cross Cross When Drivers Have Yielded Skill needed: Confirm all drivers stopped Ideas to get drivers to stop: 32:29; 35:22 Ideas to get drivers to stop: 32:29; 35:22 Ideas to confirm yield? Ideas to confirm yield? ETA ETA Provoke honk (hold up sign / cup ear) Provoke honk (hold up sign / cup ear)

43. Determine when / whether to cross TRUST That Drivers Will Yield Analyze likelihood that drivers will yield.

44. HAWKS (now called PHBs) and raised crosswalks were tested in the 3-78 project and the PHBs were tested at that Michigan roundabout. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_674.pdf and http://www.rcocweb.org/Lists/Publications/Attachments/126/HAWK%20Final %20Report%202011.pdf But the short version is that where tested, they improved access for blind peds. PHBs basically pedestrian pushbuttons and APS and walk indications as part of the setup; still have to be aware of potential red light running, etc. Raised crosswalks just seemed to really slow down the cars, and make them more aware of the potential for pedestrians? I'm not sure; there was still the potential for multiple threat (that second lane) but somehow it just calmed things down enough that they all stopped. Basically the Michigan installations were a result of an ADA complaint and they are now installing PHBs at all their multilane roundabouts. HAWKS (now called PHBs) and raised crosswalks were tested in the 3-78 project and the PHBs were tested at that Michigan roundabout. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_674.pdf and http://www.rcocweb.org/Lists/Publications/Attachments/126/HAWK%20Final %20Report%202011.pdf But the short version is that where tested, they improved access for blind peds. PHBs basically pedestrian pushbuttons and APS and walk indications as part of the setup; still have to be aware of potential red light running, etc. Raised crosswalks just seemed to really slow down the cars, and make them more aware of the potential for pedestrians? I'm not sure; there was still the potential for multiple threat (that second lane) but somehow it just calmed things down enough that they all stopped. Basically the Michigan installations were a result of an ADA complaint and they are now installing PHBs at all their multilane roundabouts. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_674.pdf http://www.rcocweb.org/Lists/Publications/Attachments/126/HAWK%20Final %20Report%202011.pdf http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_674.pdf http://www.rcocweb.org/Lists/Publications/Attachments/126/HAWK%20Final %20Report%202011.pdf