Roundabouts

Like many American cities, Sarasota is installing many new roundabouts. 

More photos of Roundabouts

https://www.scenicflorida.org/sarasota-roundabouts/

https://www.visitsarasota.com/article/city-sarasota-guide-roundabouts

The Federal Highway Administration designated roundabouts as one of nine proven safety counter measures. Roundabouts provide a number of benefits as described below:

Safety

• Fewer crashes, 90% fewer fatalities and 75% fewer injuries

• Fewer severe crashes

• 10 to 40% fewer pedestrian/bicycle crashes

• Roundabouts are safer for beginner and elderly drivers

• Can be used in multiple road intersections

Time Savings

• 30 to 50% increase in traffic capacity for intersection, less delay waiting at stops and signals

Environmentally Friendly

• Reduces pollution (from cars not waiting at traffic signals), reduces noise, reduces fuel consumption

• Roundabout islands can be landscaped with native plants and trees

• Roundabouts generally take less land than traditional intersections as they don't require turning lanes

Saves Money

• Without traffic signals, no cost for traffic signals and yearly maintenance

• Intersection still operates in power outages, no need for police to direct traffic

• Roundabouts can help  improve sales at nearby businesses across the country as more people can walk or easily drive to locations compared to traditional intersections

• Can act as a marker to a business or downtown district