2018 OP Summer Newsletter

ROUNDABOUT ROUNDABOUT

ORLAND PARK’S FIRST ROUNDABOUT The Village of Orland Park’s first roundabout is being installed at the intersection located at 147th and Ravinia Avenue, just east of Village Hall. In addition to the enhanced functionality and safety, aesthetics will be taken into consideration with greenscapes and beautification of the new roundabout. WHAT IS A ROUNDABOUT? A roundabout is a circular intersection where drivers travel counterclockwise around a center island. There are no traffic signals or stop signs in a roundabout.

BENEFITS OF ROUNDABOUT IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW C 3 0-50 percent increase in traffic capacity. ENVIRONMENT C L ess idling for cars, less gas being burned into the atmosphere, better fuel economy.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS C P rovide landscaping and green space opportunities. C C rosswalks included for pedestrians and bicyclists. SAFETY / TRAFFIC CALMING C A ll vehicles travel in same direction. C V ehicles never cross paths, which reduces number of serious crashes. C S lower vehicle speeds give drivers more decision making time. C R oundabouts eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions. C N o traffic lights to install and maintain. C T here are 75 percent fewer conflict points in roundabouts than in traditional intersections (see diagram on the opposite page). TIPS C L ook to your left before entering roundabout. C V ehicles already in the roundabout have the right-of-way. C I f there is no traffic in the roundabout, proceed slowly into the circle. C T ypical speed within a roundabout is 15-20 mph.

HOW IT WORKS NAVIGATING A ROUNDABOUT 1) Observe all Rules of the Road. 2) Slow down. 3) Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists at the crosswalk as you enter.

4) Yield to circulating traffic from the left before entering. 5) Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. 6) Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists at the crosswalk as you exit at your desired street. Motorists are required by law to move over when an emergency vehicle approaches. In the case of roundabouts, motorists must clear a roundabout if they hear (or see) an emergency vehicle approaching. Resources For Further Information: C R oundabouts: An Informational Guide - F.H.A. C R oundabouts - FHWA Safety - U.S.D.T. C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcK8sjzTlWI C www.lakecountyil.gov/478/Roundabouts

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| SUMMER 2018 | WWW.ORLANDPARK.ORG |