Roundabouts

Figure 1. Basic geometric elements of a roundabout

 Merging out
(diverging)
Merging in
Crossing

3-armed intersection

Merging out
(diverging)
Merging in
Crossing

4-armed intersection

Figure 2. Conflict points on a roundabout

On large roundabouts, capacity should be calculated seperately for each weaving section. The
diameter of the inclined circle is greater than 20 m. Circulatory roadway width is calculated as follows
(dependent on number and width of lanes connecting to intersection):
1 n
B  bi
4 i 1
(9.1)

The weaving length is found by using the following formulas:

D
R  B (9.2)
2
Ç  2  R (9.3)
n
Ç   bi
lw  i 1
(9.4)
n
On small roundabouts, widening might be implemented at the entrance of small roundabouts. The capacity
of these intersections are calculated as:

n 
Q  k   b i  A  (9.5)
 i 1 
A  a1  a 2  a 3  a 4 (9.6)
Here;
A is the total widening implemented for the design of the intersection.
k is a coefficient of effectiveness in units of “unit vehicle/hour-meter”. As could be understood from its
unit, it is a specific capacity value for unit road width.
It takes value of
k= 80 uv/hr-m, at 3 armed intersections.
k=60 uv/hr-m, at 4 armed intersections.
k=55 uv/hr-m, at 5 armed intersections.
bi is the width of all roads connecting to this intersection.