HR240

WHEREAS, a roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic streams around a central island, after first yielding to the circulating traffic; and

WHEREAS, roundabouts are statistically safer than both large traffic circles and traditional intersections; and

WHEREAS, roundabouts operate with yield control to give priority to circulating traffic and eliminate much of the driver confusion associated with large traffic circles and driver wait-time associated with junctions that have traffic lights; and

WHEREAS, roundabouts separate incoming and outgoing traffic with pedestrian islands and therefore encourage slower and safer speeds; and

WHEREAS, statistically, roundabouts are considered to be safer than both traffic circles and traditional intersections, having forty per cent fewer vehicle collisions, eighty per cent fewer injuries, and ninety per cent fewer serious injuries and fatalities; and

WHEREAS, roundabouts also reduce points of conflict between pedestrians and motor vehicles and are therefore considered to be safer for pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, however, there are substantial safety concerns for bicyclists as research recommends terminating bicycle lanes well before the entrances of a roundabout, so bicyclists can merge into the stream of motor traffic; and

WHEREAS, additionally, if adjacent cross-walks are not properly designed, there are serious risks for persons with visual impairments; and

WHEREAS, this has led to a conflict in certain areas of the United States between the visually impaired and civil engineering communities; and

WHEREAS, roundabouts are considered not to be suitable for freeways; and

WHEREAS, for junctions with a high traffic volume they are not suitable because congested traffic in one direction would quickly block a roundabout and impair traffic in all other directions; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that an objective, reasoned examination of issues by knowledgeable traffic engineers and safety personnel relating to the costs and safety aspects of roundabouts would assist its members in resolving this matter; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Department of Transportation is requested to report to the Legislature on the costs of and the safety issues related to traffic roundabouts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to include in the study the following:

(1) The costs of building a roundabout and the costs of implementing the widespread use of roundabouts in Hawaii;

(2) Comparing the costs of a roundabout with currently used traffic guidance systems, such as an intersection;

(3) The safety of all parties involved in the use of traffic roundabouts, such as motorists, motorcycle riders, moped drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists;

(4) How to implement roundabouts into the traffic guidance system without endangering the visually impaired and bicyclists; and

(5) Any additional issues and concerns that the Department of Transportation sees arising by the use of roundabouts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, not later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Transportation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Study by the Department of Transportation about costs and safety of roundabouts.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	240
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII