What is the difference between a traffic circle, a rotary, and a roundabout?
Traffic Circles Neighborhood traffic circles are circular intersections built on local streets. These circles are utilized to lower the speeds on residential streets. Neighborhood circles generally vary from stop control use to no control at all on one or more entries. They are characterized by no raised channelization to guide the drivers onto the circulatory roadway. Consequently, some of the neighborhood traffic circles allow left-turning movements. Rotaries Rotary is a term used in Eastern U.S. for the older-style circular intersections. Rotaries generally require the circulating traffic to yield, therefore giving the entering traffic the right of way. Rotaries typically have diameters greater than 300 feet, which allow for higher circulatory speeds. This results in a varying speed differential between the circulating and entering traffic. However, it also provides the space for a higher number of entering approaches and lanes. Some older rotaries also allow pedestrian traffic to a
Traffic Circles Neighborhood traffic circles are circular intersections built on local streets. These circles are utilized to lower the speeds on residential streets. Neighborhood circles generally vary from stop control use to no control at all on one or more entries. They are characterized by no raised channelization to guide the drivers onto the circulatory roadway. Consequently, some of the neighborhood traffic circles allow left-turning movements. Rotaries Rotary is a term used in Eastern U.S. for the older-style circular intersections. Rotaries generally require the circulating traffic to yield, therefore giving the entering traffic the right of way. Rotaries typically have diameters greater than 300 feet, which allow for higher circulatory speeds. This results in a varying speed differential between the circulating and entering traffic. However, it also provides the space for a higher number of entering approaches and lanes. Some older rotaries also allow pedestrian traffic to a
