Roundabouts

Roundabouts in Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has opened its first major roundabout, located at the intersection of Parkhill Road West, Brealey Drive and Ackison Road. These circular intersections are an alternative to the traditional traffic signal intersection design. Roundabouts can improve road safety, manage increased traffic demand, and help improve air quality by eliminating unnecessary stops and vehicle idling.

What are roundabouts?

A roundabout is a circular intersection where two or more roads meet. Traffic circulates through the roundabout in a counter-clockwise direction, to the right of a central island. All entering vehicles must yield to traffic already in the roundabout, as well as pedestrians or cyclists where there is a signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Drivers

Entering the roundabout

• Always slow down when approaching a roundabout.
• Stop for any pedestrians or cyclists using a signed Pedestrian Crossover.
• Yield to any traffic or cyclists currently in the roundabout, and stop if needed.
• Proceed only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

Within the roundabout

• Always drive counter-clockwise in a roundabout.
• Drive slowly and be alert for entering traffic.
• Never pass another vehicle or stop within a roundabout.
• Remember that all entering traffic is required to yield to you.

Exiting the roundabout

• Always signal right as you exit the roundabout.
• Stop at the yield to pedestrian line for any pedestrians or cyclists at a signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Cyclists

Cyclists typically have two options at a roundabout depending on their degree of comfort riding in traffic:

Experienced cyclists

• Ride as if you were driving a car.
• Merge from the bike lane into the vehicular travel lane before entering the roundabout.
• Ride in the middle of the lane while in the roundabout; do not hug the curb.
• Use hand signals to indicate when you are exiting the roundabout.

Less confident cyclists

• The shared pathway and Pedestrian Crossover provides an alternative crossing option for cyclists who would be more comfortable navigating the roundabout as a pedestrian rather than as a vehicle.
• Use the off-ramps located in advance of the roundabout to access the shared pathway.
• Dismount and walk your bicycle at the signed Pedestrian Crossover.

Pedestrians

• Pedestrians must cross at signed Pedestrian Crossover locations and should never use the central island.
• Wait at the curb, indicating you want to cross.
• Look and listen for a safe gap in traffic flow.
• Do not cross until the driver stops; drivers are legally required to stop at a signed Pedestrian Crossover.
• Keep and make eye contact with drivers in all lanes, use your finger to point as your cross.
• Stop and wait on the splitter island and ensure there is a safe gap in traffic on the other side of the splitter island. Repeat the process above when crossing from the splitter island.

Additional tips for pedestrians

• Drivers are more likely to yield if your body language shows you intend to cross.
• Enter the crosswalk briskly and deliberately once you have confirmed the drivers have stopped.

 Signs and pavement markings

Signs

Signs at a roundabout Type of sign One-way Regulatory sign which indicates which direction traffic is required to travel. Located in the central island of a roundabout.  Chevron Warning sign which indicates a change in the roadway direction. Direction of the arrows point to the direction drivers are required to go. Located in the central island of a roundabout. Pedestrian Crossover sign This sign designates a Pedestrian Crossover location. The pedestrian figure on the sign indicates the direction pedestrians will be crossing from or to. Drivers are required to stop for pedestrians at locations with a Pedestrian Crossover sign. Pedestrians must ensure vehicles are stopped before entering the roadway. Roundabout warning This sign warns drivers that there is a roundabout ahead. Upon seeing this sign drivers should prepare to slow down and enter the roundabout.

Roundabout features

Roundabout features Type of feature Ladder crosswalk This type of crosswalk is required at Pedestrian Crossover locations for increased visibility. Pedestrians crossing at a roundabout must do so where there are ladder crosswalks. The figure to the right shows a typical Pedestrian Crossover layout including ladder crosswalks and yield to pedestrian lines. Yield to pedestrian line These triangular pavement markings indicate the location drivers are required to stop while waiting for pedestrians to cross at the signed Pedestrian Crossover. Drivers will see these lines at both the entrance and exit of the roundabout. Ladder crosswalks and yield to pedestrian lines are required features of a pedestrian crossover.  Roundabout entry yield line A series of square pavement markings separating the approach lane and the roundabout lane. Vehicles should stop behind this line while waiting for a safe gap in traffic.  Central island The raised space in the center of the roundabout. The central island always contains directional signage and often contains landscaping and low-lying vegetation.  Truck apron The truck apron is the outer part of the central island. It is mountable and intended to be used by large trucks, buses, oversized vehicles, and emergency vehicles to safely traverse the roundabout. Splitter island The splitter island separates the entry and exit lanes of a roundabout. The splitter island also provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing at the signed Pedestrian Crossovers. Pedestrians are expected to stop on the splitter island to make sure the way is clear before proceeding.

Frequently asked questions