Traffic Circle In Newtown Square Helps Reduce Fatalities: PennDOT

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA — PennDOT recently announced that crashes involving injuries were reduced by 51 percent and the total number of crashes were reduced by 7 percent at traffic circles in the state, including one in Newtown Square.

PennDOT evaluated 47 roundabouts — including the one at Route 1023 (N. Newtown Street) and Route 1046 (St. Davids Road) in Newtown Square — on state routes at intersections that were previously stop- or signal-controlled with at least three years of crash data available before and after the roundabouts were built and had at least one crash during the 20-year review period.

In addition to the roundabouts that met the selection criteria, 46 additional roundabouts have been built on state routes.

During the 20-year review period, there have been two fatalities at roundabouts on state routes.

"Roundabouts have proven to be an irreplaceable tool in reducing crashes at intersections," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. "Given the dramatic increase in safety and traffic flow, PennDOT will continue evaluating intersections for roundabouts."

Roundabouts are frequently installed to address safety issues, calm traffic and improve traffic flow, and beautify an intersection.

Although roundabouts are typically safer and more efficient than traditional signalized intersections, they may not always be the best option due to topography or for other reasons, such as property impacts and capacity issues.

Additional roundabouts included in this review and information pertaining to roundabouts can be found on the PennDOT website, including an educational video on how to navigate both single and multi-lane roundabouts whether in a vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot. The video can also be viewed on PennDOT’s YouTube channel.

Roundabouts are recognized by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) as an innovation that has become standard practice within the transportation community.

The Pennsylvania STIC facilitates the rapid implementation of proven, well-researched and documented state, regional, national and international technologies, tactics, techniques and other innovations that are new to Pennsylvania. The STIC also supports the implementation of the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts innovations.