Round and Round and Round We Go
They're maddening, they're mesmerizing and sometimes magnificient...
Explore the exciting world of Roundabouts, Traffic Cirlces, Rotaries, Multi-Modal Intersectons and Gyratory Systems!
Once a rarity, they're popping up everywhere here in North America. They come in all sizes and are not necessarily circular. Some are a simple large spot of paint or circle of concrete placed in the center of the road, and others are islands of beauty with flowers, landscaping, trees, sculpture, fountains or even a House of Parliament, as is the case in Canberra, Australia!
The idea is to calm the flow of traffic and reduce collision rates at intersections. The problem is drivers inexperienced with these types of road features. Though other places around the world and even domestically have commonly utilized traffic cirlces for decades, they have been relatively rare in most parts of the US. European countries, especially France, Britian and its former commonwealth constituents are particularly fond of them. Like a rock in a stream, they are meant to divert the flow of traffic. A poorly designed Traffic Circle can be a miserable bottleneck or an accident waiting to happen, while a well-desinged Roundabout can be a marvel of modern engineering, maximizing safe and efficient traffic flow.
Here you will find pictures of Famous and Not-so-Famous Traffic Circles and Roundabouts, resources for safe navigation (Books and links to videos- one with a Fire Truck roaring through a roundabout!), and even links to live webcams! You'll have your chance to share how you feel too with 3 polls and a guest book.
Photo: Columbus Circle New York, NY. The first traffic circle completed in the USA in 1905 is still in use today.
Lens of the Day
Official Lens of the Day: November 22, 2006
Thanks, Team Squidoo, for picking my Roundabouts lens for LOTD!This is a great honor, there are some fantastic Lenses out there (stiff competition)!
I'm still spinning...
November 22, 2006
Here's what Team Squid had to say: Roundabout We Go!
Roundabout Sign, USA
If you get lost, just follow the signs...
Have fun, and be sure to visit all 3 polls!It's your chance to share:
1. How you feel about Traffic Circles (Yea to Nay)
2. Your favorite Roundabout in the whole world!
3. Your valued opinion on this Lens (Brilliant to Bomb)
...and see what others think too!
Want more space to share your thoughts on Roundabouts, Traffic Circles or this lens?
Share them in the Guestbook below!
And thanks for rating me in the Stars Above!
Read About Roundabouts
Roundabouts of Great Britain
Travel the "Land of Roundabouts" from the comfort of home.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Driving In Britain - A North American's Guide to the Ins and Outs and Roundabouts of Driving Over There
Practical considerations and advice for North Americans considering driving in Britain.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Roundabout the USA: 60 Days in a Car, A Journal
Though the only roundabout is in the title, this new non-fiction work is getting rave reviews. One couple's nostalgic travels around the US.
Avg. Customer Rating:
GETTING THE ROUNDABOUT.(Transportation)(A Springfield traffic engineer takes a turn as teacher to prevent puzzled drivers from running around in circles): ... from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)
Still confused? Know someon who is?
A User-Guide for the Roundabout.
Digital document: HTML format. Available in Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase, viewable with any web browser.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Roundabout vs. Traffic Circle: What's the Difference?
What makes a Roundabout a Roundabout and not a Traffic Circle?
ROUNDABOUT-
Traffic INSIDE the circle has the RIGHT-OF-WAY,
incoming traffic must yield/ give way.
TRAFFIC CIRCLE-
ENTERING traffic has the RIGHT-OF-WAY,
traffic inside the circle must yield/ give way.
Is it a Roundabout?
What makes it a Roundabout?
- Entering vehicles yield
- Vehicles in the roundabout have priority over the entering vehicle
- Use deflection to maintain low speed operation
- No parking is allowed
- Pedestrians are (usually) prohibited from the central island
- All vehicles circulate around the central island
Is it a Traffic Circle?
What makes a Traffic Circle?
- Stop sign, stop signal, or giving priority to entering vehicles
- Allow weaving areas to resolve conflicted movement
- Some large circles provide straight path for higher speed
- Some large circles permit parking within the circle
- Some large circles allow pedestrians on central island
- Mini-traffic circles with left-turning vehicles passing to the left¹ of the central island.
(1. For countries that drive on the right-hand side of the road.)
Roundabout Game, Keychains & Music!
Roundabout
Roundabout the GAME!
Roundabout is an award winning board game that is truly innovative, challenging and lots of fun for everyone. Roundabout is both familiar and totally unique. Roundabout is easy to learn and simple to play, yet it is filled with many strategic possibilities for those who enjoy a more challenging game.
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 10/07/2008)
Roundabout: Best of Yes Live
UK 70 minute compilation features a selection of seven of their finest songs, captured live in the U.S. in 1999.
Amazon Price: $22.98 (as of 10/07/2008)
Roundabout
Jazzy Roundabout
'Roundabout' represents the debut recording of the Sameer Ramchandran Trio, where pianist Sameer Ramchandran is joined by Dominic Duval on bass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums. The album is a mixture of Ramchandran's startling originals and the group's expressive interpretations of jazz standards.
Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 10/07/2008)
Roundabout Keychain
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Roundabout Keychain
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Traffic Circle Sign, Australia
What do you think about Traffic Circles?
You spin me right round, baby, right round like a record baby. Righ round, round, round!
(Poll 1 of 3)
Roundabout the World
Some Famous, and Not So Famous Traffic Circles from Around The World
Get ready for a pop-quiz!Six continents are represented here. (If you find a roundabout in Antarctica, let me know!)
After you've viewed these lovelies, please take the poll to pick your favorite.
Oh- and remember to rate your impression of this lens in the stars at the top just under the title.
Thanks for visiting...
I hope to see you 'round again soon!
Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile
Paris, France
Yes, the Arc is in the middle of a traffic circle! Part of L'Axe Historique, (Historical Axis), the Arc has sheltered France's 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' since the 1920's.10 points of entry/ exit, and about as many lanes. This plus a little bread, a little wine, makes it a navigational nightmare!
This view from this place is incredible. A bit hard to find photos that actually show it inside of the traffic circle, so I went with the "pretty one" instead.
It is a most wonderful place to stand under in the rain.
(Go to "Can't Get Enough" links and select "Axe Historique" to get a sense of the overall layout within the context of the city.)
Australian House of Parliament
Canberra, Australia
Roundabout Down Under-A splendid specimen, the entire Australian House of Parliament is situated within a gargantuan roundabout! Hard to really grasp the size, but just realize, this is HUGE!
Easily qualifies as the largest Traffic Circle in the World.
"The mothership has landed..."
(More photos & history in the "Can't Get Enough" links below.)
Bell Tower
Xi'an, China
Awfully pretty with all those flowers! Xian is an ancient capitol of China, located in the center of the country. It is the site of the famed Terra Cotta Army.Don't know how long this has been a traffic circle but, built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhangcould, the Bell Tower itself is likely the oldest bit of architecture contained by one.
Roundabout Sign, UK
Note the Clockwise direction of the arrows for countries driving on the left-had side of the road.
The Circus
Bath, England, UK
A large circle of grand townhouses. Completed in 1768, this is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture and city planning. Gorgeous trees as old as the architecture grace the grassy central circle.One of the streets leads to the Royal Crescent, the grandest of the crescent-shaped rows of Georgian homes in Bath-Spa.
3 Points of entry/exit.
(See "Can't Get Enough" links below for another view.)
Columbus Circle
New York, New York, USA
The first traffic circle completed in the United States (1905).The central fountain encompasses ascending circular "steps". A tall classical pillar with a statue of Christopher Columbus graces the top.
(See "Can't Get Enough" links below for more photos)
Fish Roundabout
Dubai Deira, United Arab Emirates
A Desert Oasis in this rapidly growing city in this small but wealthy sheikdom on the coast of the Persian Gulf. A lush grove of palms shade a pool of clear water in the middle of an urban scene. At the center of the pool is a beautiful sculpture fountain of two fish entwined.(Check out the "Can't Get Enough" Links below to see a close-up of the sculpture.)
Roundabout Sign, USA
Kinsale Road Roundabout
Cork, Ireland
Wow, I'm not even going to try to figue this one out!All I can say is there seems to be a highway that goes right over it as an overpass.
I was in Ireland once, and found navigation to be an interesting thing there. One of those places where overcast skies are common, so relying on the position of the sun is dicey at best. Then there is the matter that things are not often marked. You have people that live in the same place for generations and they all know where and what everything is. Why bother posting a sign?
Kwame Nkrumah Circle
Accra, Ghana
A sophisticated circle in the middle of Accra, capital city of Ghana in western Africa.Points of entry/exit: 5
London IMAX Theatre
London, England, UK
Crikey! An IMAX theatre right in the middle of a roundabout- what will they think of next?Gee, it looks kind of like a toy to me...
Brilliant!
Roundabout Sign, Canada
Los Alamitos Traffic Circle
Long Beach, California, USA
Double Circle with a park in the center.Points of entry/exit:
Inner circle- 4
Outer circle- Hard to tell, but maybe 7
"Magic Roundabout"
Swindon, England, UK
Yikes! Not especially scenic but, wow, this looks SCARY! I thought the illustrations shows it better than the photographs.Points of entry/ exit: 5
6 Lane, 2-Way, 5 Loop Roundabout.
The small green spots are raised islands for guiding traffic around the internal loops (small white circles). This has to be one of the most complex roundabouts ever!
(More images in the "Can't Get Enough" links below.)
Trafalgar Square
London, England, UK
Yeah, yeah, I know its called a "square", but there really is a traffic circle around the gigantic commons area. This one has the works: treed edges, fountains, sculptures and The iconic spire "Nelson's Pillar". Beautiful spot, but I think this is one of the most pigeon-filled places I've ever been!Traveller's & Photographer's bane:
As of this writing, Nelson's Pillar is rigged with scaffolding for repair to the statue.
(More images in "Can't Get Enough" links below.)
Traffic Circle Caution Sign, USA
Minerva Fountain
Guadalajara, Mexico
A majestic modern statue of Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, graces this traffic circle. She is surrounded by a ring of Roses and flanked by fountains from behind.Hard to pick a photo- either you get to see the circle or you get to see that marvelous Minerva.
To be fair, I give you both:
by saunima
Old Market
Bristol, England, UK
Here's a fancy one from Engand.Features:
Traffic lights at each entry point
Overpasses for another highway below
Pedestrian bridge
Stairs to a Subway below
Gardens
Points of entry/exit (motor traffic): 4
Ovalo Gutierrez
Lima, Peru
Lovely circle or "ovalo" (doesn't that just sound fun!) with a park. At center is a statue atop a pillar. Couldn't quite see what it is- an angel or an eagle?There are stairs leading to under-street tunnels for pedestrians to safely enter and leave the circle's park area.
The arch-shaped building to the right is a church.
Unknown Circle
Mysore, India
Lovely gilded dome with a marble statue in the middle!Have yet to track down a name for it... Perhaps it could be the Rajakrishna Circle, but am not able to confirm this.
If you know the name of this one, please tell me in the Guest Book. Thanks!
Roundabout Sign, Germany
Choose Your Favorite Traffic Circle!
As promised- time for the pop-quiz! No worries, its easy.
(Poll 2 of 3)
Select your favorite traffic circle here.
If you need a review, please scroll back up to see the photos or scroll down to the "Can't Get Enough?" links list for more images. (Note: Links list is under construction. Not all options are listed there.)
You know you want one...
...for you garage, rumpus-room, barn, office or dorm room!
Add a touch of whimsy to your favorite space with real street signs.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
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Hotel Du Theatre
Ideally situated in the heart of Paris, between Champs Elysees Avenue and Montmartre Place, l'H'tel du Theatre is close from the main cultural and touristic spots of Paris. Hot spot for shopping : chic...
Flights to the City of Lights
Book your flight to Paris, France
Roundabout In Popular Culture and Real Life
Music, Televsion, Film, Comedy and Live Video
Platinum Blonde 2 - "Magic Roundabout"
The Magic Roundabout - BBC Children's Show
Roundabout Crash - Clovis, NM
Chaotic Circle - Danang, Vietnam
Bill Bailey - Comedy Sketch "King of the Roundabouts"
Animated Demos, Videos & Live Webcams
Roundabouts, Traffic Circles and Rotaries in Action!
1.Animated Demos of How To Use & Safety
2.Video footage (one with a FIRE-TRUCK!)
3.Live Webcams
Its one thing to see a still photo, and quite another to see actual traffic in action!
Check out these links to see it all happen...
(Be patient, some take a while to load!)
- ANIMATION: Traffic Circle Demo (UK)
- Moving graphic of Roundabout Traffic in countries where driving is on the LEFT SIDE of the road.
- ANIMATION: Roundabout Demo (USA)
- For countries that drive on the RIGHT SIDE of the road.
The city of Sammamish, Washington (USA) has a lovely animated demo of roundabout use and safety with traffic movement and features identified.
Fellow Squidoo lensmaster "thats regrettable" sent this one in. Great link- thanks for sharing! - ANIMATION: How to Use a Roundabout (UK)
- For countries with traffic driving on the LEFT SIDE of the road.
United Kingdom video tutorials on how to use a
Roundabouts. - VIDEO: 6 Leg Oval Roundabout
- Traffic on a 6-legged Oval Roundabout in Brunswick, Maryland, USA.
Thanks to the folks at Kansas State University's Center for Transportation Research and Training. - VIDEO: Emergency/ Fire Truck
- Be prepared: this LOADS FAST and is VERY LOUD!
See how a fire truck handles a well-designed roundabout in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Thanks again to the folks at Kansas State University's Center for Transportation Research and Training. - LIVE WEBCAM: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- View live roundabout traffic action!
Brought to you by Ourston Roundabout Canada. - LIVE WEBCAM: Trafalgar Square, London, England, UK
- See what's happening in Trafalgar Square.
Views include Nelson's Column, The National Museum and the Church of Saint Martin in the Fields.
Traffic pours in from Charing Cross Road, the Mall, the Strand, and Whitehall, some of the busiest roads in London.
Apparantly the pigeon population has plummeted...
Watch for those famous red double-decker busses!
Take the Roundabout Off the Street...
...and put it on your shirt, your bag, your clock...
Ash Grey T-Shirt
TICKET TO CRASH: The Roundabouts Band Official Logo on a T-Shirt. Traditional Irish Music Band on the Emerald Isle. Here's what they have to say:
Become an official Roundabouts spoon hoodlum with this tee shirt entitling you to crash our show with a set of spoons and the desire to make a racket! SpOOOOOOn!!!
Become an official Roundabouts spoon hoodlum with this tee shirt entitling you to crash our show with a set of spoons and the desire to make a racket! SpOOOOOOn!!!
Price: 21.99
Wall Clock
WAY TOO COOL!
Its roundabout time to get this UNIQUE wall- clock! The Roundabouts are a traditional Irish Music Band back on the Emerald Isle. This is their logo and they get a cut of the profits.
This looked absolutely too cool with our logo on it, so it's going in the store for those of us who love a round-the-clock c ili.
Price: 15.99
Roundabout Women's T-Shirt
Roundabout street sign on a nice simple T-Shirt. Men tend to stare at this area anyway, now they will be lost in a dizzying roundabout symbol.
Traffic Circle or Roundabout. Use the universal symbols of road signs to get some attention! Get this fun Ultra Geek design on great t-shirts, stickers, magnets, & much more!
Price: 23.99
Messenger Bag
Nice big messenger bag for your books and documents with fun, stylized, very modern roundabout symbol.
Price: 22.00
Roundabout Dark T-Shirt
Manly black T-shirt with small roundabout sign on the left of the chest. "I've got you roundabout my heart." (Groan!)
Traffic Circle or Roundabout. Use the universal symbols of road signs to get some attention! Get this fun Ultra Geek design on great t-shirts, stickers, magnets, & much more!
Price: 24.99
Definitions, History and Safety: Roundabouts & Traffic Circles
General Information Links
- Are Roundabouts and Traffic Circles the Same Thing?
- Lounsbury & Associates Engineers in the state of Alaska do a beautiful job of explaining the differences.
It appears the modern Roundabout is a new-and-improved (better engineered) version of a Traffic Circle. - Definition, History and Evolution of the Roundabout
- Lounsbury & Assoc. do it again!
- GTC Rochester, New York, USA
- From the Genessee Transportation Council (GTC) in Rochester, NY.
Description
Types
Photos and graphics
Safety data - Roundabouts: An Informational Guide (PDF Document)
- USDT:FHWA (United States Department of Transportation, Federal HighWay Administration)
Visit the Land of Roundabouts
Visit the UK and take some for a spin!
Plenty of roundabouts to see in England!
London - IMAX Theatre, Trafalgar Square
Swindon - The Magic Roundabout
Bath - The Circus
And many, many more.
You'll be spinning round and round and round...