[MCN] Roundabout policy in Missoula, draft, for comment

[Bob Giordano]

Hello Conservation Community,

We're seeking comments on a draft Roundabout Policy for the City of
Missoula.  Properly designed roundabouts save lives, energy and time. An
average roundabout, like Higgins Beckwith, saves about 200 tons of carbon a
year, with less idling of engines.  Also, $5,000 to $10,000 in electricity
costs are saved when compared to a traffic signal.  While safety is the main
goal in regards to the City of Missoula promoting roundabouts, none the less
the conservation aspects are considerable.  Thanks,

Bob Giordano, Director
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
www.strans.org, mist at strans.org, 406.830.7676


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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MISSOULA, Draft, Jan. 30, 2018:


WHEREAS, safe and efficient transportation for all people is a goal of the
City of Missoula, as embodied in the City Growth Policy, Long Range
Transportation Plan, Bicycle Facilities Master Plan, Active Transportation
Plan, Community Transportation Safety Plan; and


WHEREAS, the Community Transportation Safety Plan includes an emphasis area
focused on intersection safety, and Strategy 1, Action Step 4  seeks to
develop a local roundabout policy; and


WHEREAS, vehicle crashes at intersections in the City of Missoula have a large
impact, both on the transportation system and on society as a whole; and


WHEREAS, the State of Montana has adopted “Vision Zero,” a goal to eliminate
traffic fatalities and severe injuries; and


WHEREAS, a national, 55-site study on the safety effects of intersection
conversions to roundabouts observed a total crash reduction of 35% and a 75%
reduction in fatal or injury-related crashes (NCHRP Report 572, 672 (2)).


WHEREAS, in 2005, a joint resolution of the Senate and the House of
Representatives of the State of Montana passed a resolution encouraging the
construction of roundabouts instead of right-angle intersections as means of
reducing fatalities and serious injuries related to intersection crashes; and


WHEREAS, intersections in Missoula should be designed in a manner that aims to
reduces the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities suffered by Missoula
motorists, people on bicycles and pedestrians; and


WHEREAS, proper design of intersections that provide for safe and efficient
use by all modes of transportation, including commercial trucks, private motor
vehicles, transit buses, people on bicycles, and pedestrians of all ages and
abilities, is a priority; and


WHEREAS, specific issues relating to the safety and accessibility of all
intersections for individuals who have visual, mobility, and hearing-related
impairments must be fully considered;



NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MISSOULA:


The City of Missoula shall consider and evaluate the use of a roundabout, in
addition to other intersection traffic control options, when considering the
construction of new intersections, and for the retrofit of existing
intersections where transportation safety and/or efficiency improvements are
desired and/or necessary.


(2) The City of Missoula shall identify current best practices and
context-sensitive design parameters for each roundabout under consideration,
with an emphasis towards safety and access for all users, especially
recognizing the needs of visually impaired individuals. Specifically, they
shall consider, but are not limited to, the following: current transportation
patterns and use, site constraints, adjacent land use, future anticipated
growth, funding limitations, etc.


(3) As part of the consideration of the installation of a roundabout, the City
of Missoula, will consult, as necessary, advisory groups such as the
Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) and the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB).