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The Miller Park Roundabout
Redirecting Traffic • Enhancing the Neighborhood
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The Upper Arlington Public Services Department enhanced the Miller Park intersection in late 2004. With $15,000 approved by City Council, Public Services Director Larry Helscel and his staff took this opportunity to 1) improve traffic flow, 2) make the intersection safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, and 3) beautify this otherwise attractive section of Upper Arlington. All through the installation of a roundabout.
WHAT IS A ROUNDABOUT?
Used in many of the world's largest cities and quaint neighborhoods, roundabouts are one of the safest and most effective traffic control treatments in use today. They force drivers to travel in one direction around a landscaped center island using yield signs, but not stop signs. Many roundabouts have four incoming streets, but it's not uncommon to find a six-point roundabout like the one at Miller Park.
You can find several roundabouts in Central Ohio: the condominiums at Trouville use them throughout the community. Ballantrae, location of the 2002 Parade of Homes, uses a roundabout as a beautiful entrance into the community. And the City of Dublin is installing a roundabout at Brand Road and Muirfield Drive to better handle the excessive traffic and significantly reduce the number of injury accidents there.
WHY A ROUNDABOUT?
Roundabouts not only are attractive, they play an important role in making communities safer:
- They limit vehicle speed because drivers are not able to travel quickly in a roundabout.
- They eliminate the need for stop signs at confusing intersections like Miller Park.
- They keep pedestrians safer by forcing them to use designated crosswalks.
At Miller Park, it isn't unusual to see several cars enter the intersection at the same time, not knowing who has the right-of-way. Drivers don't always know what road another car is turning on to, even if the other driver is using a turn signal. In addition, many bicyclists currently ride straight across the large, gaping intersection, making it even more dangerous and unpredictable.
Roundabouts are safer than intersections with stop signs or traffic signals. When cars enter a roundabout, there is only one way to look, and one way to travel. Vehicles slow down, and decision-making is simplified. Even in high-traffic areas, roundabouts work, reducing fatal accidents by as much as 75 percent.
The $15,000 cost for the roundabout allowed for road striping and the construction of a well-built and landscaped center island. However, the roundabout built in 2004 won't be permanent. Ideally, the roads coming into the intersection would curve in such a way as to direct traffic patterns. For now, paint striping is serving that purpose. After several years, if the City's first roundabout is well received, the Public Services Department may seek funding to make it a permanent part of our community. Helscel and his staff also will use what they learn from Miller Park to install roundabouts at other locations where traffic flow is an issue.
"We're expecting this to set a precedent for improved traffic flow and more appealing intersections," said Larry Helscel. "Our neighborhoods are beautiful, and residents maintain their yards well, yet some of our roadways are not compatible with the overall look and feel that we want our community to reflect. We're going to change that over time, beginning with Miller Park."
HOW DO YOU DRIVE A ROUNDABOUT?
- As you approach a roundabout, you will see a YIELD sign and a dashed yellow line that will guide the direction you take.
- Slow down and look for pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars in the roundabout.
- Be prepared to stop, if necessary. If a car is in the roundabout, it has the right-of-way. If there is no car, you do not stop.
- Proceed to your right, and stay in the roundabout until you make a right-hand turn onto the street you need.
- All roundabout traffic is ONE WAY, counterclockwise.
If you have questions about this project, please contact the Public Services Department, at 614-583-5350.
2/07
Engineering Division
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221
Phone: 614-583-5360
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