Roundabouts In Lower Bucks Reducing Traffic Fatalities

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —Two roundabouts in Lower Bucks County that were both installed in the past decade after complaints of traffic woes are among 33 statewide singled out for helping to reduce roadway fatalities.

The Lower Bucks roundabouts highlighted by PennDOT were:

• Route 2043 (Trevose Road) and Somerton Road, Feasterville. Opened in 2012.
• Route 213 (Bridgetown Pike/Maple Avenue) and Route 2010 (Bridgetown Pike), Lower Southampton Township. Opened in 2016.

The roundabouts were mentioned as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation released new data showing a reduction of fatalities, injuries and crashes after 33 different intersections throughout the state were replaced with roundabouts.

"We continue to see that Pennsylvania's roundabouts save lives and reduce crash severity," PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in a statement. "While they aren't the right option in every intersection, we're pleased that they help to make our roadways safer."

PennDOT says that it reviewed and analyzed data for 36 total roundabouts that were installed over the years throughout the commonwealth, all of which were placed in areas previously controlled by either traditional traffic signals or stop signs.

Transportation officials said the specific intersections were chosen for review because they had at least three years of crash data available both before and after the installation of the roundabouts, accounting for a total of 387 before-years and 220 after-years of data.

PennDOT noted that in addition to the 36 roundabouts highlighted in this latest report, another 38 roundabouts have been built at other locations, 16 or more are currently under construction, and 15 are in the final design phase.

Roundabouts were also highlighted in neighboring Berks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties along with 13 other of the state's 67 counties.

PennDOT said that traffic roundabouts are typically installed at intersections with histories of safety issues but may also be installed to help improve traffic flow, institute traffic calming measures, and facilitate pedestrian mobility.

While roundabouts are typically considered safer than traditional signalized intersections and those with stop signs, PennDOT says they may not always be the best option for every location, depending upon topography, property impacts, capacity issues and proximity to other intersections.

PennDOT offers additional information here on a roundabout section on its website.