How are roundabouts designed with respect to vehicle speed?

The design of roundabouts is specifically intended to promote safety and efficiency for vehicles entering and exiting the intersection. By incorporating yield control at all entries, roundabouts ensure that vehicles must slow down as they approach. This design encourages low-speed entries, which enhances the ability of drivers to evaluate gaps in traffic and make safe merging decisions.

Furthermore, this low-speed design is beneficial for maintaining a continuous flow of traffic while reducing the likelihood of severe accidents, which are more common at higher speed intersections. Yield control helps to minimize the stopping and starting associated with traditional stop or signal-controlled intersections, ultimately leading to more efficient traffic movement. Roundabouts effectively guide vehicles through the intersection in a circular flow, allowing for smoother transitions and reduced conflict points.