The document compares roundabouts and traffic circles, highlighting differences such as vehicle behavior, design, and size. Roundabouts typically require entering vehicles to yield, are smaller, and facilitate higher speeds, while traffic circles involve stopping and are larger with slower speeds. Examples include specific locations in Sarasota and Washington, DC, illustrating these concepts.

1. www.sarasotaconnectivity.com

2. Roundabout vs. Traffic Circle
• Entering vehicles yield to those • Entering vehicles stop for
already in the roundabout those already in circle
• Entering lanes come at angle • Entering lanes come at straight
due to use of splitter island angle

3. Roundabout vs. Traffic Circle
• Size is usually smaller than a • Usually large in size
traffic circle • Designed to be driven at higher
• Designed to be driven at slower speeds
speeds • Vehicles weave in and out of
• Vehicles select lane when lanes to maneuver throughout
entering roundabout and remain circle
in same lane throughout

4. Sarasota Tuttle/Siesta Drive TRAFFIC CIRCLE –
north/south thru has right of way.

5. DC TRAFFIC CIRCLES

6. Dupont CIRCLE, DC – Stop Lights and pedestrians in center
Photo by Rod Warner April 1 2009

7. ROUNDABOUTS VS. TRAFFIC CIRCLES
new roundabout
old traffic circle

8. St. Armands Traffic Circle – parking in the circle, ped access to center.

9. www.sarasotaconnectivity.com