Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

Looks of skepticism could be found on faces of people at an informational meeting on roundabouts at the Forest Lake City Hall on Monday.

But that is completely normal, said Ken Johnson, a design engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

According to the department, research has found that seventy percent of residents have a negative attitude about roundabouts prior to installation in their communities.

However, once roundabouts are in use; seventy percent of people approve of the traffic control method.

The meeting was part of an effort by MnDOT to get people used to the idea of roundabouts in the state. In Forest Lake, for example, various intersections are being researched for potential roundabout use.

The presence of MnDOT on Monday though, was to inform the city council and the public on details of how roundabouts work, rather than push for immediate implementation.

ìThey are effective means to control traffic and intersections,î explained Johnson.

Armed with video examples and statistics, he stressed that roundabouts are easy for drivers to understand.

ìDecision-making is simplified at a roundabout,î he said.

Johnson offered a tip for drivers to more easily manipulate a roundabout as well.

ìAll you do is get into the correct lane ahead of time (when you approach the roundabout) and it will work for you,î he recommended.

Compared to a traffic signal, Johnson said that roundabouts have less delay for drivers and increased safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The cause for increased safety for pedestrians is that drivers travel slower in roundabouts, which allows for increased visibility of pedestrians. Also, with traffic flowing in less directions in roundabouts than traffic signals, pedestrians have less angles to assess.

ìItís surprising how safe you feel when youíre crossing roundabouts,î described Johnson.

Popularity grows

Not as well-known in the Midwest as compared to other regions of the United States, roundabouts are now becoming more common.

In Wisconsin, there are less than ten existing roundabouts. However, the state already has approximately 60 more in the planning stages due to their popularity.

Johnson showed examples of those roundabouts in Wisconsin Rapids, WI and Mount Horeb, WI at the Monday meeting. He also presented a case study of a roundabout that is being planned near Lake Elmo. He mentioned that both single and double-lane roundabouts are being considered for the state.

As for Forest Lake, City Administrator Chip Robinson said the meeting provided an opportunity for further education on how roundabouts work.

ìI think where weíre at tonight is starting the education program,î he noted, ìWeíre trying to bring an awareness to the city and the council.î

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605