• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.305-316
• /
• 2013

To find out if modern roundabout is still effective under drivers behavior and driving conditions in Busan Metropolitan City, the effects before and after introduction of roundabout were analyzed. According to analysis on velocity profile at roundabout, velocity deviation decreased, and average vehicle speed was close to design speed. As a result, it has been confirmed that most roundabouts were properly built. In terms of traffic operation, average vehicle speed improved by 87.2% when a traffic intersection was replaced by a roundabout. therefore, it has been found out that the introduction of roundabout has a positive effect on increasing vehicle speed by reducing traffic congestion. In addition, annual benefits expected from the replacement from a traffic intersection to a roundabout were KRW 872 million as follows; KRW 410 million in traffic communication, KRW 39 million in transportation safety, KRW 255 million in energy saving, KRW 95 million in reduction of air pollution and KRW 73 million in reduction of traffic signal installation cost. In other words, if 10% (193 spots) of all traffic intersections (1,926 spots in total) in Busan City are replaced by roundabouts, the municipal authority would be able to save about KRW 168.3 billion. According to analysis on the benefits expected from the installation of roundabouts compared to the investment cost for traffic intersections, about KRW 679 million could be saved per roundabout. Considering 10% of all traffic intersections in the City of Busan, about KRW 131 billion could be saved annually. The traffic accidents in roundabout usually occur because drivers aren't aware of right-of-way rules. Once the right-of-way rules settle, the number of traffic accidents would significantly decrease. In addition, it is urgent to promote education and campaign for drivers, pedestrians and bikers on the roundabout.