Dernières avancées sur les carrefours giratoires

Abstract

Le carrefour giratoire est un aménagement routier qui a connu un fort succès au cours des années 1970 et est désormais pratique courante en Europe grâce à ses performances en termes de capacité et de sécurité. Néanmoins, ce concept d'ingénierie est d'usage beaucoup moins répandu dans le reste du monde et, notamment, en Amérique du Nord où la population reste circonspecte à son propos. Pourtant, lors de mises en application, les préjugés négatifs se transforment rapidement en opinion favorable. De plus, lorsque l'implantation est précédée d'une planification et d'une conception minutieuses, accompagnée d'une campagne de communication efficace, le carrefour giratoire peut être adapté à l'environnement et aux conducteurs nord-américains. De nombreux guides proposent un cadre pour la conception des carrefours giratoires, mais il n'existe pas encore de normes établies. Les efforts de recherche actuels visent à mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de ces aménagements routiers afin de pouvoir tirer des règles de conception plus efficaces et pertinentes. Abstract:A roundabout is a street design that experienced great success in the 1970s and is now common practice in Europe because of its performance in terms of capacity and safety. Nevertheless, this engineering design is much less used in the rest of the world, especially in North America, where the population is still reluctant to adopt it. However, when it is implemented, negative preconceptions are rapidly transformed to favourable opinions. Moreover, with careful planning and design, coupled with an efficient communication campaign, the roundabout can be adapted to the North American environment and drivers. Several guides propose a design framework for roundabouts, but there are no set standards. Current research efforts in understanding the operation of these street designs are aimed at establishing more relevant and effective design rules.

Explaining variation in safety performance of roundabouts

“…Roundabouts have become a common type of intersection design in many countries, although they are not yet used to the same extent everywhere. The number of roundabouts seems to increase steadily in countries and regions where they are already common while they are gaining popularity in regions where they were not applied in the past (Brilon & Vandehey, 1998;Brown, 1995;Pellecuer & St-Jacques, 2008;Rodegerdts et al, 2007;Thai Van & Balmefrezol, 2000). In a number of circumstances, roundabouts are assumed to be more beneficial than other intersection types, both in terms of traffic operations and traffic safety (Bird, 2001;Ogden, 1996;PIARC, 2003).…”