Designing Roundabouts for Safer Roads and Smoother Traffic Operations
As communities grow and transportation demands evolve, agencies are increasingly turning to roundabouts to improve safety, reduce congestion and create more efficient roadway networks.
Roundabouts keep traffic moving while reducing conflict points and reducing entering and circulating speeds. By requiring drivers to slow down and yield as they enter the intersection, roundabouts can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes while improving traffic flow for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
According to transportation safety data, roundabouts can reduce fatal crashes by 90%, injury crashes by 76%, pedestrian crashes by 40% and overall conflict points by 75%.
“Collisions are still going to happen, but you’re reducing the severity of them,” said Kayla Burd, transportation group manager. “Instead of T-bone collisions, you have sideswipe crashes. The type of conflicts are less severe.”
Communities across Texas and Oklahoma are applying these principles to create safer transportation networks and support future growth.
Prioritizing Safety in Tishomingo, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation sought ways to improve safety at the wye-configured intersection at U.S. 377 and State Highway 22 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
Freese and Nichols conducted traffic, safety and operational analyses to help ODOT assess long-term alternatives for the intersection. After evaluating geometric conditions, traffic patterns and site constraints, the team determined that a single-lane roundabout offered the greatest opportunity to further enhance safety while maintaining efficient traffic operations.
The planned improvements will simplify vehicle movements and reduce potential conflict points, creating a more intuitive intersection that supports ODOT’s commitment to improving transportation safety for residents and travelers.
Increasing Operational Efficiency in El Reno, Oklahoma
After the Freese and Nichols project team performed a detailed traffic analysis, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) selected an alternative configuration to construct a roundabout at the intersection of SH-66 & US-81 in El Reno, Oklahoma.
Freese and Nichols also conducted safety and operational analyses to help ODOT assess long-term alternatives for the intersection. The team reviewed geometric conditions, traffic patterns and site constraints, ultimately identifying a multi-lane roundabout as the preferred solution to improve safety and preserve efficient traffic flow.
The improvements are designed to create a clearer, more intuitive intersection by simplifying vehicle movements and reducing conflict points. This project was completed in early 2026 and continues tosupport ODOT’s ongoing commitment to enhancing transportation safety for residents, commuters and travelers in the El Reno area.
Improving Connectivity in Arlington, Texas
At Bowman Springs Road and Greenspring Drive, Arlington’s challenge extended beyond vehicle traffic. The City wanted to improve safety at a busy intersection while strengthening connections between nearby neighborhoods, parks and community destinations.
Freese and Nichols evaluated multiple roundabout concepts and developed a design that balances traffic operations with multimodal mobility. The project incorporates pedestrian crossings, bicycle accommodations, sidewalks, drainage improvements and lighting enhancements to create a safer and more accessible corridor.
The team also supported the effort through environmental documentation, floodplain coordination, utility coordination, and site investigations needed to advance the project.
Looking Ahead
Roundabouts continue to gain popularity because they improve safety, reduce delays and keep traffic moving during off-peak hours.
Public education and stakeholder engagement remain important parts of the process. Many agencies are pairing roundabout projects with outreach efforts that help residents understand how to navigate the intersections and why they are being implemented.
Transportation agencies are also exploring innovations such as turbo roundabouts, which use physical lane separators to reduce lane-changing conflicts and further improve safety.
“Creating these raised dividers makes it more difficult to cross lanes within the circulatory roadway, which is where we see most of the issues within multi-lane roundabouts,” said transportation engineer Chase Hibbard.
As communities grow and transportation demands evolve, roundabouts offer a proven solution that enhances safety, improves traffic flow and supports long-term mobility goals. Through thoughtful planning, public engagement and collaboration with clients, Freese and Nichols is helping communities create roadway networks that keep people moving safely and efficiently for years to come.