Improving Safety for People Walking and Biking at Roundabouts Status: CompleteReport Date: 06/13/2025 Summary: Compared to other types of intersections, roundabouts have been shown to significantly decrease severe crashes, including those involving pedestrians and bicyclists. But some pedestrians still have safety concerns. MnDOT and local transportation agencies sought to better understand driver behavior toward pedestrians and bicyclists to enhance safety for all road users at roundabouts. Researchers analyzed driver yielding behavior in nearly 3,000 interactions with pedestrians or bicyclists at 16 roundabouts in Minnesota. In both urban and suburban settings, the roundabouts varied in number of lanes, speed limits and traffic volumes. Researchers identified the factors corresponding to higher yielding rates, such as roundabout size, number of lanes and location of crosswalks. The project’s insights will guide local agency and MnDOT efforts to optimize pedestrian and bicyclist safety in designing and managing roundabouts. Final Deliverables: Improving Safety for People Walking and Biking at Roundabouts (Report #2025-27) Enhancing Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists at Roundabouts (Research Summary) Related Materials: Enhancing Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists at Roundabouts (Blog Post) Related Research:
