Getting 10 Roundabouts for the Price of One: Highly Effective Low Cost Intersection Treatments

During 2011 Blackspot bids the Mildura CBD intersection of Ninth Street and Pine Avenue, in preliminary roundabout design, returned a Benefit Cost Ratio that would have failed, alternative options needed to be considered. The final innovative roundabout design cost 1/10th the price, significantly reduced vehicle speeds, was mostly constructed under traffic management conditions, and did not involve the usual extensive civil works and business access disruption required in traditional roundabout design. There have been no crashes reported following completion of the works. This paper examines the process, design and advantages of implanting these low cost roundabout options in urban areas.