Implementation, Driver Behavior, and Simulation: Issues Related to Roundabouts in Northern New England

Belz, Nathan P.; Aultman-Hall, Lisa · 2014 · ROSA P / University of Vermont. Transportation Research Center

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Summary

This report addresses the challenges associated with the implementation, driver behavior, and simulation modeling of roundabouts in Northern New England. The research is motivated by the region's limited adoption of roundabouts despite their proven safety and operational benefits, as well as the inadequacy of existing traffic models which rely on gap-acceptance theories that fail to capture complex, non-compliant driver behaviors. The study aims to quantify factors influencing public acceptance, characterize real-world driver maneuvers, and develop improved simulation methods. The methodology comprises three distinct components. First, a spatial analysis was conducted using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This included a unique dataset of both implemented roundabouts and technically feasible but rejected proposals. A binary logistic regression model was employed to evaluate how proximity, exposure, built-environment, and demographic variables influence implementation success. Second, field data collected via video analysis at single-lane roundabouts across four states was used to categorize driver behavior. The researchers developed a typology for non-compliant behaviors, specifically defining "priority abstaining" (entering vehicles stopping unnecessarily), "priority taking" (entering vehicles impeding circulating traffic), and "priority surrendering" (circulating vehicles yielding incorrectly). Third, a new cellular automata (CA) simulation model, termed C.A.Rsim, was developed to incorporate these specific behavioral typologies, which are absent in standard microscopic models. The findings reveal significant correlations between regional characteristics and roundabout adoption. Higher business density and a larger percentage of residents aged 65 and older positively correlated with implementation, while higher intersection density, population size, and proximity to existing roundabouts negatively correlated with it. Notably, the positive association with older residents contradicts previous literature suggesting older drivers oppose roundabouts. Regarding driver behavior, priority abstaining was identified as the most prevalent non-compliant behavior, followed by priority taking. The study found that these behaviors vary based on traffic volume and driver familiarity, with newer roundabouts exhibiting different behavioral patterns than established ones. The C.A.Rsim model successfully integrated these behaviors, demonstrating that accounting for priority taking and abstaining provides a more accurate representation of system delay and queue length compared to traditional models. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to both policy and engineering practices. By identifying that public opposition in Northern New England is distinct from other regions and influenced by specific demographic and spatial factors, the study offers insights for targeted educational and planning strategies. Furthermore, by documenting and modeling non-compliant driver behaviors, the research highlights the limitations of current gap-acceptance theories. The introduction of the C.A.Rsim model provides a tool for more accurate performance assessment, ultimately supporting better-informed decisions regarding where and how roundabouts should be implemented to maximize safety and efficiency.

Key finding

Priority abstaining was the most prevalent non-compliant driver behavior, and logistic regression revealed that higher business density and older resident populations increase the likelihood of roundabout implementation while higher intersection density decreases it.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• traffic density
• intersection design