Sioux Falls, South Dakota Conducts Roundabout Rodeo

NHTSA · 2011 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety

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Summary

This report documents the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s public outreach initiative to introduce roundabouts to local residents and stakeholders. The motivation stemmed from the city’s construction of one of the state’s first roundabouts near a new university campus in 2008. City engineering staff, inspired by presentations at the Transportation Research Board’s 2nd International Roundabout Conference, recognized that public education was critical for a successful launch. To address potential public hesitation, the city organized South Dakota’s first “roundabout rodeo,” aiming to help residents feel comfortable and confident navigating the new intersection design before construction was completed. The approach involved constructing a mock, driveable roundabout in a local parking lot using traffic cones, adhering strictly to the specifications of the actual roundabout under construction. The event targeted the general public, emergency responders, and elected officials. Promotion strategies included newspaper and television announcements, community meetings, and the city website. City engineers were present to answer questions and clarify misconceptions as participants drove, biked, or walked through the mock layout. The city also invited local media to cover the event, resulting in coverage by four media organizations. Additionally, engineers participated in a follow-up radio broadcast to field further public questions. The results indicated high engagement and positive reception. More than 130 people attended the rodeo, utilizing a diverse range of vehicles including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, fire trucks, minivans, and bicycles. According to city engineers, all participants navigated the mock roundabout with ease and provided positive feedback. Specifically, elected officials and emergency responders reported significantly increased comfort levels regarding the roundabout construction following the outreach activity. The financial investment for the project was relatively low, costing approximately $800 for equipment rental (cones, signs) and staff hours for planning and staffing. Media coverage provided additional public outreach at no cost to the city. The report concludes with lessons learned for other jurisdictions. Designing the mock roundabout to actual specifications enhances realism and helps dispel stakeholder concerns by allowing them to experience the intersection in advance. Furthermore, locating the mock roundabout near the actual construction site is recommended to maximize participation. This case study demonstrates that low-cost, hands-on educational events can effectively mitigate public resistance and build confidence among key stakeholders during the implementation of new traffic infrastructure.

Key finding

A mock driveable roundabout event successfully increased comfort and confidence among over 130 participants, including emergency responders and elected officials, regarding the new intersection design.

Methodology

field_study

Sample size: 130

Provenance

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Topics

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• intersection design