The Garlic Capital could see its first of up to 11 new roundabouts constructed as soon as next winter for some, according to City Transportation Engineer Henry Servin.
City staffers are currently preparing required environmental reports for the installation of new roundabouts across Gilroy, including two at the busy intersections on Day Road at the northeast and southeast corners of Christopher High School.
The potential CHS roundabouts would improve the daily backup for drivers entering the school, including students, parents, teachers and staff.
“If you see that in the mornings, the left turns into the high school back up at both locations and we’re trying to improve flow and safety,” he added.
Roundabouts are fairly new to northern California and the traffic circles are cheaper than traditional intersections – and much safer for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, Servin said.
“We think these are safer applications. Children walk all over Gilroy,” he added.
In a presentation to City Council and the Gilroy Unified School District Jan. 22, Servin announced that developers within the Glen Loma Ranch and Hecker Pass Specific Plan Areas – the largest developments Gilroy has seen – will pay for the roundabouts that are up for consideration as part of their required public impact fees.
“The funding is there and that’s part of what they need to do,” Servin added, explaining that construction on some of the roundabouts could start as early as this summer and stretch into the fall and winter.
The cost of a roundabout is approximately $167,000 – roughly a third of the cost of a new traffic signal, Servin said. Dollar amounts will vary, he added, based on the size, location and the type of soil the roundabouts will be built on.
Caltrans adopted a policy in August 2013 requiring cities to consider roundabouts whenever a modification to an intersection is proposed.
“Before you can consider building new traffic signals, because of greenhouse gas emission goals, Caltrans wants cities to consider roundabouts in place of traffic signals,” Servin said. “We’re working with a Caltrans policy – it’s called the Intersection Control Evaluation policy – that wants everyone to look at roundabouts. It’s a policy, it’s not a requirement.”
Roundabouts are a common form of intersection control used across the world and they’re becoming more popular in the United States, according to a report from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The original form of a roundabout – called a traffic circle – was popular across Europe but the design was improved in the mid-1960s with additional safety requirements.
But in order for a roundabout to be safer than an intersection with a traffic signal, the NCHRP notes that certain design elements should be included, from encouraging drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing the street to adding signage that explains how to properly navigate a roundabout.
According to Servin, the chance of a collision within a roundabout is about 30 percent less than a traditional intersection with a traffic signal. Vehicles usually travel between 15 and 20 miles per hour in a roundabout, Servin said.
The roundabout crosswalks are often farther back than on traditional intersections, which Servin says allows for more time to see and react to pedestrians.
Educating members of the community is also crucial, he said.
“As always, watch for pedestrians,” he said. “Yield to vehicles in the roundabout – including bicyclists – and stay in your lane.”
Servin recommends that motorists avoid driving alongside oversized vehicles or stopping in a roundabout.
City staff are currently preparing environmental impact reports for all 11 potential roundabout locations and will work with Caltrans on their design individually.
-The northeast and southeast corners of Christopher High School at Day Road
-Hecker Pass Highway at Autumn Street
-Third Street at Autumn Street
-Third Street at Cobblestone Court
-Third Street at Santa Teresa Boulevard
-10th Street at Santa Teresa Boulevard
-Miller Avenue at Santa Teresa Boulevard
-10th Street at Charles Lux Drive
-Luchessa Road at Cimino Drive
-Luchessa Road at Thomas Road
