Transit

Transit considerations at a roundabout are similar to those at a conventional intersection. If the roundabout has been designed using the appropriate design vehicle, a bus should have no physical difficulty negotiating the intersection. To minimize passenger discomfort, if the roundabout is on a bus route, it is preferable that scheduled buses are not required to use a truck apron if present. Bus stops should be located carefully to minimize the probability of vehicle queues spilling back into the circulatory roadway. This typically means that bus stops located on the far side of the intersection need to have pullouts or be further downstream than the splitter island. Pedestrian access routes to transit should be designed for safety, comfort, and convenience. If demand is significant, such as near a station or terminus, pedestrian crossing capacity should be accounted for.

Roundabouts may provide opportunities for giving transit (including rail) and emergency vehicles priority as can be done at signalized intersections. This may be provided using geometry, or signals. For example, these could include an exclusive right-turn bypass lane or signals holding entering traffic while the transit vehicle enters its own right-of-way or mixed traffic. The roundabout can be supplemented by signals activated by a transit, emergency, or rail vehicle. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 provide more detail on transit treatments.