Comparative Analysis of Peanut Roundabouts and All-Way Stop Intersections
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Jay Grossman
College
Engineering
Discipline(s)
Civil Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-27-2023
Abstract
Peanut roundabouts, also known as dogbone roundabouts or dumbbell roundabouts, are a type of roundabout that has two roundabout segments connected by a narrow "waist" in the middle, resembling the shape of a peanut. They are typically applied in locations with challenging topography or right-of-way restrictions, precluding the use of a traditional circular roundabout. As a typical roundabout, peanut roundabouts are designed to accommodate higher traffic volumes and reduce traffic congestion by allowing traffic to flow continuously in a circular pattern without the need of signalized control. Peanut roundabouts are becoming more commonly used where efficient use of space is required. This study presents a comparative analysis of the delays at a planned peanut roundabout compared to an all-way stop controlled intersection in Elkhart County, Indiana. This comparative analysis is based on data collected using a micro-simulation model of the existing stop-controlled intersection and proposed peanut roundabout. The study tracked the difference in vehicle delay between these two intersections and in an effort to identify the factors that influence the associated delays. The findings of this study have practical implications for transportation planners and engineers, as the results provide insights into the factors that affect delays at these types of intersections, which can be used to improve transportation infrastructure and design on future intersection projects.
Recommended Citation
Schiene, Carly, "Comparative Analysis of Peanut Roundabouts and All-Way Stop Intersections" (2023). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1195.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1195
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Carly Schiene is a junior civil engineering major who took an interest in transportation on campus and has been involved in multiple undergraduate research projects for the past year.