Philadelphia is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to traffic management with the expansion of roundabouts. The recent installation of the Penrose Roundabout in South Philadelphia marks a shift from traditional signalized intersections toward a design that promotes both safety and efficiency. As the U.S. experienced the surge of modern roundabouts since the 1990s, the Philadelphia area is poised to double its current roundabout count from 28 to nearly 60 by 2029.
According to engineering consultant Kittelson & Associates, Inc., there are now over 10,000 roundabouts across the country, credited for their ability to reduce serious accidents. By creating a circular traffic flow, roundabouts slow down vehicles and simplify intersections, greatly diminishing the likelihood of crashes that often occur at traditional traffic signals. Vehicles circulating within a roundabout maintain the right of way, thereby ensuring smoother traffic movement.
The Penrose Roundabout, constructed at a notoriously complicated intersection involving Moyamensing, Penrose, and Packer avenues—an area as expansive as Citizens Bank Park—demonstrates how such traffic designs can effectively analyze and improve congested areas. John Boyle, research director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, noted the immediate positive feedback upon the intersection’s redesign.
“This crazy intersection [had] suddenly been tamed,” he said. The project is part of Vision Zero, an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, as the intersection is included in Philadelphia’s “High Injury Network.” Finishing ahead of schedule and within budget, the project will add pedestrian sidewalks and a separated bike lane to enhance accessibility.
Funded by the state’s Automated Red Light Enforcement program, the total cost of the Penrose Roundabout comes to $5.8 million. Christopher Young, communications manager of the Philadelphia Department of Streets, confirmed the construction’s timely progress, with plans for a spring ribbon-cutting. Meanwhile, nearby residents have expressed satisfaction with the newly improved traffic flow.
“The traffic moves smoothly, neighbors report they feel like they are in Paris or London, and even the Uber drivers have gotten the hang of it,” said Barbara Capozzi, president of the Packer Park Civic Association. The roundabout design is lauded not only for improved efficiency but also for its capacity to save lives through lowered speeds. Research from Vision Zero shows that accidents involving pedestrians become fatal much more often at higher speeds, where a vehicle traveling at 30 mph offers only a 50/50 chance of survival upon impact.
In contrast, if a car is traveling at 20 mph, the chances of a pedestrian surviving an accident skyrocket to 90%. Former Carmel, Indiana, mayor Jim Brainard, known as the “roundabout capital of the world,” emphasized the safety benefits of driving through roundabouts. During his tenure, Carmel transitioned from a small town of 25,000 to a bustling city of 100,000 while building 157 roundabouts, effectively maintaining safety levels that are significantly better than the national average.
With only two traffic deaths per 100,000 people annually, Carmel showcases how well-designed road infrastructure can cultivate safe driving conditions. Meanwhile, a recent PennDOT study revealed a marked drop in severe crashes after converting traditional intersections to roundabouts, affirming the safety narrative. Beyond safety, roundabouts are also touted for efficiency improvements in traffic flow, with studies indicating as much as a 50% gain in efficiency.
As cities modernize their roadways, the reduction in gas usage and carbon emissions, resulting from the decrease in idling time at traffic lights, presents a compelling argument for the roundabout approach. Point Breeze resident Michael Sievers noted the dramatic change in traffic patterns at the former complex intersection. What used to involve prolonged waits during light changes is now a smooth transition through the roundabout where vehicles zip through without the anticipation of stopped lights.
Those living and commuting in the area appreciate the sense of safety that accompanies the redesign. “It’s so much better now,” said Venus Lucini, a casino dealer who frequently crosses the newly designed intersection with her daughter. Previously confronted with dangers posed by reckless drivers, she now finds the roundabout much safer and easily navigable.
However, traffic safety issues do not affect all Philadelphians uniformly. Higher rates of traffic crash hospitalizations are recorded in zip codes plagued by poverty, as shown by analyses from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Despite positive sentiments toward modern traffic solutions, longstanding misconceptions regarding roundabouts, particularly among older generations, continue to create some resistance to change. Rock Hoffman, a producer for Total Traffic & Weather Network, noted that intimidation persists for drivers recalling historical rotary traffic circle designs.
Matthew Edmond, executive director of the Chester County Planning Commission, recounted the initial backlash against early roundabout projects, where engineers were sometimes met with threats for their design choices. “People [would] come up to [PennDOT engineers] and threaten them in person for putting these roundabouts in,” he said, reflecting on the historical context of a region unfamiliar with the concept.
However, as more roundabouts were introduced, perceptions began to shift. “Once they went through them themselves, then all of a sudden it became a normal thing,” Edmond added. Critics of the Penrose Roundabout’s scale argue that valuable resources could have been better allocated to more pressing needs like pothole repairs, yet evidence suggests that with time, initial criticisms often evolve into appreciation.
Research indicates that support for existing roundabouts generally rises as drivers acclimate to the design, with surveys showing that support can jump from around one-third to over 50% post-installation. “Seeing is believing,” stated Tim Garceau, an urban planner and geography professor, emphasizing the gradual acceptance of roundabouts among the public and officials alike.
Garceau’s findings align with a trend across the Northeast, as transportation departments reconsider their initial reservations in response to mounting positive data. As a testament to their success, some states and municipalities have even adopted a “roundabout-first” strategy in their traffic planning. Through an understanding that change can be daunting, Garceau highlights the fundamental truth that even as society progresses rapidly, an inherent resistance to new ideas often lingers.
As Philadelphia continues this roundabout expansion journey, residents may find themselves ultimately embracing a safety-oriented redesign that not only enhances traffic flow but also contributes to a more pedestrian-friendly urban atmosphere.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/penrose-roundabout-traffic-calming/
