THE ROAD SAFETY AT TURBO ROUNDABOUTS IN POLAND

Abstract

There are to two groups of turbo roundabouts used currently in Poland. The first group is turbo roundabouts with geometry and traffic organization designed following the model of Dutch turbo roundabouts with raised lane dividers. The other group is turbo roundabouts with traffic organization which entirely or partly corresponds to traffic organization of conventional turbo roundabouts, but with lane dividers not present, with their function performed by a single continuous line of P-2 type. Turbo roundabouts in the world are considered as solutions which are characterized by a high level of road safety and allow for effective flow at substantial traffic intensities. The data about turbo roundabouts in Poland analysed by the author show that there are substantially more turbo roundabouts without raised lane dividers. The paper attempts to answer to the question of whether turbo roundabouts with lane dividers in the form of a single continuous line ensure the appropriate level of road safety. Furthermore, the comparison of the level of road safety in turbo roundabouts equipped in raised lane dividers with turbo roundabouts with lane separators in the form of continuous line revealed that turbo roundabouts with raised lane dividers are safer solutions than turbo roundabouts with traffic lane dividers in the form of continuous line.