Two Vermont Senators Receive Credit For Roundabouts Eligibility For 100 Percent Federal Transportation Funding As Safety Projects

JULY 29, 2005 Revised

[Director's note: Roundabouts were approved to receive 100% federal funding as safety projects in the federal transportation bill.]

The Northeast Area Roundabout Coalition–Vermont credited U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) and Vermont State Senator Phil Scott (R-Washington) with the provision in the new federal transportation legislation adding modern roundabout projects to the list of safety improvements eligible nationwide for 100% federal transportation funding.

The roundabout provision assures that this new technology can access the same funding preference up to now enjoyed by stop light projects. Up to ten percent of most federal transportation program funding can be utilized for safety projects without any required match. The lack of a state match for stop lights versus a local 20% match requirement for the roundabout became a consideration in the discussion in East Montpelier over a roundabout versus a stop light. East Montpelier is in Sen. Scott's district. The concern over the funding discrimination, roundabout versus stop light, has been a topic of discussion throughout the country among professionals working on roundabout projects.

Sen. Scott, Vice-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, represents a County home to the first roundabout in the northeast which was built in Montpelier in 1995. Sen. Jeffords is the ranking minority member of the Senate Public Works and Environment Committee which authored the new legislation moving towards final approval and presidential signature by weeks end.

With over 1,000 in the United States today, the New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) becomes the first state to adopt a "roundabouts only" policy set for later this year. Under the NYDOT policy only in the case of a study showing a roundabout infeasible would a stop light be considered.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety research shows roundabouts cutting disabling injuries by about 90% and other studies show similar safety improvements for pedestrians. Roundabouts also reduce delay for all users, cut fuel consumption, and lower pollution and greenhouse gases. The roundabout history began in 1966 in England and the first U.S. roundabout was built in 1990. France now is first in roundabouts with over 30,000 in place and adding about a thousand a year.

Tony Redington
Transportation Policy
TonyRVT@ispwest.com
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-223-1744
Northeast Area Roundabout Coalition-VT