Traffic Circles

Description

A traffic circle is a raised island located in the centre of an intersection. The purpose of the traffic circle is to reduce vehicle speeds and collisions at intersections.

Navigating a traffic circle

Vehicles are required to travel through the intersection in a counter-clockwise direction around the island (i.e. keep to the right of the island). A vehicle already in the intersection has the right-of-way over one entering. As with any uncontrolled intersection, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way.

Navigating Traffic Circles:
View video

How to request a traffic circle for your street

For residents not involved in a traffic calming plan or on a bike or greenway route, individual traffic circles can be requested through the City's Local Improvement program. The first step is to phone 3-1-1 to request an information package. The package explains the Local Improvement program and includes an informal twenty-signature petition form. This informal petition is required to show that there is support in the neighbourhood for the proposed traffic circle. Once the informal petition has been completed and returned, City staff will prepare a design and cost estimate. Next, you will receive a formal petition form: a list of all the property owners within one block of the traffic circle, and the approximate cost per property owner. Two-thirds of the affected property owners need to sign the petition to show they agree to pay for the proposed traffic circle. The cost for a typical traffic circle is approximately $400-$1000 per property depending on how many properties are involved. The more owners involved, the lower the cost. There is also the option of amortizing the cost over a five year period.

Neighbours can also sponsor their traffic circle through the Green Streets Program which allows the opportunity to customize and look after the landscaping and plantings. This is becoming more popular in Vancouver - we now have some of the most unique and beautifully landscaped traffic circles in North America.

Download the traffic circle brochure ( 2 mb)

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