How traffic circles work

Traffic circles are used to reduce vehicle speed, and collisions.

A traffic circle, also called a traffic roundabout, is a raised island located in the centre of an intersection.

The City of Vancouver installs traffic circles in residential areas to help to reduce:

  • Vehicle speeds 
  • Collisions at intersections

 

How to navigate a traffic circle

Navigate a traffic circle in a counter clockwise direction.

There are three rules to remember when navigating a traffic circle:

  1. Keep to the right and travel through the intersection in a counter clockwise direction around the island, as shown in the above image.
  2. Give right-of-way to any vehicle already in the intersection.
  3. If you enter a traffic circle at the same time as another driver, the vehicle to the right has right-of-way.

Who pays for residential road improvements

If area property owners request a traffic circle, the City may agree to have the traffic circle installed.

First the City will review the request. If the location is appropriate, the City will send you a petition to ask your neighbours about the traffic circle.

The petition is necessary because the traffic circle would be funded entirely by the affected property owners.

Traffic calming installed as part of a community plan

When the City redevelops areas within a community as part of a larger community plan, the cost to install traffic calming measures is 100% funded by the City's capital plan budget.

Attention gardeners

Traffic circle gardens help beautify Vancouver.Volunteer to tend to gardens on traffic circles and corner bulges through the City's Green Streets program.

Green Streets Program

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies

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