WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Getting around slow traffic on Route 13 will be a little easier in the next year when roundabouts are added in four locations on the new East Loop.

MoDOT will construct roundabouts at the ramps at Route 50 and the new Route 13 East Loop; at Route DD; and at the south end of the project, where the new highway will connect to existing Route 13.

Roundabouts are one-way circular intersections that channel traffic around a central island without traffic signals. They are safer and move traffic smoothly through intersections compared to four-way stops or traffic signals.  Motorists approaching a roundabout must only yield to those who are already in the roundabout before proceeding.  

There are only eight places where vehicles can collide, and even then, those collisions only occur at slow speeds and at indirect angles. Signalized intersections have more than 20 points where vehicles can collide, which can occur at higher speeds and more directly such as right-angle "T-bone" crashes or head-on collisions. Those are severe crashes that can result in injury or death. Roundabouts have 75 percent fewer crashes, and serious injuries and fatalities have been reduced as much as 95 percent.

Even though traffic moves more slowly, roundabouts are quicker by reducing driver delay when allowing vehicles to yield rather than stop. They can also handle higher volumes of traffic, especially where there are frequent left turns, which helps move traffic more quickly.

Trucks, trailers and buses also can maneuver a roundabout by tracking their rear tires onto the slightly-raised truck apron on the inside of the paved circle.

To see a video on roundabouts or for more information, please visit MoDOT's Website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter or send questions and comments to kccommunityrelations@modot.mo.gov.