Which is more efficient: traffic lights or roundabouts

Jordan Times

09-02-2025

Roundabouts and traffic lights serve as two different methods of traffic control, and the trend of replacing traffic lights with roundabouts is gaining traction in urban traffic planning in certain areas. The choice is motivated by several factors, though the decision to replace one with the other depends on various factors like traffic intensity, safety, space, and cost. Above all the country in question. Jordan is our example.
One of the primary reasons for favouring roundabouts over traffic lights is the improvement in safety. Studies show that roundabouts significantly reduce the number of serious collisions compared to signalised intersections. This is because roundabouts eliminate high-speed head on crashes, replacing them with lower-speed, side collisions that are generally less severe. In Jordan disregarding red light is more likely than in developed countries, so risk is far greater.
Roundabouts are designed to improve the flow of traffic. Unlike traffic signals that require vehicles to stop, roundabouts allow continuous movement, reducing idle time and fuel consumption. This is particularly beneficial during off-peak hours and holidays when vehicles would otherwise stop unnecessarily at traffic lights.
With fewer stops and starts, roundabouts tend to lower fuel consumption and emissions, in particular our public buses with black diesel fumes like a coal powered chimney. Also, Vehicles spend less time idling, leading to a reduction in air pollution, which is particularly important in urban areas aiming to meet environmental standards and public health.
While roundabouts may have a higher initial construction cost due to land acquisition or road design changes, they are generally more cost-effective in the long run. They do not require electricity for traffic lights, and they have lower maintenance costs. Maintenance, bureaucracy and quick responses are usually an issue in Jordan.
However, Roundabouts often require more physical space than traffic lights, making them impractical for densely built urban areas. Urban planners need to evaluate the availability of land and the feasibility of constructing a roundabout, particularly at complex intersections. Yet, when they already exist in Jordan, it is a great loss to destroy them and erect traffic lights.
While roundabouts improve vehicle safety, they can present challenges for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Special considerations, such as pedestrian, tunnels, bridges, crosswalks and signals, are sometimes needed to ensure the safety of non-vehicular traffic.
In areas where roundabouts are uncommon, which is not the case in Jordan, this can lead to initial confusion and potentially increase the risk of accidents until drivers adapt to the new system. However, a pedestrian or a bike accident can be much more serious on traffic lights.
However, roundabouts do not fit all solutions. They work best for moderate traffic volumes and may not handle heavy traffic as efficiently as traffic lights during peak hours. In such cases, traffic lights might still be the better option.
In countries like the United Kingdom, France and Australia, roundabouts have long been part of traffic management. The United States has recently begun adopting roundabouts in place of traffic signals, with cities like Carmel California and Indiana State leading the way, having more than 100 roundabouts. Cities in other parts of the world are also exploring this shift as part of efforts to create more sustainable and safer urban environments.
In conclusion, roundabouts are increasingly being considered as replacements for traffic lights in urban traffic planning, but their implementation depends on specific local conditions, including traffic patterns, cost, environmental concerns, urban design, and available space. While they offer significant safety, environmental, and cost benefits, roundabouts may not be suitable for every intersection or city. A careful evaluation of both short- and long-term factors for Jordan, in dense traffic urban areas, is essential in determining whether roundabouts should replace traffic lights in any given area.