WAR-123-4.69 PID 110462
WAR-123-4.69 PID 110462
Why are we here?
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) - District 8 is looking to improve the intersection of SR-123 and SR-132 in Harlan Township, Warren County, Ohio. There have been multiple severe injuries due to angle crashes at this location in recent years (Reduced Sized Crash Diagram 1.7 MB), and as Ohio’s goal is to work towards zero deaths, ODOT is in the process of designing a solution to reduce the potential for serious injuries and fatalities. Governor Mike Dewine has tasked ODOT with addressing this location as it is on the Governor’s list of top 50 rural intersections to be improved. ODOT is evaluating four (4) alternatives to improve the intersection, three (3) alternatives (Alternatives 2-4) involve a single lane roundabout with different layouts, and the other alternative is maintaining the existing four-way stop-controlled intersection (Alternative 1/No Build).
Project History
The prior condition was a two-way stop-controlled intersection where vehicles traveling on SR-123 had continuous through movements. A four-way stop-controlled was installed as a short-term low-cost solution while the planning and design took place for a long-term solution. ODOT is currently evaluating three (3) roundabout alternatives and proceeded to further the design of the chosen alternative.
Project Update
ODOT has made a Preferred Alternative Selection and have sent out letters notifying those who provided comments with mailing addresses and who were part of the initial project mailing list. You may view that letter by clicking here. ODOT's response to common comments received has been compiled and is viewable by clicking here.
Roundabouts (single lane) – A roundabout is a type of circular intersection but is unlike neighborhood traffic circles or large rotaries found in New Jersey. Roundabouts come in all shapes and sizes, but the fundamentals and essential characteristics are all the same. Traffic travels counterclockwise around a center island. Vehicles entering the roundabout yield to traffic already circulating. Vehicles speeds are lowered to 15-25 mph while driving thru a roundabout due to the geometry of the intersection. As a result, roundabouts are inherently safer as the number of conflict points are reduced from 32 for a traditional intersection to just 8 as seen in the figure below. Roundabouts have been identified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety as a Proven Safety Countermeasure1.
32 Conflict Points/8 Conflict Points
Above is a video of a roundabout similar to the roundabout being purposed for the intersection of SR-123 & SR-132. This video was show at the public involvement meeting.