Nov. 16th "Revolution in Roundabouts" Presentation by International Expert and Discussion at MPO Board Meeting

This is an exciting opportunity for Lee County officials, staff, committee members, community groups, consultants, and interested citizens to learn about the potential benefits of roundabouts for Lee County from an international expert. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Friday, Nov. 16th MPO meeting in the Cape Coral City Council Chambers (9 a.m.).

As noted in our Sept. 20th blog post , the November 16th MPO Board meeting is a "don't miss" event.  This item was proposed for the MPO agenda by Fort Myers Councilman Mike Flanders, who attended a recent international conference on the topic. 

Michael Wallwork

 The guest speaker at the November 16th meeting is Michael Wallwork, an international expert on roundabouts.  He started designing roundabouts about 35 years ago when he helped design the first ever roundabout in Australia. After designing many one, two and three lane roundabouts In Melbourne, Australia, he migrated to the US and designed the second in the US in Gainesville, FL. Since then, he has designed more than 500 roundabouts, including 100 in Florida (from Amelia Island to Miami to Fort Walton Beach, and include more than 30 in Clearwater and the roundabout in Cape Coral at SE 24th Ave./SE 9th St./Birkdale Ave, the recent multi-lane roundabout at Venice Ave and Jacaranda Blvd, Venice, 6 roundabouts on Honore Ave, Sarasota, and the Main Street roundabout in Downtown Sarasota). 

FDOT District 1 Secretary, Billy Hattaway

FDOT District Secretary Billy Hattaway is promoting roundabouts throughout FDOT and he will also be part of the presentation.

Mr. Wallwork's presentation will cover the following:   

•  What a  roundabout is and differences from a traffic circle
• What is the benefit of roundabouts – safety, crash reduction, lower conflict points etc.

• •        Pedestrian/bicyclists use, crossings and safety  

• General cost and maintenance of roundabouts versus signals
•  Types of roundabouts and where used (Tee, offset, freeway interchanges etc.)
• Common design problems and driving of them
• Visual amenities included with roundabouts 
•   And video of two roundabouts under operation (Grand Rapids and Mt Pleasant, SC)

MPO staff will follow Mr. Wallwork's presentation with a Lee County specific discussion,
 focusing on:  

• Overview of the roundabouts being developed around the County and status of those (existing, planned or in local government plans)
• Aerial views of the existing roundabouts
• Local roundabout policies
• Next steps, feasibility analysis of locations and bringing into priorities

 Mark your calendars for Friday, November 16th at 9 a.m. at the Cape Coral City Council Chambers.  This presentation and discussion is an exciting opportunity for many players in the Lee County community to learn from the experts about an innovative approach to improving traffic flow and safety in our community.  Please encourage your staff and associates to attend this meeting.