rondpoint

A rondpoint is a circular intersection designed to manage the flow of traffic at junctions. It consists of a central island surrounded by a circulating roadway, with approaches leading in and out to adjacent roads. Vehicles travel around the island and exit via the desired leg, typically at reduced speeds.

Operational rules for a rondpoint usually require entering traffic to yield to vehicles already circulating. This priority rule is intended to improve safety and efficiency by reducing high-speed convergence. Road signs, lane markings, and pedestrian crossings at entrances and exits guide motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The circulating traffic generally has the right of way, while turning maneuvers are performed by adjusting speed and using appropriate exits.

There are several variants and related terms. Mini roundabouts have a small central island and are used on tighter urban streets. Turbo roundabouts employ lane geometry and circulating-carriageway routes to increase capacity on busy junctions. In different regions, the terms traffic circle, rotary, and roundabout may refer to variations in priority rules and design. In French-speaking contexts, rondpoint is the common term, while related concepts include carrefour giratoire, which denotes a roundabout with specific priority arrangements.

History and distribution vary by country, but modern roundabouts became widely adopted in the late 20th century, notably in the United Kingdom and across Europe, as safer and more efficient alternatives to traditional signalized or stop-controlled intersections. Today, rondpoints are common in urban and suburban areas, offering a compact solution that can reduce severe crashes, lower speeds, and improve traffic flow, though they require careful design to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles.