Roundabouts are said to reduce tailpipe emissions and don’t need electricity for stop lights so they should be climate friendly. A study of two Mississippi roundabouts found a 56% decrease in CO2 emissions; another calculated cumulative decreases at six roundabouts of between 16% and 59%. They also significantly reduce injuries and deaths and are more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. Some drivers struggle until they learn how to use roundabouts. When in doubt, just go around again.
www.nytimes.com/2021/11/20/climate/roundabouts-climate-emissions-driving.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Climate%20and%20Environment
Turns out roundabouts reduce accidents, too. The article, “These Americans Are Just Going Around in Circles. It Helps the Climate,” says that the city of Carmel, Indiana, has 140 roundabouts, with more to come. “[T]he former city engineer … estimates that each roundabout saves about 20,000 gallons of fuel annually, which means the cars of Carmel emit many fewer tons of planet-heating carbon emissions each year. And U.S. highway officials broadly agree that roundabouts reduce tailpipe emissions.”
Whether you’re talking about safe streets, cleaner air and fighting climate change … remember to mention roundabouts.