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PACOG presents roundabout safety campaign and local crash‑reduction data
Summary
The Pueblo Area Council of Governments presented an educational campaign on roundabout safety, showed before‑and‑after speed reductions at a recent project and listed planned roundabouts and resources for the public.
Eva Castellon, MPO manager at the Pueblo Area Council of Governments (PACOG), presented an educational campaign Monday explaining how roundabouts operate, summarizing local roundabout data and offering resources for residents.
Castellon described a roundabout as a circular intersection where entering traffic yields to circulating traffic and said roundabouts reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Citing before‑and‑after data for the Jackson and Adams roundabout, PACOG reported a reduction in average approach speed from roughly 35 mph before construction to a lower post‑construction average; PACOG said the speed decrease reduced the modeled risk of serious injury and fatality for that location. Castellon also cited statewide data that, over five years, there were reportedly only five fatalities at roundabouts, and she said most involved drivers under the influence or drivers who attempted to go straight through a roundabout rather than navigating the circle.
PACOG highlighted that roundabouts reduce conflict points compared with traditional signalized intersections (from 32 vehicle conflict points at a typical intersection to eight at a roundabout in the graphic shown) and reviewed driver guidance: approach slowly, yield to circulating traffic and pedestrians, choose the proper lane where multi‑lane roundabouts exist, and signal before exiting. PACOG also listed specific local projects planned or under construction, including Ormond & Lake, Dillon & Eagle Ridge and Berkeley & Mesa, and provided a web resource (paycog.net/roundabouts) with educational videos and a long‑range plan project site (paycogmovestheregion.com).
Councilors thanked PACOG for the briefing and noted roundabouts’ role in traffic‑flow improvements; Councilor Boston said the Dillon and Eagle Ridge roundabout should reduce congestion. Castellon said several planned roundabouts have been funded through federal Highway Safety Improvement Program grants administered by CDOT and that most grants require data demonstrating crash history or safety need.
No council action was required; the presentation served to inform council and the public about safety features and expected changes to local traffic patterns as roundabouts are built.
