Introduction. The introduction to the paper highlights the actuality of the issues of the design of roads/streets junctions within built-up areas.
Problem statement. The topic of the paper concerns the advantages, as well as general issues of design and performance of at-grade junctions including roundabouts — PRC (German: der Kreisverkehr) compared to other types of roads and streets junctions within built-up areas.
The topic of the paper concerns the advantages of PRC (English: roundabout, German: der Kreisverkehr) compared to other types of roads / streets junctions within built-up areas, as well as general issues of the design and operation of PRC.
Purpose. The purpose of the paper is a general analysis of the experience of EU countries in design of roads / streets junctions within built-up areas and highlighting solutions that are priority in terms of road user safety and the operational efficiency of such junctions.
Results. A general comparative analysis of various types of roads/streets junctions within built-up areas, including the PRC, has been carried out and the recognized advantages and basic requirements for the design and features of the PRC’s operation within built-up areas according to the experience of EU countries have been highlighted. The issue of compatibility of terms definition within the scope of the analysis was briefly reviewed.
The approaches accepted to determine the appropriateness of PRC parameters for vehicle swept paths relevant for the design of PRCs and the laying of routes for individual types of vehicles (tractor trucks with long-length semi-trailers, car carriers, other vehicles with a long base) within built-up areas have been considered. An example of organizing the route of such vehicles movement through PRCs that most significantly limit the accessibility of the road network within built-up areas for carriage vehicles has been presented.
Conclusions. Conclusions are provided on:
- realization, according to the experience of EU countries, of contemporary solutions for roads/streets junctions within built-up areas through the construction of PRC;
- advantages of PRC over other types of level junctions and the advisability of the PRC design evolution to increase the accessibility of the road network within built-up zones for carriage vehicles;
- advisability of developing, at the national level, adjusted regulations regarding roundabouts design and performance within built-up areas.
