Des Moines staging a roundabout revolution

Roundabouts would be added along Hickman, Merle Hay and East Army Post roads under street improvement plans that go before city boards this week.

Why it matters: These are among the busiest streets in Des Moines.

• If approved, they'll bring dramatic change to the metro's transportation network, embracing a national movement The Washington Post calls the "roundabout revolution."

Details: Hickman's roundabouts would be constructed at the intersections of 18th Street and Prospect Road.

• A Merle Hay roundabout would be located at the Urbandale Avenue intersection under proposals that go tomorrow before the city's Transportation Safety Committee.

Meanwhile, the City Council is expected to approve a $500K grant today from the state for an East Army Post roundabout at the Southeast 36th Street intersection.

State of play: The changes are part of an ongoing effort to reduce accidents.

• Lane reductions and sidewalk or recreational trail improvements would be included in most of the proposed areas.

Be smart: Roundabouts improve traffic flow, are safer for pedestrians and better for the environment, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

• Initial skepticism about the systems has largely turned into widespread community support after drivers become familiar with them, multiple studies cited by the Institute show.

The big picture: The number of U.S. roundabouts is not tracked by federal agencies, but a database maintained by Oregon-based engineering firm Kittelson & Associates shows they've increased from fewer than 1,000 in 2003 to around 9,000 today.

Zoom in: There are more than 60 roundabouts in Iowa, according to data from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

• Multiple metro suburbs have them but there's currently only one in DSM — on Gannett Avenue near the airport.

What they're saying: Tom Cameron, Prospect Park Neighborhood vice president, tells Axios he's in favor of the city's roundabout plan near his home along Hickman.

• Cameron was not initially a fan of a roundabout in Johnston but found it was safer and didn't ultimately slow his work commute.

Of note: Hickman and Merle Hay's projects are anticipated to start in two or three years.

• Construction of the Army Post project could begin next year.

Editor's note: This story’s photo caption has been corrected to note the roundabout is on Northwest 62nd Avenue, not 70th.