Safer Roads, Smarter Design: Roundabouts in Our Communities
An overhead view of the Richmond/Pettibone Roundabout shows a safer, smarter solution serving thousands of vehicles each day.
A closer look at the lasting benefits of the Richmond/Pettibone Road roundabout that transformed a failing intersection into a safer, smarter road.
It’s National Roundabouts Week, and we’re spotlighting a project that continues to make a difference more than a decade later: the Richmond Road/Pettibone Road Roundabout, a joint project between the Village of Oakwood and the Village of Glenwillow. This modern roundabout replaced a four-way stop that once required a patrol officer to manage peak-hour traffic. Serving nearly 8,500 vehicles per day, the intersection was previously rated among the most problematic along a 3.80-mile Richmond Road corridor study, with frequent backups and the highest crash rate in the area.
The roundabout transformed how the corridor functions, and today it provides:
Improved Safety - Fewer and less severe crashes, eliminating the need for daily traffic control by police.
Reduced Congestion - Level of service improved from “failing” to “functional” at peak times.
Faster Emergency Response - Particularly for the Oakwood Fire Department’s calls into Glenwillow.
Economic Access - Smoother, safer access to Glenwillow’s 212-acre industrial park, which supports hundreds of local jobs.
This project not only improved daily commutes but also strengthened connectivity and reliability for two communities we are proud to represent.
More than a decade later, the Richmond/Pettibone Roundabout continues to deliver lasting benefits.
There’s safety and efficiency behind smarter intersections.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):
Roundabouts reduce overall crashes by 44% and cut serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 90% when replacing two-way stop intersections.
Roundabouts reduce overall crashes by 48% and cut serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 80% when replacing a signalized intersection.
Roundabouts improve efficiency since traffic moves with fewer stops and cuts down on delays, fuel consumption, and emissions.
CVE continues to design new roundabouts in the region, and projects like Richmond/Pettibone prove the value that these safer, smarter intersections bring.