By Ron Thaniel
October 18, 2010

Carmel (IN) Mayor Jim Brainard has encouraged the construction of roundabouts in place of traditional signaled intersections, which reduces vehicle emissions. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center, Carmel is a non-attainment area designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This designation can adversely affect aspects of federal funding and growth. Roundabouts help improve overall air quality by cutting down on idling engines that occur at four-way stops and signalized intersections.

When compared with signalized intersections roundabouts save an average of 24,000 gallons of gas per year per roundabout with traffic counts ranging from 14,000 to 47,000 AADT (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety). This amount is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as cars continue to move through roundabout intersections by yielding at the entry rather than having to stop and idle.

Brainard's commitment to roundabouts led to Carmel receiving first place in the small cities category in the 2008 Climate Protection Awards from The U.S. Conference of Mayors.