Modular Recycled Plastic Roundabouts for Low-Cost, Low-Maintenance Rapid Installation on Military Bases

Compared to 4-way stops or traffic light-controlled intersections, roundabouts double traffic throughput while halving accidents. Accidents that occur are lower speed side impacts rather that high speed T-impacts. Thus property damage and injury are greatly reduced. Cost and traffic disruption associated with conventional roundabout materials and construction methodology are impediments to widespread use of roundabouts in the US. USDOT funded ZKxKZ to develop a recycled plastic modular roundabout system that reduces cost and installation time by 50%. 5 commercial systems have been installed to date. DOT is supporting ZKxKZ in our effort to implement our commercial system across the US. Air Force bases are like small towns, with road networks exhibiting the same congestion and intersection dangers as civilian roads. Some bases have recognized benefits of and are installing conventional roundabouts (at high cost and with long installation periods). Bases will see the same cost and installation time benefits from our commercial modular product as civilian communities. We propose using SBIR funds to present the plastic roundabout system to several bases, obtaining agreement from one or more to install an AF SBIR-funded system on base in Phase II. Several bases contacted during proposal preparation expressed interest in additional discussion.