What type of intersection is characterized by a circular roadway?

A roundabout is specifically designed as a circular intersection that allows traffic to flow continuously in one direction around a central island. This design helps to improve traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of high-speed collisions at intersections, as vehicles are required to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

In a roundabout, vehicles entering the circular roadway must give way to those already circulating, which promotes a smoother and more efficient movement of traffic compared to traditional intersections. This layout minimizes stopping and allows for safer merging of vehicles.

Other types of intersections, such as four-way intersections, involve crossing traffic from different directions without the continuous flow characteristic of roundabouts, while continuous flow intersections utilize unique lane configurations to allow vehicles to move without stopping but do not have a circular roadway design. Thus, the defining feature of a circular roadway distinctly identifies roundabouts from other types of intersections.