What is the purpose of a Roundabout?

The purpose of a roundabout is primarily to reduce conflict points and improve traffic flow. Roundabouts facilitate the continuous movement of traffic by allowing vehicles to enter and exit in a circular pattern, which minimizes the chances of severe collisions compared to traditional intersections. This design reduces the number of potential conflict points where vehicles cross paths, thereby lowering the likelihood of accidents. Additionally, roundabouts help to maintain a more efficient flow of traffic as vehicles do not come to a complete stop as often, which can lead to significant time savings for drivers and help reduce congestion.

The other options focus on aspects that are not aligned with the primary objectives of roundabouts. For instance, speeding through a roundabout is not the intended purpose, as these traffic features are designed to promote safer, controlled entry and exit. Increasing the number of lanes is not a typical characteristic of roundabouts, which typically have a single lane or limited lanes due to their circular design. Finally, providing parking spaces is not relevant to the function of a roundabout, as its role is solely to manage traffic rather than facilitate parking.