Editing Roundabout (section)

==== Central ====
[[File:La fontaine des trois Grâces, 1860.jpg|thumb|A fountain dominates this roundabout in [[Aix-en-Provence]], France.]]

The central island may be surrounded by a [[truck apron]] that is high enough to discourage drivers from crossing over it, but low enough to allow wide or long vehicles to navigate the roundabout. The island may provide a visual barrier, to alert approaching drivers to the presence of the roundabout, and to encourage drivers to focus on the traffic in the path of the circle. A visual barrier significantly reduces the accident rate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Winnie |title=Spørg Fagfolket: Hvorfor skal øen i midten af rundkørslen være så høj? |url=https://ing.dk/artikel/spoerg-fagfolket-hvorfor-skal-oeen-midten-rundkoerslen-vaere-saa-hoej-225722 |website=[[Ingeniøren]] |publisher=[[Vejdirektoratet]] |language=da |date=2 June 2019 |quote=analysis of 332 roundabouts. It was very clear that if the height in the middle of the roundabout was over two meters, then it was much safer than other designs. The accident rate was significantly lower in the high roundabouts}}</ref> Otherwise, vehicles anywhere in or near the circle can cause those <!--inexperienced-->entering to stop and wait for them to pass, even if they are opposite, which unnecessarily reduces traffic flow. The barrier may be a landscaped mound, a raised wall, a tree or tall shrubs. Road signage or flagpoles may be erected at the top of a landscaped mound.

Some communities use the island for monuments, the display of large public art or for a fountain. Pedestrians may be prohibited from crossing the circling lane(s). Access to the central island requires an underpass or overpass for safety.

===== Art installations =====
[[File:Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (2021) - 050.jpg|thumb|The [[Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara|Minerva Roundabout]] in [[Guadalajara]], Mexico]]
Roundabouts have attracted art installations around the world:
* [[Bend, Oregon]] (United States); Bend's roundabout sculptures were honoured by [[Americans for the Arts]] as among the 37 most innovative approaches to Public Art in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Art In Public Places, Bend, Oregon|url= http://artinpublicplaces.org/history.php |publisher=Art in Public Places|access-date=2 November 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509071110/http://artinpublicplaces.org/history.php |archive-date=9 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pillar of art|url=http://artinpublicplaces.org/files/VisitBend-RndAbtmap.pdf |publisher=Art in Public Places|access-date=2 November 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131103202747/http://artinpublicplaces.org/files/VisitBend-RndAbtmap.pdf |archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Fuerteventura]], Canary Islands (Spain); Local government displayed sculptures at several roundabouts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fuerteventura, art on the roads: roundabouts as galleries|date= 2 July 2012 |url= http://robertoalborghetti.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/art-on-the-roads-roundabouts-as-galleries-my-days-in-fuerteventura-5/ |publisher=Roberto Alborghetti|access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref>
* Many countries in Europe (France first,<ref>{{google maps|url=https://www.panoramio.com/map/?group=13339#lt=47.334499&ln=2.209236&z=11&k=0&a=1&tab=6&pl=all|title=Photographs of French roundabouts}}</ref> but also Germany,<ref name="North_Europe">{{google maps|url=https://www.panoramio.com/map/?group=13339#lt=50.912865&ln=10.075447&z=11&k=0&a=1&tab=6&pl=all |title=Roundabout photographs from The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria}}</ref> Austria,<ref name="North_Europe"/> Italy,<ref>{{google maps|url= https://www.panoramio.com/map/?group=13339#lt=42.710044&ln=11.261970&z=11&k=0&a=1&tab=6&pl=all |title=Roundabout photographs from Italy}}</ref> Spain,<ref>{{google maps|url= https://www.panoramio.com/map/?group=13339#lt=39.938544&ln=-3.239983&z=11&k=0&a=1&tab=6&pl=all |title=Roundabout photographs from Spain}}</ref> and others<ref name="North_Europe"/>) show the widespread use of roundabouts as art installations.<ref name="Panoramio_Roundabouts">{{cite web|title=Unusual road roundabouts: artistic, and otherwise. A collection of more than 2000 photographs, by almost 200 amateur photographers, from all over the world|url=https://www.panoramio.com/group/roundabouts|work=Panoramio: Roundabouts|publisher=www.panoramio.com|access-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103061756/http://www.panoramio.com/group/roundabouts|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roundabout / Kreisverkehr – streets with a roundabout / Straßen mit einem Kreisverkehr|newspaper=Flickr |url=https://www.flickr.com/groups/350203@N21/|publisher=www.flickr.com|access-date=2 November 2013|language=en, de}}</ref>
* An inventory of roundabouts in France, made by Marc Lescuyer, listed 3,328 roundabouts with artistic decor early in 2010.<ref name="Panoramio_Roundabouts"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Inventory of French roundabouts|url= http://www.marclescuyer.fr/textesrp/pagetype.htm |publisher=Marc Lescuyer|access-date=1 January 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081111032348/http://www.marclescuyer.fr/textesrp/pagetype.htm |archive-date=11 November 2008}}</ref>
* The [[Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara|Minerva Roundabout]] in [[Guadalajara]], Mexico, is one of the city's most famous monuments. It features the goddess [[Minerva]] standing on a pedestal, surrounded by a large fountain, with an inscription saying "Justice, wisdom and strength guard this loyal city".
* Several famous monuments in Europe, such as the [[Puerta de Alcalá|Gate of Alcalá]] in [[Madrid]], Spain or the [[Arc du Triomphe]] in [[Paris]], France, have been isolated from street traffic by means of a roundabout.
* The [[Garces Memorial Circle]] in [[Bakersfield, California]] contains a statue to Father [[Francisco Garces]].
* In the [[Philippines]], the town of [[Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay]] has an Obelisk containing art and the [[Baybayin]] script.