Custom Driving Simulation of Modeled Roundabout

Planned for 2027, JMT proposed and designed a one-lane roundabout at Route 46 and New Road in Mahoning County, OH, where a traffic light now controls traffic. According to the latest traffic survey, more than 18,000 cars and trucks travel that stretch of road each day. JMT designed the roundabout to accommodate large trucks and farm equipment and will include a “truck apron." According to ODOT, Roundabouts are a proven design to reduce crashes by more than 48%, and serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 80% when compared to a signalized intersection. 

The Ohio driving simulation is an innovative project designed to enhance road safety and improve driver education. The simulation uses a Nearmap reality capture of the intersection, overlaid with a Bentley OpenRoads model of the roundabout and incorporates AI simulated traffic. This realistic representation helps users experience the new traffic pattern and roundabout navigation before it is constructed, promoting safer driving habits. The interactive design includes rules for safe navigation, such as maintaining a safe speed, yielding to traffic, and merging lanes correctly.

This project is part of a broader initiative to leverage AR/VR technologies for digital delivery, allowing users to interact with data in a natural and intuitive way. The Ohio driving simulation not only serves as a valuable tool for driver education but also demonstrates the potential of digital simulations in improving road safety and infrastructure planning.