Circles = greener traffic flow

I came across on article run in the recent TIME Magazine, which extols the value of the little traffic circle. In the article were a number of pluses to the traffic circle, of particular interest to me where the environmental impacts.

No idling time therefore less travelling time and less congestion. This combination gives rise to less emissions. Obvious power benefits as well give that there is no longer a need for traffic lights.

In terms of the figures quoted in the article:

10 traffic circles in Virginia cut petrol consumption by 760 000 litres as a result of no more idling, this in turn cut emissions by about 42%.

These figures are staggering and certainly make the case for traffic circles in dense traffic areas.