Roundabouts such as this one in Medford, Minn., help ease traffic congestion at the exit of I-35 in the outlet mall area. Roundabouts, speed tables and landscaped medians are among the methods used to reduce traffic speed. (Jodi M. O'Shaughnessy/Post-Bulletin)

A six-year study of Rochester streets verifies what many drivers already suspect: Accidents are more prone to occur at certain intersections. Traffic engineers and police will use the report that will be released later this year to help make streets safer. In this series, Post-Bulletin staff writers Jan Gregorson and Jeffrey Pieters look at traffic problems in Rochester and the ways officials and residents are trying to solve them.

PART ONE
South Broadway intersection is city's most dangerous
Rochester has been a mainstay in surveys ranking quality of life. When Money magazine started listing the nation's best places to live back in 1993, Rochester won prime mention, and on several occasions was chosen the best place to live in the United States.

City viewed as sluggish when it comes to teen programs
Since developing a passion for skateboarding, Andy Armstrong has known the joy of being hectored and hounded all over Rochester.

Accidents take huge financial toll
An ice skating rink in Byron, a Police Athletic League in Rochester and new playground equipment at a Stewartville park have at least two things in common. One is obvious. The other is less apparent.

Cameras keep traffic moving
An ice skating rink in Byron, a Police Athletic League in Rochester and new playground equipment at a Stewartville park have at least two things in common. One is obvious. The other is less apparent.

The quest for safety never ends
An ice skating rink in Byron, a Police Athletic League in Rochester and new playground equipment at a Stewartville park have at least two things in common. One is obvious. The other is less apparent.

Study helps identify causes of accidents
An ice skating rink in Byron, a Police Athletic League in Rochester and new playground equipment at a Stewartville park have at least two things in common. One is obvious. The other is less apparent.

PART TWO
Neighbors get traffic to slow down
Most of us, at one time or another, have complained about traffic in our neighborhoods. A few Rochester residents have done something about it.

Neighbors work together on speeding problem
There is a big bump in the road in front of Becky Britton's house on Fox Valley Drive in southwest Rochester, but she isn't calling city hall to come fix it.

Oswald's guide to getting things heard
To would-be neighborhood saviors and other influencers of public policy, North Park neighborhood leader Bill Oswald has found a few simple practices that work well.

Roadway design strategy evolves
Rochester's six-year traffic accident study, to be released soon, measures the relative safety of every significant intersection in the city.

Tickets get speeders' attention
Steve Thompson puts the laser speed gun up to his eye and clocks a van going 35 miles an hour on a city street.

Technician reveals meaning of pedestrian crossing signs
It never fails. The walk sign comes on, but as soon as you step off the curb to cross the street, the sign starts flashing "DON'T WALK."

To comment on this series, contact City Editor Dick Crawford at dcrawford@postbulletin.com or call 285-7713.