INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis drivers are about to get schooled in the fine art of the roundabout.

A traffic pattern that's become popular in Carmel, the circular intersections ease traffic congestion and are said to be better for the environment and easier on vehicles.

"Number one, roundabouts save lives," Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said. "And (they) save injuries and save property damage. We're experiencing about an 80 percent decrease in injury accidents when comparing a roundabout intersection to a stop light intersection at the same traffic time."

The Department of Public Works plans to install six roundabouts in Marion County over the next two years.

The six roundabout locations are: Edgewood Avenue at McFarland Road, Edgewood at Gray Road, German Church Road at 42nd and 46th streets, Spring Mill Road and 91st Street, and Five Points Road at Thompson Road.

Ahead of the traffic change, DPW will visit neighborhoods to educate drivers about navigating the circular intersections, identifying signs and sharing the road with bicyclists.

Warren and Lawrence townships

• 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 -- Knights of Columbus, 4332 German Church Road

Pike and Washington townships

• 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24 -- Nora Branch Library, 8625 Guilford Ave.

Perry and Franklin townships

• 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 -- Franklin Road Branch Library, 5550 S. Franklin Road

Center Township

• 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 -- The Athenaeum, Damenverein Room, 401 E. Michigan St.

Wayne and Decatur townships

• 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 2 -- Decatur Branch Library, 5301 Kentucky Ave.

Many Indianapolis residents are familiar with roundabouts, such as Joe Tilford, who lives at the corner of Five Points and Thompson, where one of the new roundabouts will be built.

Tilford said he thinks roundabouts are effective, but he is not crazy about the choice of the Five Points and Thompson location.

"They're going to take part of my property, for one thing," Tilford said. "It's going to make it harder for me to get in and out, as if it isn't hard already."

Kara Brooks, with DPW, said improved safety is absolutely a highlight of the roundabouts.

"These roundabouts are definitely designed to improve safety," Brooks said. "We definitely want to make sure our residents are getting to and from their destination in a safe manner."

Tilford said even with the statistics on roundabout safety, he's a little wary about having a roundabout so close to home.

"I'd rather not have the traffic going so fast around that roundabout as opposed to stopping and going and all that," he said. "I mean, I have enough accidents at this corner as it is."

More information about roundabouts being installed in Indianapolis can be found here.