Roundabout in Texas?

In Pearland, which borders our little town of Friendswood to the north, a new intersection of suburban feeder roads features a traffic circle. I've driven it a few times and thought it odd that designers would include one. I generally don't like traffic circles because changing lanes to get off the circle is so difficult. I still recall a circle in Alexandria, LA, with shudders.
So when I read an article that noted the increase in 'roundabouts' in the U.S., I took note. These modern roundabouts are different enough from the traditional traffic circle that transportation departments are urging their adoption. Alaska Roundabouts has some great graphics that explain what these designs entail.