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Old 11-11-2009, 06:22 PM   #41 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cyklone View Post
I hate sitting waiting at bloody traffic lights when there is nothing coming the other way.
THIS!

Or stopping at a stop sign for no reason other than there might be a cop in the vicinity.
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Old 11-11-2009, 07:55 PM   #42 (permalink)
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The only real roundabout that I've had trouble with is the one around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. That place is nuts.
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Old 11-11-2009, 10:26 PM   #43 (permalink)
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I'm ok with roundabouts, as long as they don't do them half-assed and just put an island in the middle of a 4-way stop. Turning left becomes an adventure when the guy coming the other way can't see you signal because there's a big fuckin' tree in the way.
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Old 11-12-2009, 03:46 AM   #44 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by SSJTWIZTA View Post
i see roundabouts all the time in these old Georgia towns. usually they circle right around the courthouse.

they seem as if they have been there for YEARS.

but, still, i hate them. i would like to turn left to get to where im going instead of doing a full circle. It's a pain in the ass.

every time i go into blakely, colquitt, cuthbert, abbeville, etc. it seems as if the building i need is always just to my left. so i turn right, drive the circle...sharking the courthouse, until i circle back around to my destination.

left: 4 second journey.
roundabout: 1 minute.
I guess those are roundabouts, I never thought of them that way, so I've been driving in those for 25 years lol

That thing I had to drive in up in Dawsonville was totally different lol
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Old 11-12-2009, 04:53 AM   #45 (permalink)
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Baraka Guru, isn't there a tiny one near your apartment?

I say, forget about managing traffic by building more things: tax cars more heavily.
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Old 11-12-2009, 03:21 PM   #46 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Spiritsoar View Post
The only real roundabout that I've had trouble with is the one around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. That place is nuts.
I agree. The Arc de Triomphe one is crazy and there are bicyclists riding in the middle of it all. At least the pedestrians get sent under it.

I have to go through a roundabout on my 1/2 mile commute to work. I'm glad that I don't need to stop. And it was the right thing to put in. After wasting 20 minutes sitting at lights today, I appreciate them on lightly travelled roads.

In West Vegas there are some roundabouts that I didn't appreciate. In Australia, it was fun remembering to always go the wrong way around it (and to get out in the left lane). In Europe, it was half trying to figure out where you are trying to go and being a tourist at the same time.
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Old 11-12-2009, 03:22 PM   #47 (permalink)
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From a traffic engineer in the US
- Roundabouts are safer than either signals or stop signs, UNLESS you're a bicyclist or pedestrian.
- Roundabouts work best when traffic volumes are distributed evenly among the approaches.
- Roundabouts can only be used on relatively flat terrain.
- Roundabouts can't handle as many cars as a signal. When a roundabout gets congested, it acts as a de facto four-way stop.

I'd say that roundabouts are generally preferable to four-way stops, but there are several conditions that would interdict their use. They're also excellent for traffic calming (slowing people down), acting as a transition between a freeway and a local road, and solving accident problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PonyPotato View Post
Roundabouts are actually practical with different types of traffic, Baraka (and the rest of you). Small roundabouts are ideal for intersections where there is a large flow of traffic on one of the roads, and lighter traffic on the other road.
This is the opposite of what you want. If the volumes differ greatly, it's more efficient to grade separate the approaches and build an interchange.
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Originally Posted by BadNick View Post
roundabouts...errr, they call them "traffic circles" around here and they are slowly disappearing
A traffic circle is not a roundabout! Roundabouts are a very specific type of traffic circle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bagatelle View Post
They've been building them everywhere here in Finland as well. The problem is, in many places they are too small and it causes trouble for long vehicles. Otherwise I like them, they make difficult crossings easier to get through than traffic lights. But our traffic is very modest compared to other countries.
The circle should have truck aprons, usually made of brick or concrete, for trucks that can't make it completely around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiritsoar View Post
The only real roundabout that I've had trouble with is the one around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. That place is nuts.
That's because there are no approach or lane markings. Locals tend to have no problem, but if your'e not familiar, don't bother.
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Old 11-12-2009, 04:45 PM   #48 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aberkok View Post
Baraka Guru, isn't there a tiny one near your apartment?

I say, forget about managing traffic by building more things: tax cars more heavily.
I can safely say that taxing cars more heavily does offer a way of managing traffic but it does not get rid of it.

I live in a place that has a tax on the purchase of cars that amounts to 100% of the purchase price. In addition to this, fuel is expensive and many of the roads are toll roads (all cars must have a transponder so that when they drive under a gantry it charges them automatically). Owning a car here is *really* expensive.

The Suzuki Swift that I owned in Toronto cost me about C$21,000 (more or less). Here, that same car goes for S$52,000 (about C$40,000).

With all of that, there is still a heck of a lot of traffic on the roads.

That said, we also have a great transit system and more taxis per capita than any other country.
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Old 11-12-2009, 05:08 PM   #49 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by warrrreagl View Post
Some goofbag thought it would be cute and quaint to start adding roundabouts in America, and the accursed things are starting to pop up everywhere.

I'm sure roundabouts make sense when Sir Ian McFellow-Poofty-Blather-Hawhaw is tooling slowly around in his Aston-Martin in lovely auld St. Martin-on-the-Hyphen, but they just don't work when Billy Joe Ray Bob, Gumercindo Vasquez, Shaquinta Shashaqua Jefferson, Tiffany Brittney, and a soccer mom all get there at the same time while doing 40 over the speed limit and talking on cellphones.

I'm sure roundabouts work well where they're plentiful, but they're popping up randomly all over the Southern US, and it's getting ridiculous. I mean, you're just driving along, minding your own business, and going through the intersections - stop sign, traffic light, traffic light, stop sign, traffic light, stop sign, stop sign, roundabout....roundabout??? WTF?!?!?!?!?!

And they're never placed where they really should go - heavy traffic areas. They're always stuck randomly out in some little neighborhood (because you just KNOW somebody thought it would increase the re-sale value of the homes in the area), and they're crouching there waiting for some hapless drunk driver to plow right through the middle of it.

You have a brilliant mind! It was only 2 weeks ago I found myself uttering: "The architect genius who came up with the round-about can kiss my ass with his/her tongue out!"

Classy huh....

I dislike them alot.....
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Old 11-12-2009, 05:33 PM   #50 (permalink)
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It is my belief that driving on the left side of the road (keep left unless overtaking/passing) like in commonwealth countries is safer than on the right. Many will argue that it makes no difference, though.

I am yet to prove that. That and this is why I think roundabouts are also safer if they are practically implemented on 4-ways only.
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Old 07-20-2011, 08:55 PM   #51 (permalink)
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just wondering if you guys are still having trouble with your roundabouts.

are you guys used to them now? are they more prevalent?

has warrreagl blown one up yet?
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Old 07-21-2011, 12:06 AM   #52 (permalink)
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I think I came across the one near Oxford trying to get home from Brize Norton - I am not the best of navigators when faced with this mess that goes on for miles - realy is a horrible road to try and follow. Luckily I spotted one of those mobile speed camera do dahs, and got directions from the police manning it. I was probably their only happy customer of the day.
I dont know how you negotiate one of these
What do all those wriggles mean?
Perhaps the answer is to put one on top of each roundabout at least whilst people are learning to become accustomed to them - you could use failed dancers from the x factor - would lower unemployment. I am just not sure what that butt is trying to tell me, so it might be more difficult for me.
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Old 07-21-2011, 01:31 AM   #53 (permalink)
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roundabouts in australia are part of everyday suburban life. they're easy to negotiate and not as hard as people think.

I personally think they are an ingenious way of managing traffic, letting the flow of traffic proceed and slowing people down in certain areas such as residential areas and schools. I dont think that people comprehend or appreciate the thought that goes behind townplanning. I dont believe a municipality would plonk something in for the sake of it without having thoroughly thought out the reasons and consequences of its presence.
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Old 07-21-2011, 03:33 AM   #54 (permalink)
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I like them. There are only a few in my city. They make sense to me. Maybe it's kind of snobby of me, but I'd hope that if someone wasn't able to deal with a roundabout that they'd hand in their license.

A year or two ago, my city was redoing one of its lamer intersections and was planning on putting in a roundabout. Unfortunately, residents of the intersection's neighborhood complained about how difficult it was going to be to use. So the city just put in a normal stop light. Now, instead of being able to pass through this intersection at a speed dictated by traffic levels a la roundabout, drivers must submit to a one-way-at-a-time, super-long light at a five-way intersection. Thanks, roundabout nimbys.

Last edited by filtherton; 07-21-2011 at 09:33 AM..
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Old 07-21-2011, 05:54 AM   #55 (permalink)
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i dont understand whats so difficult really.. in the UK and most commonwealth countries you give way to those entering on your right...

in europe, the US, and most other nations you give way to cars entering on your left. Its a much more efficient way of dispensing traffic than a set of traffic lights and much cheaper to run and maintain. Your peeps need to hand in their cars as well.
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Old 07-21-2011, 08:01 AM   #56 (permalink)
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Still don't have any here, and people still refer to traffic circles as roundabouts. I've driven through a few over the years, and they're ridiculously simple: decide where you're going, find the arrow on the sign that points where you're going, and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

Yes, the real problem is American drivers. There's also a simple solution to that: retest everyone with stringent standards, give the top 30% of drivers special plates that give them exclusive access to the left/fast lane on highways, limit the next 50% to whatever lanes are left, and summarily execute the bottom 20% (or just revoke their licenses.)

But in all seriousness (the top 30% getting their own lane is serious,) saying "American drivers suck, they'll never understand roundabouts" is bullshit. Educate people on how they work and they'll figure it out. I've seen examples of videos and full-page newspaper ads explaining how major highway redesigns will work, they can work for roundabouts. In the meantime, enjoy the lower injury rate and reduced severity of accidents for drivers in the roundabouts.

And don't do this in areas where there aren't lights and striped arms for rail crossings
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Old 07-21-2011, 10:55 AM   #57 (permalink)
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Quote:
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...in europe, the US, and most other nations you give way to cars entering on your left. ...
In the USA, traffic entering the roundabout is on your right.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSD View Post
...and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
This is the way it is in the USA. Entering traffic yields to traffic already IN the roundabout. Just like on a regular highway, on-ramp traffic should yield to traffic already on the highway.

I like them. Cars don't have to come to a complete stop when traffic is light or nil. Signals and stop signs are not needed. There's no one jamming through the intersection at high speed to beat the yellow light...
And there are no left turns against traffic. People CAN learn new things. Yes, even American drivers.
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...and summarily execute the bottom 20% (or just revoke their licenses.)
Could we also apply this to any motorcycle that can be heard from more than a block away?

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Old 07-29-2011, 09:01 AM   #58 (permalink)
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I don't mean to get anyones backs up here, but I can't help myself on this one.

Roundabouts are everywhere in the UK, granted, so I don't know any different. However, I've probably driven over 10,000 miles in the US and the things I've seen in only that short time have scared me. Some people seem to do anything but concentrate on driving, while driving. Lane hogging? Not indicating? Doing their make up? Drinking coffee/96 fl oz double 7/11 double gulps, eating, on the phone all at the same time?

Roundabouts serve a purpose solely to get people to concentrate on what they're doing. Add to that the traffic flow benefits they provide, not to mention fuel economy benefits. Why stop at a red traffic light when you can slow to 15/20 mph, see its clear and drive on without coming to a stop? Plus you can put trees in the middle to make them look pretty They're awesome to ride around on a motorcycle, and if you have a powerful RWD car, in the wet they're good to get the back end out at a relatively slow, safe speed.

I found driving an automatic quite difficult, at first. So unnatural. Again, anything to get people to concentrate more on actually operating the car!

But I'm sure you'd all say the opposite and of course, as with everything, each to their own

One thing that confuses me is a rural road with a junction onto a highway/ US Route or SR with simply a T junction with stoplights. Why stop a whole 3/4/5 lane expressway to let a couple of cars out? Lazy planning and the fuel economy penalty is very heavy. Especially when everyone drives 5.0 V8 4 tonne pick ups...

Just messin...
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