highthief

THIS!

Or stopping at a stop sign for no reason other than there might be a cop in the vicinity.

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Spiritsoar

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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inBOIL

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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ShaniFaye

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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aberkok

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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ASU2003

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.

MSD

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.
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.
A traffic circle is not a roundabout! Roundabouts are a very specific type of traffic circle.
The circle should have truck aprons, usually made of brick or concrete, for trucks that can't make it completely around.
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.

Charlatan

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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savmesom11

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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Xerxys

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.

dlish

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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chinese crested

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.

dlish

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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filtherton

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.

dlish

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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MSD

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

Lindy

In the USA, traffic entering the roundabout is on your right.

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.
Could we also apply this to any motorcycle that can be heard from more than a block away?

Lindy

Midnightskyline

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...