56 replies to this topic

[renamerusk]

In the spirit of good humor, I take it that you might enjoy watching this  -

 

" One year:Nine crashes".

 

 

But the facts are pretty persuasive in favor of the life and injury saving reasons as well as the budgetary and upkeep reasons to incorporate more of these traffic designs in urban areas

 

https://www.wsdot.wa...ts/benefits.htm

[Electricron]

Interesting argument. Every accident in the video was caused by someone running a stop light. 
That is inattentive driving at its worse. How do traffic circles affect inattentive drivers? If a driver is not going to slow down for a light, what makes them slow down for a circle?

[renamerusk]

First there isn't a red light to run or speed thru a yellow light. 

 

Second, the roundabout or traffic circle forces the driver to slow down.

 

Third, drivers in a roundabout or traffic circle are very attentive.

 

Fourth, roundabouts and traffic circle do not have blind spots.

 

The most likely thing to happen in a roundabout or a traffic circle is a side and not a head on or 90 degree collision that doubles force of impact by 2X (30mph collison becomes a 60 mph impact collision if each vehicle is being driven at speed; and if one of the driver is speeding, impact collision is major and possibly fatal.

[Electricron]

First there isn't a red light to run or speed thru a yellow light. 

 

Second, the roundabout or traffic circle forces the driver to slow down.

 

Third, drivers in a roundabout or traffic circle are very attentive.

 

Fourth, roundabouts and traffic circle do not have blind spots.

 

The most likely thing to happen in a roundabout or a traffic circle is a side and not a head on or 90 degree collision that doubles force of impact by 2X (30mph collison becomes a 60 mph impact collision if each vehicle is being driven at speed; and if one of the driver is speeding, impact collision is major and possibly fatal.

Most drivers approaching stop lights are also very attentive. Drivers approaching a red light should be slowing down. Drivers approaching a yellow light should be slowing down. Drivers that will speed through a light are also going to speed through a yield sign. The only valid point you made was the lack of head on collisions - assuming the drivers decide to go counter clockwise around a circle. But not everyone will, you will find some deciding to go clockwise around the circle because they are lost - head on into traffic.  Additionally, circles can have stop lights as well if there is too much traffic.  If everyone would follow the signs and lights as they are supposed to, there would be no need for circles.

[renamerusk]

....If everyone would follow the signs and lights as they are supposed to, there would be no need for circles.

 

 "And you put your trust entirely in the what others are to supposed to do?"

 

 Occasionally, we have to think rationally.

 

 An effort to eliminate head on collisions is justification enough for the roundabout/traffic circle (RATC)...No brainer!

 

So beyond that goal, are the additional needs for society to reduce pollution, save energy, use its public safety departments more effectively,  reduce the bureaucracy associated with vehicle accidents, control the rising costs of insurance, mitigate the residual impact to other motorists not involved in the accident (backups/delays), etc.

 

It is remarkable how facts and opinions changed before and after a RATC is implemented in a traffic network -

 

https://www.wsdot.wa...ts/benefits.htm

 

https://www.wsdot.wa...uts/opinion.htm

[youngalum]

I was in Manhattan Kansas this weekend for the TCU game.  That city has gone roundabout crazy as they are everywhere.  Even with 50k people leaving the stadium roundabouts circle the stadium in every direction. No issues anywhere that I saw.

 

I love roundabouts   

[Doohickie]

One thing roundabouts are good at is dealing with "rush hour" type traffic where the majority of the traffic is moving in one direction.  I can imagine it would make leaving the stadium far more efficient than waiting for traffic lights (like around AT&T stadium.... took me an hour and a half to get away from the stadium after a Cowboys game).