The rise of the modern roundabout.

[xcel]

Hi All:

___Probably not Front page newsworthy but the story was a great read nonetheless. For those interested in lower traffic congestion that is

Time, fuel and environment saver. What is not to love?

Alice Rawsthorn - International Herald Tribune - Aug. 19, 2007

The "give way before entry" principle became law in the UK in 1966, and hundreds of roundabouts were built. The most ambitious program was in the new town of Milton Keynes. Inspired by the ideas of the Californian urbanist Melvin Webber, it was designed for car owners. The roads were built on a grid with 130 roundabouts and only five sets of traffic signals. (Campbell Park Roundabout in Milton Keynes, UK)

LONDON: When it comes to good design, what could be better than something that's more efficient than the alternatives, requires minimal maintenance, uses less energy, looks better and is not only safer, but more popular, too?

What is this design paragon? A whizzy new digital device? A hybrid car? An eco-home? No. It's something that millions of us use every day, usually without noticing, and certainly without thinking of its design merits. It's a roundabout: one of those circular road intersections that are a routine feature of driving in Europe and, increasingly, in the United States and Canada, too.

Let's be clear about the type of roundabout that we're discussing. Not the tiny "mini-roundabouts" that pop up like pimples in the middle of roads. Nor the enormous traffic circles where approaching vehicles have priority, often causing equally enormous traffic jams. They're what are called "modern roundabouts" where drivers wait for gaps in the traffic before entering. Their success in reducing congestion and accidents makes them not only remarkably efficient at managing traffic, but also unsung design stars.

Modern roundabouts have been popular in Britain since the 1950s and were adopted by other European countries during the 1980s and 1990s. More recently, they've been introduced, initially on a trial basis, to the United States and Canada. Those trials have proved so successful, not least in dispelling drivers' fears of the strange circular junctions - remember when "The Simpsons" visited Britain only to find themselves driving around and around one? - That many more roundabouts are now being built.

When construction started, there was a quite an outpouring of concern," said Tom Adriance, highway superintendent of Malta, a town in upstate New York, where five roundabouts were recently completed and another seven are planned. "It was something new, and people were nervous. But as they've gotten used to the roundabouts, they've realized the benefits. The traffic moves quicker and flows pretty freely; very rarely is there any type of stacking or backup. Who wants to sit at a red light for two or three minutes?"

The success of the modern roundabout's design is rooted partly in its structure and partly in its ability to modify motorists' behavior by encouraging them to drive more slowly and considerately. It dates from the early 1900s, when William Phelps Eno designed Columbus Circle in New York as a "gyratory traffic circle" where vehicles drove around a central island. Across the Atlantic, his archrival, Eugène Hénard, was developing a similar idea around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris … [Read More]

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I was really intrigued by the "roundabout" system in London when I was there during my honeymoon, and really excited when I found two in MN -- unfortunately they are off the beaten path for me and do absolutely no good for my commutes.

If they just had these instead of all the 4 way stops and the traffic lights along the route to and from work... I'd be one happy camper!!!

[TheForce]

I never learned about runabouts in traffic school so I have no idea on how to use one properly. I did however find a description on wikipedia and it had a nice animated gif of the whole process. After seeing that animation I know that it would not be a good idea around where I live. With all the crazy drivers around here a runabout would be a great place to see a demolition derby.

[ILAveo]

I like them, but property developers don't because they take a little more space than a typical 4-way stop or traffic light intersection.

[roadrunner]

We have one roundabout nearby, was built a year ago. Very efficient IMO.
I really dislike 4 way stops. Were I live there are very few 4 way stops. My visit to Georgia they were everywhere. I hate having to stop at each intersection.

[sno779]

I think the traffic circle is a step in the right direction. I also think the federal government should impose laws on local and state DOTs when designing new and upgrading existing roadways and intersections to allow for the least fuel consumption, pollution and congestion. The traffic system doesn't need a major overhaul, just minor changes. The traffic circle is great for smaller intersections as you no longer need to stop. Every stop consumes more fuel, adds more pollution and backs up traffic. Another small change would be to allow turns on green lights, when traffic allows, without waiting for a green arrow. Another would be intown freeways that are either over or under the cross roads, not over one then under the next. I'm sure there are many more ways the "government" can save fuel in my car with out me feeling like "big brother" is trying to run my life......Louis

[MnFocus]

Minnesota has one of these roundabouts at the I35/Medford exit . Actually kind of fun watching people get confused and drive endless circles !

[laurieaw]

back in the day, when i started driving, there was one in robbinsdale, mn, by the hospital. i can't remember when they replaced it.

there is now one under consideration just outside the industrial park i work in. when i started theree 10 years ago, it was surrounded by fields and farms. since then houses have overtaken everything, but the only road out of the park has not been upgraded. now they are planning some more developmental, probably retail, and are mentioning this as a way to relieve the traffic, which right now is HORRIBLE! i am all for it.

[diamondlarry]

When I went to visit my grandpa in Angola, IN yesterday, their main square is a roudabout. I was glad it was a fairly small town as it kind of seemed like it was everyone for themselves.

[mparrish]

Roundabouts are everywhere in Massachusetts, which explains all of the courteous, cautious driving in that area

I have a round-a-bout on my commute here. They are not common in Texas, and it shows.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v...5511&encType=1

Two lanes enter from the east, but only one lane from the west (it's designed to allow traffic to circle back). Almost like clockwork, I'll be going west every evening in the right lane, and some yahoo in the left will speed up, merge into the rotary, realize he screwed up and can't keep going straight cause he's in the circle back left lane, try to get over, but can't cause I'm in mid glide and coming on through .

If I've got a lot of traffic ahead of me, I'll start my glide WAYYY too soon & slow, knowing that the mess ahead of me won't get cleared out for sometime. At times that glide will literally go to zero cause of the mass confusion.