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Traffic circles or roundabouts

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Frank Krygowski

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Aug 15, 2017, 1:05:28 PM8/15/17
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Traffic circles or roundabouts: Not all of them are good, that's for sure.

http://radio.wosu.org/post/dublin-built-traffic-circle-reduce-accidents-opposite-happened#stream/0

No mention of bikes. But the person who gave me the link dislikes them
for pedestrians.

Me, I think single lane ones are fine. Beyond one lane I begin to have
doubts.

--
- Frank Krygowski

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 15, 2017, 2:28:55 PM8/15/17
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Try riding a bicycle down Franklin Blvd. in Cambridge, Ontario sometime in the near future. They're in the process of putting in a roundabout wherever there used to be lights. That's going to have 12 rioundabouts within only a few miles. It's a main trucking route too. To make things even more interesting they have the pedestrian crossings located exactly where motor traffic is speeding up to exit the roundabout. To make things even better some idiot(s) decided that every roundabout should have a mound in the middle of it with plants on the mound so that you ca NOT see over the roundabout. there too accidents have increased. I avoid that route when riding through Cambridge Ontario these days.

Cheers

Duane

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Aug 15, 2017, 2:51:57 PM8/15/17
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Along my typical route to the office, there used to be a 4-way stop.
The road that I was crossing is an exist from highway 40 into the
technical park that I'm going through. They wanted to reduce traffic
accumulation at the stop sign so the put in a rotary.

It's a single lane and complete with the mound of shrubs and trees that
you describe. So now I get to pull into a rotary with traffic exiting a
freeway that can't see me. Lovely idea. An overpass from the highway
would have been a decent solution or even a traffic light. Or just let
the traffic be slowed at the original stop sign...

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 15, 2017, 4:27:28 PM8/15/17
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On 8/15/2017 2:51 PM, Duane wrote:
>
> Along my typical route to the office, there used to be a 4-way stop. The
> road that I was crossing is an exist from highway 40 into the technical
> park that I'm going through. They wanted to reduce traffic accumulation
> at the stop sign so the put in a rotary.
>
> It's a single lane and complete with the mound of shrubs and trees that
> you describe. So now I get to pull into a rotary with traffic exiting a
> freeway that can't see me. Lovely idea. An overpass from the highway
> would have been a decent solution or even a traffic light. Or just let
> the traffic be slowed at the original stop sign...

Aside from visibility, a well-designed rotary is supposed to have
entrance curves sharp enough that entrance speeds are low.

--
- Frank Krygowski

Doug Landau

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Aug 15, 2017, 5:00:51 PM8/15/17
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AMuzi

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Aug 15, 2017, 5:49:57 PM8/15/17
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In theory just about anything could be made work with enough
effort but in practice traffic loopies' curbs are black with
tire marks and chipped. I hate them as a car driver but I
fear them as a cyclist. I will ride a block or two extra to
avoid them.

They are an expensive unsightly antipersonnel device - a
sort of caltrops for taxpayers. Fie!

http://watchdog.org/186535/roundabout-wisconsin-dot-video/

http://watchdog.org/235660/traffic-roundabouts-wisconsin/


--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971


John B.

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Aug 15, 2017, 7:41:55 PM8/15/17
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As an alternative to a four way cross with stop lights I suspect it
allows a higher number of vehicles to pass in a given period of time,
although I admit that I've never stood on the corner and counted them.

I've also noticed in a number of cases that during rush hours access
to, or perhaps that might better read exit from, in some circles is
restricted so that one can either turn left (here, right in your case)
or go straight but not go around the circle further enough to turn in
the opposite direction or make a "U" turn.

That might seem to defeat the intent of the circle but in at least one
case there are police stationed there during rush hours so it appears
that they, at least, believe it is useful.
--
Cheers,

John B.

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 15, 2017, 8:22:36 PM8/15/17
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The ones hereabouts are so narrow that transport trucks have to use both of the two lanes in order to navigate the roundabout. Frequently a transport truck gets stuck in the roundabout and boy does that back up traffic. Then there are the ones where the bicyclist enters on the right but needs the inner lane in order to go straight along the road when that road exists theroundabout but can NOT get over in the short distance that the roundabout has. Themn the bicyclist is forced to exit onto a different road and then has to make a U-turn in order to get back onto the road that they're travelling along.

One other thing about roundabouts in rush hour isthat there is no brak in th traffic flow and thus getting across the road the roundabout is on is extremely hard to do when that cross-road is a block or two away from that roundabout.

Oh, I was toold that one is NOT supposed to change lanes whilst they are IN the roundabout. However I see cars doing that or trying to do that everyday.

One last thing. In heavy rush hour traffic I see many cars backed up along a road leading to the roundabout. Again that's because there is no break in the traffic coming along aother busier road into that roundabout. A roundabout seems to work kay in low volume traffic conditions but the ones here at rush hour are a nightmare to negotiate in a car never mind on a bicycle.

To avoid roundabouts in this region one must ride MANY miles out of their way. Sometimes you just can`t avoid a roundabout.

Cheers

Radey Shouman

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Aug 15, 2017, 9:30:51 PM8/15/17
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I don't mind rotaries that are small enough that traffic moves at a
small multiple of bicycle speed; there are a few that I use regularly.
Big ones with multiple lanes, where one is really required to change
lanes in and out, I don't much like driving or biking.

They do kind of suck for pedestrians, for the same reason they're good
for traffic: No requirement to stop, so no standing phase to take
advantage of. Painted crosswalks do little good, let a ped go and the
devil to your left (right in Ireland) steals your turn to go.

--

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 15, 2017, 10:54:50 PM8/15/17
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On 8/15/2017 5:00 PM, Doug Landau wrote:
> On Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 1:27:28 PM UTC-7, Frank Krygowski wrote:
>> On 8/15/2017 2:51 PM, Duane wrote:
>>>
>>> Along my typical route to the office, there used to be a 4-way stop. The
>>> road that I was crossing is an exist from highway 40 into the technical
>>> park that I'm going through. They wanted to reduce traffic accumulation
>>> at the stop sign so the put in a rotary.
>>>
>>> It's a single lane and complete with the mound of shrubs and trees that
>>> you describe. So now I get to pull into a rotary with traffic exiting a
>>> freeway that can't see me. Lovely idea. An overpass from the highway
>>> would have been a decent solution or even a traffic light. Or just let
>>> the traffic be slowed at the original stop sign...
>>
>> Aside from visibility, a well-designed rotary is supposed to have
>> entrance curves sharp enough that entrance speeds are low.
>>
>> --
>> - Frank Krygowski
>
> It's a roundabout

I really should look up the differences (if any) between "rotary" and
"roundabout" and "traffic circle."

I'm sure by posting this, some kind soul will give me the link! ;-)


--
- Frank Krygowski

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 15, 2017, 11:01:19 PM8/15/17
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On 8/15/2017 5:49 PM, AMuzi wrote:
> On 8/15/2017 3:27 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
>> On 8/15/2017 2:51 PM, Duane wrote:
>>>
>>> Along my typical route to the office, there used to be a
>>> 4-way stop. The road that I was crossing is an exist from
>>> highway 40 into the technical park that I'm going
>>> through. They wanted to reduce traffic accumulation at
>>> the stop sign so the put in a rotary.
>>>
>>> It's a single lane and complete with the mound of shrubs
>>> and trees that you describe. So now I get to pull into a
>>> rotary with traffic exiting a freeway that can't see me.
>>> Lovely idea. An overpass from the highway would have been
>>> a decent solution or even a traffic light. Or just let
>>> the traffic be slowed at the original stop sign...
>>
>> Aside from visibility, a well-designed rotary is supposed to
>> have entrance curves sharp enough that entrance speeds are low.
>>
>
> In theory just about anything could be made work with enough effort but
> in practice traffic loopies' curbs are black with tire marks and
> chipped. I hate them as a car driver but I fear them as a cyclist. I
> will ride a block or two extra to avoid them.

I actually like the single lane ones. Much smoother traffic flow, less
delay, no senseless sitting at a red light for imaginary cross traffic,
no worry about tripping a detector to get a green.

But as a cyclist, it helps to be confident and willing to instruct
motorists. Again, I give a palm-out "stop" sign to any motorist who
looks like they may not yield before entering. So far on the two in my
riding area, it's worked like a charm.

--
- Frank Krygowski

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 15, 2017, 11:06:50 PM8/15/17
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The pedestrian advocate I mentioned wants HAWK beacons at roundabouts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAWK_beacon


--
- Frank Krygowski

David Scheidt

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Aug 15, 2017, 11:22:34 PM8/15/17
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Frank Krygowski <frkr...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

:I really should look up the differences (if any) between "rotary" and
:"roundabout" and "traffic circle."

Basic difference: roundabouts are designed by traffic engineers.
Traffic circles are not designed, merely built by ocelots sniffing
glue.

--
It makes me feel good knowing that with extensive training, weight
loss and a large capital expenditure, I can fly further than a
flightless chicken. -- Jay Beattie.

David Scheidt

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Aug 15, 2017, 11:33:26 PM8/15/17
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AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
:On 8/15/2017 3:27 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
:> On 8/15/2017 2:51 PM, Duane wrote:
:>>
:>> Along my typical route to the office, there used to be a
:>> 4-way stop. The road that I was crossing is an exist from
:>> highway 40 into the technical park that I'm going
:>> through. They wanted to reduce traffic accumulation at
:>> the stop sign so the put in a rotary.
:>>
:>> It's a single lane and complete with the mound of shrubs
:>> and trees that you describe. So now I get to pull into a
:>> rotary with traffic exiting a freeway that can't see me.
:>> Lovely idea. An overpass from the highway would have been
:>> a decent solution or even a traffic light. Or just let
:>> the traffic be slowed at the original stop sign...
:>
:> Aside from visibility, a well-designed rotary is supposed to
:> have entrance curves sharp enough that entrance speeds are low.
:>

:In theory just about anything could be made work with enough
:effort but in practice traffic loopies' curbs are black with
:tire marks and chipped. I hate them as a car driver but I
:fear them as a cyclist. I will ride a block or two extra to
:avoid them.

:They are an expensive unsightly antipersonnel device - a

They're cheaper than a signalized intersection. They take up less
space.

But yeah, they can suck for pedestrians and cyclists.



--
sig 88

Doug Landau

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:17:27 AM8/16/17
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My point is, my friend, that most are content to simply call it a roundabout, and all know what a roundabout is, and if you are using rotary in order to be correct where you feel that roundabout is not, or is less so, then you should in fact be writing "rotary intersection".
I don't see why dropping the second word is any less of a foul than calling a derailer a derailleur, or a tissue a kleenex.

So there!

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 16, 2017, 2:13:07 AM8/16/17
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Hereabouts they're putting roundabouts in where there are/were traffic signal intersections. therefore the roundabouts aren't cheaper hereabouts. Roundabouts hereabouts are also have a larger footprint than did the intersections the roundabouts replaced.

Thus the area is spending big bucks to create things that don't work for all users as well as the trafic signals intersections did.

Trying to cross a street below or above the roundabout is playing Russian Roulette in traffic.

Cheers

John B.

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Aug 16, 2017, 2:49:13 AM8/16/17
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I * think* that it does allow a higher traffic flow, at least one of
my routes in Phuket sort of ends at a 4 way roundabout and trying to
get across the road to start back home takes far longer there are
basically two highways that are being routed into one 4 lane road and
if there is a space in the traffic coming from the east it is
immediately filled with a car from the north, and a space in traffic
from the north is immediately filled with a car from the east.
--
Cheers,

John B.

Duane

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Aug 16, 2017, 6:17:12 AM8/16/17
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My first encounter with these was in Boston. We didn't have them in New
Orleans. In Boston most people called them rotaries.

--
duane

avag...@gmail.com

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Aug 16, 2017, 9:33:20 AM8/16/17
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Andy has a design in his immediate area of ..... 3 or 4 circles linked on either side of a major 4 lane.

locate n post with Goo Maps ?

in Fla, roads are developed past future building swamps ...leading to a circle outback n unlit. Elmore Leonard ....

With the GT van we use the bull approach where we go straight in to the last turn n brake. I do not do that with garbage trucks. Pushy small cars are let thru after you thanks.

I haven't come across a circle accident or a report thereof...have yawl ?


Radey Shouman

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Aug 16, 2017, 10:13:13 AM8/16/17
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David Scheidt <dsch...@panix.com> writes:

> Frank Krygowski <frkr...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> :I really should look up the differences (if any) between "rotary" and
> :"roundabout" and "traffic circle."
>
> Basic difference: roundabouts are designed by traffic engineers.
> Traffic circles are not designed, merely built by ocelots sniffing
> glue.

As far as I can tell, "rotary" is a New Englandism. They were mostly
built by fisher cats huffing ether.

--

Doug Landau

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Aug 16, 2017, 12:59:48 PM8/16/17
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And there is a Dunkin Donuts on every corner.

Duane

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:07:07 PM8/16/17
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Dunkin has its own language too. regular. Dark no sugar. etc.

Radey Shouman

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:17:02 PM8/16/17
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True. If, when giving directions, someone tells you to turn right at
Dunkies, just turn away and seek advice elsewhere.

--

Radey Shouman

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:18:25 PM8/16/17
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That was a shock: "regular" means too much sugar and some white stuff
that might be half & half. On the other hand, you don't have to order
in faux Italian.

--

Radey Shouman

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:29:27 PM8/16/17
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I had never seen nor heard of those. We do have a few new flashing
amber only signs at some pedestrian crossings, particularly MUP
intersections. HAWK sounds complicated, I don't think most of the
drivers I deal with would intuit the whole flashing red thing on the fly
(I'm not sure I would either). Turn arrows seem to befuddle quite a
few.

Not to mention, after HAWKing each crossing, you must be about 75% of
the way to a signal controlled intersection. In my uneducated mind, the
hierarchy in terms of speed, throughput, and complication is:

1. Uncontrolled intersection
2. Stop/yield sign intersection
3. Multi-way stop intersection
4. Rotary
5. Signal-controlled intersection
6. Freeway interchange

IMO rotaries are usually improvements on multi-way stops, but they don't
do well replacing large multi-lane signal-controlled intersections. I
have seen small rotaries replace intersections on less-traveled streets
primarily for traffic calming, which also seemed an improvement.

--

Duane

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Aug 16, 2017, 1:34:04 PM8/16/17
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Yeah, that's true. Ordering a medium coffee at Starbucks always gets me
a language lesson.

Graham

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Aug 16, 2017, 2:09:27 PM8/16/17
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"Radey Shouman" <sho...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:87mv6z7...@mothra.home...
Here in the UK roundabouts are common place and we have all grown up with them so they are just part of everyday cycling. I find it mildly amusing that most of you non-UK guys find them so challenging. Single lane versions pose no problems at all. Multi lane - up to 4 - can be a problem for the less competent or less fit cyclists. Otherwise if you are capable of a reasonable sprint and holding at least 20mph you can navigate even the multi lane variety without too much problem. There is a well established methodology for lane selection and transition and providing you adhere to it no problem. You are as fast as a car going round them and just behave like one and no one has any problems.

Multi lane roundabouts do however give more scope for idiots who can cause you problems whether you are in a car or on your bike. They are one of the very few times when I adopt Frank's control the lane approach as there are some drivers who will overtake you on the inside if you ride lane edge and then cut you up when they realise they are about to miss their exit. Unfortunately - and I am not a sexist - these are usually women who do not seem to be able to judge exactly how fast a cyclist is travelling. Lane centre is not however a protect all as the same drivers will overtake you on the outside and block you changing lanes as you approach your exit as they are exiting later. At least in this case you can go round one more time.

Graham.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

AMuzi

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Aug 16, 2017, 2:51:06 PM8/16/17
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That's odd. In NYC 'cawfee regala' is a splash of milk and a
dash of sugar. (blecchh)

AMuzi

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Aug 16, 2017, 2:52:16 PM8/16/17
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Don't forget my cohort who give directions such as, "Turn
North where the Purple Martin Gas used to be."

Radey Shouman

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Aug 16, 2017, 3:47:33 PM8/16/17
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Purple Martin Gas changed hands and names 3 or 4 times in the past
60 years, burned down, and has been replaced by a coffee shop (way
better than Dunkies)?

That would be Maine.

--

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 16, 2017, 3:48:24 PM8/16/17
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On 8/16/2017 1:18 PM, Radey Shouman wrote:
> Duane <duane....@group-upc.com> writes:
>
>> Dunkin has its own language too. regular. Dark no sugar. etc.
>
> That was a shock: "regular" means too much sugar and some white stuff
> that might be half & half. On the other hand, you don't have to order
> in faux Italian.

Huh. I thought that was Portuguese.

--
- Frank Krygowski

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 16, 2017, 4:02:49 PM8/16/17
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On 8/16/2017 2:13 AM, Sir Ridesalot wrote:
>
> Hereabouts they're putting roundabouts in where there are/were traffic signal intersections. therefore the roundabouts aren't cheaper hereabouts. Roundabouts hereabouts are also have a larger footprint than did the intersections the roundabouts replaced.
>
> Thus the area is spending big bucks to create things that don't work for all users as well as the trafic signals intersections did.
>
> Trying to cross a street below or above the roundabout is playing Russian Roulette in traffic.

The one they installed near me is at an intersection of two two-lane
collector streets that formerly had a traffic light. The east-west
direction clotted up terribly at rush hour, and I had trouble with the
north-south route (part of my former bike commute route) due to the
traffic light system not detecting me. It also had some fair number of
crashes.

To fix the clotting, they would have had to widen the road to
accommodate turn lanes, plus increase the light's total cycle time by
providing left turn green time.

The roundabout works much better than the extra lanes and light cycles
would have, and has probably paid for itself already. (It's astonishing
how expensive traffic lights are!) And now that its been in place for a
few years, most motorists seem reasonably competent. (At first, many
came to dead stops and refused to enter until nobody was in sight.)

Other locations and situations may differ.

--
- Frank Krygowski

David Scheidt

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Aug 16, 2017, 4:09:41 PM8/16/17
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AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
:>

:Don't forget my cohort who give directions such as, "Turn
:North where the Purple Martin Gas used to be."

My grandmother did that. Except her references were all out of date
before she was born. And half of them she had wrong.



--
sig 91

avag...@gmail.com

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Aug 16, 2017, 4:50:27 PM8/16/17
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AMuzi

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Aug 16, 2017, 5:50:55 PM8/16/17
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On 8/16/2017 3:50 PM, avag...@gmail.com wrote:
> snow
>
> ice
>
> http://dailyreporter.com/wisconsin-roundabouts/
>

Those lucky bastards in Richland County have escaped the
dreaded traffic loopies.

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 16, 2017, 8:46:23 PM8/16/17
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They sure do! In this region many of the roundabouts replaced or are replacing intersections that had two lanes of traffic in each drection for a total of four traffic lanes per road. the right hand lane of many of these roads was a dedicated right turn lane. It was VERY EASY for a bicyclist to merge into the left through lane and continue etraight ahead. Now with these roundabouts having a steady stream of motor vehicles moving into them from the busier road, andf having detestable sight lines, it's extremely difficult for a bicyclist to get into the roundabout especially as often happens the traffic on the less busy road has to come to a stop anyway. The biggest problems I see with the roundabouts hereabouts is #1 they are too small and I mean far too small a diameter forthe volume of traffic they were intended to handle nd #2 the lousy sight lines puts ANY slow moving vehicle at risk of getting hit by a faster moving vehicle entering or acerating to leavethat roundabout. Drivers seem to think that they do NOT need to slow down at all ina roundabout.

Cheers

Tim McNamara

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Aug 16, 2017, 9:34:43 PM8/16/17
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On Tue, 15 Aug 2017 13:05:25 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkr...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Traffic circles or roundabouts: Not all of them are good, that's for
> sure.

Those are starting to be constructed locally. They're a pain in the ass
until everyone is used to them and knows how to drive them. But even
once drivers know how to deal with them, they are *always* a pain in the
ass to cyclists and pedestrians.

AMuzi

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Aug 16, 2017, 10:28:53 PM8/16/17
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Oh, Tim you are such a starry-eyed optimist.

I see them as another way to kill and maim taxpayers,
profitably; an amusement of the civil service.

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 16, 2017, 10:44:31 PM8/16/17
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I stopped in at a Wendy's restaurant that is located two blocks below a roundabout. It was not even rush hour yet it took me 25 minutes to get a break in the two lanes of traffic each way that finally allowed me to ride across that road. Once the new roundabout is put in below that first roundabout there will NOT be that break in traffic that allowed me to get acrossthat road. On foot? Forget it. Where do you cross a street then? If you do it wherethe pedestrian crossing are at the roundabouts, right where the cars are accelerating out of them and least expecting to see a pedestrian, then you are risking life and limb. At least you are at any of the roundabouts Isee hereabouts. Drivers I talked to all say they've very nearly hit a pedestrian they did not see until the last second.

Roundabouts if too small a diameter and with vision blocked by a mound in the center are very dangerous to everyone.

Cheers

Duane

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Aug 17, 2017, 7:58:21 AM8/17/17
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The one on my commute isn't as bad as that but it can be tricky. The
turn going into it is sharp enough but the cars don't often seem to slow
in advance as they're coming off the highway. It's not unusual to hear
the tires screeching.

The big problem is the mound in the center that reduces visibility.
This one has some flag display on top of it with 15 or 20 flag poles and
nice shrubbery around their bases. If you take the center of the lane
in this case, you are probably less visible with the way that the sight
lines are.

This morning I was lucky, and one of the cars going into it must have
seen me as he slowed to let me in. Must have been a cyclist. lol

Radey Shouman

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Aug 17, 2017, 10:41:48 AM8/17/17
to
Sounds like you're complaining that it works: it increases traffic flow
by filling in those gaps that you used to rely on. I have never seen a
good solution to negotiating a rotary on foot if traffic is heavy;
agreed that drivers are not expecting anyone to actually use the
crosswalk, even if painted on the street.

If possible, the solution on a bike is to use the rotary, to turn
completely around if necessary. That can be a problem if traffic is
heavy and fast, particularly with drivers that are not sure what they
are doing.

> Roundabouts if too small a diameter and with vision blocked by a mound
> in the center are very dangerous to everyone.
>
> Cheers

--

Sir Ridesalot

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Aug 17, 2017, 5:51:01 PM8/17/17
to
On Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 10:41:48 AM UTC-4, Radey Shouman wrote:
Snipped
> Sounds like you're complaining that it works: it increases traffic flow
> by filling in those gaps that you used to rely on. I have never seen a
> good solution to negotiating a rotary on foot if traffic is heavy;
> agreed that drivers are not expecting anyone to actually use the
> crosswalk, even if painted on the street.
>
> If possible, the solution on a bike is to use the rotary, to turn
> completely around if necessary. That can be a problem if traffic is
> heavy and fast, particularly with drivers that are not sure what they
> are doing.
>
> > Roundabouts if too small a diameter and with vision blocked by a mound
> > in the center are very dangerous to everyone.
> >
> > Cheers
>
> --

No. The problem is that the roundabouts don't work as advertisrd. MAny times cars wait to get into the roundabout just as long as they did at a traffic controlled intersection that the roundabout replaced. Bicycling in or near them, such as trying to cross the roard below or above the roundabout, is very hard to do on a bicycle and at times very nearly impossible if on foot. Usian Bolt might be able to do it on foot at certain times. Theese roundabouts prove that traffic planners nly care about motorists and don't even consider bicyclist or pedestrians. This in turn might just get MORE bicyclists into cars.

These roundabouts are all on a north-south road. Pity the poor person on a bicycle or on foot who wants to use an eat-west road that crosses that north-south road above or below these roundabouts.

I think the roundabouts in this area are more detrimental to bicycling than any other thing.

YMMV

Cheers

John B.

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Aug 17, 2017, 8:35:51 PM8/17/17
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On Thu, 17 Aug 2017 07:58:15 -0400, Duane <duane....@group-upc.com>
wrote:
Or maybe just gazing in awe. "Look Emmy-loo, a guy riding a bicycle!"
--
Cheers,

John B.

Frank Krygowski

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Aug 17, 2017, 10:04:08 PM8/17/17
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For what it's worth, I just looked up the traffic counts for the four
legs of our new local roundabout. The eastern leg is 9949 vehicles per
day. The northern is 4318 VPD. Southern is 1719. Western leg is
14888, which seems suspiciously high to me, but there it is.

Again, this one seems to be working very well. Traffic backup is almost
nonexistent, whereas it was normal to have west-to-east traffic backed
up a full block at rush hour.

I do have a bit more trouble than before entering the western leg from a
side street further west, because the traffic stream is more continuous;
but so far it's not been unworkable.

I've only walked through the roundabout intersection one time. I had no
trouble crossing two legs of it. Maybe at rush hour it would be
difficult. And so far, putting my hand up in a "stop" signal has worked
well with entering motorists who looked like they might not yield while
I was in the circle.

Perhaps traffic volume is the big variable.


--
- Frank Krygowski

Duane

unread,
Aug 18, 2017, 6:07:23 AM8/18/17
to
No, people riding bicycles are not uncommon here in Montréal.

--
duane

avag...@gmail.com

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Aug 19, 2017, 11:04:35 PM8/19/17
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drove thru 2 in Lower Idahoe this morning either end of a I86 bridge.

Snows there. how does one drive in traffic in a roundabout on snow ?

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