Traffic circle lane use

[vdeane]

That explains why the American concept of a traffic circle involves going round and round like a centrifuge.  American drivers are used to having their hands held and told what to do every time they have to make a decision, so the lane markings in a circle being superseded by the pavement markings entering the circle is likely to be considered confusing.

[Tom958]

It's all because of "European Vacation."

[empirestate]

So the impression I'm getting is that there really are no rules for older traffic circle types, and the anarchy that seems to pervade them is an accurate observation?

[jeffandnicole]

So the impression I'm getting is that there really are no rules for older traffic circle types, and the anarchy that seems to pervade them is an accurate observation?

Depends on the state.  A Jersey Traffic Circle had no set rules.  Even the current NJ Drivers Manual still states that:

TRAFFIC CIRCLE

There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times. In most cases, the circle's historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right-of-way. If a major highway flows into and through the circle, it usually dominates the traffic flow pattern and commands the right-of-way. Traffic control signs, such as stop or yield signs, at the entrances to the circle also govern which motorist has the right-of-way. Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving within the circle. Whenever a motorist is in doubt concerning who has the right-of-way in a circle, he/she should exercise extreme caution and remember the basic rule governing any uncontrolled intersection: The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching from the right.

[empirestate]

So the impression I'm getting is that there really are no rules for older traffic circle types, and the anarchy that seems to pervade them is an accurate observation?

Depends on the state.

New York, in this case.

[jeffandnicole]

So the impression I'm getting is that there really are no rules for older traffic circle types, and the anarchy that seems to pervade them is an accurate observation?

Depends on the state.

New York, in this case.

It would probably default to the basics rules of the road.  As NJ hints at the end, "The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching from the right".  I never really thought this is correct, because in the case of a circle, the vehicle the circle would have to yield to one entering the circle.  On other roads, a driver on the left would have to look to their right. While that's fine in a car, in a truck or a vehicle without good visibility to the sides (such as a work van) would have trouble seeing what's coming up on their right.

NY's State Statutes may have a section on circles or roundabouts, although in most states other than MA & NJ circles or roundabouts were infrequently found and probably didn't warrant any special consideration.  And in the few cases where they existed, they probably were signed 'properly', with Yield (or Stop) signs.  NJ especially is an interesting case where they designed intersections with heavy traffic volumes without any regulatory signage!

[empirestate]

So the impression I'm getting is that there really are no rules for older traffic circle types, and the anarchy that seems to pervade them is an accurate observation?

Depends on the state.

New York, in this case.

It would probably default to the basics rules of the road.  As NJ hints at the end, "The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching from the right".  I never really thought this is correct, because in the case of a circle, the vehicle the circle would have to yield to one entering the circle.  On other roads, a driver on the left would have to look to their right. While that's fine in a car, in a truck or a vehicle without good visibility to the sides (such as a work van) would have trouble seeing what's coming up on their right.

Well, this circle does have Yield signs posted at the entrance, so at least that craziness is solved.

I guess my one simple question about the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle is whether exits to the left lane of the circle's legs should be made from the left lane of the circle itself, or if you'd have to change lanes within the circle and make all exits from the right lane, regardless of the destination lane?

[Tom958]

Over at Skyscrapercity I found a photo of a proto-roundabout intersection in Brazil that illustrates what I attempted to explain earlier in the thread. As in my narrative it's controlled by stop signs. Unfortunately, the roadways are single lane, but it'd work the same with two lanes per roadway.  Streetview