Roundabouts on NPR

[mgk920]

What about something like this:

WIS 124/ WIS 178 Intersection in Chippewa Falls, WI
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=44.921140617899745~-91.38043081760392&lvl=17&dir=0&sty=a&where1=Chippewa%20Falls%2C%20WI&form=LMLTCC

There is a south bound thru lane that totally bypasses the intersection.
(Pre-2009, the junction was an old 60's style trumpet interchange. BTW)

That's at the location of the former trumpet at the previous end of the WI 29 freeway.  You can make out the 'ghost' ROW if you zoom out a level.  IMHO, I would have replaced that dippy interchange with a roundabout even if WI 29 was not bypassed a few years ago.

Mike

[2Co5_14]

Low speed?  I usually try to take them at full speed (depending on the speed of the road).  My only problem is with idiot public works departments that fail to understand that stop signs and roundabouts don't mix.

Here's a great case in point:

Redwine Parkway SW @ Tinsley Way SW - Atlanta, Georgia


Be well,

Bryant

That roundabout looks like it was built by a developer - not any public works agency.  Most developers don't have a clue about traffic engineering (although I would still think they wouldn't want to spend money on BOTH a stop and a yield sign!)

[2Co5_14]

Right turn bypasses are really only viable if there's no pedestrians.  Roundabouts are a bit of a mixed bag for pedestrians (and cyclists) to begin with, but the bypass lane is always discouraged when people who aren't driving cars need to be accommodated. 

There are a few options to provide additional right-turn capacity while slowing down traffic more for pedestrians.
See pages 6-78 thru 6-81 of the roundabout design guide for examples: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_672.pdf
The right turn should be made tight enough so traffic is forced to slow down regardless of whether peds are there or not.

[vdeane]

"Blood Circle"? Roundabout accidents are so low speed the chance of injury is almost zero. And people's confusion only makes them safer since that makes them timid, defensive, and careful when maneuvering through the circle.

Low speed?  I usually try to take them at full speed (depending on the speed of the road).  My only problem is with idiot public works departments that fail to understand that stop signs and roundabouts don't mix.

I'd love to see you try to navigate the roundabouts on former NY 590/Sea Breeze Dr at 45mph.  They can't be safely navigated at any speed greater than about 15-20mph (except the two-lane one at Titus Ave).

[Jordanah1]

i like both the chippewa falls roundabout, but roundabouts in general, travel through many every day, and there are still 7 more in Oshkosh to be opened/compleatly opened, adding to the 6 already compleatly open with the
US41 project. i would definitely like to see more with bypass lanes. i also want to see the first 3 level stacked roundabout in the U.S. perhaps at I39 and a future upgraded WIS21? it would be farely low left turning trafic, on the rural interchange.

[JREwing78]

A 3-level stacked? At Coloma? Seems unlikely anytime in the next 30 years.

[Jordanah1]

i no it seems unlikely, but with roundabouts becoming popular, and with the little left turning trafic there, it would be the perfect candidate for such an interchange if/when WIS21 is upgraded beyond that point. to my knowledge there are no freeway grade 3level stacked roundabouts in the US, even out east, were there are lots of roundabout interchanges, none that i found were 3level.

[sandwalk]

The 2 roundabouts that have been built in Rockford, IL are in suburban/exurban areas outside the city limits.  They were both built by Winnebago County and are at county/township road intersections (Perryville Rd & Swanson Rd, and most recently opened is Auburn St & Meridian Rd).  

What I have noticed is that people will actually speed up to enter the roundabout before another vehicle travelling in a different direction can enter, making it more tense than it should be....but that just speaks to the idiocy of Rockford and Illinois drivers in general LOL).  

It will be interesting within the next few years as the city plans to add roundabouts just south of downtown in the Old College neighborhood and at the busy intersection of North Main & Auburn (which links 4 neighborhoods together).

Personally, I like roundabouts; they keep the flow of traffic moving in a generally safe manor.  Where I grew up in Ohio there were some little towns/crossroads who's main intersection met at a rotary (or traffic circle).  Rotaries are a little different than modern roundabouts, but the concept is similar so it's something I've been familiar with my whole life.

[Jordanah1]

i want a Swindon style magic roundabout built somewere around here, perhaps in the middle of a large subdivision, were 5 or 6 streets would radiate out.

[english si]

Hemel's one is prettier, with less concrete (and when the Google car visited, less paint than Swindon's. Then again it takes up more space, so has room for green space in the middle.

Hatton Cross is perhaps what would suit suburbia - about as big as Swindon, but much less grey and much more green/other colours. Of course, you don't need that much capacity in suburbia and a similar sized 2 lane roundabout would work fine (I have no idea why Hatton Cross isn't a normal roundabout - I can understand the others as they are too busy for normal roundabouts).

[wytout]

What about something like this:

WIS 124/ WIS 178 Intersection in Chippewa Falls, WI
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=44.921140617899745~-91.38043081760392&lvl=17&dir=0&sty=a&where1=Chippewa%20Falls%2C%20WI&form=LMLTCC

There is a south bound thru lane that totally bypasses the intersection.
(Pre-2009, the junction was an old 60's style trumpet interchange. BTW)

That's at the location of the former trumpet at the previous end of the WI 29 freeway.  You can make out the 'ghost' ROW if you zoom out a level.  IMHO, I would have replaced that dippy interchange with a roundabout even if WI 29 was not bypassed a few years ago.

Mike

Heck if you just switch to Birds Eye you can see the actual Trumpet interchange still there as the roundabout vanishes.  I guess birds eye doesn't update as oftern.

[Jordanah1]

Hemel's one is prettier, with less concrete (and when the Google car visited, less paint than Swindon's. Then again it takes up more space, so has room for green space in the middle.

Hatton Cross is perhaps what would suit suburbia - about as big as Swindon, but much less grey and much more green/other colours. Of course, you don't need that much capacity in suburbia and a similar sized 2 lane roundabout would work fine (I have no idea why Hatton Cross isn't a normal roundabout - I can understand the others as they are too busy for normal roundabouts).

just when i thought i had seen the very best of roundabouts, my mind has been blow once again!