Roundabouts

[golden eagle]

Am I the only person who hates going through a roundabout? What I hate even more are the two-laned roundabouts. I first saw one in the 90s when one was constructed near the Jackson International Airport. It's a one-lane roundabout, so I can at least deal with that one. Since then, one was constructed on Highland Colony Parkway north of town and several have been built in the Jackson State University area (all two-lane roundabouts). The ones near the JSU area are not heavily traveled (at least when schools not in session), but traffic volume has been increasing on HCP with all the suburban development going on there. I almost got into an accident once with somebody not being aware how to navigate through a roundabout.

[rawr apples]

I love roundabouts. I wish there were more roundabouts. I wish idiot Americans would stop complaining about roundabouts and actually take the time to learn how to properly navigate them.

And as for this near accident, was it you or the other guy that was in the roundabout? did someone not give way to the person inside? what happened?

[roadfro]

The two most important things when approaching a roundabout:
1) Position your vehicle in the appropriate lane before approaching the roundabout, so exiting is easier and you don't change lanes inside (which is highly discouraged and problematic for other drivers).
2) Entering traffic always yields to traffic already inside the circulatory roadway.

Roundabouts really aren't that hard to master once you grasp these concepts. They are much more efficient than multi-way stops at low to moderate volume intersections.  Two-lane roundabouts aren't all that bad, either. More recent roundabouts are designed with better signage and striping/markings such that it is much easier to determine lane positioning to easily navigate the roundabout. Now three-lane roundabouts, even with excellent signing and striping...that's pushing it!

[rawr apples]

3 lanes can be done fairly easily. Roundabouts on motorway junctions in Britain sometimes will have 3 lanes, striped and marked well from the beginning, telling you to stay in lane, and you eventually just end up on the road you want.

[roadfro]

The fact that roundabouts are still fairly new to the U.S. (first ones being installed in Las Vegas in the early 1990s) is a major reason why so many people seem to have issues with them. Until more drivers become accustomed to driving roundabouts, I don't think three-lane roundabouts will see widespread use in the states.

There are some (partial) three-lane roundabouts in Nevada. I don't think they're too bad, but experience shows that some drivers just don't grasp the concept and have trouble negotiating them.

[Ian]

I only hate roundabouts when they replace traffic signals (honestly, who didn't see this coming?  ). Other than that, I am so-so about them.

[Terry Shea]

I love Roundabout (the song by Yes).  I hate roundabouts!  They serve no purpose and are nothing but a waste of taxpayers money!  There are 2 in this area that I know of.  One is in front of a retirement home along a residential drive that has no traffic whatsoever (probably 2-300 cars/day).  Absolutely no reason for a roundabout, traffic light or even a stop sign.  The other one replaced a  4-way stop where traffic would back up for a half mile or so in every direction.  They built the roundabout and traffic still backs up for a half mile or so in every direction!  Quit wasting our money on these unnecessary atrocities!

[Scott5114]

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway? I get single-lane ones, of course, but how do the two-lane ones work? If you're in the left lane on a spoke road, do you have to wait for both lanes of the circulatory to clear? And then wait for the right-hand lane to clear before exiting the roundabout?  Sounds dangerous and/or prone to long waits!

[Terry Shea]

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway?

Not very well! 

[Scott5114]

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway?

Not very well! 

Not exactly the response I was looking for, Terry

[InterstateNG]

The problem with roundabouts can be illustrated by a trip to your local Secretary of State/DMV/whatever they call it in your state.  While you're there, take a look at the luddites that inhabit the long lines, and you'll have your answer.

[hbelkins]

Am I the only person who hates going through a roundabout?

No, I dislike them immensely.

[Bryant5493]

I like roundabouts, myself. I'd like to see more. Currently, GDOT will only build single lane roundabouts, but they're open to the idea of multi-lane roundabouts; however, multi-lane roundabouts must be approved by the chief engineer.

Single lane roundabouts (ADT): less than 20,000 vpd

Multi-lane roundabouts (ADT): less than 40,000 vpd


Be well,

Bryant

[J N Winkler]

Multi-lane roundabouts:  you choose your position on the approach roadway according to the exit you intend to take (moving further to the left the more of the circle you plan to negotiate) and, once in the circulatory carriageway, you work your way to the right as you approach the exit you want to take.  It is actually very simple to do and many multilane roundabouts now have spiral markings which help you maintain optimum lane position as you go through.

When you enter a multilane roundabout, you have to yield to all lanes in the circulatory carriageway.  You should do this when you turn into a multilane road too--it is not defensive driving to assume that approaching traffic won't change into your lane just as you start the turning maneuver.

[UptownRoadGeek]

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway? I get single-lane ones, of course, but how do the two-lane ones work? If you're in the left lane on a spoke road, do you have to wait for both lanes of the circulatory to clear? And then wait for the right-hand lane to clear before exiting the roundabout?   Sounds dangerous and/or prone to long waits!

No it's just like turning from a street with 2 right turn lanes.  If the outside lane is clear but the inside is taken, then the outside lane can turn in white the inside lane waits.  If the outside lane is occupied but the inside clear everyone will wait until it's clear. 

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL with people not liking traffic circles?

[Terry Shea]

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway? I get single-lane ones, of course, but how do the two-lane ones work? If you're in the left lane on a spoke road, do you have to wait for both lanes of the circulatory to clear? And then wait for the right-hand lane to clear before exiting the roundabout?   Sounds dangerous and/or prone to long waits!

No it's just like turning from a street with 2 right turn lanes.  If the outside lane is clear but the inside is taken, then the outside lane can turn in white the inside lane waits.  If the outside lane is occupied but the inside clear everyone will wait until it's clear. 

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL with people not liking traffic circles?

Because I don't like accidents, traffic jams and wasting tax payers money.  I don't know, maybe they make sense in some areas but the ones I've seen do nothing to alleviate traffic tie-ups, confuse the drivers causing more accidents and are nothing but a big waste of money!  Put up a traffic signal if the traffic volume warrants it but get rid of these stupid merry-go-rounds.  A lot of drivers are dizzy enough w/o them.

[UptownRoadGeek]

I prefer the turn right then U-Turn thing myself, but Roundabouts are not as bad as people make them out to be.  A useless roundabout doesn't waste the amount of money that a useless signal interchange would. It's a simple process: Yield, Go   Yield, Go  Yield Go.

I'm nowhere nere and advocate of roundabouts, but i don't think they get a fair shot.

[Scott5114]

I don't know, maybe they make sense in some areas but the ones I've seen do nothing to alleviate traffic tie-ups, confuse the drivers causing more accidents and are nothing but a big waste of money!

Do you have a cite that supports this? I've seen some DOT statements that say roundabouts generally improve safety. I'd be interested to see how the costs and benefits of roundabouts work out as well.

[SSOWorld]

I'd much prefer a roundabout to a four-way stop - or even a stop sign period.  If there is no traffic around, you can waltz right through - while a 4 way stop - you HAVE to stop - even if no one's around.

[DanTheMan414]

I personally love roundabouts.  Once people get used to driving in them, which does take some time, mind you, I've noticed that the amount of griping about them tends to go down, generally.

Roundabouts have really begun to spring up here in Michigan in recent years, and I know of many more planned.  The same thing is true in New York State, where I believe NY 590 north of NY 104 in Irondequoit, NY is being reconstructed into a succession of a few roundabouts up to its current Northern Terminus by Sea Breeze...although it looks like when the work is done, it will be truncated to the southernmost of those roundabouts.

[Tarkus]

I love Roundabout (the song by Yes).  I hate roundabouts!

Ditto here for the most part.  Yes is my favorite band and while I've grown to accept some roundabouts, I don't think they're the cure-all that some tout them to be.  My biggest pet peeve with them is when people don't use their turn indicators, as required by law (at least here in Oregon).  Because of that, it's hard to tell just where people are exiting the roundabout, and it ends up functioning like a really convoluted 4-way stop.

Case in point of roundabouts that don't work--the two rural roundabouts that Washington County, Oregon's Department of Land Use and Transportation (DLUT) installed in 2003 on NW Verboort Road, a major arterial north of Forest Grove that forms part of a link between OR-47 and US-26.  The accident statistics released by the county to the Rural Roads Committee in 2008 showed negligible improvements.

-Alex

[vdeane]

I don't understand what all the roundabout hate is either.  I must admit that I don't get multi-lane roundabouts.  Do you have to change lanes in the circle?  Can that be safely done?  There's one coming to Rochester soon (NY 590/Titus Ave) and while it will only be two lanes on one side (the other is single lane) I imagine it will be very difficult from drivers to go between Titus Ave and Titus Ave Ext.

@DanTheMan: the signage for NY 590's truncation at Titus is already up.  Haven't been up there since mid-August so I don't know if traffic is using that side of the road yet or not.

@Tarkus: that problem could be solved by having police give out tickets to drivers that don't use their signals.  It would work fine if people just drove properly!

[roadfro]

Addressing multiple points relating to negotiating multi-lane roundabouts...

Wait, so how do multi-lane roundabouts work, anyway? I get single-lane ones, of course, but how do the two-lane ones work? If you're in the left lane on a spoke road, do you have to wait for both lanes of the circulatory to clear? And then wait for the right-hand lane to clear before exiting the roundabout?  Hmm. Sounds dangerous and/or prone to long waits!

Multi-lane roundabouts:  you choose your position on the approach roadway according to the exit you intend to take (moving further to the left the more of the circle you plan to negotiate) and, once in the circulatory carriageway, you work your way to the right as you approach the exit you want to take.  It is actually very simple to do and many multilane roundabouts now have spiral markings which help you maintain optimum lane position as you go through.

I must admit that I don't get multi-lane roundabouts.  Do you have to change lanes in the circle?  Can that be safely done?

With most newer roundabouts, there is significant striping in the circulatory roadway itself that guides the user to the appropriate roundabout exit.  It should be noted that you don't always work your way to the right within the roundabout itself--especially in cases where the number of approach lanes equals the number of exit lanes. In cases where you do work your way to the right to exit, you don't change lanes per se, but the striping guides you outward at an appropriate point so as to not conflict with other circulating traffic.  If you happen to be using an inside lane, striping within the circulatory roadway directs traffic on your right to exit at points which do not conflict with the exits prescribed to your lane.

It's kinda tough to explain how multi-lane roundabouts work using words only, so here's a visual aid for those interested:  The proposed MUTCD has 15 figures depicting lane striping at various types of roundabouts (the current version only has two figures, which aren't nearly as illustrative).  Go to the Proposed Amendments to the MUTCD page and click on the "Proposed Figures" PDF link.  Figures 3C-4 through 3C-17 (pages 233-248 of the PDF) show pavement lane markings for single- and multi-lane roundabouts for a variety of entry and exit conditions (including connected roundabouts at freeway interchanges).  Certain figures show how the striping guides a driver from the inner to an outer lane to make an exit, in conditions where the number of lanes are not equal on all approaches or throughout the entire circle.

Several state/local agencies have also published informative guides to educate drivers about negotiating roundabouts (here's an example from Nevada DOT).

No it's just like turning from a street with 2 right turn lanes.  If the outside lane is clear but the inside is taken, then the outside lane can turn in white the inside lane waits.  If the outside lane is occupied but the inside clear everyone will wait until it's clear.

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL with people not liking traffic circles?

Not the case at all. The way roundabouts are designed, traffic within the circulatory roadway does not have to yield to any other drivers, including those in other lanes of the roundabout. Traffic within the circulatory roadway should not stop at any time.  The situation you're describing sounds more akin to a traffic circle than a roundabout.

The term "traffic circle" is not synonymous with the term "roundabout".

[UptownRoadGeek]

Not the case at all. The way roundabouts are designed, traffic within the circulatory roadway does not have to yield to any other drivers, including those in other lanes of the roundabout. Traffic within the circulatory roadway should not stop at any time.  The situation you're describing sounds more akin to a traffic circle than a roundabout.

The term "traffic circle" is not synonymous with the term "roundabout".

Where did I say anywhere that traffic in the circle yields?  I was referring to traffic entering the circle, not leaving it.  You can't turn into and inside lane from an inside lane if the lane outside of the one you are turning into is occupied and that's pretty much the case.

My city has both roundabouts and traffic circles and people hate them all the same.

[wandering drive]

Wisconsin has had roundabout fever recently, which is both a good thing and a baaaaad thing.
Good roundabouts:
The intersection in the middle has a roundabout, but this is a very light intersection and is more decorative than functional.  There's more landscaping there now than Street View shows and I've never had a problem with it.
This one is a bit more awkward.  It popped up in the past year and people are still getting used to it but there are plenty of signs directing traffic.  Why do I think this one is good?  There's a gas station that is only accessible from southbound traffic (i.e., off the freeway) by coming up to the intersection and making a U-turn.  The road is too busy otherwise to have a direct access to Royal Ave like Google Maps currently shows.  Making a U-turn here feels so much safer and efficient than having to wait for a sharp U-turn at a signal.  Bravo.
Bad roundabouts:
Hoo boy.  So last year about this time, WisDOT closed US 18 just east of Dodgeville, WI, directing traffic to South WI-23 and I never bothered looking up why.  Never went that way often enough to care.  When they finally opened up later that fall, there was a 2-lane roundabout right in the middle of that image, at Bennett Rd.  Signs direct traffic to slow down to 25 MPH and go go go go carefully.  Problem is, this was the Dodgeville Expressway and the speed limit west and east of the intersection is 55 MPH.  Instead of a triggered-only stoplight, everyone has to slow down... then speed back up again.  It's infuriating.
There's more:  Here is a PDF of the latest roundabouts, three of them on US-12 between Lake Delton and Baraboo.  PHANTOM EDIT: Upon closer inspection, they mentioned using three interchanges meaning that the exits will utilize roundabouts but traffic will flow uninterrupted.  Whew.  Still, the road carries a lot of casino traffic and tourist traffic, so those trying to exit the freeway may be a bit confused.  It's still silly and a bad precedent.