One Way Or Another — You Will Go Roundabout
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Roundabouts, traffic circles, calming devices; call them what you will. Some of them are touted and proven as efficient traffic handlers. There is a difference between roundabouts and traffic circles, so it is beneficial to get them settled in one’s mind. Here’s a webpage that will assist in helping everyone to sort out the differences between the twoÂ
If Liberty Square receives final approval (they have all but received preliminary approval from Edgewood’s Planning and Zoning Commission) the town will have its first roundabout. The roundabout will be constructed in place of having a signalized intersection and will be placed about 3/4 of a mile east of the intersection of State Roads 344 & 333. If area citizens limit the tussles that might be brought on by their preconceived notions and if Edgewood officials and Liberty Square personnel do their part to educate the citizenry in the use of the roundabout, we should have little if any serious problems in adapting the roundabout for efficient and safe use.
Perhaps, Edgewood and Liberty Square can act in unison to post instructions on their respective websites and also put together a instruction pamphlet for those without internet access. There are many examples of such information posted on various websites. Here’s is one example which might be adapted for Edgewood’s use
Taos County has three roundabouts and according to this article, they have had what seems like more than their share of problems in adapting their citizens to the new devices
When I resided for some12 years in Europe, I never met a” traffic circle” I didn’t like. They keep the traffic moving with out having to resort to using traffic lights.
This is probably just as well as the traffic lights in Edgewood don’t seem to work well, in any event. Just ask those driving under I40 on SR344. I guess it has been at least three weeks since those lights functioned. Oh well, maybe they’ll be fixed “next year”.
As for the term “Roundabout”, it sounds very “East-Coast”. I do believe I’ve heard the term used in that “progressive state” of New Jersey (Maybe it should be forgotten and left there!). Incidentally, for you Anglophiles, my Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary lists that “unspeakable word” as a British variant to “Traffic Circle”. I guess in a “roundabout” way I am advocating the use of “traffic circle” to designate our town’s project.
Nice response until your thinking touched on the European. It looks as though you can “advocate” all you wish, but the town and Liberty Square are not likely to “abdicate” roundabout for anything so outmoded as traffic circle. ;>)
I’m truly sorry because I’m aware of how stuck you are on traffic circle … I’d hate to see you stuck in one!
I guess to solve this we are going to have to conduct a “survey” in front of the Post Office and ask East Mountain residents to “define”both terms. While “traffic circle” is clearly understable, I would be suprised if many residents( except for immigrants from New Jersey) even know what a “roundabout” is.
With “Webster’s Collegiate” on my side, I stand firm with “Traffic Circle”
Idiocy! Why does Liberty Square need one? Smart would be to wait and see. They didn’t put one at Wally World.
I had to use a traffic circle to get to work in Texas. It was about 200 yards in diameter. To navigate getting on and getting off required a lot of bluster, good brakes, fast acceleration, and NASCAR steering.
My last experience on a “Roundabout” was in Branson, MO, I took the wrong exit and got on a dead-end street. There is a roundabout on Central down close to Old Town, it requires quickness and bluster.
I don’t think Edgewood is the place for a roundabout.
Idiocy! Why does Liberty Square need one? Smart would be to wait and see. They didn’t put one at Wally World.
I had to use a traffic circle to get to work in Texas. It was about 200 yards in diameter. To navigate getting on and getting off required a lot of bluster, good brakes, fast acceleration, and NASCAR steering.
My last experience on a “Roundabout” was in Branson, MO, I took the wrong exit and got on a dead-end street. There is a roundabout on Central down close to Old Town, it requires quickness and bluster.
At one time, a roundabout was considered for the Rt 66 – 344 intersection. Phil Gallegos said it was impractical because trailers on semis “cross-track”, the back wheels cross over to the inside of the circle.
I don’t think Edgewood is the place for a roundabout.
The Independent does the postal office gig and you are no Independent.
This is the last day of 2008. A day meant for doing away with dead or dying things … it looks like Traffic Circle is six feet under according to good Ol’ US of A use.
You did read the links? You are of course welcome to go against the main stream , but it really isn’t advisable in a roundabout or a traffic circle. Anyway, I’m out of words on this subject. Your turn and I’ll just sit and watch.
Dick,
The DOT is requiring some kind of traffic control on SR 333 because of the high volume of traffic on 333 and the side traffic expected from Liberty Square South and North. They will not allow another traffic signal because it would be too close to the one to the west. So their “next best option” was a roundabout.
Incidentally Bob seems to like traffic circles, but he gets heartburn over roundabouts. It looks like the roundabout may have worked for you in Branson since it gave you a dead-end street to prevent you from traveling too far out of your desired path.;>)
Happy New Year!
Since we seem to be”beating” this subject to death, let me mention another name for these “circles”. A friend of mine from Massachusetts just assured me that they are also known as “Rotarys” in that state.
To really find out the “will of the people” maybe we need to get the Mayor to announce a “special election” to decide how we should refer to the circle, I herewith promise (though, perhaps grudgingly) to respect the decision of the masses, if such an election is held!