Topic: My new intersection 8-(

As some of you know, I'm in the process of buying a new place and moving. I thought I would share this link, describing the local roundabout rules. You would think someone along the way would have stepped back and said: if it takes this much verbiage to describe this roundabout, then it's just going to devolve into mass confusion, which it pretty much has. I avoid some of the approaches altogether, and for the others, I close my eyes, recite the Lord's Prayer (thank you, Connor!), and floor the accelerator.

http://shanekeating.blogspot.com/2012/1 … tw&m=1

2 (edited by George FLC 2022-08-28 10:30:28)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Wow. We have roundabouts, too. Why do governments even want them? Is it supposed to look pretty? And the Lord's prayer won't hurt! :-)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Traffic circles are pretty straightforward when having only one lane. They provide better traffic flow (no lights) and provide a solution when more than four streets converge. But two-lane roundabouts are complicated and prone to accidents, since the only egresses from the circle are from the outside lane. Having two-lane streets converge on a roundabout is poor engineering in my view. But hey, I’m not a traffic specialist, only a driver with an opinion. Another peeve: on-ramps next to off-ramps.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Even if I were a fan of double roundabouts (I'm definitely not), this particular one is unique, with rules that only apply there, making it that much more dangerous. I call it a redneck roundabout because it's used by lots of pickup drivers who treat it like a monster truck rally.

5 (edited by Apricots 2022-08-27 15:38:53)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

I'm happy to say that in my neck of the redneck woods, we didn't have any roundabouts. I didn't even know they existed until I had to fly to Washington for my brother's wedding. I discovered the existence of roundabouts when I was face-to-face with one and had no idea what I was looking at. There was a lot of honking.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

And the US term is "traffic circle", except in Massachussetts, where it's a "rotary".  But the USA has had the bizzarre idea that traffic entering should have the right-of-way, which results in heavy traffic locking up the circle.  So we're starting to see yield sighns on entrances, and a circle so equipped is being called a roubdabout.

The Asbury Park traffic circle grew a set of strange appendages, which were enhanced in recent years by lane markings and barriers to ensure that everyone had to make their lane changes in the same restricted places.  40.225845,-74.037339 , if you want to have a look.

The elevated interchange on the elevated Bruckner Expressway grew out of a tint traffic circle, parts of which are still visible under the triple canopy concrete carriageways: 40.829362,-73.837872 .

Re: My new intersection 8-(

I like roundabouts, my wife hates them. So, it depends on your sense of logic I suppose, me being the more logical one of course. People in the roundabout definitely have the right of way and any home rule to the contrary is thus deemed diabolical at best. The roundabout eliminates those stupid four way stops where people sit there and try to figure out whose turn it is until they all decide at once it is their turn. If you have more than one lane, you simply stay in the inside lane until approaching your exit and then go there. If you miss your exit just go around again and get into the proper lane before you get to your exit. This ain't rocket science folks unless of course you go to one of those backward places where they drive on the left and then it's a free for all. Take care. Vern

Re: My new intersection 8-(

We have free-for-alls in Calgary, but we call them freeways. :-)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

The yield rules up here are: sedans make way for anything that can crush them, and nice new vehicles make way for older vehicles that can scratch/dent them.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Roundabouts can be useful at some intersections, but what I find annoying is when there are two or even three interconnected ones. Otherwise, I prefer roundabouts to give way signs

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Oh, good grief.  Don't get me started on round-abouts.  We just had a new one installed about 6 miles from our farm, at what used to be a 5-way intersection, with 5 stop signs.  Normally, the first car to arrive at an intersection (at least here in Georgia) is the first to go.  As you can imagine, it got complicated at times, so you always had to watch yourself there.  Now, however, if you want to commit suicide, just go to the "new, much-improved, modern, technological" roundabout they have just installed with SIX turns... yes...SIX for FIVE roads.  Confusing?  I have no clue.  And it's not an intersection I can avoid if I want groceries and horse feed.

12 (edited by Dirk B. 2022-08-30 03:10:10)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

As someone who runs a horse farm, you probably have a truck. Just drive like they do here. Fearless truck drivers always have the right of way. Alberta is redneck country, minus the guns (only because they won't let us have them). We'd shoot each other at these roundabouts. :-)

Seriously, though:
Rule #1: There is no standard for exactly how double roundabouts work, at least not in Canada. Check local regulations.
Rule #2: If it's a double roundabout, be sure to wait for both lanes of traffic in the roundabout to clear before proceeding into either lane of the roundabout (e.g., cars going into the outer lane still have to wait for both lanes to clear since those in either lane of the roundabout may exit right in front of you). I almost caused a fender bender, not knowing that.
Rule #3: If he's bigger than you or his name is Bubba - yield!

13

Re: My new intersection 8-(

40.150217,-74.095916 , in your favorite satphoto map app.

And 39.940750,-75.009866 .  Three lanes ...

40.832982,-73.861084 , under an elevated subway and above an Interstate expressway ...

40.660972,-73.979989 ... an urban two-laner ...

and 40.673511,-73.969941 , the tangled oval of Grand Army Plaza, and finally ...

40.768135,-73.981600 , Columbus Circle, a five-laner.

Though I think London has the winner, a clockwise outer circle, an anti-clockwise inner circle, and five (?) mini-circles linking the two.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

I prefer an overseas roundabout I saw. It was either in Rome or Paris. A massive roundabout with no painted lanes that I could see. You simply drive around, following other vehicles in a questionable circle, and watch that you don't hit anything to your left or right. Needless to say cars yield to buses and big trucks there.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Here it is (in Paris):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWhagB … altoursCom
No lanes at all. Brought to you by folks with no brains at all.

16 (edited by njc 2022-08-30 10:09:56)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

One wonders if the drivers on that circle mean to get somewhere, or if they're just sightseeing.

For fun, check out the long series of ramps and interchanges surrounding Newark Airport on three sides.  Start at the southeast, at Turnpike Interchange 13A and go counterclockwise around to the northeast, at Turnpike Interchange 14/A/B/C.  In that tangle of roughly 100 ramps, someone must have had the job of making sure that you can get from whichever Here to whatever There.  I'm not quite sure a human could do it.

To extend the fun, just north of 14/A/B/C is the Southern Mixing Bowl, a Turnpike self-interchange where three southbound carriageways and three northbound carriageways interchange into two pair of carriageways, one southbound and one northbound in each pair.  These are the Western and Eastern Spurs, which interchange with US 1&9 before going under Express 1&9, the Pulaski Skyway, which floats above the urbanscape like the spine of some fossilized steel dragon.  The two spurs then bend off on their separate routes, meeting again at the Northern Mixing Bowl before meeting Interstate 80.

The Skyway is worth a trip into GoogEarth.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Dirk B. wrote:

As someone who runs a horse farm, you probably have a truck. Just drive like they do here. Fearless truck drivers always have the right of way. Alberta is redneck country, minus the guns (only because they won't let us have them). We'd shoot each other at these roundabouts. :-)

That’s the problem!  Georgia rednecks carry guns and are free to use them any time they please.  They don’t even need a permit to carry.  Their "2nd Amendment Rights" for some reason override my right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" guaranteed by our Declaration of Independence, which our country swore to uphold and protect.  Go figure! 

Yes, I have a big-ass F350 truck for pulling a loaded trailer full of horses, but these Georgia rednecks love to torment people. Roundabouts and 40 ft. trailers behind a big truck tend to aggravate those who follow too closely.

18 (edited by George FLC 2022-08-30 21:09:17)

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Perhaps roundabouts are nature's way to ensure survival of the fittest. What else do we have to thin the herd? Be nice to those who might end up on top!

19

Re: My new intersection 8-(

I'd rather take my chances on an Alabama roundabout than in some parts of Detroit or Chicago.

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Space saving roundabout:

PunBB bbcode test

Bill

Re: My new intersection 8-(

That's hilarious!

Re: My new intersection 8-(

I like it. How much did that cost?

23

Re: My new intersection 8-(

China, right?

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Texas!

25

Re: My new intersection 8-(

Wrong kind of greenery.  And too few lanes!