Swindon Roundabout - Seven Circles!
Aug 4, 2016 07:57:20 #
Imagine driving into a traffic circle (roundabout) with seven circles.
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
Aug 4, 2016 09:01:18 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Imagine driving into a traffic circle (roundabout) with seven circles.
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
That Swindon rounabout is quite famous here in the UK, it has existed for many years now.
These roundabouts are very common in the UK but not that big though, there are several quite large ones in my area and they really do work.
There are a couple if things you need to watch for, one is to give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, the other is when you need to exit make sure you move into the correct lane.
When traffic coditions are favourable you don't even need to slow down, you simply just merge into the flow.
Aug 4, 2016 10:44:40 #
johneccles wrote:
That Swindon rounabout is quite famous here in the... (show quote)
NY State reduced a very large "traffic circle" to a very small "roundabout" a few years ago. It is so small that if a car enters from the left, another car does not have time to enter the circle. Although there are two lanes for exiting here and there, there isn't enough time to get into the correct lane before exiting. As a result, cars are always turning in front of others to exit. It is so small that 18-wheel tractor trailers must use both lanes. This was an expensive solution to a problem that didn't exist.
Aug 5, 2016 06:08:22 #
chandler13a
Loc: Hertfordshire UK
Also at Hemel Hempstead in the UK. keeps traffic moving and makes you dance on the accelerator {gas} and brakes.
Aug 5, 2016 07:12:47 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Imagine driving into a traffic circle (roundabout) with seven circles.
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
The circle intersections work quite well! They alleviated a perpetual traffic jam here locally at the I-12 exit!
Aug 5, 2016 08:56:19 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
jerryc41 wrote:
Imagine driving into a traffic circle (roundabout) with seven circles.
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
This much more brilliant than the roundabouts they have installed in our city. In our city the put in a roundabout and put in a large decoration so they you cannot see the other side and see the others coming. Therefore you are driving blind but who care you have the scenery to look at.
Aug 5, 2016 09:05:22 #
Aug 5, 2016 09:29:48 #
johneccles wrote:
That Swindon rounabout is quite famous here in the... (show quote)
When you look at this from the viewpoint of the average person from the USA and add to this complexity the fact we tend to drive on the other side of the road, I am certain we could increase the number of auto accidents exponentially. LOL
Aug 5, 2016 10:11:21 #
Big Bill
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
These circles work to reduce serious crashes by slowing everyone down. Traffic calmers is what many are called here.
We have a few on I-17 north of Phoenix; few drivers like them, because they require the driver to actually look out for other cars, rather than relying on lights to tell them when to go.
I don't mind them much, except for the fact that they allow those drivers who are very aggressive to simply bully their way through, disrupting an otherwise orderly affair.
And semis have a very difficult time, making it hard for them and everyone else.
We have a few on I-17 north of Phoenix; few drivers like them, because they require the driver to actually look out for other cars, rather than relying on lights to tell them when to go.
I don't mind them much, except for the fact that they allow those drivers who are very aggressive to simply bully their way through, disrupting an otherwise orderly affair.
And semis have a very difficult time, making it hard for them and everyone else.
Aug 5, 2016 10:53:37 #
f8bengal
Loc: West Nawth Carolinah
'Round here in WNC they are so enthralled with doing something British, like round-a-bouts, they are planning one at a place where there are no other side roads coming in, yet at least. Maybe there will be. So cool! 
Aug 5, 2016 11:43:55 #
Roundabouts are popping up here in Western Washington state like dandelions. I'm not totally crazy about them but as long as everybody knows how to use them they are pretty efficient. The only 'problem' one we have is about 4 blocks from a very busy fire station ... the roundabout is so small (lousy planning) that when the fire engine is on a response he has no choice but to run up onto the curb/sidewalk as he enters and leaves and generally has to drive across part of the center (planted) portion. Wish someone had taken 10 seconds to consider that before they spent umpteen thousands of dollars creating it.
Aug 5, 2016 11:48:46 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Imagine driving into a traffic circle (roundabout) with seven circles.
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/brilliant-sorcery-englands-7-circle-magic-roundabout/
Done it many times Jerry, scared the crap out of me the first time, but you get used to it.
Aug 5, 2016 12:57:37 #
f8bengal
Loc: West Nawth Carolinah
tbohon wrote:
.. the roundabout is so small (lousy planning) that when the fire engine is on a response he has no choice but to run up onto the curb/sidewalk as he enters and leaves and generally has to drive across part of the center (planted) portion. Wish someone had taken 10 seconds to consider that before they spent umpteen thousands of dollars creating it.
Must be out there on the left coast.
Aug 5, 2016 13:06:43 #
tbohon wrote:
Roundabouts are popping up here in Western Washing... (show quote)
The locals (Swindon) claim that the darned things breed. Hence the "circle" the original post refers to. I've driven through it. What a mess. I sure hope the idiots around here (Olympia area) don't think this is something to copy. They probably won't, the amount of land that thing takes is measured in acres.
Aug 6, 2016 02:44:31 #
I was in Bend OR last weekend and they have them all over. once you get used to them they work great.
It helps to know where you are going when you enter the circle.
It helps to know where you are going when you enter the circle.
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