Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Lawmaker wants Wisconsin DOT to slow down on traffic roundabouts
Wisconsiin Watchdog ^ | 8-29-15 | Paul Brennan

Posted on 08/29/2015 3:14:16 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-84 next last
To: nathanbedford

the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
the level of competence of the drivers
41 posted on 08/29/2015 4:46:30 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Vigilanteman
My wife goes crazy because I enter a get-on ramp almost always looking in my side mirror (driving by peropheral), judging the speed and finding the spot to merge ... and making a smooth entry at speed onto 70W from the mall

Unless the jerk(s) in front are so scared, they wait untill there is at least 1/2 mile of clear road to enter the highway

42 posted on 08/29/2015 4:51:54 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Rodamala

I just chuckled one of those deep, relaxing chuckles ... thanx


43 posted on 08/29/2015 4:53:20 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

I LOVED roundabouts! In my Cayman S that is.......and when flow was light...........

Until the day I saw a woman actually enter a roundabout and GO THE WRONG DIRECTION!


44 posted on 08/29/2015 4:55:09 AM PDT by Arlis ( A "Sacred Cow" Tipping Christian)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

If they’re going to build roundabouts, they should be banked, like they do in Bristol.


45 posted on 08/29/2015 5:03:50 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: knarf
That's the proper way to do it, but if you try it out here, you'll run the very real risk of rear-ending some jack-wagon who will slam their brakes 300 feet or so before the merge lane enters the controlled access highway.

I've seen it happen. So you need to watch your side view mirror and the clown in front of you at the same time.

Sometimes, the safest thing to do is pull around the moron who repeatedly ignores safe to merge breaks in traffic. That may get you the horn and maybe even the middle finger, but people here actually do move over once it is clear your intention is to merge and not just stop.

46 posted on 08/29/2015 5:05:25 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Crazieman

Interestingly, the DOT in Wisconsin is probably on the right track to address the issue you cited. In my experience, these roundabouts work best when they become common enough that motorists are forced to figure out how to navigate around them.


47 posted on 08/29/2015 5:09:05 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("It doesn't work for me. I gotta have more cowbell!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

the total although not known is roundabout 293


48 posted on 08/29/2015 5:11:04 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, .. Iran deal & holocaust: Obama's batting clean up for Adolph Hitler)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

Simple math indicates they have built somewhere between 266 and 366 roundabouts since the year 2000.

They are one of the latest “traffic calming” fads here in Virginia, too.

I would have no problem with them if they were designed and constructed with large enough radius, and if 80-90% of the people approaching them didn’t treat them like stop signs. If people are going to slam on their brakes and stop their cars anyway, then the purpose of the roundabout is defeated and a traffic light or stop signs would be a much cheaper alternative.


49 posted on 08/29/2015 5:14:32 AM PDT by WayneS (Yeah, it's probably sarcasm...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

Four way stops would defeat the purpose of the roundabout.


50 posted on 08/29/2015 5:19:04 AM PDT by WayneS (Yeah, it's probably sarcasm...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Rodamala
New Jersey is an unusual case because most of those traffic circles don't fit the DOT definition of a "roundabout." They involve intersections of large, multi-lane roads that aren't really conducive to the kind of traffic levels that they must now handle. That's why NJDOT has been modifying many of the big ones over the years. The Somerville Circle isn't perfect now but it's a lot better than it used to be. And Ledgewood Circle was modified about 10-15 years ago to change it into a very large T-intersection.

Those old configurations were never designed to handle the volumes of traffic that used them.

51 posted on 08/29/2015 5:20:39 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("It doesn't work for me. I gotta have more cowbell!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Erik Latranyi

I was discussing roundabouts at work yesterday with a couple of Brit colleagues. They told me that the UK is installing traffic lights on the most congested roundabouts! Sort of defeats the entire purpose.


52 posted on 08/29/2015 5:22:03 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation is possible)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: WayneS

LOL they don’t calm traffic... depending on the involved driver, they reduce them to directionless unmoving morons, or they trigger the “challenge accepted!” I-can-dart-in-front-of-you person. I work next to a 3-entry roundabout so twice a day I go around that thing lol.


53 posted on 08/29/2015 5:24:53 AM PDT by visualops (artlife.us)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: WayneS

They are all over the suburbs where I live and they are great. They process more traffic than any other intersection simply because they let you use your judgement instead of imposing a stop when there is no traffic coming. I had never seen any till I moved here and it took me about a day to get used to them. If I hit 10 round intersections on my way to work I’ll drive though 8 of them without stopping, and that is what you call superior technology.

A roundabout is a libertarian intersection. Stop if you’ll hurt somebody or yourself by not stopping. There is no reason in the world to stop just because a light is on a timer, or because a red sign stands beside the road. These are classic examples of law as a blunt instrument; in order to regulate bad things away (the collision) we accept the regulation of good things away (driving through when there is no other car) .

I argue that the roundabout is an intersection designed by libertarian principles, and are empirically superior.


54 posted on 08/29/2015 5:31:19 AM PDT by Taliesan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Taliesan

The roundabout treats drivers like they’re adults.


55 posted on 08/29/2015 5:33:11 AM PDT by Taliesan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic
If the economic recovery really takes off under President Trump, we have this to look forward to...


56 posted on 08/29/2015 5:33:56 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation is possible)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

I’m fine with roundabouts in areas where there is lots of local-only traffic. The difficulty is when you are unfamiliar with the roads and need some time process the signs.

Of course, when you are entering a roundabout it does not occur to you that you can go around the circle more than once to find your exit.


57 posted on 08/29/2015 5:38:07 AM PDT by Senator_Blutarski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Crazieman

Yeah, I live in Massachusetts. Lots of “traffic circles”. The rules are easy - just don’t hit anyone and it’s all good.

As a side note, if beverage companies are worried about shifting loads, I’d suggest they secure them.


58 posted on 08/29/2015 5:53:16 AM PDT by glorgau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Senator_Blutarski
Driver's ed in the US teaches mechanics ... not driving

I taught all my children how to talk with their lights and they get compliments from THEIR friends ...

My Dad taught me


When I'm driving, I'm talking with the other drivers ... hell ... they TRIED to get us to learn by installing directional signals and you know how good THAT was ...

That's the problem with sight reading vs phonics .... sight readers learn enough to pass a test but can't communicate


My kids know to turn headlights on and off ... ESPECIALLY at night ... to signal another driver (f'rinstance) go ahead ... I'll let you go ...

FLASHING A HIGH BEAM IN AN ALREADY FRAZZLED AND (PERHAPS) STINGING EYE IS TORTURE

NEVER flash a high/low beam to a truck

59 posted on 08/29/2015 5:53:56 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Rodamala

> Traffic Circle navigation is a matter of balancing courtesy with aggressiveness.

Perfect. Go where you’re going and let others go where they’re going. Simple. Blows my mind that people can’t manage the cooperation point.


60 posted on 08/29/2015 6:01:59 AM PDT by glorgau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-84 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson