[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by billethkid

My issue is not whether traffic circles work or not...It is more the fact, for me, that it is most likely not a good idea for the location intended.

Add into the equation high volumes of high speed traffic, high percentage of people new/visiting the area, even higher percentage of senior and senior plus drivers and a formula for disater is in the making.

I would like to see or hear the dialogue that concludes with the recommendation of a traffic circle in that location.

I agree 100%. That's the reason I couched my post regarding whether it's a good idea or not. Each location has to be evaluated on its own merit. Any given location may or may not be appropriate for a roundabout. Traffic volume is only one of many considerations.

[l2ridehd]

I think it's a good idea. A roundabout is nothing more then a traffic light replacement that moves traffic better then a traffic light. Slow the traffic down before it, and increase speed once past it. If it were possible, I would be in favor of replacing every traffic light with a roundabout.

[buzzy]

Circle would make it more dangerous to get into and out of the gas station.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I've only driven it once, but if you go from Boston to Cape Cod you encounter 1 or 2 on busy main highways. Maybe they're the reason I only drove it once!

I've driven it hundreds of times and never had a problem. The roundabouts work fine just as they do in all of TV.

For those of you who think traffic lights are safer, how are the traffic lights at the intersections of Morse and 466, and Buena Vista and 466 working out? I hear about more accidents in those locations than I do in roundabouts.

Maybe it's because I'm from Massachusetts where roundabouts are common, but I don't see what the fuss is all about.

[JP]

Roundabouts are proven safer than traffic signals. I like them.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I've driven it hundreds of times and never had a problem. The roundabouts work fine just as they do in all of TV.

For those of you who think traffic lights are safer, how are the traffic lights at the intersections of Morse and 466, and Buena Vista and 466 working out? I hear about more accidents in those locations than I do in roundabouts.

Maybe it's because I'm from Massachusetts where roundabouts are common, but I don't see what the fuss is all about.

I'm from NJ and I'm not certain but I think the traffic light patterns are different down here. For example if I'm heading north on BV and plan to make a left on 466A I think the pattern up north is that there is a red light on the south bound lane that remains red until the north bound light changes to red.

Down here the south bound light turns green for a few seconds while the northbound light is green. I think.

So now I am on the lookout for cars heading south that may even speed up, trying to make the light. And if I'm heading south I slow down looking for cars that may speed up trying to cross in front of me. I never have any close calls.

I think that's not the same up north. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something different with the order or timing of the lights.

[villagetinker]

There are several different traffic light timing programs in use in the area. I have seen:
Left turn arrow turn green when the straight thru green lights go on.

Left turn arrow turn green when the OPPOSING traffic left arrow turns green and thru lanes are red

Left turn arrow turns green AFTER the thru lanes turned green, near the end of the cycle

This does tend to be confusing, especially where the traffic signals are adaptive, and change depending on traffic flow.

NOW as for the proposed roundabout on 301, there have been several very interesting comments and observations. My view has softened somewhat, but I still think there will be a continuing problem with OUT OF THE AREA drivers encountering the roundabout and doing something stupid. Please think about what happens this time each year when the snowbirds return.
Also, while I do agree that the accidents at the traffic lights appear to be more numerous, I have had more close calls on roundabouts then at traffic lights.

My plan will be to avoid 301, until the dust settles, then try it during NON rush hour times and see how it and the other drivers work.

[Mleeja]

FDOT does not have information about this proposed roundabout listed on their website. Right now I say this is much ado about nothing. It is a loooong way from being a reality. There is lots of work scheduled for 301 that will make our traveling lives difficult, but no roundabouts.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

FDOT does not have information about this proposed roundabout listed on their website. Right now I say this is much ado about nothing. It is a loooong way from being a reality. There is lots of work scheduled for 301 that will make our traveling lives difficult, but no roundabouts.

Interesting update. Thank you.

[obxgal]

Channel 9 reported about this back in June. Here's the link if your interested. US-301 roundabout proposal has some residents worried | www.wftv.com

Florida Department of Transportation officials are doing a study to see if a roundabout at the intersection of US-301 and County Road 472 could cut down on the accidents on US-301 in Wildwood.

FDOT officials said the intersection does meet the criteria for adding a traffic light, but according to department requirements, they're now reviewing a roundabout alternative.

Officials said they're in the beginning stages of the roundabout analysis, but so far no decision has been made.

[ScottRAB]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I agree with you comments, also consider these:

There is a 55 MPH speed limit in this area (most people do 60, dump trucks 65 to 70 I have clocked them). Can you imagine SLOWING the traffic to say 35 MPH before the traffic circle!!

So, in your mind, requiring people to slow down to 25 mph (roundabout speed) is less safe than requiring them to stop at a stop light?

[ScottRAB]

Originally Posted by billethkid

My issue is not whether traffic circles work or not. We all have been to and through them. Even in Paris around the Arch de Triumph with a multiple lane circle it works.....once one figures it out.

Many people confuse other and older styles of circular intersections with modern roundabouts. East coast rotaries, large multi-lane traffic circles (Arc D’Triomphe, Dupont Circle), and small neighborhood traffic circles are not modern roundabouts. If you want to see the difference between a traffic circle, a rotary (UK roundabout) and a modern roundabout (UK continental roundabout), go to Center for Roundabouts Research and Training to see pictures. And here’s another site that shows the difference between an older rotary and a modern roundabout: Difference between a Rotary and a Roundabout

WA DOT: Roundabouts - What they are and what they aren't (1 of 5) - YouTube

[ScottRAB]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Add into the equation high volumes of high speed traffic, high percentage of people new/visiting the area, even higher percentage of senior and senior plus drivers and a formula for disater is in the making.

Single-lane modern roundabouts (90-120 feet in diameter) can handle intersections that serve about 20,000 vehicles per day with peak-hour flows between 2,000 and 2,500 vehicles per hour. Two- and three-lane modern roundabouts (150-220 feet in diameter) can serve about 50,000 vehicles per day and handle 2,500 to 5,500 vehicles per hour. Right-turn slip lanes can increase that number if needed (just like for signal intersections). Much depends on how balanced the entries are, but only in determining how many lanes are needed for each movement.

Here’s a quote:
“By 2025, a quarter of all drivers in the United States will be over the age of 65. Intersections are the single most dangerous traffic environment for drivers of any age with left-hand turns being the single most dangerous traffic maneuver that any of us can make. Forty percent of all crashes that involve drivers over the age of 65 occur at intersections. This is nearly twice the rate of experienced younger drivers. AARP would like to see more roundabouts constructed because of the many safety benefits that they present for drivers of all ages.” - Jana Lynott, AARP Public Policy Institute

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by ScottRAB

Forty percent of all crashes that involve drivers over the age of 65 occur at intersections.

Seems to me not stopping would be a lot more dangerous. That must be the other 60%.

[ScottRAB]

60% of crashes that involve drivers over the age of 65 do not occur at intersections.