Roundabout

[Postman Paul]

  I  have  a  real  problem  with  places that  use  the  roundabout  in a  town or  on the roads  we  travel.
Is  there  a  list  of  town  that  have  roundabouts  somewhere  so  I  will  know  to  avoid  these  towns?  I  drive  School bus,  Tour Bus and pull 
my  5th wheel.  I  avoid  them when  I  can  because  some  of  them are so  small  that  damage  can  occur to the  vehicle.  Many  are  being
put  in  lately  am  I  the only one  who  dislikes  them?

 

[Wendy]

I'm with you, Paul, I can't stand the roundabouts. Seems like we're seeing more and more of them. Of course, I wouldn't avoid a town completely just because it has one, we just avoid the area where the roundie-round is.

Wendy

 

[glen54737]

I haven't seen any too small ones, in fact the one on my way to work has tractor-trailers going around it all of the time.

And the ones i used in New England were all large too i like them but it takes a while to get used to it.

 

[Ron]

I also have a dislike for roundabouts.  For one thing folks here in the US have no clue as to the proper use of roundabouts or for that matter even how to build them properly.  A properly designed/constructed roundabout along with the drivers knowing how to use them can be an asset to the movement of traffic.

 

[Tom]

A properly designed/constructed roundabout along with the drivers knowing how to use them can be an asset to the movement of traffic.

Having grown up with roundabouts, I have to agree with Ron's comment. Designed and used for easy-on, easy-off at intersections, they really can help the flow of traffic. OTOH when traffic gets very heavy, they can get bogged down. A number of the roundabouts in the UK I used to navigate at or near the speed limit eventually became overwhelmed by increased traffic, and now have traffic lights at the entry points.

Meanwhile, I believe the "roundabouts"  which are the subject of this discussion are mini roundabouts, designed more for the purpose of controlling traffic flow &/or limiting speed in urban areas. They're definitely a challenge for a long vehicle or combination of vehicles.

 

[ArdraF]

I too dislike roundabouts.  In places like England and Austrailia they're okay because they're large enough for all vehicles and people know how to use them properly.  Here in the U.S. I think they're put in some places to discourage larger vehicles because they are made too small.  Also, they're cheaper to put in than traffic lights.

There are two in the Las Vegas area known as Summerlin.  I saw one somewhere in California too, but can't recall where it is.

ArdraF

 

[ArdraF]

Tom - I like that!  A mini-roundabout describes these monstrosities perfectly!

ArdraF

 

[S J Strait]

I drove truck mainly in the north east and it seemed to me there were a lot of these roundabouts in Newengland. mostly around Boston. I drove around them with a 53' trailer on and never had to much problem just take your time people will wait.

 

[Ned]

Ardra, there is one in Borrego Springs.

 

[Wendy]

The one in Borrego Spgs isn't bad. It's big and goes around a park and most people there seem ok with it. There's one in Morro Bay that's awful, small and has gas stations all around it. And the ones in Vail, Colorado, are to be avoided at all cost. You get people getting off the freeways and hitting these roundabouts and look out !

Wendy
Santa Cruz

 

[Tom and Margi]

There are two in Springfield, OR (Eugene) that are a little dicey.  There is one called Arlington Circle in the Berkeley hills which has been there forever.  Don't know what it's like now, but it used to have a certain charm.  Haven't been 'round it in many years.

Margi

 

[regularguy]

I don't mind "roundabouts" as much as i mind the name. Used to be that we called them Rotaries, and in some places "traffic circle". One of my GPS units now has the voice saying, "roundabout". Every time I hear it I want to throw it out the window. But I guess I will get over it some day. I still haven't got used to "we will be back straight-away" though, so maybe not. LOL Now to keep on thread... lol I don't mind the Rotary too much no matter what I am driving. I have found that GPS use has taken a lot of the stress out of the whole deal though. Seeing the 3-d image of the Traffic circle before entering, and the directed path, is a great help. With that as an aide, I can keep more focus on the road and just a little on the signs. I am just waiting for the day the GPS tells me that I will be entering  a roundabout straightaway.... lol Then I will surely throw it out the window, and you will see me driving back and forth over it until the "white coats come and take me away....

 

[Tom]

One of my GPS units now has the voice saying, "roundabout".

Maybe that's a Brit GPS? They've been called roundabouts there for as long as I can recall. Actually, they were evolution #3 in the directing of traffic. First was the local constable who stood on "point duty" at an intersection, then came traffic lights, then roundabouts.

 

[Tom]

Here's a WiKi telling you all you need to know about roundabouts and mini roundabouts.

BTW if you decide to navigate a roundabout in the UK, they go around clockwise 

 

[regularguy]

Maybe that's a Brit GPS? They've been called roundabouts there for as long as I can recall. Actually, they were evolution #3 in the directing of traffic. First was the local constable who stood on "point duty" at an intersection, then came traffic lights, then roundabouts.

Yes it is the Magellan that I have. My sister has a Garmin that does it too. My Garmin and the GPS in my Dodge Ram does not. They call it a traffic circle. When I did an update for the Garmin I had the Male voice to announce the upcoming turns etc, and a Female voice to announce the street name. The Female voice for that function is not selectable and she certainly drinks a bit too much alcohol. We used to laugh every time she spoke. It was like we awoke a drunk. The announcement is sudden, loud and very slurred. I called and wrote Magellan and asked, " what is the point?" I had done the upgrade solely to get the street names. Finally they gave me back the cost of the upgrade.

 

[regularguy]

BTW if you decide to navigate a roundabout in the UK, the go around clockwise 

What's the fun in that?!! LOL

 

[Ned]

go around clockwise 

With the proliferation of digital time pieces, it won't be long before that term's meaning is lost in antiquity.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Those mini-roundabouts (micro-circles?) sure are a pain.  They are obviously constructed by engineers who have no practical experience in roundabouts and are usually trying to slow down traffic in residential areas or create a bit of scenery with a mini-park in the center.  I've traveled roundabouts in the UK and France and not had any problems.

Three mini's have been built on a residential street in Ocala, FL in the past year and none are even big enough to drive a small car around without extreme care. Could never get a long vehicle through one. Have encountered similar tiny ones elsewhere in the past couple years as well. Moses Lake, WA has some new ones, but they are large enough to accommodate most vehicles with a bit of care.

 

[regularguy]

With the proliferation of digital time pieces, it won't be long before that term's meaning is lost in antiquity.

So in Britain then, we would have to "turn left into the roundabout, travel to the right, straightaway?" LOL I hope that there are mobile roach coaches in there. I would be so confused, I would probably never be able to get out.

 

[regularguy]

Those mini-roundabouts (micro-circles?) sure are a pain.  They are obviously constructed by engineers who have no practical experience in roundabouts and are usually trying to slow down traffic in residential areas or create a bit of scenery with a mini-park in the center.  I've traveled roundabouts in the UK and France and not had any problems.

Three mini's have been built on a residential street in Ocala, FL in the past year and none are even big enough to drive a small car around without extreme care. Could never get a long vehicle through one. Have encountered similar tiny ones elsewhere in the past couple years as well. Moses Lake, WA has some new ones, but they are large enough to accommodate most vehicles with a bit of care.

When we travel to the casino's in CT there are a couple on the way. They actually are good for traffic flow though. The traffic slows for them and no light to wait for. They are tiny but not too tiny. It is a route well traveled by tractor-trailers and buses. A little tight for them, but not bad. When I bring the camper through there I am 52" long and it is not bad. The good part of it being smaller is that the vehicles in it don't travel as fast, so it is easier to enter.