Interesting. I didn't realize we had those kinds of roads in the 30s and I really thought that roundabouts were a more modern technique.
Lots of roundabouts were recently added to Michigan's roads and initially many drivers were confused how to drive through. The roundabouts are very common in Europe and everybody thought they were influence from Europe. Turns out, everything new is well forgotten old.
In the coming decades,not only would everything slowly evolve to the in-color people and automobiles we take for granted today,but the biggest car makers turned their focus to,well,FOCUS.......eventually all fuzzily seen vehicles would be eclipsed by the new,straight line and perfectly in-focus models rolling off the modern production lines
Generally, the roundabouts work very poorly here. There has been one about a mile away in Brookfield, IL for many decades called locally "Eight Corners" and many times if there is any traffic at all, it is a confusing/awkward pain for everyone. Here it is nowadays and in 1938 when a streetcar line ran diagonally through it before it was turned into a roundabout.
Roundabouts are an outstanding way to move traffic efficiently; although it takes a bit to get used to them. I learned in England in 1994-95. Roundabouts are beginning to show up more here in Canada in recent years.
Generally, the roundabouts work very poorly here. There has been one about a mile away in Brookfield, IL for many decades called locally "Eight Corners" and many times if there is any traffic at all, it is a confusing/awkward pain for everyone. Here it is nowadays and in 1938 when a streetcar line ran diagonally through it before it was turned into a roundabout.
Mike, is there another viable solution for 8 crossing roads? The roundabouts are also known for low crash frequency and the severity of crashes is generally lower.
This one is the most nightmarish in the area around here, each of these have 2-lane traffic, @jcarnutzJohn Merritt would know this one well.
Roundabouts are an outstanding way to move traffic efficiently; although it takes a bit to get used to them. I learned in England in 1994-95. Roundabouts are beginning to show up more here in Canada in recent years.
Umm, no, not in this situation, understand ? In some places they likely can work well, but there are instances where they are simply not the best answer, like here. With very little traffic, it's ok. It gets rapidly progressively worse with more cars and traffic and it is very confusing at some point.
Mike, is there another viable solution for 8 crossing roads? The roundabouts are also known for low crash frequency and the severity of crashes is generally lower.
This one is the most nightmarish in the area around here, each of these have 2-lane traffic, @jcarnutzJohn Merritt would know this one well.
It's not an easy solution here, no doubt, but the roundabout in this particular location is not the ideal configuration to use. And here, it may perhaps make for _more_ close calls and unclear intentions. Inside lane ? Outside lane ? Turn signals ? No turn signals ? Using signals early and before which of 7 streets ?
Speed limits on all streets here are 25 mph, so high speed crashes are not an issue Possibly stoplights would ease confusion at this junction.
I have also seen traffic circles used in Texas near a family members house where there is very little traffic at all and they are pointless there. A four-way stop would make far more sense.
