Cool Interchange

[ZMT123 13]

This is a highway interchange in Athens, Greece that I think is really cool.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

This is a highway interchange in Athens, Greece that I think is really cool.

Three-level Roundabout Interchange, by the looks of it.

[mrbisonm 1,620]

True, it looks cooool.

mrb

[MandelSoft 2,769]

We have here in Holland a simmilar interchange near Amsterdam:

[x493x 446]

All of these roundabouts, such a rare sight here in Canada.

[Bipin 3,402]

I've actually only seen two roundabouts in total, in Canada. Both around the same place too.

[x493x 446]

I've actually only seen two roundabouts in total, in Canada. Both around the same place too.

They're actually starting to become more common in my area. Bad thing is nobody knows how to use them.

[Duke87 1,070]

The advantages of this design are:

1) it can be done with a small footprint, thus saving space

2) it avoids having high elevated ramps and thus is unobtrusive to its surroundings visually

3) it can be built inexpensively compared to higher powered alternatives

4) it is much safer than its basic alternative which would meet conditions 2 and 3, the cloverleaf

The disadvantages are:

1) the presence of traffic signals means that being able to go through it without stopping is unlikely, thus causing motorists annoyance and costing them time

2) compared to larger, higher powered alternatives, it is lower capacity

It speaks to differing cultural priorities that this type of interchange is popular in Europe but unheard of in North America. For European thinking, advantages 1 and 2 are highly valued. For American thinking, they are not so much, and disadvantage 1 is a deal breaker

Roundabouts have traditionally been more popular in Europe than in the US but their popularity is growing over here.

[jacksunny 741]

I believe there are only 2 roundabouts here in Edmonton. I personally don't like them because nobody knows how to use them, thus there are a lot of traffic accidents on them.

  Edited November 15, 2011 by jacksunny  

[gc6164 36]

This is a highway interchange in Athens, Greece that I think is really cool.

Hahahahahahahha i have been on there!

[glazert 89]

.....

The disadvantages are:

1) the presence of traffic signals means that being able to go through it without stopping is unlikely, thus causing motorists annoyance and costing them time

2) compared to larger, higher powered alternatives, it is lower capacity

..............

Most roundabouts do not have traffic lights. They operate by traffic about to enter the roundabout giving way to traffic already on the roundabout. It is true that some roundabouts which have particulary heavy flows have had traffic lights installed at some or all entrances. In the design shown in the first post the crossing traffic goes straight through and does not use the roundabout; only turning traffic has to use the roundabout.

[Duke87 1,070]

Most roundabouts do not have traffic lights. They operate by traffic about to enter the roundabout giving way to traffic already on the roundabout. It is true that some roundabouts which have particulary heavy flows have had traffic lights installed at some or all entrances. In the design shown in the first post the crossing traffic goes straight through and does not use the roundabout; only turning traffic has to use the roundabout.

Yes yes, I know all that, but the point is that for this particular sort of design there are entrances and exits to the circle in close enough proximity and carrying enough traffic so as to require signalization (and you can indeed clearly see in the picture that it's signalized). And yes, traffic going straight doesn't use it, but all turning traffic does, and that traffic is likely to have to stop at a signal... a disadvantage compared to a free flowing interchange which does not have any signals.

[TekindusT 3,809]

Well, I see more advantages than disadvantages in roundabouts; perhaps because of my European mentality... It is only one advantage, but a huge one; you don't feel tremendously stupid when waiting in an eternal stoplight at 2 a.m. while no cars cross in front of you. This represents an absolutely innecesary waste of fuel and time for me.

[dazza262 133]

This is a roundabout close to where I live in Essex, England.

As you can see it is one large roundabout surrounded by 5 smaller roundabouts.

You say people in Canada don't know how to use roundabouts, imagine how they'd get on with this baby

Actually at peak times in the morning and afternoon things can get a bit hairy, when it just seems to become a bit of a free-for-all.

[simcity4deluxe 95]

Here's mine.

[x493x 446]

Dazza262, In Canada the excuse to build roundabouts is "they work in Europe and reduce accidents." Fact is that something like that would be collision central. I get scared just looking at it because I know I, and everybody I know would fail at it.

  Edited November 21, 2011 by x493x  

[Mootilda 76]

We had a roundabout installed near out house recently, and people tend to drive the wrong way around the circle, because the road that they want is closer that way.

[MandelSoft 2,769]

^^ That's just stupid. Aren't there any guidance signs, or arrows?

And if you think normal roundabouts are confusing, try the "turboplein":

(There are (I think) two in the Netherlands, both pretty close to where I live)

And yes, there is guidance all over the place:

Actually, this roundabout is pretty safe. There are not much problems with it.

Best,

Maarten

  Edited November 21, 2011 by mrtnrln  

[ZMT123 13]

^^ That's just stupid. Aren't there any guidance signs, or arrows?

And if you think normal roundabouts are confusing, try the "turboplein":

(There are (I think) two in the Netherlands, both pretty close to where I live)

And yes, there is guidance all over the place:

Actually, this roundabout is pretty safe. There are not much problems with it.

Best,

Maarten

Wow. That's the definition of confusing!

[bluemoose 223]

Roundabouts? How do they work?

Seriously, here in the States, nobody knows how. We have people stopping even when there is no traffic in the circle, waiting to enter. We have people stopping IN THE CIRCLE to let entrants into the circle. The biggest offenders are non-signalers though. It seems like I am the only one who signals my exit.

Recently, my county has built at least 5 new roundabouts in heavily traveled areas (the mall entrance, and the riverside business district road) and nobody gets them.

Also, we have a new SPUI that causes all kinds of accidents because people block the intersection and don't wait for their light.

  Edited November 21, 2011 by bluemoose  

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Here in my home city Zoetermeer we have about 40 roundabouts. And no problems with them basically; the biggest problem is combining these roundabouts with a two-way bike lanes around them, leading to potentially dangerous situations for bike traffic.

I don't understand why roundabouts are so hard to understand for Americans. Heck, you even understand the Diverging Diamond Interchange, which is more confusing than a roundabout! Roundabouts have three very simple rules:

1. You can only drive around the roundabout in one direction; you're only allowed to make right turns going on and off the roundabout, so drive counter-clock-wise.

2. Traffic on the roundabout itself has priority.

3. Give a signal when you leave the roundabout.

See, that's not hard

Best,

Maarten

[Cobraroll 138]

My hometown, with a population of about 50,000, has about a dozen roundabouts in the town centre alone. Going from the motorway to the mall, you have to drive through at least five of them. A trip around the town core (about 1x1 kilometre) will take you through eight. And there are plans to build more.

They are a little tough for aspiring drivers, but after a while, they come across as easy. This same municipality, with its 50,000 inhabitants, has only two intersections with traffic lights. And I must say, those two lights create way more congestion and accidents.

Roundabouts for the win.

[TekindusT 3,809]

@Cobraroll: Do you know Milton Keynes, UK? That's the Roundabout Paradise!

  Edited November 23, 2011 by TekindusT  

[Mootilda 76]

^^ That's just stupid. Aren't there any guidance signs, or arrows?

Yes, there are signs and arrows. Unfortunately, many people who use that intersection do not seem to believe that traffic laws apply to them, only to other people. That's probably why the city installed the roundabout in the first place... this was a simple intersection with a lot of accidents because people were behaving so badly.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

In the land of Oz, roundabouts are pretty common. In my local town, we have 3 in 150 metres!

The intersection at Old Monbulk and Bayview Rd is now a roundabout

We're used to them, but many people don't signal.

[Zeck180 18]

One reason why i;d never live or travel through LA.

[Duke87 1,070]

I don't understand why roundabouts are so hard to understand for Americans. Heck, you even understand the Diverging Diamond Interchange, which is more confusing than a roundabout! Roundabouts have three very simple rules:

1. You can only drive around the roundabout in one direction; you're only allowed to make right turns going on and off the roundabout, so drive counter-clock-wise.

2. Traffic on the roundabout itself has priority.

3. Give a signal when you leave the roundabout.

See, that's not hard

It's not, but there are three problems:

1) Roundabouts in most areas in the US have only really started to become popular in the last decade or so. A lot of drivers grew up unfamiliar with them and sometimes you just can't teach an old dog new tricks.

2) The idea about traffic on the roundabout itself having priority is standard now, but historically in the US it has not been. New Jersey was notorious for having traffic circles where traffic in the circle was supposed to yield to entering traffic.

3) Culturally in many parts of the US, turn signal use in general (not just in roundabouts) is not very well ingrained. A lot of drivers will only signal to make a right turn if they have to stop before making it.

  Edited December 9, 2011 by Duke87  

[bluemoose 223]

I don't understand why roundabouts are so hard to understand for Americans. Heck, you even understand the Diverging Diamond Interchange, which is more confusing than a roundabout! Roundabouts have three very simple rules:

1. You can only drive around the roundabout in one direction; you're only allowed to make right turns going on and off the roundabout, so drive counter-clock-wise.

2. Traffic on the roundabout itself has priority.

3. Give a signal when you leave the roundabout.

See, that's not hard

It's not, but there are three problems:

1) Roundabouts in most areas in the US have only really started to become popular in the last decade or so. A lot of drivers grew up unfamiliar with them and sometimes you just can't teach an old dog new tricks.

2) The idea about traffic on the roundabout itself having priority is standard now, but historically in the US it has not been. New Jersey was notorious for having traffic circles where traffic in the circle was supposed to yield to entering traffic.

3) Culturally in many parts of the US, turn signal use in general (not just in roundabouts) is not very well ingrained. A lot of drivers will only signal to make a right turn if they have to stop before making it.

For 2, that is how they do it in Paris I believe, even on the periferique expressway.

And agreed 100% on 3. How hard is it to flick your turn signal?

[FreewayofFlight 41]

In Hilliard, Ohio, where I used to live, there were 5 roundabouts along main roads in the city. I found them easy to understand, I actually thought they were fun to drive around . When I left Hilliard they were building two more roundabout about 100 feet from each other.

[TekindusT 3,809]

I don't understand why roundabouts are so hard to understand for Americans. Heck, you even understand the Diverging Diamond Interchange, which is more confusing than a roundabout! Roundabouts have three very simple rules:1. You can only drive around the roundabout in one direction; you're only allowed to make right turns going on and off the roundabout, so drive counter-clock-wise.2. Traffic on the roundabout itself has priority.3. Give a signal when you leave the roundabout.See, that's not hard

It's not, but there are three problems:1) Roundabouts in most areas in the US have only really started to become popular in the last decade or so. A lot of drivers grew up unfamiliar with them and sometimes you just can't teach an old dog new tricks. 2) The idea about traffic on the roundabout itself having priority is standard now, but historically in the US it has not been. New Jersey was notorious for having traffic circles where traffic in the circle was supposed to yield to entering traffic.3) Culturally in many parts of the US, turn signal use in general (not just in roundabouts) is not very well ingrained. A lot of drivers will only signal to make a right turn if they have to stop before making it.

For 2, that is how they do it in Paris I believe, even on the periferique expressway.And agreed 100% on 3. How hard is it to flick your turn signal?

They do that in France because the "priorité à droite" rule (right priority) has a strong tradition in Paris. And if they do that on the Périphérique is just because it would be impossible to enter the Périphérique yielding during rush hours, you'd be waiting for hours until you had a gap. It is constantly packed with cars.

As for the signals, well, it outrages me to see drivers who don't signalize their turns, this is why I always signalize. With a simple move you can prevent serious accidents.