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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsRT to confuse an American.

A roundabout to end all roundabouts!
Are you confused?!?!?!










hlthe2b
(107,642 posts)south of me and includes the access road to the interstate in various feeds very much like that. If we can maneuver the often ridiculous black diamond moguls on the slopes, we can negotiate traffic circles.
But, I can't speak for certain other regions of the US.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)mid-90s when I was in Botswana I rented a car on weekends and drove around.
Driving on the left wasn't too bad but I did get confused at the roundabouts and
would circle around in the wrong direction. Fortunately traffic was very light and no
damage was done. I. Don't. Like. Roundabouts.
2naSalit
(94,969 posts)And so they are building them everywhere. I'm not convinced they re better than traffic lights.
Ocelot II
(122,689 posts)Apparently the thinking is that any accident you might have at a roundabout will be at a relatively low speed and not as damaging as one at a traffic light.
2naSalit
(94,969 posts)That's about all there is in that city and cobblestone used to be the surface back when I lived around there. A remnant of being colonial states is the route design in many of the heavily settled areas. The streets were built on trails that came out of the woods and various locations such that seven or more trails may connect in a certain area so they got paved in cobblestone and later asphalt. I think the original idea of the round about in the US came from those old junctions.
And they are confusing.
CrispyQ
(38,958 posts)I won't cross anywhere near a roundabout when I'm walking. Drivers get in this "I don't have to stop" mode. Some don't even slow down.
Fla Dem
(26,217 posts)Not at all! Rotaries are no big deal if you learned to drive in Massachusetts. Just commuting to and from work in Boston I had to navigate 3.
A Beginner's Guide to Rotaries - CapeCod.comhttps://www.capecod.com a-beginners-guide-to-rotaries
Curious Why Rotaries Still Exist In Massachusetts
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2010/10/01/curious-why-rotaries-still-exist-in-massachusetts/
Rotaries are much larger and allow traffic to move at a higher rate of speed, while roundabouts are smaller in diameter with traffic moving much slower.
Knodler Settles the Difference Between a Rotary and Roundabout
https://engineering.umass.edu/news/knodler-rotary-roundabout-video-umass-transportation
The state's distinctive (and occasionally terrifying) road pattern will be replaced with the safer roundabout method, per MassDOT officials.
by HAYLEY GLATTER· 10/9/2017
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2017/10/09/massachusetts-eliminating-rotaries/
Longmeadow, Ma

Sagamore, Ma

Greenfield, Ma

Rotary vs Roundabout

discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,606 posts)DC is a rather crowded city so space can't really be wasted. That whole center must be put to good use. Maybe a DMV office would be appropriate? Angle parking for the DMV office would be at the perimeter and wheelchair accessible sidewalks would be mandatory. To accommodate rush hour traffic, a car pool lane may need to added which would reverse directions from morning to evening.
As JFK once said, "Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm."