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1. • CommentAuthorFreethinker
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    
   Actually, green means go when it is safe to do so. The only way to determine that is to check before you go. Sorry guys, can't buy the fuel consumption argument, you could use that for rolling through stop signs. It may seem unnecessary to some, but I like the pause before I start up.
2. •  
     CommentAuthorGrumpy_Old_Guy
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    

   Posted By: FreethinkerActually, green means go when it is safe to do so.

   
   
   Correct, but that's something that can be determined while the light is red.
   
   

   Posted By: FreethinkerSorry guys, can't buy the fuel consumption argument, you could use that for rolling through stop signs.

   
   
   What don't you believe about idling at green lights wastes fuel? Rolling through stop signs would indeed save fuel, but it's illegal to do so. If stop signs were replaced with yields (and a huge percentage of them could be) the savings would be significant indeed.
   
   At many intersections a much better approach would be replacing signals / four way stops with roundabouts:
   
   From a Swedish study:
   "The results showed that at a roundabout replacing a signalised junction, CO emissions decreased by 29%, NOx emissions by 21% and fuel consumption by 28%"
3. •  
     CommentAuthorGrumpy_Old_Guy
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    
   Here is an intersection in Windsor Park. It's effectively an 8 way stop as there are four lanes in each direction at the intersection. There is more than enough room for a roundabout and it could be built for very little cost.

   Thankful People: StBPegger

   
4. •  
     CommentAuthorNorthlands
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    
   <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Grumpy_Old_Guy</cite>Here is an intersection in Windsor Park. It's effectively an 8 way stop as there are four lanes in each direction at the intersection. There is more than enough room for a roundabout and it could be built for very little cost.<div id="Attachments_109629" class="Attachments"><ul><div><img alt="8waystop.jpg" src="/community/extensions/InlineImages/image.php?AttachmentID=199"></img></div></ul></div></blockquote>
   
   That looks kind of spooky for a pedestrian.
   
   
   
   I've driven some roundabouts in other cities and they work great. What I don't recall is how peds were able to get around these things.
5. •  
     CommentAuthorGrumpy_Old_Guy
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008 edited

    
   Like this. No doubt someone will question the safety of roundabouts VS signaled intersections. From wiki:
   Roundabouts are safer than both traffic circles and traditional intersections—having 40% fewer vehicle collisions, 80% fewer injuries and 90% fewer serious injuries and fatalities (according to a study[4] of a sampling of roundabouts in the United States, compared with the intersections they replaced).

   
6. • CommentAuthorBob
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    
   And roundabouts could replace some of our overpasses, reducing bridge maintenance and construction costs.
   
   Having recently been to Italy, the centre of a roundabout, if it's large enough, becomes a piazza, where we could put a few more Tim Hortons - or parks, parking, or whatever fits.
7. •  
     CommentAuthorGrumpy_Old_Guy
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    
   The center of a roundabout can also be a spot for public art, as in this picture. (Also note the skid marks!)

   
8. •  
     CommentAuthorNorthlands
   • CommentTimeMay 18th 2008

    

   Posted By: Grumpy_Old_GuyLike this. No doubt someone will question the safety of roundabouts VS signaled intersections. From wiki:
   Roundabouts are safer than both traffic circles and traditional intersections—having 40% fewer vehicle collisions, 80% fewer injuries and 90% fewer serious injuries and fatalities (according to a study[4] of a sampling of roundabouts in the United States, compared with the intersections they replaced).

   

   
   
   
   Ahh that makes more sense. I see they have the peds corridors set further back.
   
   I've driven some in Edmonton and a couple in Eastern Canada ( likely some Toronto suburb ) and forgot all about the placements. I think there are a few intersections in Winnipeg that would make a good case for roundabouts.
9. • CommentAuthorMonominto
   • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

    
   Just what the city needs: a massive stoppage of traffic while people run into a timmy's to get that revolting concoction they refer to as "coffee" in the middle of a roundabout. BAD IDEA!! The public art display isn't too bad an idea as long as it's tasteful and "relavent" to the area.
   
   Roundabouts, though are a terrific idea for traffic flow and saving fuel, can be built in any size, for any area. I suggest that one goes in at Lagimodiere and Fermor, too many thousands of liters of fuel being wasted there, waiting for the lights.

   Thankful People: cherenkov
10. •  
      CommentAuthorcherenkov
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    It would have to be a very large one though, with all of the tractor-trailers driving through that intersection. There might be room for an overpass there.
    
    We should have a plane to reduce (or at least freeze) the number of traffic lights and four way stops in Winnipeg over the next 5-10 years.
11. • CommentAuthorBob
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     

    Posted By: MonomintoJust what the city needs: a massive stoppage of traffic while people run into a timmy's to get that revolting concoction they refer to as "coffee" in the middle of a roundabout. BAD IDEA!!

    
    
    Well, it just depends how big the roundabout is. Personally, I don't need any more Tim Hortons, but I'm sure something could go there besides public art.
    
    

    Posted By: cherenkovIt would have to be a very large one though, with all of the tractor-trailers driving through that intersection. There might be room for an overpass there.

    
    
    No more overpasses, unless you're passing over something. All around the Perimeter, those overpasses could easily be replaced by large roundabouts. Same with all the new construction in the southwest end, along McGillvery. Roundabouts instead of stoplights.
12. •  
      CommentAuthorcherenkov
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    Are you kidding? You want to stick round-abouts on a 4 lane divided highway with 110 kph traffic?
13. •  
      CommentAuthorZwikster
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    Roundabouts are the best damn thing that has ever happened to driving since sliced bread....
    
    I experienced them in Portugal and Spain and they are ultra efficient. You dont have to stop, just slow down and loop around....even if you are just going straight..its no biggie
    
    I think we dont have them here because of the icey slippery roads...imagine everyone doing a leftish turn on some ice...I smell disaster.
14. •  
      CommentAuthorgrumpy old man
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    I was on a bus in Paris that flew through a three lane round-about that scared us sh1tless. We survived. It's all in the learning I guess.
    
    The speed limits on McGillvray/Bishop Grandin/Waverly are around 80 or less. Not sure what they are on Lagimodiere. But I sure don't see them on "freeways" (perimeter such as it is).
15. • CommentAuthorBob
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     

    Posted By: ZwiksterI experienced them in Portugal and Spain and they are ultra efficient. You dont have to stop, just slow down and loop around....even if you are just going straight..its no biggie

    
    
    That's the answer. Have traffic slow to 70 or 80 kph and it's perfectly safe. Obviously the larger the roundabout, the faster the speed could be.
16. • CommentAuthorMonominto
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    Not necessarily, the town of Derby in the midlands of England has both an inner and outer circle of roads with roundabouts at set distances apart; it doesn't matter what you are driving, if you are going too fast, you and your car will not be on that roundabout for long.
    Keeps the vehicles, large and small going, without wasting fuel or time.
    
    Another place that could use one is the junction of Hwy 1 and the Yellowhead highways, where they are planning on putting up a huge 4-leaf clover overpass. Too expensive to build and maintain! The roundabout in that location would be far easier to do both build, and maintain.

    Thankful People: Bob
17. •  
      CommentAuthorZwikster
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    I dont think there should be RoundABouts on Bishop/Lagemodier/Waverly...80 km/h
    thats just not a good idea because new drivers would freak out...especially at the high speeds.
    
    I dont know where you guys get the idea to put them there....
    they are not like cloverleafs at all...
    
    I DO think they should be at smaller intersections though.
    
    there is one near the riverwalk where those new river side condos are being built. go try it out. its fun!
18. • CommentAuthorMonominto
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2008

     
    Zwikster, the new drivers wouldn't be the problem, they'd learn faster than us old-timers who are too stuck in our ways.... even I have some troubles with the small roundabouts in the city now, but I'm learning!!
    There are two down that road, and some down off Ste. Anne's road to the south in a fairly new development, yeah they're fun too!!
    Roundabouts are terrific traffic speed controllers, without the wasted fuel. Properly installed, and with competent instruction, everyone can use them safely, even the big trucks.
19. • CommentAuthorDeanK
    • CommentTimeMay 20th 2008

     
    round about + 70Kph + semi with a load of fuel which includes a pup trailer = one hell of a large fire.
    
    or are these roundabout sloped like hell?
20. • CommentAuthorMonominto
    • CommentTimeMay 20th 2008

     
    No sloping, DeanK, the big rigs will have to slow down even more, but they won't have to waste fuel waiting for the lights to change either.