On a recent exploration of the Waverley West subdivision, I was astonished to see the inclusion of roundabouts rather than 4 -way stops at the entrance to, and within the existing streets. My question is, how well do you think the average Winnipegger negotiates the roundabout? From my experience here in LindenWoods, not many people even know how to negotiate a 4-way stop, and there have been many accidents.
I think it's a good idea, looks nice, but will it work? Time will tell, I suppose.
Possibly the best way to teach people the ways of a "roundabout" is to video record them in use in Britain, flip the film over so that the traffic flow looks right (LOL) and then let us examine it. I've been on the circle in Picadilly Circus, and at the Arc du Triumph in Paris. How the French drivers get out of that one I'll never quite figure out!
HOWEVER, traffic does flow rather nicely into, around and out of the circles, with little or no real hassles.
I think it'll take a bit of "education" to get drivers used to roundabouts - just thinking of Winnipeg drivers who are unfamiliar with the roundabout concept conjures images of "National Lampoon's European Vacation"...
The roundabout or traffic circle works great on Waterfront, but then thats not high density traffic really, would be interesting to see how it would play out in a busier area.
I recall from my time out west that Edmonton has several of them and has had them for many years - but it was clear to me that not everyone was up on how to negotiate them.
considering MOST Manitobans dont even get the concept of a merge lane or the permiter entry lanes....I really can not see a roundabout working so well here is a high traffic area.
You are supposed to yield to all traffic on your left....that's all you need to know. I love roundabouts, they need to build more. I have been in countries with roundabouts and they work well, even with lots of traffic.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: DeanK</cite>considering MOST Manitobans dont even get the concept of a merge lane or the permiter entry lanes....I really can not see a roundabout working so well here is a high traffic area.</blockquote>
<br> <br> I agree. <br> <br> The thing I find aggravating about even the two cosmetic ones we have is that nobody signals out of them ?! That defeats the purpose of the flow a traffic circle provides if you have to come to a complete stope before entering it because the person coming toward you won't signal. I notice that even police cars, transit buses etc. also don't signal out so it's not just an average joe thing - the city doesn't even seem to push it on their own drivers.<br> <br> Brandon's west end has a large traffic circle (two I think) and I remember in the early days there being ads in the paper and signs up on poles reminding people about things like yielding and signalling out. They've managed to master the circle fairly well.
DeanK, I do believe you are stuck in your beliefs and obsessions. Perhaps more study on your part will help you to better understand the concepts. Even the larger transport trucks in Britain successfully negotiate the roundabouts there with little or no problems. All it takes, m'boy, is practice and experience.
Oh I agree practice and experience.. but considering we have had perimeter on ramps for a number of years now.. and people still stop and wait for traffic to clear before entering the perimeter.. I can just see a huge influx of roundabouts being quite bad.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: DeanK</cite>Oh I agree practice and experience.. but considering we have had perimeter on ramps for a number of years now.. and people still stop and wait for traffic to clear before entering the perimeter.. I can just see a huge influx of roundabouts being quite bad.</blockquote>
On the other hand it might finally force people to learn how to drive.