Thread

1. brudgers · 1789412798 · focus · HN ↗

   [edit: for clarity, I am not against roundabouts]

   I don't have real expertise in civil engineering

   Traffic lights have a smaller physical footprint and require less construction activity.

   Traffic lights fit on a cost spectrum from two stop sighs, to four stop signs, to stop signs plus blinking lights, to non-trivial signaling.

   First make it work. Then make it good. Then make it fast.

   Engineering is not a one size fits all discipline.

   [edit: I have a background in urban planning, architecture, and real-estate development]

   1. rightnutwingjob · 1789522867 · focus · HN ↗

      You forgot roundabouts with traffic lights.

      Here’s one in Australia near Perth:

      <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;h8lhX9Q6Z5g?si=eloUWLcH8q3eJiZH" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;h8lhX9Q6Z5g?si=eloUWLcH8q3eJiZH

      And I’m certain I’ve driven through other roundabouts with traffic lights in other states.

      1. perilunar · 1789526878 · focus · HN ↗

         I know of a couple in NSW: one in Albion Park, and another in Bomaderry.

         They work well when the peak-hour traffic tends to block some of the entrances. You can use the lights to allow the blocked entrances to flow, then turn the lights off out of peak-hour.

      2. Jarmsy · 1789528243 · focus · HN ↗

         In England we even have roundabouts of roundabouts <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

         1. rightnutwingjob · 1789544818 · focus · HN ↗

            Ooo! I like that one!
         2. markb139 · 1789545864 · focus · HN ↗

            I’ve driven around the Hemel Hempstead one a few times. Very confusing when I first saw the sign.
      3. [deleted] · 1789544792 · focus · HN ↗

         [deleted]

      4. throwawayffffas · 1789554468 · focus · HN ↗

         My honest take roundabouts with traffic lights are just traffic lights with extra steps.

         1. rightnutwingjob · 1789589996 · focus · HN ↗

            Everything is everything else, with extra steps.
      5. antonvs · 1789571898 · focus · HN ↗

         New Jersey has at least one roundabout, with traffic lights, and a 6-lane divided highway through the middle: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;maps.app.goo.gl&#x2F;2XoctqrtbfYGD7q48" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;maps.app.goo.gl&#x2F;2XoctqrtbfYGD7q48

         I assume the person who designed that was 6 months away from retiring to Florida.

         1. rightnutwingjob · 1789590108 · focus · HN ↗

            That gives new meaning to “drive straight through the roundabout”.

            What a legacy. I’m having a vicarious chuck now.

      6. yatopifo · 1789580659 · focus · HN ↗

         I believe it&#x27;s in Scotland, not Australia&#x27;s Perth.

         1. rightnutwingjob · 1789589971 · focus · HN ↗

            Could be the Perth in Tasmania.

            It’s not, I used to live near Perth, Tasmania.

            How many Perths are there?

   2. olyjohn · 1789522928 · focus · HN ↗

      The footprint is a cost problem once. They don&#x27;t need power, computers, or technicians to come out and maintain the equipment constantly.

      1. gruez · 1789529758 · focus · HN ↗

         &gt;The footprint is a cost problem once.

         Land can approximately be converted to a recurring cost via rents.

   3. wat10000 · 1789524575 · focus · HN ↗

      A roundabout can be as simple as a circle painted in the middle of an intersection, plus a bit of signage. It doesn’t have to be a big thing.
   4. crote · 1789629356 · focus · HN ↗

      Roundabouts don&#x27;t need any expensive control electronics, and have very little upkeep. In the long run they are likely cheaper than traffic lights.

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