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The Beauty of Roundabouts

100 points · 222 comments · ngruhn

  1. brudgers · · 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 · · 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. antonvs · · 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 · · focus · HN ↗
          That gives new meaning to “drive straight through the roundabout”.

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

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