Murphy Road project (Bend: dangerous, safer, move)

[skypros]

We are getting a TWO lane traffic circle on south side of town on 3rd street.... Click on the map to enlarge.... It will show very good detail.
http://bendoregon.gov/modules/showdo...ocumentid=3565

This looks like a very BAD idea.... and I bet there will be many accidents!

[delta07]

Originally Posted by skypros

We are getting a TWO lane traffic circle on south side of town on 3rd street.... Click on the map to enlarge.... It will show very good detail.
http://bendoregon.gov/modules/showdo...ocumentid=3565

This looks like a very BAD idea.... and I bet there will be many accidents!

I think it's an excellent idea and wish the city would install more! We really could use one at the intersection of Revere and NE 4th St.

If you do a quick google search on traffic circles, or roundabouts, you will quickly see that the number of accidents is actually reduced. For those accidents that occur in the roundabouts, they are minor, mostly fender benders, with little to no injury. 4 way stops are far more dangerous, as people miss the stop sign (hard to miss a roundabout) and this leads to t-bone style accidents, especially when traveling at high speeds (which is frequently the case for folks exiting the parkway onto 3rd St, 97 business loop).

[PNW-type-gal]

They work great in the UK, but they just seem to confuse American drivers (who often have trouble with the concept of "yield," as though it is somehow unamerican). Although a lot of time it's the US implementation, where there are stop signs at every entrance - that isn't a roundabout, it's just a complicated 4 way stop.

[whirnot]

A lot of people that aren't used to them do not like them, personally, I think they are much safer, and more efficient.

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by whirnot

A lot of people that aren't used to them do not like them, personally, I think they are much safer, and more efficient.

we are spending our first week ever in Bend and I love the traffic circles. I also love how nice everyone has been here. Even the guy I cut off in the traffic circle as I learn how to use them didnt hand gesture or yell at me. Back in VA if you arent fast enough when the light turns green you will have a horn blasting or more.

[Bendite]

I love roundabouts - they move traffic efficiently and are safe. Now if people would just remember they are supposed to SIGNAL when they exit

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by Bendite

I love roundabouts - they move traffic efficiently and are safe. Now if people would just remember they are supposed to SIGNAL when they exit

I'm guilty of this even though it frustrates me too! I'll try harder. Sometimes I point, ha!

I'm a big fan of the roundabouts. It's an amazing way to free up intersections pre-traffic lights.

I think skypros is talking about a two lane circle being built, though. Not our standard one lane traffic circle. I've had some trouble with the multi-laners in other parts of the country, but it really depends how they're built and implemented. The problems I've had in the past with two lane roundabouts had more to do with uneducated drivers and an already overly congested intersection that needed more than just the two lane roundabout.....aka, poor planning in general.