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I always figured with the amount of traffic in Atlanta that a roundabout would be a death trap.
I would think exactly the opposite - that roundabouts would facilitate flow of traffic, which would be very helpful in high-traffic areas. Efficiency is one of the big advantages of roundabouts. I wouldn't have any reason to think they would be "death traps" in Atlanta moreso than anywhere else.
Keep in mind that traffic in Atlanta - or any city - isn't evenly distributed throughout all streets and highways. The most annoying traffic IMO is found on the major highways...85, 75, 20, 285, 400. It's also dependent on time of day, and whether you decided to live among all of the other lemmings in the most congested areas of town.
Traffic circles are quite common in New Jersey. The closest one to me is probably the worst one in the state. It's called Tonnele Circle (or, as I like to call it, Circle of Death). Generally, I like traffic circles, but Tonnele is a mess.
Roundabouts are good things to have. They reduce accidents and the accidents that do happen there are lower-speed than those at regular intersections. They also cause drivers to look and pay attention much more than they normally would, which is still good. Still, my favorite Roundabout is the Yes song
I like them. Certainly better than four way stop signs, I hate those! Even when you pay attention and know whose turn it is, someone else does not and tries to go, then it becomes a game of stop and go with no one giving the other a break!
At least to the best of my knowledge, roundabouts and rotaries are different. Where I am from (SE Massachusetts), a rotary is larger than a roundabout. Rotaries can have grass or plants on the actual land that forms the rotary island in the middle. Rotaries are usually, although not necessarily, multiple lanes.
A roundabout is smaller than a rotary, single lane, and usually has a cement circle in the center (no plants or landscaping).
If that is the case; we are talking about ROUNDABOUTS (based on your post; it sounds like they are the same and your are trying to split hairs. Please, for the purpose of intelligent and usefull conversation, stop. Thanks).
I love the roundabouts in the Indy area; the only time I have a problem with them is when some knucklehead shows up in one and has no clue how to navigate it. I once saw an old lady stop in the circle and try backing up after she missed her turn; a more common problem happens with the people who seem to not realize that there are two lanes in the circle, and they think they can cross over the line and cut people off.
They are a mixed bag in my experience. Nice if it isn't too busy, but I like lights. I at least know I'm going to get my turn soon, with high traffic roundabouts, I feel like I can sit there all day sometimes.
We have them on some of the side roads and they are great! Every once in awhile there's people who doesn't know what "yield" means or thinks only other people have to yield. But those are the same people who don't know what stopsigns or red lights are for either.
I think we need more of them.
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