Hey, Georgia DOT! Check out this new invention! (Atlanta, Boston: safety, move)

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Must depend on traffic patterns.

I think you're right to some extent and that's what worries me. For a rotary to work correctly, drivers have to make the decision to yield and go very quickly. You have to know when you should go and when you're supposed to yield.

My concern in GA is that frankly most of the drivers here are clueless. They don't yield at crosswalks but yet sit behind people making left turns instead of going around. They speed, tailgate, don't use turn signals, and either cut you off or sit there when they should go.

I know that's a bit of a generalization, but honestly, it's not that far off. I was back in New England a couple of weeks ago, and was in Seattle earlier this month as well, and it's painfully obvious the difference in the driving.

Having rotaries in urban areas is a bad idea. They are mainly suited for country roads where you don't need to decide on right of way and you can trust the drivers to yield and go as appropriate. I don't trust the drivers here to do that. Many crashes will be the result.

[cityrover]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

There's at least one of those on the I-494 stretch in Bloomington MN by the Mall of America, and it seems to work rather well.

I'd rather see more roundabouts in Georgia replacing stop signs and/or traffic lights. Those were one of the more things I remember from driving in the UK.

Let's hope they remain only a memory. Probably the worst thing you can do to traffic.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by cityrover

Let's hope they remain only a memory. Probably the worst thing you can do to traffic.

They seemed to work fine when I was driving in the UK, and as I said MN is starting to use them. I can see them being a replacement for stoplights at low-traffic intersections, mainly.

From what I've read, many traffic studies don't agree with your conclusion, but of course those studies aren't taking GA drivers into account.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

They seemed to work fine when I was driving in the UK, and as I said MN is starting to use them. I can see them being a replacement for stoplights at low-traffic intersections, mainly.

From what I've read, many traffic studies don't agree with your conclusion, but of course those studies aren't taking GA drivers into account.

Well, I can only provide you 15 years of "hands on" experience with rotaries in New England. I'm also a very experienced driver in the UK, so I have a basis for comparison.

You really need people who are competent drivers for rotaries to work, and they have to be able to drive decisively and "give and take way." They work well in low population environments or roads with low volume. They're a nightmare in any kind of high density traffic, especially when people drive timidly and don't take right of way when they can/should.

No offense meant to anyone, but some drivers here in Atlanta and the south aren't very good with right of way or moving quickly when necessary. Others are the opposite and pay no attention and will just cut you off. You need a happy medium and people who obey the rules for a rotary to work.

[imperialmog]

I noticed the driving problem is based on there being large numbers of people with different driving styles which makes things unpredictable. It is an unintended consequence of people coming from other parts of the country and even other countries in large numbers and and taking their driving styles with them.

[cityrover]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

They seemed to work fine when I was driving in the UK, and as I said MN is starting to use them. I can see them being a replacement for stoplights at low-traffic intersections, mainly.

From what I've read, many traffic studies don't agree with your conclusion, but of course those studies aren't taking GA drivers into account.

They are a mess. Been there, driven them. The bigger they make them, the more they fail.

I dont need to second guess whose order it was or who is going to keep going in it or exit prior to my entry in the circle.

brits are used to them but then again, they DO drive on the wrong side of the road to begin with, so not much to be commented on their driving ability

GA drivers are fine. It is all these furrenirs with ga tags and nebraskans, ohions, and floridians that clog and destroy our flow on any interstate and county road.

[coffewithwhiskey]

Originally Posted by cityrover

Let's hope they remain only a memory. Probably the worst thing you can do to traffic.

There's two that I know of down in Statesboro, GA and they work extremely well. It moves traffic far more efficiently than a traffic light would. Once the locals get used to them and know how to yield, traffic moves quickly.

[Craziaskowboi]

A diverging diamond at the Pleasant Hill Road exit on I-85 would be excellent since I use that exit every time I go to play laser tag with my friends.

[ericsonga]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

A diverging diamond at the Pleasant Hill Road exit on I-85 would be excellent since I use that exit every time I go to play laser tag with my friends.

I think that the CID is trying to get this in place quite quickly. However, it is only temporary, as the SPI is still the long range plan with the replacement of the bridge.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by cityrover

GA drivers are fine. It is all these furrenirs with ga tags and nebraskans, ohions, and floridians that clog and destroy our flow on any interstate and county road.

I disagree. Georgia drivers are not educated or are just plain ignorant when it comes to driving. NEVER have I seen more drivers at night without their headlights on than in Georgia. ...OR when it rains. C'mon. Seriously!