Urban Infrastructure Notes

[dewline]

Another piece for Spacing Ottawa went live on their blog this morning.

Read and react as you will:

http://spacingottawa.ca/2010/01/11/round-and-round-the-boulevard/

Comments

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Given this City's track record of traffic implementation, I'm hoping they are well-advised on design and implementation of this scheme, or there will be a big fiasco. Roundabouts can be safer generally, but their design is not foolproof.

The biggest advantage generally (including for pedestrians) is that traffic in a roundabout must be slower than cars on a straight road; a roundabout forces traffic to slow down and drivers to watch where they are going. They may prove to be the best deterrent available against teenage racers and other forms of stupid driving. They also can do this without the need for traffic lights, though the roundabout still will need regular lighting. [Traffic lights may still be needed in order to meter the traffic, but they are not essential.]

Personally, I think whoever wrote the advice to the pedestrian that Reevely [sp?] was reading did not think out his or her task logically. There is *no*reason* why the message had to be so long, nor should phrases like "splitter island" have been used. Just remember two points (both expressed in N. American terms):

1. If you are on the *right* side of the road, watch for traffic trying to *enter* the roundabout from the side you are on.
2. If you are on the *left* side of the road, watch for traffic trying to *leave* the roundabout from the side you are on.

The second point is trickier than it sounds. If you are crossing an intersecting road from left-to-right, the traffic in the roundabout will be going in the *same* direction as you are. Just as you are advised to walk on the left side of the road when no sidewalk is available, you would have to look over your shoulder to detect traffic trying to leave the roundabout. A well-placed mirror (on the opposite side of the road) may prove useful, but it had better be screened or tilted so it doesn't catch the sun on a winter's morning or evening.

Just a thought or two ...

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify: I meant that traffic lights may be needed to meter the traffic *entering* the roundabout. No metering is necessary for the exit side(s).