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Roundabouts were discussed in today’s New York times:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/1...ing/?scp=1&sq=roundabouts&st=cse . Interesting that NYT reports “states are rushing to build them — not least because roundabouts, with no traffic signals to maintain, are comparatively cheap.” If other states are this interested in roundabouts, what’s going on with our own state and county transportation systems? Is this another case of mulish Hawaii government needing a swift kick to get it moving in a new direction?
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I think it is a cultural issue. A roundabout would work very poorly in China, for example, where cooperative driving is unheard of. They work beautifully in England where there has been more of an "after you" tradition.
Hard to say how well they would work in Hawaii. Probably better than stoplights, provided they were very well lit. There is a general resistance to doing anything that requires work in Hawaii. Another problem with Hawaii is that it is the most decentralized state in the union. It is really six completely independent states loosely organized in a sort of confederation.
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Roundabouts are coming into their own in Washington State, where I work for the Department of Transportation. These fixtures are more positive than negative, with the greatest asset being the maintenance of smooth traffic flow and the greatest liabilities being a higher initial cost and the requirement for more physical space than an intersection.
It's ironic that I was in a meeting just this past week where we're discussing the installation of a roundabout in a location where wetlands surround the current intersection. This location has a history of rear-end collisions due to increasing congestion, and we're recommending a roundabout if we can avoid impacts to wetlands and their buffers.
Make no mistake, roundabouts work for most of the developed world and deserve support.
Brian (Fishboy)
Aloha pumehana,
Brian and Mary
Lynnwood, WA\Discovery Harbour
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Roundabouts have similar 'peak capacities' as stoplights. During rush hour, you have the inevitable lineup of cars waiting to access the intersection.
When you build a roundabout, or install a stoplight, you are creating a future problem for your children. Modern academic theory now knows the only long term, fiscally sound, solution is grade separation.
Have you questioned any of your beliefs, or changed your mind about anything lately?
Liberalism thrives on the double standard.
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LOL... fiscally sound? so how do we pay for cloverleafs down 130?
if it cost $10,000 to put in a light, and that light cost $1000.00 a year to maintain and you get 10 years use out of it... that is a cost of $20,000.
or you can put in a 10 million dollar solution, that costs $10,000 a year to maintain and get 50 years use out of it...
The problem is, we don't have the the 10 million to spend right now, and the $20,000 light will work just fine.
Besides, Puna is going to stay rural, all we need here are farm roads...
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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
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Who mentioned cloverleaf intersections on Hwy. 130?
Hilo has been adding signals to some intersections for about $1,000,000 each recently.
Just FYI
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Puna is going to stay rural.
As if to say folks will stop making whoopie. Yeah right.
Have you questioned any of your beliefs, or changed your mind about anything lately?
Liberalism thrives on the double standard.
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Timkona Did...
Look up "grade separation"...
if it cost 1 million dollars to put in a light, there must be some dumb government reason.
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
Who mentioned cloverleaf intersections on Hwy. 130?
Hilo has been adding signals to some intersections for about $1,000,000 each recently.
Just FYI
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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
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