12-26-2007, 11:08 PM
Dear Doctor,
I must, reluctantly, find myself in disagreement with your position on the theoretical placement of 'roundabouts' on Highway 130.
First off, because a system works elsewhere does not necessarily mean it will work well here. The concept, although outwardly attractive, to me seems unfeasable.
Do you actually think that the army of iceheads who routinely jet around puna in their junkers are going to fare well in such a configuration? ... I don't. I don't beleve a 'roundabout' is going to slow them down at all. Just a thought of course.
The reality is that despite what you've read on the web, any circular design is hazardous and always has been once encountering high volume and that's exactly what we're potentially faced with here, and of course these businessmen/engineers are going to tout their merits because they are in the business of creating them for paying clients. It's been my experience never to trust anyone with vested interest, although I'm willing to admit that in certain enviroments the system may work well, but I think not here.
Also, as expensive as any traffic control system is, it's extremely hard for me to believe that the cost of a 'roundabout' is less than a stoplight intersection system considering the amount of materials, design, labour, et.al., with would go into the production of just one roundaout, yet I'll defer to you on this particular point.
Basically it's an attractive system, I must admit, and obviously suited to areas where individuals are accustomed to driving at reasonable speeds, which I might add, is not Puna where people tend to drive like a bat out of hell.
Just my opinion, but I can't see any other alternative beyond the installation of more lights ... besides Doctor, do you relly think the county/state entity will ever go for such a concept? ... I don't. I think we've got to go with what's attainable, traffic lights - intersection by intersection.
If I may, I would add that I've read many of your posts and, as a rule, consider your contribution to this website invaluable, thus I trust you'll allow me to disagree on this particular point.
JayJay
I must, reluctantly, find myself in disagreement with your position on the theoretical placement of 'roundabouts' on Highway 130.
First off, because a system works elsewhere does not necessarily mean it will work well here. The concept, although outwardly attractive, to me seems unfeasable.
Do you actually think that the army of iceheads who routinely jet around puna in their junkers are going to fare well in such a configuration? ... I don't. I don't beleve a 'roundabout' is going to slow them down at all. Just a thought of course.
The reality is that despite what you've read on the web, any circular design is hazardous and always has been once encountering high volume and that's exactly what we're potentially faced with here, and of course these businessmen/engineers are going to tout their merits because they are in the business of creating them for paying clients. It's been my experience never to trust anyone with vested interest, although I'm willing to admit that in certain enviroments the system may work well, but I think not here.
Also, as expensive as any traffic control system is, it's extremely hard for me to believe that the cost of a 'roundabout' is less than a stoplight intersection system considering the amount of materials, design, labour, et.al., with would go into the production of just one roundaout, yet I'll defer to you on this particular point.
Basically it's an attractive system, I must admit, and obviously suited to areas where individuals are accustomed to driving at reasonable speeds, which I might add, is not Puna where people tend to drive like a bat out of hell.
Just my opinion, but I can't see any other alternative beyond the installation of more lights ... besides Doctor, do you relly think the county/state entity will ever go for such a concept? ... I don't. I think we've got to go with what's attainable, traffic lights - intersection by intersection.
If I may, I would add that I've read many of your posts and, as a rule, consider your contribution to this website invaluable, thus I trust you'll allow me to disagree on this particular point.
JayJay
JayJay