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Roundabout love: going zero gets you nowhere
Updated: All videos taking on Thursday April 22, 2010 between 4:30 and 6:30. Traffic volumes along 14th, which connects the roundabout and the signalized intersection, is over 20,000/day.
NOTE: Monday’s rant has been postponed; it’s parked in the reserve lot. Instead, more perspective, resources and general roundabout chatter.
Roundie Love
Two weeks ago, I visited the roundabouts in Farmington Hills with TART Trails director Bob Otwell and his brother Skip, the traffic engineer for the city. They aren’t perfect. They are overbuilt. Yet, they still work.
They are part of the Northwestern Connector, which will be a series of 8 roundabouts that were an alternative to an additional road that was proposed. The public education campaign they’ve launched will need to be modeled when Traverse City moves forward with our own roundabouts. Something like this informative Northwestern Connector project brochure (PDF)
Even TART’s executive director handled them well (first video). What was really interesting was the intersection just a mile away at Orchard Lake and 14th which is still a signalized intersection. All videos taking on Thursday April 22, 2010 between 4:30 and 6:30.
14th and Farmington Rd. (20,000 VPD)
It’s all about flow rate and average speed, not the highest speed.
Going zero gets you nowhere.
14th and Orchard Lake (est: 21,000-27,000 VPD)
And, despite not being a heavily walked area and being over-built, walking the roundabouts did not pose a problem.
Even with Suburban Detroit drivers.
14th and Farmington Rd.
Informed Consent is the Goal
I’ve shared my views with the city commission and on our public forums. At a certain point, in the near future, our political leaders and the general community will need to make a choice. Let’s trust that they make an informed decision. Actually, let’s be certain that they are presented with that information and know our support for bold action.
I’ve compiled some bullet points on the advantage of roundabouts over signalized intersections. These are complied from a variety of sources, most of which have been linked from MyWHaT in previous posts. Obviously, roundabouts aren’t a solution for everywhere, but are a solution where appropriate and the opportunity exists to install. They’ve been proposed on Division St. because they will work.
Still, I can’t stop imagining roundabouts every-time I’m at an intersection that isn’t working smoothly. (Ever have difficulty making a left turn from Peninsula Drive onto Center Rd?)
Why roundabouts over standard signalized intersections:
- Vehicle Safety: RbTs are designed to slow speeds & reduce traffic conflict points
- Pedestrian & Bicycle safety: decreased speeds, shorter crossing distances, reduced conflict points.
- Traffic operations: Increased flow, reduced congestion and increased capacity for intersections with high volume of left turns.
- Environmental impact: benefits of reduction of fuel usage and pollution due to less stopping, starting and idling.
- Construction costs: More right of way increases costs, but savings are realized long-term in less maintenance costs associated with signals.
- Aesthetics: Create a sense of place and reduce overhead clutter. Landscaped space in center of roundabouts help define a city’s unique aspects.
- Economic: improved circulation and accessibility connects people to more niche communities.
- Cut-through traffic: Can reduce the need and cause for cut through traffic, as the main corridor is less congested and perceived safety is increased.
* Certainly, this list is not intended to be comprehensive.
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Growing up is best left to the professionals
Monday’s Quote
Hey, I was born and raised here too! I guess my problem is I never Grew Up Here!
– JRW, JohnRobertWilliams, “MICHIGAN…IT’S THE WATER!“
A reminder that not all controversial ideas for Traverse City are due to ‘outsiders‘ coming in and trying to change the place, which is a wedge often used by the curmudgeons.
They will soon realize that change is more often than not coming from within.
Bike lanes, a walkable community, roundabouts and falafel ARE local ideas to solve local issues and a means to express local values.
JRW never grew up and thankfully neither did many others. There are some still crazy enough to think that engaging the public process with creativity, civility and positive energy is useful. These types prefer answering and working towards the question “what are you for?” rather than “what are you against?”
Have you grown up?
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JRW is a lifelong resident of Traverse City, business owner, active volunteer (appointed to the City Planning Commission at age 17), member of Rotary Charities, co-founder of Traverse City Film Festival and a can be seen around town on a bike year-round.
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