I hate roundabouts -- but maybe I am wrong
Roundabouts are spreading across the country -- I find them infuriating and unsafe (when I am towing a trailer). And yet the experts say they are much safer than ordinary intersections. Check out th...
Forum Discussion
JRscooby wrote:
Going the wrong way? Well you have about half mile to get across the traffic to make a U turn. Then the joy of merging into the passing lane, getting into the right, so you can make another right to go on up the road you where on.
Sounds like you are describing a Michigan Left (aka: Indirect left).
If the minor road is fairly busy, they are typically signalized. If not, using the u-turn crossover is safer and faster compared to sign or signal control...even though some traffic travels further.
At low volume cross roads, we often don't allow the thru movement at all and close it off because it's safer if the main road is high speed.
As much as you may struggle with merging, it's still far safer than a direct crossing.
A lot of it comes down to managing the number and spacing of traffic signals. Drive down 8 Mile on the north side of Detroit some time. Set the speed at 45mph eastbound or westbound and you will go for miles without stopping.
