Driving around those stupid roundabouts

Playtime II wrote:
While serving overseas in Qatar we had to get trained before we were allowed to drive off-base. The round-a-bout rules were strictly enforced. You entered the circle and could only remain in the outer lane if you were exiting at the next entrance (think, right turn only lane). This allowed room for those at the next entrance room to enter the circle. If you wanted to continue straight ahead, you entered the outer lane and quickly moved into the middle lane until past the first entrance then moved into the right lane to exit at the next entrance. If you wanted to go 3/4 around the circle (i.e. turn left) then you entered the circle in the outside lane then moved into the inside lane before the first exit then back into to outside lane after the second entrance. Sound crazy but if the circle is large enough it will allow two lanes of vehicles entering the circle (rightt lane for exiting at next exit and left lane for 1/2 and 3/4 around)and it works well until someone doesn't follow the rules.

This is exactly how it is done in Edmonton Alberta for the last 50 years, on the older efficient roads.

The "new" areas of the city feature the "innovation" traffic light intersection, which allows drivers to catch up on their text messages and emails while they wait. Oh, and 140,000lb 8 axle trucks to stop. Then start from a standing start.

Ease congestion by having everyone stop, that's the key.

Stop go stop driving is so ingrained in many drivers they stop at yield signs, stop where there is no sign, stop at roundabouts...

City engineer told me a simple 2 street cross traffic signal set cost $1,000,000 to install, not counting the road work and markings. A goodly sum to set up a road intersection that features thousands of cross traffic collision opportunities a day. Plus energy and maintenance costs.