[Trotoleterm]

isn't the whole reason for using roundabouts to avoid installing traffic light?

Yes, but for some reason councils in the UK love combining the 2. For NO reason what so ever. It totally defeats the point of it, slows traffic down and adds noise and polution

Normal roundabouts are great at multiple junctions they allow for traffic to flow freely if there is space with a nice simple giveway system. They keep traffic flowing and are miles better than traffic lights. One or the other not both -_-

Really simple to use just give way to people on the roundabout, when theres space merge in and then go around until you need to get off. Whats the point in sticking a traffic light on something which has worked so well for decades have we become retarded over night?

[T1ivuQGS]

That's similar to some of the roundabouts near me. Very simple design and easy. I would go crazy if they start to put traffic lights at roundabout. It's just stupid.

[DeedPatmeda]

Sometimes roundabouts need traffic lights..there are some in Manchester, near city centre in particular, that are hell without traffic lights.

There are also many motorway ones where its great to have traffic lights. Anybody driving regularly on motorways will know the number of idiots who pull onto the roundabout too fast and dangerous after having become accustomed to high speeds.

Having said that..if a round has only medium to light slow speed traffic, it shouldnt have traffic lights.

[Freeptube]

Sometimes roundabouts need traffic lights..there are some in Manchester, near city centre in particular, that are hell without traffic lights.

There are also many motorway ones where its great to have traffic lights. Anybody driving regularly on motorways will know the number of idiots who pull onto the roundabout too fast and dangerous after having become accustomed to high speeds.

Having said that..if a round has only medium to light slow speed traffic, it shouldnt have traffic lights.

Then why not just remove the roundabout and have only traffic lights? I thought the idea of a roundabout was to not have traffic lights there and always give way to your right (left in other countries) and save time by not stopping at the lights?

I hate traffic lights, they are starting to pop up everywhere here and you can't drive more then a hundred meters in some areas without hitting multiple traffic lights.

[Trotoleterm]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your email,

I agree that traffic flow is moving freely at present, however when the new link road to Riverside Park industrial estate opens the volume of traffic using the roundabout is set to rise dramatically. This became evident during a modelling survey carried out using AIMSUN software on Newport and Hartington Interchanges.

When a roundabout reaches it's maximum capacity or has 3 lanes, the only safe option is to add traffic signal controls. Traffic flow surveys were analysed using TRANSYT. This provided a detailed control system able to deal with the increased volume of traffic expected to be using Newport Interchange. The traffic lights at Newport roundabout will be turned on permanently at the end of the NMA contract. The junctions will therefore be balanced at all times and also provide safe crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists.

Regards,

Dan Corrigan

Public Liaison Officer
Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering
North Middlesbrough Accessibility

>>> 11/06/2009 22:12 >>>

There has been roadworks on this roundabout for the past 6 months, and it
has had no functional traffic lights. Traffic flows fine there used to be
1 traffic light which was timed for only rush hour usage. During a trip
out today i noticed that multiple new sets of traffic lights have
appeared, i am not a great fan of traffic lights but i appreciate they
have there uses in certain places ie busy junctions.

However the point in a roundabout is for the traffic to flow freely from
multiple junctions without the need for traffic lights. So i am emailing
to enquire about why these traffic lights have been unnecessarily erected?
Will they be time controled to only be turned on during rush hour traffic?

Thanks

Rick


A reply... won't even be time controlled

[FliveGell]

We're getting more and more of these in Winnipeg, Canada as I speak... So far the only ones I've seen are all single lane simple roundabouts but the next project could be a four lane.

[VarenHokalos]

I have a friend who works for the local council and apparently it's a fairly common occurrence for big businesses to pay the council to fit traffic lights at specific areas to force traffic to stop and have to view various banners and posters advertising their business, so if there are any large businesses very near these lights, yet no logical reason for them to be there..

[Dyslermergerb]

I'm glad they have traffic lights at roundabouts in Nottingham.

Every bloody driver in Nottingham are all right pricks, they never let you through and I mean NEVER. You literally have to fight your way through.

[thumbdown]

[Uninkipsyncp]

I'm glad they have traffic lights at roundabouts in Nottingham.

Every bloody driver in Nottingham are all right pricks, they never let you through and I mean NEVER. You literally have to fight your way through.

[thumbdown]

lol you dont give way on a roundabout, that would be mayhem!

[Dyslermergerb]

lol you dont give way on a roundabout, that would be mayhem!

I mean during busy times. For example.

I approach a roundabout and I want to go right at the roundabout.

Cars coming from the right obviously have right of way, thus I wait until it is appropriate to move out. However, say the cars coming from the right are taking the exit after mine, and it's clearly backed up and causing tailback.

People coming from the right just carry on, not giving space and allowing those (like myself) wanting to turn right to do so. Especially if it's during rush hour traffic and I'm heading INTO town and not away.

[Trotoleterm]

There has been roadworks on a roundabout near myself for the past 6 months, and it has had no functional traffic lights. Traffic flows fine there used to be 1 traffic light which was timed for only rush hour usage. During a trip out today i noticed that multiple new sets of traffic lights have appeared, i am not a great fan of traffic lights but i appreciate they have there uses in certain places such as pedestrian crossings or busy junctions *not* on a roundabout.

Is there any way i can try to get these either taken down or time controlled to only work during rush hour traffic. The lights themselves have not been turned on yet and the whole roundabout is still full of roadworks.

What im basically asking is is it worth me trying to start a campaign / writing letters etc to try and get these traffic lights taken down or time controlled?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[ZAtlLVos]

You're not talking about the Hicks Gate roundabout near Bristol are you [shocked]

[Kokomoxcv]

You're not talking about the Hicks Gate roundabout near Bristol are you [shocked]

Haha, last thing I thought I would be reading on fm tonight.

The whole situation there is just a joke tbh. Putting lights on roundabouts seem the be the simple answer to the council lately, I think it just messes everything up and causes more traffic personally.

[immewaycypef]

You're not talking about the Hicks Gate roundabout near Bristol are you [shocked]

This has to be the most stupid decision by Bristol City Council[thumbdown] It always seemed to run smoothly even though there was a build up of traffic.

Now its all going to be start/stop meaning even more traffic.[thumbdown]

[ZAtlLVos]

What a complete waste of money...

The whole point of roundabouts is a faster and more efficient alternative to traffic lights. Now we will have a roundabout AND traffic lights. What's the point

The 40mph speed limit is going to piss me off big time too.

[Suvaxal]

Do you guys have traffic lights on the on-ramps to control 'rush hour' traffic?
That's the latest brain fart by the regional authorities down here.
Does it work? Not sure but it makes for a lot of 'drag' races as the lights change - not helped by the fact that they turn green for about one second. Sometimes, you'll see people that don't know what to do sitting there for several changes.

[Uojeyak]

Do you guys have traffic lights on the on-ramps to control 'rush hour' traffic?
That's the latest brain fart by the regional authorities down here.
Does it work? Not sure but it makes for a lot of 'drag' races as the lights change - not helped by the fact that they turn green for about one second. Sometimes, you'll see people that don't know what to do sitting there for several changes.

We have those in California. And yes, they do work.

[payporanymn]

I apologized for not being cultured, but could you describe a "roundabout" for me please?

[EzekelEnzino]

I apologized for not being cultured, but could you describe a "roundabout" for me please?

http://images.google.nl/images?hl=nl...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

no need to thank me.........

[Aceroassert]

I apologized for not being cultured, but could you describe a "roundabout" for me please?

They exist in the U.S. as well, altho I don't think I've seen one this elaborate. It's a piece of traffic management that boggles the mind.