924Board.org

[9XX Girl!]

Could Magic Roundabouts Arrive in the US?

I have been reading about the growth of roundabouts in the US as an alternative to intersections.

Could the US driver cope?

[D Hook]

They already are here. Got stuck in one the other day for two hours, all the time speaking like a London cabby.

There's probably only 4 or 5 that I know of in the metro area.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[haroldk]

We've got a few roundabouts in Minnesota. While I like them, all my coworkers seem to hate them. They all say they have no idea how to get out of them. Sadly, they're probably in the majority on that.

I'd love to see a few of them in a magic roundabout. I mean I would pay to fly them somewhere to get it on video if I had the money.

[9XX Girl!]

For Education Purposes Only

Views From The Magic Roundabout Swindon UK.
(Hope you enjoy the Videos )

A Journey Around the Magic Roundabout (Warning: This video contains language some people may find offensive)

A View from Outside the Magic Roundabout

Animation from Above

Animation from Within
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924 (84) N/A 2 ltr - 5 Speed - BLACK - Project (looking for 200BHP, any ideas!)
924 (81) N/A 2 ltr - 3 Speed Auto - SURINAM RED (Metallic) - Near Original Spec (sticking with originality)
BOTH ON THE ROAD, BOTH USED EVERY-OTHER DAY

[dpw928]

I used to have fun on them in Tulsa and on the A-1 north of London. Today with all the idiots talking on cell phones and texting it would be more like a demolition derby.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

[Khal]

"Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament!"


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'80 924 Turbo

[PORSCHEV]

LOL....it would be like this only much faster....with crashes.....and fights.....likely guns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lElTtHLdmPw&feature=related
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

[968rz]

We have several around here and I don't mind them that much, once you use it a few times it's easy. The one right near my house was done "because of all the accidents" and "this is going to fix it", well the accident count has gone up but because the speeds are slower when they happen the city/state calls it a success.

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Rick
79 924 coupe Petrol Blue 3spd auto (wife's DD)
93 968 coupe Amazon Green 4spd Tip (my DD)

[Rocco R16V]

There are a few regular ones out west and new ones being put in all the time. havent seen a magic one.
I like them

I wouldn't call that one "magical" more like menacing.
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"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. "
Ronald Reagan

[9XX Girl!]

[Joes924Racer]

About 2 blocks away from where I live theres one. yea instead of a four way stop they put in a round about.Its one lane traffic and theres a big tree in the center. Thats in tualatin then over in west lynn wich is due east from me oh about 7 miles theres more & these are a two laners and have alot of turn offs on them these were built last year..Theres 2 of the new ones maybe more, the first one I mentioned has been there for bout 30 yrs.. I like them very differentto drive on.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

[peterld]

Perhaps you guys should spend a little time here in OZ! The town I live in here on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 125 kms north of Brisbane, has a population of just over 45,000 and 132 roundabouts, and only two sets of traffic lights.
Further down the coast there is a huge roundabout, commonly called 'the squareabout' because it actually is square, which has now been furnished with traffic lights at all four corners. Now that is a disaster! Particularly as the lights are not synchronised!
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80/81 932/8 ROW

[steeny]

I much prefer the roundabout to the 4 way stop lights. That confused the shit out of me in Hawaii. well, that, and the fact that I was on the wrong side of the road compared to what I'm used to.

theres heaps of roundabouts up here. some with lights, some that are more square than round, one with a car dealership in the middle and traffic lights on 2 sides. good fun.

I'm not convinced the "magical roundabout" is a good idea anywhere.
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1978 924 N/A
she's gone.....

[9XX Girl!]

Don't worry guys, Australia is a Roundabout nation. We know you know how to use them. You are very good at driving them. You are well used to them by now. You also have some lovely ones. I especially like the Tram roundabouts most notably found in inner Melbourne. You have such a subtle blend of taste, road safety and humor!

However, France is the most Rounderbouted nation ".... in the world". Half of the world's roundabouts are in France (over 30,000 as of 2008)

But, the first roundabout (roundabouts are different from traffic circles and rotaries) appeared in Briton in Letchworth Garden City in 1909. But, widespread use of roundabouts began when British engineers re-engineered circular intersections during the mid-1960s, and Frank Blackmore invented the mini roundabout

Ironically, the US is the least Rounderbouted nation in the developed west (or, so called civilized world)!
Although, roundabouts are a growth style intersection, it is still believed drivers may become confused and use roundabouts improperly!
A 1998 US survey of municipalities that built roundabouts found public opinion prior to construction as 68% opposed; afterwards it was 73% in support, evidence that education could be effective.

Hence this thread. To introduce the US to the Magic Roundabout and get them thinking circular contraflow in an attempt to pre-empty any roundabout anxiety / confusion and/or help avoid a potential Magic-roundaboutaphobia pandemic
Also, to help reduce fear of Exit Error due to Coriolis Effective Induced Cognitive Distortion (CEICD). It's my contribution to US public service broadcasting. I also have plans for threads on:

• Mini roundabouts, (less than 4 meters in diameter)
• Raindrop roundabouts, (with raised meniscus)
• Turbo roundabouts, (high speed roundabouts)
• Stacked roundabout, (raised and stacked to save space - often used in turbo roundabout format on motorways and freeways)
• Controlled roundabouts, (with traffic lights/signals)
• Pedestrian Roundabouts, (for controlling large volumes of pedestrians and inspired by the thousands of Muslim pilgrims walking around the Kaaba in at Masjid al-Haram, MECCA in a counter-clockwise direction (Tawaf).)
• Roundabouts with Trams and/or Trains and...
  
• Roundaboutaphobia (a severely debilitating and potentially life threatening psychiatric disorder associated with circular traffic contraflow at intersections)

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924 (84) N/A 2 ltr - 5 Speed - BLACK - Project (looking for 200BHP, any ideas!)
924 (81) N/A 2 ltr - 3 Speed Auto - SURINAM RED (Metallic) - Near Original Spec (sticking with originality)
BOTH ON THE ROAD, BOTH USED EVERY-OTHER DAY

[924RACR]

LOL!

We have a modest number of roundabouts here in SE Michigan now, most amusing. Most people don't really understand the concept.

The sign says YIELD, not SURRENDER!!!

But I think people are slowly starting to get it, and if they're slowly phased in, drivers might be able to handle it. Unless they're from Ohio.

(Michigan drivers dread being stuck behind the moron with the Ohio plate - Ohioans always drive worst in MI, it's a running joke)

But I don't think we'll ever manage the Magic Roundabout...
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype