Traffic-circles
About two or three weeks ago I had the opportunity to try the new traffic-circle (roundabout) where Route 251 crosses Route 65.
Both roads are two-lane, and 65 was previously through and 251 stop.
Both approaches of 65 were semi-blind, meaning to cross 65, or turn off 251 onto 65, required care.
A flashing-light hung over the intersection; red for 251, yellow for 65.
What it needed was a stop-light; but what it got was a traffic-circle. No longer was 65 through, or 251 across. Traffic has to slow and merge and negotiate the circle.
Ex-KYOOZE me, but I think this is rather stupid, coming as I do from south Jersey, which is awash in traffic-circles now being removed.
Supposedly the idea is to “calm traffic.” Sure, until Granny concludes the way to negotiate traffic-circles is to put the hammer down and send all scurrying.
At first drivers are sheepish — apparent calming. But then they get the hang of it: hammer down then slam on the brakes. It becomes a demolition-derby.
I know from experience. When I first learned to drive I considered my greatest challenge to be traffic-circles.
“Bobby, we can’t wait. You’re holding up traffic. They’re all blowing their horns.”
I quickly learned the drill: charge the circle and slam on the brakes to avoid T-boning.
Who knows how many cars I avoided, and how many avoided me. “Bobby; you have to deal with these things.”
Soon you exited the circle and wiped your brow.
The last time I visited Jersey every circle was either gone or being sundered.
The infamous Ellisburg Circle, not far from our house in Erlton, was totally gone, replaced by an intersection with traffic-lights.
Kings Highway crossed Marlton Pike there, plus a side-road angled off next to Kings Highway south.
I came upon it expecting the usual chaotic melee, but was greeted with placid order — a traffic-light.
All the other circles I remember have been similarly obliterated; replaced with intersections with traffic-lights.
A circle farther out on Marlton Pike was only partially obliterated. A traffic-light controls the main intersection in the center; but parts of the circle have been turned into turning-lanes with traffic-lights of their own. —The circle was large enough to do this.
So how long will the traffic-circle at 251 and 65 exist? Probably until the instigators retire — they have an agenda to uphold.
“Traffic-calming” only works for a little while; then it becomes bumper-cars.
Then after the instigators retire their replacements will introduce a wonderful newfangled idea to stop the carnage: the traffic-light.
Both roads are two-lane, and 65 was previously through and 251 stop.
Both approaches of 65 were semi-blind, meaning to cross 65, or turn off 251 onto 65, required care.
A flashing-light hung over the intersection; red for 251, yellow for 65.
What it needed was a stop-light; but what it got was a traffic-circle. No longer was 65 through, or 251 across. Traffic has to slow and merge and negotiate the circle.
Ex-KYOOZE me, but I think this is rather stupid, coming as I do from south Jersey, which is awash in traffic-circles now being removed.
Supposedly the idea is to “calm traffic.” Sure, until Granny concludes the way to negotiate traffic-circles is to put the hammer down and send all scurrying.
At first drivers are sheepish — apparent calming. But then they get the hang of it: hammer down then slam on the brakes. It becomes a demolition-derby.
I know from experience. When I first learned to drive I considered my greatest challenge to be traffic-circles.
“Bobby, we can’t wait. You’re holding up traffic. They’re all blowing their horns.”
I quickly learned the drill: charge the circle and slam on the brakes to avoid T-boning.
Who knows how many cars I avoided, and how many avoided me. “Bobby; you have to deal with these things.”
Soon you exited the circle and wiped your brow.
The last time I visited Jersey every circle was either gone or being sundered.
The infamous Ellisburg Circle, not far from our house in Erlton, was totally gone, replaced by an intersection with traffic-lights.
Kings Highway crossed Marlton Pike there, plus a side-road angled off next to Kings Highway south.
I came upon it expecting the usual chaotic melee, but was greeted with placid order — a traffic-light.
All the other circles I remember have been similarly obliterated; replaced with intersections with traffic-lights.
A circle farther out on Marlton Pike was only partially obliterated. A traffic-light controls the main intersection in the center; but parts of the circle have been turned into turning-lanes with traffic-lights of their own. —The circle was large enough to do this.
So how long will the traffic-circle at 251 and 65 exist? Probably until the instigators retire — they have an agenda to uphold.
“Traffic-calming” only works for a little while; then it becomes bumper-cars.
Then after the instigators retire their replacements will introduce a wonderful newfangled idea to stop the carnage: the traffic-light.
posted by BobbaLew at 2:01 PM
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