[Vision2020] Roundabouts [was: Stop sign question]

[Ralph Nielsen]

Although 4-way stops work quite well in Moscow, roundabouts work even  
better. You need to look only to your left in order to enter the  
circle. You make only right turns in order to leave the circle. You  
just have to signal your right turn as you approach the exit you want  
to use so that others may enter when you exit.

A roundabout (traffic circle) takes a little more space but it saves  
the enormous cost of electric traffic lights. And if there is nothing  
coming to your immediate left, or there is a vehicle signaling a  
right turn exit, you don't need to stop at all. Perfectly simple.

They have roundabouts all over Europe and Britain. I am most familiar  
with those in France, which range from the huge circle around the Arc  
de Triomphe in Paris to thousands of single-lane circles at each end  
of small villages. If even the independent-minded French can manage  
to use them safely and efficiently there is no reason why they won't  
work over here. Maybe a sign in the middle of the circle telling how  
much money the taxpayers have been spared, this solution might appeal  
to Americans.

Ralph



[Vision2020] Stop sign question

Art Deco deco at moscow.com
Sat Nov 18 11:00:32 PST 2006

Since some city councilpersons read V2020, perhaps your note will  
prompt discussion.  It may take some tenacity on your part, however  
since certain city employees are a bit pig-headed.  The present  
council seems much more open to solving these kinds of problems than  
the previous ones -- witness Mountain View and D.

W.


----- Original Message -----
From: mysticchic
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 8:51 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] stop sign question


Hello to all,
I live on the eastside of Moscow and frequently am forced to use the  
intersection of Mountainview and White.  There appears to be a large  
increase of traffic in this area.  During the past two days I have  
witnessed to near misses at this corner.  My question is how do I go  
about making this intersection into a 4 way stop area?  I believe  
that this area will become more congested and dangerous with the new  
housing that seems to be popping up.
Thank you
Patty