Roundabout Rodeo

Every where you go, it seems, roundabouts are popping up around town. Like daffodils and dogwoods, these trendy traffic circles are a sign of the season.

Roundabouts are to today as the “turn lane” was to yesteryear. They represent a city planner’s attempt to relieve traffic congestion and keep everyone else going with the flow.  We have them at my work and they work well.

In some cases I think that is true, such as with the roundabouts on Northshore (at Concord and at Choto). It seems like those are working well and those have successfully addressed the problem as outlined.

Roundabout. Good idea.

Then, the other day I was driving on a somewhat rural road in West Knoxville (Bob Gray). I hadn’t been on Bob Gray in years. And I discovered there are traffic circles there as well. Lisa said something about how maybe that addressed some issue relating to a blind hill. I just kind of shrugged.

Then, there are the roundabouts on McFee Road in Farragut. I have no idea why someone would put a circle in the middle of that road. Maybe to slow drivers down? Entice some folks to spend time at the lovely town park?

And don’t me started about the ones in front of the Kroger store in Farragut.

Are they for fashion? Just because they are cool?

Sometimes it feels like we are playing a game of roundabout rodeo. Spin the wheel and spin the traffic. Where it stops, nobody goes.

Is this a trend that has no end?

I concede that we all drive too much and we always seem to be in a hurry.  Sometimes, we’re just running around and spinning our wheels. So, perhaps it is a good idea to throw some “traffic calming” obstacles out there.  

It’s not like we are in Europe, though. There, it seems, all the drivers are accustomed to this traffic tool. We saw them frequently during last spring’s vacation across the pond.

Here in the states, though, we just don’t get it. Have you been at one of these intersections, recently, and watched as we decide who goes first, who goes next, who never goes? Tonight, I sat - impatiently - while two drivers in front of me waited and waited and waited (ignoring the merging instructions).

Finally, when all the other vehicles were gone, they entered the circle.

Then, once you get in the darned things, how do you get out? I imagine some newbie drivers just go round and round and round. Then, maybe they find a moment for an escape.

Like everything else, it could be a case of too much of a good thing.

If you were to pin me down, I guess I’d say I’m generally in favor of these innovations. A little training would help and some reasonable restraint.

Anything that cuts down on traffic congestion and potential accidents is a good thing.

But if they start to construct them in my neighborhood, I may have to draw the line.

JG

Originally posted 3/25/2015