RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: Roundabout

5.31.2005

Roundabout

The intersection of Ridgewood and Hametown may soon have a totally new look. In order to cut down on accidents in the area the county has been looking at several options which might reduce the number of accidents that occur at the intersection.

[Summit County Engineer Greg] Bachman said he thought a roundabout might be the best solution.

"It seems to solve a number of the issues that the others don't," he said.

Roundabouts improve safety of an intersection by forcing traffic to slow and eliminating the opportunity for T-bone and other most dangerous types of crashes. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed the installation of roundabouts resulted in an 89 percent reduction of fatal and incapacitating crashes and a 39 percent reduction in total crashes.

Roundabouts are similar to old-fashioned traffic circles like the one at Mull and Hawkins avenues in West Akron. A roundabout, however, is about half the size of that circle and has no stop signs, Bachman said. The roundabout's smaller diameter and splitter islands at entrances and exits force traffic to slow to 10-15 mph as it travels around. The absence of stop signs allows traffic to flow continuously and eliminates confusion about who has the right of way. Pedestrian traffic is routed to crosswalks on each of the "feeder" streets.

Personally, I really want there to be a roundabout. Then I want to move right by the roundabout so I can tell all my friends who come visit me, "Oh, I'm just on the other side of the roundabout." That would be so friggin' sweet.

West Side Leader :: Roundabout proposed for Hametown, Ridgewood intersection

(joe :: Roundabout)

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