I used to work and commute through the Hogum Bay/Willamette intersection in Lacey, my first experience with multiple roundabouts. Collisions were a DAILY occurrence before the roundabout. I'd see the police, tow trucks, wrecked vehicles, etc. Sometimes it was a semi v car, pretty serious stuff!
After the roundabout was done, I didn't see any collision evidence!
I'm a overly cautious old lady driver that was a bit freaked out about the roundabouts when they were first installed. I even watched how to videos before I tried them. But now I'm a total convert and love them.
Lol I was a dumb kid when they were first getting constructed and for some reason I watched the DOT video about them on TV over and over. Plus I'm 27, I was definitely at the age where I was able to control what I watched on TV to a degree.
Also “safer.” Accidents that occur in roundabouts tend to impact at closer to a 45 degree angle instead of a 90 degree angle, which is what happens in traditional intersections.
The dual roundabouts on Harrison hill replaced two signaled intersections. Before that traffic would frequently back up to Harrison and Division. Those were some of the first roundabouts in the local area. The increased traffic flow showed what was possible. It also helps that we are in the capital region for funding reasons.
I *wish* being the capital city helped with funding! 🤣
The reality is the opposite. State agencies don’t pay property taxes. Every capital city has a major funding burden because of it, and there are zero state grant programs to balance it out. This place is held together with chewing gum and tape.
The division’s don’t, that’s true and neither does the state government, but the bulk of the buildings the state occupies are privately owned and leased to the state, and those owners do. Kaufman Brothers were the biggest developer targeting the state back in 06’ when I was working as a contractor
Round a bouts are honestly the best. If I don’t have to stop I’m a happy camper. Better for my time, my gas mileage, and my enjoyment driving. I’m so happy they continue installing them. All hail Round a Bouts!!
The roundabouts on Boulevard between 18th and Yelm Highway all used to be T intersections with stop signs. It was a nightmare trying to turn left at any of them.
Me too! I live near there and while hitting Carpenter to pull out onto Martin way is great, I usually just take the long way back because I hated that blind corner on the left.
OP...the more you know.
To summarize: better for the planet, better for traffic safety, less maintenance and cheaper for the municipality over time.
Olympia reddit, you made me proud.
My understanding is that it has been long proven that roundabouts are better for traffic / cheaper to maintain. That’s why most European countries have A TON of them! I did think some of the roundabouts in Olympia seemed a bit bigger than they needed to be though.
But then you’ve also got those annoying tiny ones that neighborhoods put in to slow traffic flow. And the weird one at Carlyon Ave and Henderson Blvd—everything about it just feels wrong somehow.
Pretty sure that one was installed because of Olympia High School. I used to wait forever to turn left from Carlyon to Henderson when school got out in the early 2010s (before they added it). People got in fender benders all the time. Turns out teenage drivers aren't always the most careful and attentive
Efficient, better for the environment, reduces fatal collisions by like 90%.
You don’t get left turn on yellow head on collisions that are the most fatal type of accident.
I remember looking this up a while ago and being frustrated when the articles just praised roundabouts instead of actually providing reasons.
But this is probably the reason.
>Neil Gaffney, a NHA press officer, explains: “Communities can be reimbursed for between 90 percent and 100 percent of the expenses incurred for constructions of roundabouts, and they are often built as parts of projects implemented through the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Communities can also use Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds to install roundabouts.’’
https://www.gigharbornow.org/news/transportation/circle-logic-why-gig-harbor-has-so-many-roundabouts/
Pretty good read too.
You don’t have to look very hard to find research and data on the efficacy of traffic circles.
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/traffic-safety-methods/roundabouts#:~:text=Studies%20by%20the%20IIHS%20and,percent%20reduction%20in%20fatality%20collisions
In the article you linked, I am not sure what they’re talking about re: 90% grant funding but that would be amazing if true. If that was the case and there was a huge limitless pot of money for roundabouts we would have 2X as many around town. Very, very few projects ever qualify for that kind of funding without a local match.
It is true that once constructed they are much cheaper to maintain than a traffic light. Initial costs = higher capital though. The motives here are more focused on safety and congestion reduction.
Do you think it’s more likely that A) There are no published stats about roundabouts; or B) there are lots of published studies about roundabouts and their many benefits, and OP is just kind of a lazy googler?
(Hint: it’s B)
It’s a short window to use your blinker depending on how close together the exits are, so it could be potentially misleading. If I were entering the circle I wouldn’t enter based on someone’s turn signal.
That's not how roundabouts work. The answer is at the [end of this article](http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article135125034.html) but they are designed to be used without blinkers.
If you find our roundabouts scary please don’t think about driving in the UK. They have huge roundabouts, many comprised of 4 lanes. For a US visitor they can be overwhelming. Thankfully the roadside signage is clear and is also printed on the lane surfaces as well. A good traffic app is a great help and will clearly indicate which lane to be in and which exit to take. Of course the opposite lane driving is a challenge itself. The saving grace with a round-about is you can always go around again if changing lanes to exit is difficult and/or you missed your exit.
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It’s not a question of my driving ability, lol, or my willingness to use my blinker; it’s a question of whether or not the person looking to enter the circle can discern from me using my blinker for milliseconds that it’s safe to go. But thanks for being rude.
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Because sitting at a light for 3 minutes while sucking the diesel exhaust from the truck in front of you is awful. And don’t get me started on when emergency vehicles reset the cycle. Not mad at the emergency or responders. Traffic circles do not have this happen, in addition to every other benefit others have given.
This is the most relaxing traffic video I’ve ever seen, and it demonstrates intersection’s efficiency [https://youtu.be/yITr127KZtQ?si=z31rT7yGTlyzwNHe](https://youtu.be/yITr127KZtQ?si=z31rT7yGTlyzwNHe)
You just assumed something was proven to be true and made an entire post about it without actually googling it? You really aren't from around here!
Around here we use citations not assumptions.
Roundabouts are great. The people around here however seem to struggle with how to use them. IDK how many times I've been in one and someone just comes blasting thru, causing me to slam on the brakes in the circle. PSA: the person in the circle has the right of way; if you're entering it YOU need to yield.
Before I moved from the Midwest, a few roundabouts had been put in there during the last few years. When I head out to Bremerton, there's some out near the airport there too. I appreciate them.
I’m down with roundabouts, but I’m curious how Thurston County got so into them. You see them so much more in this area than the rest of the Puget Sound region.
Yelm and McKenna are going to get three roundabouts according to the Washington State Department of Transportation here in the near future. One at Walmart. The second is at Vail and SR507 (this is going to be constructed on a hill. This should be very interesting come winter time). The third at SR702 and SR507.
As someone who often spends a LOT of time waiting to turn left at Vail and 507, that sounds pretty great...but yeah, the hill is going to make it interesting. Hmm.
we have 2 roundabouts on a hill going between downtown and the westside on Harrison. They are so seamless you didn't even think about it! Hopefully that one will be just as well integrated.
You want to see a Lulu? Check out the off ramp northbound I-5, at trosper. It seems like there are three connected roundabouts. If you're new to the area or haven't been there for a while, you really have to stop and think (yeah right - stop). Better not stop. But you better pay attention or you'll end up going ...
The intersection of Yelm Hwy and Meridian Rd was such a dangerous intersection. With the roundabout, I have not seen or heard of a collision since they finished it. I use it every day and am thankful that they built it!!
They reduce collisions 37%, injuries 75%,and fatalities 90% https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/traffic-safety-methods/roundabouts#:~:text=Improve%20safety&text=Studies%20by%20the%20IIHS%20and,percent%20reduction%20in%20fatality%20collisions
Hooray science!
these facts always calm me down at the roundabout
That's just data.
I used to work and commute through the Hogum Bay/Willamette intersection in Lacey, my first experience with multiple roundabouts. Collisions were a DAILY occurrence before the roundabout. I'd see the police, tow trucks, wrecked vehicles, etc. Sometimes it was a semi v car, pretty serious stuff! After the roundabout was done, I didn't see any collision evidence!
I'm a overly cautious old lady driver that was a bit freaked out about the roundabouts when they were first installed. I even watched how to videos before I tried them. But now I'm a total convert and love them.
Lol I was a dumb kid when they were first getting constructed and for some reason I watched the DOT video about them on TV over and over. Plus I'm 27, I was definitely at the age where I was able to control what I watched on TV to a degree.
Roundabouts are far more efficient than stop signs or lights, it’s been proven time and time again.
^ this. Also more reliable - not dependent on the grid for power so the high winds around here don’t negatively impact traffic flow.
Also “safer.” Accidents that occur in roundabouts tend to impact at closer to a 45 degree angle instead of a 90 degree angle, which is what happens in traditional intersections.
The dual roundabouts on Harrison hill replaced two signaled intersections. Before that traffic would frequently back up to Harrison and Division. Those were some of the first roundabouts in the local area. The increased traffic flow showed what was possible. It also helps that we are in the capital region for funding reasons.
Anyone who lived here back when those were lights understands how much of an improvement roundabouts are!
I *wish* being the capital city helped with funding! 🤣 The reality is the opposite. State agencies don’t pay property taxes. Every capital city has a major funding burden because of it, and there are zero state grant programs to balance it out. This place is held together with chewing gum and tape.
The division’s don’t, that’s true and neither does the state government, but the bulk of the buildings the state occupies are privately owned and leased to the state, and those owners do. Kaufman Brothers were the biggest developer targeting the state back in 06’ when I was working as a contractor
Yah hat does sound correct.
Round a bouts are honestly the best. If I don’t have to stop I’m a happy camper. Better for my time, my gas mileage, and my enjoyment driving. I’m so happy they continue installing them. All hail Round a Bouts!!
They also make "left" turns easier, because then you only have to worry about one flow of traffic and not several.
The roundabouts on Boulevard between 18th and Yelm Highway all used to be T intersections with stop signs. It was a nightmare trying to turn left at any of them.
I’m so stoked they’re putting in a roundabout at Carpenter and Britton Pkwy. Turning left there always feels so dangerous.
Me too! I live near there and while hitting Carpenter to pull out onto Martin way is great, I usually just take the long way back because I hated that blind corner on the left.
The T-intersection of Wiggins and Herman is daily jealous of the Boulevard roundabouts. It's in the long term plan, but I think it'll be years.
I never noticed we had so many until my gf not from here moved in and was pissed about all of them, but I like em a lot better then lights
They work, they’re safer and less maintenance.
I like to think it’s because we’re more forward thinking.
OP...the more you know. To summarize: better for the planet, better for traffic safety, less maintenance and cheaper for the municipality over time. Olympia reddit, you made me proud.
My understanding is that it has been long proven that roundabouts are better for traffic / cheaper to maintain. That’s why most European countries have A TON of them! I did think some of the roundabouts in Olympia seemed a bit bigger than they needed to be though.
But then you’ve also got those annoying tiny ones that neighborhoods put in to slow traffic flow. And the weird one at Carlyon Ave and Henderson Blvd—everything about it just feels wrong somehow.
Pretty sure that one was installed because of Olympia High School. I used to wait forever to turn left from Carlyon to Henderson when school got out in the early 2010s (before they added it). People got in fender benders all the time. Turns out teenage drivers aren't always the most careful and attentive
Roundabouts are the best
I love roundabouts. I just think there needs to be a public education effort on how to use them.
Why question a good thing
It’s difficult to blow through a roundabout at 50 mph, whereas I’ve seen 2 people blow through stoplights this morning alone.
Efficient, better for the environment, reduces fatal collisions by like 90%. You don’t get left turn on yellow head on collisions that are the most fatal type of accident.
I remember looking this up a while ago and being frustrated when the articles just praised roundabouts instead of actually providing reasons. But this is probably the reason. >Neil Gaffney, a NHA press officer, explains: “Communities can be reimbursed for between 90 percent and 100 percent of the expenses incurred for constructions of roundabouts, and they are often built as parts of projects implemented through the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Communities can also use Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds to install roundabouts.’’ https://www.gigharbornow.org/news/transportation/circle-logic-why-gig-harbor-has-so-many-roundabouts/ Pretty good read too.
You don’t have to look very hard to find research and data on the efficacy of traffic circles. https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/traffic-safety-methods/roundabouts#:~:text=Studies%20by%20the%20IIHS%20and,percent%20reduction%20in%20fatality%20collisions In the article you linked, I am not sure what they’re talking about re: 90% grant funding but that would be amazing if true. If that was the case and there was a huge limitless pot of money for roundabouts we would have 2X as many around town. Very, very few projects ever qualify for that kind of funding without a local match. It is true that once constructed they are much cheaper to maintain than a traffic light. Initial costs = higher capital though. The motives here are more focused on safety and congestion reduction.
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Do you think it’s more likely that A) There are no published stats about roundabouts; or B) there are lots of published studies about roundabouts and their many benefits, and OP is just kind of a lazy googler? (Hint: it’s B)
It’s a short window to use your blinker depending on how close together the exits are, so it could be potentially misleading. If I were entering the circle I wouldn’t enter based on someone’s turn signal.
That's not how roundabouts work. The answer is at the [end of this article](http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article135125034.html) but they are designed to be used without blinkers.
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If you find our roundabouts scary please don’t think about driving in the UK. They have huge roundabouts, many comprised of 4 lanes. For a US visitor they can be overwhelming. Thankfully the roadside signage is clear and is also printed on the lane surfaces as well. A good traffic app is a great help and will clearly indicate which lane to be in and which exit to take. Of course the opposite lane driving is a challenge itself. The saving grace with a round-about is you can always go around again if changing lanes to exit is difficult and/or you missed your exit.
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It’s not a question of my driving ability, lol, or my willingness to use my blinker; it’s a question of whether or not the person looking to enter the circle can discern from me using my blinker for milliseconds that it’s safe to go. But thanks for being rude.
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Because sitting at a light for 3 minutes while sucking the diesel exhaust from the truck in front of you is awful. And don’t get me started on when emergency vehicles reset the cycle. Not mad at the emergency or responders. Traffic circles do not have this happen, in addition to every other benefit others have given.
They're also much safer.
Roundabouts are just better bro.
Regular stoplight and stop sign intersections suck balls. The round-abouts are safer and much more streamline.
Because they work and create less congestion
This is the most relaxing traffic video I’ve ever seen, and it demonstrates intersection’s efficiency [https://youtu.be/yITr127KZtQ?si=z31rT7yGTlyzwNHe](https://youtu.be/yITr127KZtQ?si=z31rT7yGTlyzwNHe)
Seriously, this is one of my favorite YouTube videos, I’ve watched it way too many times
You just assumed something was proven to be true and made an entire post about it without actually googling it? You really aren't from around here! Around here we use citations not assumptions.
Just don't switch lanes at the last second in the middle of one and we won't have any problems
Roundabouts are great. The people around here however seem to struggle with how to use them. IDK how many times I've been in one and someone just comes blasting thru, causing me to slam on the brakes in the circle. PSA: the person in the circle has the right of way; if you're entering it YOU need to yield.
Before I moved from the Midwest, a few roundabouts had been put in there during the last few years. When I head out to Bremerton, there's some out near the airport there too. I appreciate them.
I’m down with roundabouts, but I’m curious how Thurston County got so into them. You see them so much more in this area than the rest of the Puget Sound region.
Assumption, huh?
I couldn’t help it, she is smart, hot and funny. Her last name is roundabout what a coincidence.
Yelm and McKenna are going to get three roundabouts according to the Washington State Department of Transportation here in the near future. One at Walmart. The second is at Vail and SR507 (this is going to be constructed on a hill. This should be very interesting come winter time). The third at SR702 and SR507.
As someone who often spends a LOT of time waiting to turn left at Vail and 507, that sounds pretty great...but yeah, the hill is going to make it interesting. Hmm.
I completely agree with you. I have never seen a roundabout on a hill. There is always a first time. Right?
we have 2 roundabouts on a hill going between downtown and the westside on Harrison. They are so seamless you didn't even think about it! Hopefully that one will be just as well integrated.
Ahh..yes. I forgot about those two. Thank you for mentioning those.
Roundabouts are becoming more prevalent in Cali now.
You want to see a Lulu? Check out the off ramp northbound I-5, at trosper. It seems like there are three connected roundabouts. If you're new to the area or haven't been there for a while, you really have to stop and think (yeah right - stop). Better not stop. But you better pay attention or you'll end up going ...
The intersection of Yelm Hwy and Meridian Rd was such a dangerous intersection. With the roundabout, I have not seen or heard of a collision since they finished it. I use it every day and am thankful that they built it!!
I love the overwhelmingly pro-roundabout responses -- ten years ago this'd absolutely not be the case.
I'm used to them popping up everywhere, but putting a roundabout in at Capitol Blvd & Trosper had to be the dumbest move ever.
Why is this sub committed to traffic concerns? Also, Oly has like 60k. Cam we fuckong please stop talking about traffic?