When most of us think of roundabout this is the images that comes to mind. This is the Arch de Triumph, probably the most famous roundabout in the world. Until now runabouts have been a foreign presence to most of us. There are a few scattered around the state, but now they are coming to the Bloomfield and Farmington area.
Roundabout are used to control intersection traffic by collecting traffic into a constant flowing circle. Statistically there are less accidents in a roundabout and it cuts down on wasted fuel by keeping traffic moving.
In this area there is a plan to install up to seven roundabouts. As of now two have been approved for construction. One will be installed at 14 Mile and Drake and another at 14, Northwestern, and Orchard Lake.
This satellite photo gives a better perspective of the intersection.
The red buildings have significance in the roundabout project. When developed the city shafted the property owner and would not give him a permit to sell them as commercial properties.
The owner got the city back by building useless properties. When the city had to buy the land for the roundabout project the prices got driven up significantly.
14 Mile, Orchard Lake, Northwestern Highway
This is the only roundabout that I think will actually be useful. Here three main roads intersect and it is rather confusing. There are are five traffic lights here that will be removed and replaced with yield signs.
The next three pictures were taken from the central island. This chunk of land is perfect for a roundabout because it is un-devolopable for business and is currently owned by the city.
On the north-west corner there is a small wetland preserve. This reserve will be destroyed in the building process. It's not a very large area, only around 200' by 100'. Still it provides nice scenery and home to natural life.
Roundabout are used to control intersection traffic by collecting traffic into a constant flowing circle. Statistically there are less accidents in a roundabout and it cuts down on wasted fuel by keeping traffic moving.In this area there is a plan to install up to seven roundabouts. As of now two have been approved for construction. One will be installed at 14 Mile and Drake and another at 14, Northwestern, and Orchard Lake.
14 Mile and Drake Road.
This satellite photo gives a better perspective of the intersection.
The red buildings have significance in the roundabout project. When developed the city shafted the property owner and would not give him a permit to sell them as commercial properties.
The owner got the city back by building useless properties. When the city had to buy the land for the roundabout project the prices got driven up significantly.14 Mile, Orchard Lake, Northwestern Highway
This is the only roundabout that I think will actually be useful. Here three main roads intersect and it is rather confusing. There are are five traffic lights here that will be removed and replaced with yield signs.
The next three pictures were taken from the central island. This chunk of land is perfect for a roundabout because it is un-devolopable for business and is currently owned by the city.
On the north-west corner there is a small wetland preserve. This reserve will be destroyed in the building process. It's not a very large area, only around 200' by 100'. Still it provides nice scenery and home to natural life.
12 Mile and Orchard Lake Road
This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the state. There are a lot of accidents here and MDOT hopes a roundabout will cut down on incidents.
There are businesses on every corner. The building process will obstruct and slow business until the completion of the project.
I don't think a roundabout would be useful here. The traffic flow is not that intense and a traffic light seems to work fine. The building process will probably cause more harm and frustration than good.
Since these satellite photos were taken there has been significant development in the surrounding areas.
This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the state. There are a lot of accidents here and MDOT hopes a roundabout will cut down on incidents.
There are businesses on every corner. The building process will obstruct and slow business until the completion of the project.
15 Mile and Drake Road
I don't think a roundabout would be useful here. The traffic flow is not that intense and a traffic light seems to work fine. The building process will probably cause more harm and frustration than good.
Since these satellite photos were taken there has been significant development in the surrounding areas.
The final picture is a roundabout that is located in my friends neighborhood. This is particularly concerning because of the neglect for the roundabout-rules. Its marked one way around with three stop signs. People do not follow these rules and go both ways around the island. Even worse I am told people rarely even yield to the stop signs.
No comments:
Post a Comment