Submitted by ProbstBucks t3_z7ynhz in newjersey
Comments
the_last_carfighter t1_iy8t5td wrote
I swear there is a traffic light lobby and/or the oil companies want as much traffic as possible, less efficient = more product sales..still far better than FL, like how are 5 min red lights the best option?
storm2k t1_iy8tvgb wrote
we are the state with the densest population per capita but most of us live in towns that were designed to be car first, which means walking to your job, the store, or to see your friends/family isn't really an option. plus while we have one of the best public transit systems in the country (which is an indictment of the state of public transit in and of itself), those services are designed to move you from the burbs to commercial centers in newark, new york, or philly. this is how you end up with the situation you have now.
WaltO t1_iycxti6 wrote
How are 5 minute red lights needed at 5 AM when there are so few cars on the road?
KovalSNIPE17 t1_iybkdwh wrote
I have to go through that bound brook roundabout every day for work. holy moly it sucks
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy8t1jj wrote
>nj spent several decades eliminating nearly every traffic circle we had
:(
Yeah, it feels like our density will make it difficult to implement. I'm just really impressed with how they cut down on accident related deaths/injuries, so it feels like a very worthwhile investment to put them in where it makes sense.
storm2k t1_iy8tejr wrote
actually, nj's elimination of old style traffic circles is nothing but a good thing. they were not designed for modern times. trust me, take a ride around the somerville circle and feel what it is to truly take your life in your hands when you're behind the wheel.
roundabouts make sense for roads where traffic counts are low enough that a traffic light makes no sense but high enough where a simple stop control doesn't move traffic well. that's where they need to be focused.
acoreilly87 t1_iy8ytfm wrote
Yeah, Somerville Circle is an adventure every time. Constant lane changes by other drivers, you can’t blink for a second
Suitable_Shallot4183 t1_iy95xwd wrote
Man, I hate the Somerville circle. I go way out of my way to avoid it, unless I’m getting off at the very next exit.
Summoarpleaz t1_iyac6y4 wrote
Honestly every traffic circle I’ve been in I feel like I risk it a little bit.
[deleted] t1_iy9q0w4 wrote
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moomoomoo309 t1_iy9689u wrote
We found a better solution for the problem they solve: Jughandles! That's why we have them everywhere.
[deleted] t1_iya0w18 wrote
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shant_jan t1_iy9c58h wrote
roundabouts are designed to slow traffic and make drivers think about how their actions impact others so we all can pass through the circle without incident.
jersey drivers don't believe in that whatsoever.
wet_nib811 t1_iyav90r wrote
“AMERICAN drivers don’t believe in that whatsoever.”
FTFY
Bear_Pigs t1_iyay64a wrote
I think if we took a secret poll 90% of the people here would agree it's a uniquely jersey thing
jerseybert t1_iy94lg6 wrote
I moved from New Jersey to Florida. I've seen people make left turns at roundabouts down here. Scary stuff.
BlackWhiteRedYellow t1_iya1byp wrote
Venice?
jerseybert t1_iya242i wrote
Yes.
BlackWhiteRedYellow t1_iya4in8 wrote
Wow... Nothing like a senile 95 year old in his beaten up Buick turning the wrong way in the Jacaranda roundabout. Circle of death strikes again.
jerseybert t1_iya4z74 wrote
I take it you've been there.
BlackWhiteRedYellow t1_iya5gbc wrote
One never forgets the circle of death.
Born and raised in Sarasota, lived in Venice and then St. Pete (seriously highly recommend moving to St. Pete if you’re under 60.)
Moved to central Jersey a couple years ago.
jerseybert t1_iya6do6 wrote
I am the opposite. I was born and raised in New Jersey and moved down to Florida. Venice and the surrounding area isn't bad, but I miss Jersey.
BlackWhiteRedYellow t1_iya6jla wrote
No it’s not too bad but there’s 0 nightlife. Kind of a drag if you’re young. I’m glad I moved up here.
jerseybert t1_iya74hs wrote
So true. Where about in central Jersey? I worked in Edison for a couple years.
BlackWhiteRedYellow t1_iya7rp5 wrote
Monroe twp. Ironically the most Venice-like area in NJ.
jerseybert t1_iya8urk wrote
That's cool. I was born in Lakewood but lived in Bergen County for most of my life.
NYRangers42 t1_iy92oki wrote
I love the hybrid roundabout by Route 31 in Pennington where they control one entrance with a traffic light so that other entrances have the opportunity to merge into the circle. Modern traffic problems require modern traffic solutions
Hide_The_Rum t1_iy9jiai wrote
Agreed, that’s a very good design
Skorogovorka t1_iy9qfgt wrote
Idk, I feel like that was a good retrofit that could inexpensively increase safety, but I still hate that circle. The yields are very confusing for a lot of drivers and those trying to enter from parking lots don't help. I'll drive it but avoid like the plague on my bike.
Mr_Matt_K t1_iyab0cu wrote
Through movements on 546 are meh on a bike (I've done it plenty of times) especially since your other options are pretty much the flashing beacon at Ingleside (worse) or detouring all the way up to Penn-Tts. Road (more hills). 31 south of there was always a no-go and even north of there is worse since the shoulder rumble strips were installed.
Skorogovorka t1_iyamtbg wrote
Agreed, wouldn't be riding 31 down there but wish I felt comfortable crossing the other way as the other options aren't great (as you say). Really hope they are able to figure out a better solution as part of the great western bikeway.
css555 t1_iy9aevr wrote
I think we have too much NIMBYism, which leads to opposition. I tried to get a roundabout built in Ringwood. Should have been an easy sell, since at the time Ringwood took pride in being very rural with no traffic signals.
The nearby Church lied and told everyone the County needed to take their property for the project, and that their Septic system would be in jeopardy. So....now Ringwood has their first traffic signal.
scrubjays t1_iy9om1j wrote
And one of the most dangerous inter-intersections imaginable.
mac_a_bee t1_iya211f wrote
>Ringwood has their first traffic signal.
You can live with it. Oakland had only a flashing signal at their 202 south end, then one at 202/Franklin Avenue.
css555 t1_iyaakk5 wrote
Oakland has had 5 full traffic signals on Rt 202 for many years:
At the south end, East Oak Street, W. Oakland Ave, Rt 287 NB ramp, and Franklin Avenue. The one at W. Oakland Ave has been there at least 30 years (likely more), and the others have also been there a long time.
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy9bq2k wrote
Utterly heartbreaking. I'll sign any pro-roundabout petition you have.
[deleted] t1_iy9bs68 wrote
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bsracer14 t1_iy8x9jj wrote
As the most dense state, do we not likely have the least intersections per person as well?
css555 t1_iy9bqo4 wrote
I agree, roundabouts per person doesn't make sense. Maybe roundabouts per vehicle miles traveled?
blumpkin_donuts t1_iy92nbu wrote
Idk but we're doing it in a very roundabout way.
Ok_Entertainer7945 t1_iy97jdb wrote
Blame Big Roundabout, they have the strongest lobbyists in Trenton...
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy8rk2l wrote
I read this article and immediately became a big roundabout fan. Obsessed with the Roundabout of the Year Award from the U.K. Roundabout Appreciation Society.
TheRacoonist t1_iy8smkn wrote
Traveling more efficiently
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy8tkk0 wrote
Waiting at lights is efficient?
TheRacoonist t1_iy8zu6e wrote
Ah shit, I had that backwards 🤦🏼
I'm absolutely pro roundabout
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy93v9x wrote
Oh, bless. You were about to make a very powerful enemy (me, who became passionate about roundabouts exactly two hours ago).
TheRacoonist t1_iy97tm7 wrote
Dude, I've driven roundabouts on the left in rural Ireland in a manual transmission rental car. I'm ALL IN!
ProbstBucks OP t1_iy9aoyh wrote
Planning a road trip to Carmel, Indiana to see 2016's Roundabout of the Year. Lmk if you're interested
mac_a_bee t1_iya290g wrote
>I've driven roundabouts on the left in rural Ireland in a manual transmission rental car
Couldn't get past the airport lot, giving up to my suspended-licensed road manager.
SyndicalistCPA t1_iy916iy wrote
Definitely safer for pedestrians who enjoy a walk or two.
scrubjays t1_iy9oe1f wrote
Showing our deep abiding love for jug handles and Jersey barriers, and high car insurance rates.
thesoggydingo t1_iy9vv5o wrote
I use a roundabout every morning and think to myself how brilliant it is every single time.
MiltonFriedmanSucked t1_iy9e7r9 wrote
We didn’t throw off the shackles of the English monarchy to adopt idiotic roundabouts.
[deleted] t1_iy9etek wrote
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SuperSimpleSam t1_iya2ugm wrote
Roundabouts need more space than regular intersections, hard to get them into already dense areas. We get to keep the jug handles.
hipsteradonis t1_iyar1fx wrote
Now show me jug handles
Pigsin5pace t1_iyb1f1l wrote
I live Morristown and everyone is up in arms about the new roundabout there especially old heads I talk to. Just don't think the people in NJ are ready
Mr-MarkX t1_iybimjb wrote
I'm all for roundabouts but the implementation in Morristown has to be the world's smallest one + the layout is also a little weird.
Mr-MarkX t1_iybhs16 wrote
Get rid of 90% of the people in NJ, and our rank per person number will go way up
reoll t1_iy9o7t2 wrote
This is always going to be a bad metric for us as the densest state — lots of people, and little space (it seems tough to install roundabouts in metro areas)
We definitely need more imo, but it's not as bleak as 50th.
mac_a_bee t1_iya2itc wrote
Anybody explain KY's and MS' stats?
GodofWitsandWine t1_iya48rd wrote
What are we doing? We sure as hell aren't making lefts!
BiggyShake t1_iyb9x95 wrote
We doing that population density
Red__Sailor t1_iycv9t6 wrote
RIP netcong circle. Gone but not forgotten
Sloppy-Zen t1_iycvbfa wrote
We are number 1 in circles, 50 in roundabouts.
TotallyNotLucien t1_iycynfy wrote
The clark traffic circle is a good argument for this tho
ctiger12 t1_iy99rm1 wrote
Drivers in NJ don’t know how to drive with traffic lights, can’t read signs about right turn on red, don’t know how to turn left, or don’t care and drive whatever they want, once I saw a car drove on right turn only lane at a cross section and cut right back into straight forward lane. I’m afraid we’ll see more accidents with roundabouts until
fleurzodiac t1_iy9jvzm wrote
This happens all the time at an intersection near me, people just drive into the straight forward lane from the right turn only lane. Drives me crazy
riche_god t1_iy9i880 wrote
RT. 22 is a nightmare.
livebonk t1_iy9iv3e wrote
Doing? Building a million go right to turn left massive acreage looping nonsenses to try and turn skinny old roads into something that can support higher traffic
stellarlumen1 t1_iy9f74g wrote
Studies show, contrary to pop belief, the roundabout isn’t all that more efficient in terms of safety, time, etc
storm2k t1_iy8s7vv wrote
nj spent several decades eliminating nearly every traffic circle we had. yes a circle and a roundabout are different things, but the point still stands.
they're starting to make inroads again though.they make sense for the right intersection. i still maintain that the one they put in bound brook where main street meets queens bridge was ill advised but there was also not too many better options to put there given the space constraints with buildings and the train tracks.