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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.

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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?

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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.

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WaltO t1_iycxti6 wrote

How are 5 minute red lights needed at 5 AM when there are so few cars on the road?

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KovalSNIPE17 t1_iybkdwh wrote

I have to go through that bound brook roundabout every day for work. holy moly it sucks

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Summoarpleaz t1_iyac6y4 wrote

Honestly every traffic circle I’ve been in I feel like I risk it a little bit.

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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.

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