Houstonians can't figure out roundabout so put in a traffic light

[masraum]

Sweet! The morons here can't figure out how to use a roundabout (there are several around Houston, so I guess this particular one is surrounded by idiots).

So a year after it was installed, and folks have complained about curbs, barriers, and signs being struck, the city is going to tear out the roundabout and install a traffic light.

And according to the article, the original analysis determined that the intersection didn't justify a signal, but that a roundabout would be what was needed to fix the intersection.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-removing-200k-roundabout-replacing-21200994.php

Houston officials are preparing to tear out a year-old, $200,000 roundabout in Northside to replace it with a traditional traffic signal.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed by Jan. 5, District H Council Member Mario Castillo said.

The roundabout, installed in early 2024 with $200,000 in federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, was intended to address crashes tied to left turns from Patton onto Irvington. The Houston Public Works website previously stated the design could reduce crashes by up to 30%, injuries by up to 60% and fatal crashes by up to 90%, and cited an increase in serious crashes at the intersection between 2016 and 2022.

At the time of publication, all information about the roundabout had been removed from the Houston Public Works website.

Before the roundabout, and before Castillo took office, neighborhood residents had requested a traffic light. But an earlier analysis showed the intersection did not meet the criteria for a signal, and the roundabout was installed as a way to preserve left-turn access while attempting to improve safety.

Since its installation, however, residents have voiced frustrations about drivers striking the curbs, signs and concrete barriers.

"There have been some issues with drivers running into the actual concrete barricades themselves," Castillo said, adding that residents contacted Mayor John Whitmire directly and prompted another review by Houston Public Works.

"Public Works did another study and figured out that a light at this point was feasible and so that's what they're going forward with," Castillo said.

The Houston Chronicle reached out to Whitmire's spokesperson, who also serves as the spokesperson for Public Works, for more information and did not receive a response.

After Whitmire and public officials reviewed the roundabout last year, questions emerged about whether the city would still receive federal funding for the project. Typically, Houston pays for construction upfront and is later reimbursed. Removing the roundabout months after its completion could lead federal officials to rescind the repayment.

Last year, city officials declined to say whether the money would have to be repaid.

Now that removal is moving forward, Castillo said he has asked Public Works to clarify how the federal funding will be handled and whether the city will be reimbursed or must pay any of it back.

“I am still waiting to hear back on that, but I do want to know more about that side of the project,” he said.

Castillo said communication with Public Works has been consistent since the reassessment began, and his office has updated civic clubs and community groups as new information has come in.

“There are a number of folks in my district who like it and a number of folks who don’t,” he said. “We’ve given updates when we’ve gotten updates.”

I will admit that the first roundabout that I encountered years ago in Houston was pretty comical in low traffic times. When there was more traffic, I assume the clueless folks just followed along. But on multiple instances during low traffic times I encountered folks driving the wrong way around. And in every case, it looked like someone that likely needed ESL classes.

[stevej37]

The one lane roundabouts aren't bad....but the two or three lane ones are an adventure.
Some drivers don't know which lane to pick and end up changing lanes at the wrong point/time.

Throw in bike lanes and ped crossings and it's a free for all.

[Arizona_928]

A local leo pulled a car over and conducted the traffic stop in the round about.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

A local leo pulled a car over and conducted the traffic stop in the round about.

That's the perfect/safest place!

[john70t]

Need a poll
A) They should be ploughed beneath h-ll and whale poop.
B) All signs and rights removed. May the best vehicle win. Good luck.
C) 12 stop signs per roundabout.

[look 171]

We, in this country many of us are not up to snuff with roundabouts. I have to get through one daily taking my kid to school, that was installed about 7-8 years ago to replace a signal light that worked perfectly. I like the light much better myself. Two lanes enters the round about and the idiots seem to really like the inner lane but end up cutting everyone off to exit on the right immediately. Why the hell can't they just think since the next corner is their exit going right and enter in the right lane instead of the left? I found 90% of the people will stop instead of yield. They seem to wait until all traffic clear before entering. Our best one, you ready? It has a four way stop sign before entering into the circle slowing traffic to a stand still. Traffic flowed fine when it was a four way stop. Now, people wind around the circle at 5 mph. Don't get me me started with no right on red or those hard plastic cones place on the right hand turn lane to slow traffic to a stand still. No more right turn lanes. One car stops at the light (seems everyone lights has an left turn arrows now), I am waiting 3-4 min to make a right turn into a residential street.

[look 171]

You guys have blinking left turn yellows while the light is green? What idiot came up with that? Blinking yellow means left turn is allow only if its safe, caution yellow. The entire N America drove their cars making left on green when safe for 100 years, why start now with the blinking yellow. It confuses everyone and people sit there waiting for the yellow to turn green even if no on coming traffic is coming. Most will catch on and are hesitant while many sit there and wait for it to turn green but it doesn't. drives me nuts.

[kach22i]

The problem with roundabouts is that no two are alike.

The sight lines on some are dangerous.

I don't love them, don't hate them.

Since its installation, however, residents have voiced frustrations about drivers striking the curbs, signs and concrete barriers.

"There have been some issues with drivers running into the actual concrete barricades themselves," Castillo said, adding that residents contacted Mayor John Whitmire directly and prompted another review by Houston Public Works.

I can see black marks on curbs and even broken curbs in my area. I suspect it's all those one hand drivers. I mean they have two hands but only use one.

[Crowbob]

I am particularly fond of the idiots who think it a joyful and appropriate experience to ram through the roundabout as fast as possible. It seems huge PU’s with polished chrome wheels and tiny, little ricers are in competition to be the biggest *******s around.

The Chief Sandwicher was driving like a normal person with me riding shotgun when some idiot thought it a good idea to do a head fake like he was gonna enter the roundabout but slammed on the brakes at the last second. I nearly loosed my bowels.

[oldE]

I guess roundabouts are tools and like any other tool, the effectiveness depends upon the user. Transportation department here in Nova Scotia have been installing them in many high traffic areas and I can think of a few more places I would like to see them.
I agree, we do a crappy job of training new (and old) drivers.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

They are de rigueur in MA and are terribly fun speeding around them when you know what you are doing, and a manual helps a lot with instant jump into the rotary. They can be significantly faster than stop lights in high traffic areas.

The tiny one confounding Houstonians in the article is amusing.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

One of my local favorites.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by look 171

You guys have blinking left turn yellows while the light is green? What idiot came up with that? Blinking yellow means left turn is allow only if its safe, caution yellow. .

Around here I’ve only seen the blinking yellow on lights that also have a green left turn arrow. When the green left turn arrow is on, all through lanes are red. When the through lanes turn green, the light with the left turn arrow turns to flashing yellow. They’re afraid the same people who can’t figure out a rotary think green means go wherever you want.

[wdfifteen]

I read an analysis of the cost of lights vs rotary (or round about). The initial cost is somewhat higher, but the rotary is much cheaper to maintain and pays for itself in only a couple of years.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

The only place I know with 2 lane roundabouts is Hilton Head in SC.
I've got the one lane roundabout down, but will be studying this pic so next time I'm down there I won't be a dumbarse.

edit- After reviewing the two lane roundabout, I can confirm I had it right, now I will feel better when I yell at everyone else that they suck!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

Our best one, you ready? It has a four way stop sign before entering into the circle slowing traffic to a stand still.

Yeah, we've got one here with stop signs at every entrance. That one boggles the mind.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

You guys have blinking left turn yellows while the light is green? What idiot came up with that? Blinking yellow means left turn is allow only if its safe, caution yellow. The entire N America drove their cars making left on green when safe for 100 years, why start now with the blinking yellow. It confuses everyone and people sit there waiting for the yellow to turn green even if no on coming traffic is coming. Most will catch on and are hesitant while many sit there and wait for it to turn green but it doesn't. drives me nuts.

I don't think I've seen that. We either have solid green arrow, or blinking green arrow, or just a regular green light.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by oldE

I guess roundabouts are tools and like any other tool, the effectiveness depends upon the user. Transportation department here in Nova Scotia have been installing them in many high traffic areas and I can think of a few more places I would like to see them.
I agree, we do a crappy job of training new (and old) drivers.

I think that's the problem. I don't think I've EVER seen or heard of anyone getting any sort of training on them in the US. So they started getting installed, and are unlike anything else anywhere else on the roads in the US. There should be training. But most folks are just winging it (and many folks are too clueless to be left to their own designs).

[gregpark]

Training? What's to learn? You obey the yield sign, jump in and peel off in the direction you want to go. Never stop in the roundabout is the only other rule involved. People can't figure out 4 way stop signs either yet they've received training for them. The real problem? here's a plethora of brain dead zombies out there

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Training? What's to learn? You obey the yield sign, jump in and peel off in the direction you want to go. Never stop in the roundabout is the only other rule involved. People can't figure out 4 way stop signs either yet they've received training for them. The real problem? here's a plethora of brain dead zombies out there

I've lived in TX. This rotary thing is not surprising.