The Dunedin City Council is about to trial small roundabouts to improve safety at two intersections, one in Green Island and one in Kaikorai.
The roundabouts will differ from the usual larger, raised roundabouts, but the same road rules apply.
DCC Transport Engineering and Road Safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen said the roundabouts would be a simple way to slow all traffic coming into the intersection, rather than allowing one direction to travel straight through.
‘‘Roundabouts are generally safer for drivers and pedestrians crossing near the intersection,’’ Mr Poulsen said.
The two chosen intersections are the meeting of Carnforth, Boomer and Neill Sts, in Green Island, and the intersection of Shetland and Nairn Sts in Kaikorai.
They were chosen for the initial trial, as they had problems with speed and drivers cutting corners, Mr Poulsen said.
The roundabouts will be painted on the road and may have flexible bollards around the edge.
In smaller intersections, raised rubber platforms will be used so large vehicles can cross over them when they are turning.
Standard roundabout give way signs and markings will be installed on each approach to the intersection.
The trial roundabouts will be monitored and further work may be done, such as kerb buildouts, mobility crossings or changes to the size of the roundabout.
If the trials work well, roundabouts will be considered for other intersections where speed and cutting corners are an issue or where there are concerns about congestion, pedestrian safety or an unclear road layout.
When approaching a roundabout, vehicles should slow and give way to the right.
Using indicators to show which way you are travelling is important for other road users.
For more information and updates visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/roundabouts
Comments
Here we go again ... if there's a small roundabout put in the middle of the road pictured, it'd better be one the truckies can drive over. Better still, why not just paint one onto the road as a trial and see how long it takes to wear off.
I'd also like to know about the legality if some of the roundabouts being put in, especially from a Heavy Transport perspective. Surely, if a HT vehicle cannot negotiate the turning circle, as demonstrated by the Bus at the Esplanade roundabout, then -
a) Is the driver breaking any law and/or responsible for any damage to the roundabout if he has no option but to drive over it !!
b) Is the council blocking the road and making it unusable ???
... refer back to a), because if the truckies ARE breaking the law or going to get billed for damages, then the council is, in effect, making that road unusable for anyone other than a "mini" driver or pedestrian.
I do think it's time the council forked out for a psycologist to come in and see if they can help solve the "roundabout syndrome" that seems to be affecting some of our council staff ... most of our exisiting roads are not big or wide enough for roundabouts ... simple.