Roundabout findings

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 6

Roundabout findings

Smail roundabouts at traffic intersections reduce noise, but put cyclists and motorcyclists. al greater risk; according 10 Mr P. L. Atkinson, a traffic engineer withy the Wainiairi County Council. 1 ." Mr' Atkinson presented a paper. . ."Experience with smaily roundabouts." to the annual conference of the Institution of Engineers, which is being held this week at the University of Canterbury. - vFdur .'roundabouts have been installed in the county to replace compulsory slop signs.or traffic signals. They are\al-; Ham Hoad Criyke Koatf'Maidstone Hoad: Idris. Hoad Glaridovey Road:

Waimairi Road Maidstone Road: and Clyde Road Creyke Road Kotare Street. The findings related mainly to the Clyde Road • Creyke Road Kotare Street intersection. ■ ’ Mr Atkinson told engineers that the roundabouts generated less noise , than traffic signals, but he said that concern expressed by cyclists was valid, and .twowheeled vehicles were at greater, risk. The central island should be large enough to slow vehicles down, he said. At all the intersections previously controlled by slop signs, there was an improvement in delays on side roads.

Results at the Clyde Road Creyke Road Kotare Street intersection supported views from motorists that roundabouts allowed traffic to flow. Mr Atkinson said that at the chosen roundabout, there had been a noticeable reduction in collisions. Most were caused by vehicles not giving way. • While no comprehensive analysis had . been made, it appeared that the number of injury accidents had increased slightly. Since the roundabouts .had been introduced. a higher proportion of molorcyelisls and cyclists were involved in such, accidents.