M etro
Roundabout Concern
Pending reopening of Drake-Maple intersection spurs safety debate.
Don Cohen
Special to the Jewish News
T
he new roundabout at Maple
and Drake in West Bloomfield
is scheduled to open on Aug. 31
or Sept.1 weather permitting, says Craig
Bryson, public information officer at the
Road Commission for Oakland County.
On Sept. 4, construction of a roundabout
is scheduled to begin at Farmington
and Maple roads with Farmington Road
closed.
The good news is that it appears the
intersections will not be closed when
Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday
evening, Sept. 12. The bad news, accord-
ing to Richard Bernstein the Farmington
Hills attorney who brought a lawsuit
against the county on behalf of blind and
disabled clients under the American with
Disabilities Act, is that roundabouts put
pedestrians at risk.
Bryson is confident that pedestrian
and driver concerns about roundabouts
will be largely allayed once they see
how well designed and easy to navigate
they are. He says the design of Oakland
County roundabouts — as well as signs,
flashing lights and pavement markers,
including brightly painted pedestrian
crossings — will improve safety at inter-
sections that have never been
optimum for pedestrians.
"We've done more on this
project than we've ever done
before Bryson says, noting
years of public and private
informational meetings, flyers,
brochures, and public access
broadcasts and use of the mass
media.
Nonetheless, he understands
the apprehension that some
have to using a busy intersection
with no traffic signals. "There is
generally public opposition to
roundabouts before they go in,"
Bryson says, noting opposition is
much larger than support.
"But if you look a year or two
after they go in:' he continues,
"they flip" with support over-
whelming opposition.
Bernstein isn't convinced and
•
sees roundabouts as a disaster
Aerial photo of the modern roundabout at the intersection of Baldwin, Indianwood and Coats
waiting to happen. "There is
roads in Orion Township, built in 2004, by the Road Commission for Oakland County
going to be kid who is going to
be killed. I don't think there is
any question about it," he says.
"The disabled have the same safety
designed exclusively for vehicles, and to
sible" for many disabled to safely cross a
concerns as kids, pedestrians and bicy-
move traffic. All we're asking is that they
roundabout; he says he has expert testi-
make them safe for pedestrians.
clists:' Bernstein says. "It is dangerous
mony that will ensure they will be ruled
for all kinds of people. Roundabouts are
Bernstein says it is "physically impos-
illegal.
He says the Maple-Drake roundabout's
proximity to a large Jewish community,
through, exit and then pull over.
including those who walk to synagogue
and use the Jewish Community Center,
Yield Principle:
Pedestrians:
make this a serious problem for the
When preparing to enter
All pedestrians must cross
Jewish community.
a roundabout, yield to all
at the designated cross-
"We want everyone to be able to cross
traffic in all lanes already
walks. Although vehicles
the street safely. While religious people
circulating within the roundabout and
are required to stop for pedes-
don't have a cause of action, the disabled
yield to all pedestrians.
trians, always exercise caution when
do. It needs to be safe and accessible for
crossing.
disabled and non-disabled alike," he says.
Large Vehicles:
But while Bernstein's case winds
Give special consideration
Bicyclists:
through the courts, we'll get a chance to
to trucks, trailers and other
Bicyclists are encouraged
assess the roundabouts for ourselves and
large vehicles. Never pass or
to walk their bikes and use
hopefully safety, as well as traffic flow,
drive adjacent to large vehicles within
the pedestrian crosswalks.
will be a prime concern of those using
a roundabout.
Only experienced bicyclists should ride
them.
within the roundabout.
See www.nwconnector.com/education
Emergency Vehicles:
for information on how to use round-
Do not impede emergency
The following information is taken from the
abouts, for videos and other aids from
vehicles. If you are within
Web site of the City of Lacey, Wash. www.
many communities that are using them.
a roundabout when an emer-
ci.lacey.wa.us/roundabout main_page.html.
Also, contact the road commission's
gency vehicle approaches, move
Department of Citizen Services (DCS)
toll-free at (877) 858-4804. fl
HOW TO DRIVE IN A ROUNDABOUT...
20
M.P.H.
41 ,
Slow Down:
Driving speeds in round-
abouts are 20 m.p.h. or
less.
Lane Choice:
Drivers must make the
appropriate lane choice,
based on their destina-
tion, prior to entering a multi-lane
roundabout. As in a standard inter-
section, use the left lane to make
left-turns, U-turns, or straight-ahead
movements; use the right-lane to
make right-turns or straight-ahead
movements. Never change lanes, pass
or overtake another vehicle after
entering a roundabout.
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16
August 30 • 2007
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