Are roundabouts safer for blind people walking? How about two lane wide roundabouts with blind people walking? This is not a gotcha, but a question about a design proposed for a highway off ramp merging into a major arterial by my home which is near the Lighthouse for the Blind. The Lighthouse for the Blind rep was not enthusiastic.
Narrower crossings are safer for blind people. Slow moving traffic is safer for blind people. Roundabouts combine these two benefits.
The “but cars don’t stop at a roundabout” is an emotional response not based in reality. It’s because people driving are moving slower that they do yield for people at crosswalks.
The best way to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe at a roundabout is grade separation. If this isn't possible, the narrower roadway lanes should help, but sight-impaired people also need a signalling system that tells them the road is 'safe' to cross (barring red or flashing amber crosswalk light violators).
Useful piece but haven't you forgotten the Why? Americans don't like roundabouts because they haven't used them, or grown up as child passengers seeing and enjoying them (at least I do). They are anxious about getting it wrong, looking foolish, being honked at. Statistics can't overcome those specific feelings, but other work, and experience, can. I have to deal with this in terms of third places. What makes people anxious about going out and socializing? Just telling people it's good for them isn't enough. I have to persuade them that's it is really worthwhile and then provide some tips and guidance.
I was just at public hearing about a new multifamily building right next to the commuter rail. The presenter tried to convince people that there didn't need to be more parking in the building than planned but she mentioned that the data she was presenting may not seem like commonsense but it's true. I agree her data was accurate
But after that virtually every speaker said it's just commonsense that there needs to be more parking. Everyone will have cars at least one if not more. You have to believe in commonsense. What was she thinking to not believe in commonsense... The data argument went nowhere with the neighbors.
To see how roundabouts work in practice, look at https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisMartinEMS navigating roundabouts in an EMS vehicle in communities North of London, UK - several new towns have roundabouts and heavy traffic. Bear in mind (Americans & Canadians) that he is on the 'wrong' side of the car and the 'wrong' side of the road - 'Do not try this at home'.
That's not my question. I know how they work and I have no problem with them. The article purported to have some way to convince people. Wondering what that is.
Brilliant. I admit, that math word problem caught me. I knew the easy answer couldn’t be it so I had to dust off my very rusty (basic) algebra skills. Presenting choices as a black box is a great idea. 👏
“They are not failing because they are done badly. They fail because they don’t address the values, the stories and the data people had already chosen to believe. Numbers alone, or evidence, rarely change one’s mind.” Exactly!
One hears this line a lot about data rarely changing minds, but there is not a lot of good data or resources (ha) showing what works INSTEAD. Would love to see an article about this.
Are roundabouts safer for blind people walking? How about two lane wide roundabouts with blind people walking? This is not a gotcha, but a question about a design proposed for a highway off ramp merging into a major arterial by my home which is near the Lighthouse for the Blind. The Lighthouse for the Blind rep was not enthusiastic.
Narrower crossings are safer for blind people. Slow moving traffic is safer for blind people. Roundabouts combine these two benefits.
The “but cars don’t stop at a roundabout” is an emotional response not based in reality. It’s because people driving are moving slower that they do yield for people at crosswalks.
The best way to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe at a roundabout is grade separation. If this isn't possible, the narrower roadway lanes should help, but sight-impaired people also need a signalling system that tells them the road is 'safe' to cross (barring red or flashing amber crosswalk light violators).
Useful piece but haven't you forgotten the Why? Americans don't like roundabouts because they haven't used them, or grown up as child passengers seeing and enjoying them (at least I do). They are anxious about getting it wrong, looking foolish, being honked at. Statistics can't overcome those specific feelings, but other work, and experience, can. I have to deal with this in terms of third places. What makes people anxious about going out and socializing? Just telling people it's good for them isn't enough. I have to persuade them that's it is really worthwhile and then provide some tips and guidance.
I was just at public hearing about a new multifamily building right next to the commuter rail. The presenter tried to convince people that there didn't need to be more parking in the building than planned but she mentioned that the data she was presenting may not seem like commonsense but it's true. I agree her data was accurate
But after that virtually every speaker said it's just commonsense that there needs to be more parking. Everyone will have cars at least one if not more. You have to believe in commonsense. What was she thinking to not believe in commonsense... The data argument went nowhere with the neighbors.
I am still not sure how you would convince people about roundabouts ? What is the emotional hook that pulls them out of thinking fast?
To see how roundabouts work in practice, look at https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisMartinEMS navigating roundabouts in an EMS vehicle in communities North of London, UK - several new towns have roundabouts and heavy traffic. Bear in mind (Americans & Canadians) that he is on the 'wrong' side of the car and the 'wrong' side of the road - 'Do not try this at home'.
That's not my question. I know how they work and I have no problem with them. The article purported to have some way to convince people. Wondering what that is.
Brilliant. I admit, that math word problem caught me. I knew the easy answer couldn’t be it so I had to dust off my very rusty (basic) algebra skills. Presenting choices as a black box is a great idea. 👏
Great article. Better than, but similar to what I tried to do here: https://pineconomics.substack.com/p/you-cant-bcr-your-way-out-of-a-preconception?r=5z2o2&utm_medium=ios
“They are not failing because they are done badly. They fail because they don’t address the values, the stories and the data people had already chosen to believe. Numbers alone, or evidence, rarely change one’s mind.” Exactly!
One hears this line a lot about data rarely changing minds, but there is not a lot of good data or resources (ha) showing what works INSTEAD. Would love to see an article about this.