Accident near Traffic Circle

Lin · 06-25-2007, 12:02 AM

We went through the new roundabout this weekend. After dealing with the infamous Westborough and Concord Rotaries in MA, this one was sort of a breeze albeit very different for the area. I saw a sign that said trucks, and I'd assume that would mean long trailers, can use the cobble circle part of the round about to help manuever through the area. Don't know if cars following you though would know that you can do that and your're not a hazard driver and call you in. However I found it very tight and I'd love to see how it is plowed in the winter. I think their DPW's will have a heck of a time keeping it clear in heavy snow.

macshpman · 06-25-2007, 08:40 PM

We have a couple of roundabouts here in Nashua with the beautiful cobblestone inside ring. From what I can see is that these are just a scaled down Daytona or Talladega the way people drive thru them. What I dont understand is the cobblestone. Would not the inside circle be pit row? That cobblestone has to be hard on the jackman and tire changers.

RI Swamp Yankee · 06-27-2007, 11:03 PM

Is the radius of the circle large enough to get through pulling my 24' camping trailer? I will say with certainty that if I enter a circle and my tires are in danger of climbing a curb and being cut I will stop and wait for the local PD to advise how to safely get out, maybe they can provide boards to safely negotiate the curb. I expect the lanes to be no less that 12 feet wide and the inner diameter of the circle to be 50 feet. Anything less incompetent design. Don't bother to blow your horn, I won't move.

chmeeee · 06-28-2007, 09:33 AM

The design should be sufficient for a 50-foot 18-wheeler to pass through safely. The roundabout is designed however with the intention of longer vehicles putting their inside rear wheels on the cobblestones. There is no raised lip or anything, they are just sloped upwards from the pavement level (assuming the top course has been put down by now), where they are flush, to discourage cars from traveling on them.

EDIT: Here is a good resource for roundabout info, the citizen's guide in particular will explain a lot:

https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/p...in/roundabouts

wires1999 · 06-28-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmeeee

The design should be sufficient for a 50-foot 18-wheeler to pass through safely. The roundabout is designed however with the intention of longer vehicles putting their inside rear wheels on the cobblestones. There is no raised lip or anything, they are just sloped upwards from the pavement level (assuming the top course has been put down by now), where they are flush, to discourage cars from traveling on them.

EDIT: Here is a good resource for roundabout info, the citizen's guide in particular will explain a lot:

https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/p...in/roundabouts

Ok, now I see how it's designed to work. Pavement must be brought up flush to cobblestones if there haven't already. Is there a sign yet to tell non-tt drivers that it's ok to use the cobblestones as part of the roadway if needed?

MWSP · 06-28-2007, 10:45 PM

The top layer of paving is not on. Saw a log truck today that stopped twice and backed up in the circle trying to make it around. The DOT people standing on the cobbles didn't look impressed.

Windrider · 06-29-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

Is the radius of the circle large enough to get through pulling my 24' camping trailer? I will say with certainty that if I enter a circle and my tires are in danger of climbing a curb and being cut I will stop and wait for the local PD to advise how to safely get out, maybe they can provide boards to safely negotiate the curb. I expect the lanes to be no less that 12 feet wide and the inner diameter of the circle to be 50 feet. Anything less incompetent design. Don't bother to blow your horn, I won't move.

Perhaps you'd be happier vacationing in Maine?

RI Swamp Yankee · 07-09-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windrider

Perhaps you'd be happier vacationing in Maine?

Yup, that is where I am going next week. Thanks.

BTW: We have enough bad roads in RI designed by incompetent "engineers" in RIDOT, don't need to see more.

06-25-2007, 12:02 AM	#1
Lin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts & Moultonborough Posts: 673 Thanks: 41 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	We went through the new roundabout this weekend. After dealing with the infamous Westborough and Concord Rotaries in MA, this one was sort of a breeze albeit very different for the area. I saw a sign that said trucks, and I'd assume that would mean long trailers, can use the cobble circle part of the round about to help manuever through the area. Don't know if cars following you though would know that you can do that and your're not a hazard driver and call you in. However I found it very tight and I'd love to see how it is plowed in the winter. I think their DPW's will have a heck of a time keeping it clear in heavy snow. __________________ Lin

06-27-2007, 11:03 PM	#3
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	Radius ?? Is the radius of the circle large enough to get through pulling my 24' camping trailer? I will say with certainty that if I enter a circle and my tires are in danger of climbing a curb and being cut I will stop and wait for the local PD to advise how to safely get out, maybe they can provide boards to safely negotiate the curb. I expect the lanes to be no less that 12 feet wide and the inner diameter of the circle to be 50 feet. Anything less incompetent design. Don't bother to blow your horn, I won't move. __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

06-28-2007, 09:33 AM	#4
chmeeee Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central CT Posts: 90 Thanks: 19 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	The design should be sufficient for a 50-foot 18-wheeler to pass through safely. The roundabout is designed however with the intention of longer vehicles putting their inside rear wheels on the cobblestones. There is no raised lip or anything, they are just sloped upwards from the pavement level (assuming the top course has been put down by now), where they are flush, to discourage cars from traveling on them. EDIT: Here is a good resource for roundabout info, the citizen's guide in particular will explain a lot: https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/p...in/roundabouts Last edited by chmeeee; 06-28-2007 at 11:33 AM.

06-25-2007, 08:40 PM	#2
macshpman Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern NH Posts: 32 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We have a couple of roundabouts here in Nashua with the beautiful cobblestone inside ring. From what I can see is that these are just a scaled down Daytona or Talladega the way people drive thru them. What I dont understand is the cobblestone. Would not the inside circle be pit row? That cobblestone has to be hard on the jackman and tire changers.

06-28-2007, 10:45 PM	#6
MWSP Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The top layer of paving is not on. Saw a log truck today that stopped twice and backed up in the circle trying to make it around. The DOT people standing on the cobbles didn't look impressed.