The Way I See It!

Still More Emails on Roundabouts!

Posted by Randy Hollenbeck on April 25, 2010

Cudahy, Email, DOT, Milwaukee County, Roundabout

Here are emails from readers, please keep them coming and thanks for them.  We need to keep the pressure on the State and the County otherwise, we will lose our voices in matters like these!

Randy, thank you for letting the Cudahy people know what is happening with the surprise roundabouts being forced down the throats of Cudahy residents.  I over heard you talking with Mayor Day that something is being done about them.  Can you tell me why this is the first I am hearing about it when I over heard that there was a public hearing on it?  Why was this not on the agenda?  Why was this not in the paper?  Why are we being kept in the dark?

I don’t know if you have been following the issues with roundabouts, but here is something you might find interesting on a lawsuit for crossing the roundabouts with concerns for the blind.

Federal Disability Lawsuit Challenges Traffic Roundabouts

Disabled Metro Detroit Residents Sue Oakland County Road Commission

Three Metro Detroit residents are suing the Oakland County Road Commission, to put an end to the Road Commission’s discrimination of the disabled, blind pedestrians, bike riders and others who will need to cross the County’s traffic “roundabouts,” which are replacing conventional intersections with signaled crosswalks.

Attorney Richard Bernstein is filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit on August 14, 2007, seeking an end to the Road Commission’s failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The “roundabouts” lack a safe mechanism for blind and disabled pedestrians to cross local roads.

The three plaintiffs filing the lawsuit are:

•Garret Gersin, an 18 year-old, who is completely blind and spent years learning how to safely cross conventional intersections

•Jason Turkish, a 20 year-old University of Michigan graduate, who is legally blind and often visits relatives in West Bloomfield, where “roundabouts” are being built

•Michael Harris, a military veteran who uses a wheelchair and is deeply concerned about the proliferation of “roundabouts” across Michigan and the nation.

Attorney and disability rights advocate Richard Bernstein, who is also blind, represents the three Metro Detroiters bringing the suit.

http://www.callsam.com/bernstein-media-center/richard-bernstein-news-fighting-for-justice/federal-disability-lawsuit-challenges-traffic-roundabouts

Randy I don’t live in Cudahy, but I live in New Berlin and we have been fighting the liberalism of the roads (roundabouts) for 3 years and good luck!  We couldn’t win the fight with the DOT, they just put them in regardless if we wanted them or not.  I never know if you talk with Wisconsin Senator Mary Lazich, but she would be a good person to talk to about fighting them.  It looks like you got surprised by them and that doesn’t surprise me in the least bit.  The open and honest way wasn’t working well for the DOT since public opinion is almost an over whelming NO from the residents stuck having to use them on a daily basis.  Good luck sir and maybe your DOT friends let the cat out of the bag just in time for your city leaders to stop them.  Here is Mary’s article. I love your blog and don’t let the liberal get you down, you are doing a great job and service to the people who read your blog.

Slowing down on roundabouts

By Mary Lazich

Friday, Sep 19 2008, 12:33 PM

The state of Wisconsin seems to be on a roundabout binge.  The philosophy of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) is that whenever major intersection improvements on state roads or four-way stops are planned, the installation of roundabouts must be considered.  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on August 24, 2008 that statewide, there are 58 roundabouts open on state and local roads, seven to 10 more are scheduled to open by the end of the construction season, and 140 or more are in various planning stages.

Before the state proceeds with its plan to blanket roadways with roundabouts, it should slow down and I have made that request to the DOT.  I have also asked the DOT to rethink the roundabout at Racine Avenue and I-43 in Muskego because of concerns with the roundabout at I-43 and Moorland Road in New Berlin.

The design at the New Berlin roundabout left much to be desired with poor signage and lane markings. There have been a number of accidents at the roundabout, not to mention a high level of anxiety and frustration.  There are also complaints about the roundabout on Drexel Avenue in Franklin near Highway 100 and the new Shoppes at Wyndham Village.

Some of my constituents that have corresponded with me about roundabouts have been receptive to the roundabout concept.  They agree with the DOT that roundabouts improve safety and reduce crashes.  The DOT contends, “Roundabouts move traffic safely through an intersection because of slower speeds, fewer conflict points, and decision-making.  Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that roundabouts provide a 90% reduction in fatal crashes, 76% reduction in injury crashes, 30-40% reduction in pedestrian crashes, and a 10% reduction in bicycle crashes.”

However, constituents I have heard from angrily oppose roundabouts.  I am very concerned about the danger posed by roundabouts resulting in accidents.  There are other concerns including poor signage and lane markings that I have already indicated.  What about semi-trailer trucks?  The configuration of roundabouts makes it extremely difficult for semi-trailers, long trucks, campers, and cars with boats to successfully negotiate the turns.

Proponents at the DOT suggest frustrated motorists, in time, and with more education will learn to accept roundabouts.  How does DOT  adequately train the masses, the vast number of motorists on our roadways?  Most of them will never get their hands on a DOT brochure or see a roundabout video on the DOT website.

That is why I suggest the state put the brakes on roundabouts until the kinks can be worked out.  The idea is to improve all aspects of roundabouts: design, safety, ease of use.  The DOT should bring together special study groups of designers, engineers, and importantly motorists to determine the best model for roundabouts.  I have asked the DOT to conduct simulations with a cross-section of Wisconsin drivers and cross-section of vehicles before proceeding further with roundabouts.

Until then, the state should put away the plans to build more and more because the current roundabout design at I-43 and Moorland Road is not ready for prime time.