Comments on: In Miami, a Step Forward for Pedestrians

By: J. Mork

J. Mork — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:46:58 +0000

Andrew –

Have you heard of this guy?

http://www.google.com/search?q=monderman+roundabout

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:32:28 +0000

Yes there are different types of roundabouts but essentially all are not friendly or safe to pedestrians. They slow traffic because the car has to go around them. unfortunately as Jass points out the object is to go around as quickly as possible so the speed relative to the environment is fast. Drivers do not have time to look out for peds and bikes. if they were safe, why would it be necessary to divert the pedestrians away from the round part, even putting up barriers and rails to stop the pedestrian entering into the danger zone.

The other issue with the roundabout is that it provides for traffic to be continuously moving, which is great for the motorist but bad for the pedestrian. In heavy traffic they dont provide breaks for peds to cross and they feed the motorists ego because roundabouts are all for them.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:21:08 +0000

There is a big difference between a modern roundabout and an old-fashioned rotary. The old rotaries were designed to move large amounts of traffic at high speed. Modern roundabouts, properly designed, have much tighter curves. They are designed to slow, but not stop, traffic. Neither is great for pedestrians, but in places that are deluged with vehicles, a roundabout is a good alternative to a road widening because it avoids the need to add space to stack traffic waiting for its turn to move through the intersection.

By: jass

jass — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:53:36 +0000

And I think its funny that cities where roundabouts (rotaries) have existed for decades are trying to get rid of them because theyre dangerous, while cities without them are trying to add them because they’re safe!

The whole “chaos” argument in the article is that people dont expect it, and so slow down and pay attention. But guess what, 10 years later people are experts at rushing into the rotary without slowing down. Its hell for pedestrians too. Crossing at the rotary entrances is unsafe, as motorists are only looking left, so the crosswalk is pushed back, meaning a much longer walk. And since you cant walk straight across (one crosswalk), but around, you end up having to cross three streets.

And if youre a bike and want to go around the rotary to the 2nd or 3rd exit….good luck!

Rotaries are designed for high speeds, thats why in Massachusetts, all the exits on i-93 north of the city use them. They may seem like a good idea in the west now….but it’s 4 million down the drain come 2015.

By: jass

jass — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:42:15 +0000

Its a little bit too late for Miami. Every tower has been built so the first 5-6 floors are parking. Theres no street level, there are no lobbies. The lobby and pool is found on top of the garage on floor 8.

On the other hand, they do have the awesome metromover (automated people mover system)

By: Charles Siegel

Charles Siegel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:25:58 +0000

You are making an important point. Instead of “mobility is a right,” maybe we should be talking about “equal rights for all street users.”

Someone who walks or bikes should has as much right to get around safely as someone who drives, but most planners in America only consider the drivers and ignore the rights of all other street users.

By: Brooklyn

Brooklyn — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:06:41 +0000

You couldn’t pay me any amount of money to live in South Florida. Ever.

By: mhelie

mhelie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:45:38 +0000

Maybe I’m unfamiliar with the particularities of Florida planning, but in what sense does safe mobility require a zoning change? It looks like Miami 21 is a pure real estate formula.

By: W. K. Lis

W. K. Lis — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:44:43 +0000

Worse are the buildings that may border on a sidewalk or transit stop, but to enter the building one has to navigate around the perimeter (maybe 180° around) to get to an entrance. Usually the entrance is next to the parking lot in the “rear”.