4 ms·

wait I thought "traffic circle" and "roundabout" were synonyms

RandallBrown 3y ago
They are in most contexts. There are "traffic circles" that aren't roundabouts but just a round block in the middle of an intersection that requires the traffic to move around in a circle so cross traffic is slowed. Also called a "traffic calming circle." https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/safety-first/traffic-operations/traffic-circles https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs... That could also be a location specific term too. These circles are very common in Seattle.
- lotsofpulp 3y ago
  I thought that was a roundabout. At least my UK family would call that a roundabout.
  - patja 3y ago
    Roundabouts have to have splitters and other features that traffic calming circles lack. Also, technically you can go whichever way you want around a traffic calming circle: counterclockwise is recommended, but many trucks physically cannot navigate them that way. And there are zero traffic laws distinguishing a traffic calming circle from an uncontrolled intersection.
j16sdiz 3y ago
Depends on which country/state you are from, they may or may not be the same. Look up on wikiprdia, there are even different types of roundabouts
pests 3y ago
This is the first time I've even heard the term "traffic circle"
- kmeisthax 3y ago
  It's an Americanism. "Roundabout" is the God Given Queens[0] English equivalent. [0] King Charles is so uncharismatic I do not acknowledge his existence
  - pests 3y ago
    I am American! Metro Detroit area. I guess we also don't have many roundabouts. A lot of our road designs are based on Michigan Lefts[0] though which Wikipedia says are also called "median U‑turn crossover or median U‑turn, or restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT)" which I don't see much elsewhere in the country. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left

They are in most contexts. There are "traffic circles" that aren't roundabouts but just a round block in the middle of an intersection that requires the traffic to move around in a circle so cross traffic is slowed. Also called a "traffic calming circle." https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/safety-first/traffic-operations/traffic-circles https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs... That could also be a location specific term too. These circles are very common in Seattle.

lotsofpulp 3y ago
I thought that was a roundabout. At least my UK family would call that a roundabout.
- patja 3y ago
  Roundabouts have to have splitters and other features that traffic calming circles lack. Also, technically you can go whichever way you want around a traffic calming circle: counterclockwise is recommended, but many trucks physically cannot navigate them that way. And there are zero traffic laws distinguishing a traffic calming circle from an uncontrolled intersection.

j16sdiz 3y ago

Depends on which country/state you are from, they may or may not be the same. Look up on wikiprdia, there are even different types of roundabouts

pests 3y ago

This is the first time I've even heard the term "traffic circle"

kmeisthax 3y ago
It's an Americanism. "Roundabout" is the God Given Queens[0] English equivalent. [0] King Charles is so uncharismatic I do not acknowledge his existence
- pests 3y ago
  I am American! Metro Detroit area. I guess we also don't have many roundabouts. A lot of our road designs are based on Michigan Lefts[0] though which Wikipedia says are also called "median U‑turn crossover or median U‑turn, or restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT)" which I don't see much elsewhere in the country. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left