March 29, 2024

What Has Happened to Common Sense?

Posted

As so often happens in any field, someone writes a thesis that for whatever reason attracts attention and it becomes the latest innovation for a while until it is found to be a boondoggle.

Apparently in Massachusetts, traffic engineers have latched on to the latest idea, roundabouts/rotaries. As some have noted they are different although I have not seen the difference explained clearly aside from semantics. Published plans lead me to believe a rotary has several lanes going around where the roundabout has only one. Not sure about that as Route 44 is a single lane road at the entry point so that might explain the graphics.

What has happened to observation and common sense? There is something to be said for "Keep it simple, st...?" Yes that intersection creates problems for many although it is no worse than the intersection of 44 and Arcade Avenue and many others in the area. It is particularly bad in the morning and evening as people travel to and from work. The simplest solution would be a turning lane with arrows controlling the flow. I have been traveling between Rehoboth and New Bedford for 10 years back and forth and have observed the transformation of Hart's corner in Taunton with just such a solution to an ever growing traffic problem. (Wondering why they did not choose a rotary for that point!?)

It can be hoped that common sense will prevail. It is hard to imagine the plan of slowing traffic from 50 mph to whatever it must be to enter a rotary/roundabout. It is also hard to imagine how our emergency vehicles will fare trying to get from north to south or east to west. My guess is they will have plans to avoid the roundabout and cut through other roads in Rehoboth which might not be the most efficient way to get to an emergency situation.

I have lived in Rehoboth for 41 years and have seen the changes, both good and bad. Yes, traffic on 44 and 118 has increased significantly and will only continue to increase. A rotary/roundabout is not a solution. If built, I will not live long enough to see the time when it is found to have been a ridiculous idea, but that time will come. Let's use observation and common sense to make a reasonable choice one that is suitable for our town, not just the latest innovation using Rehoboth as another guinea pig.

Dianne Freed

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  • Thomas

    I would have to disagree, a rotary makes perfect sense. Turning lanes will only function properly in a "tee" intersection, this one is an "X". Converting that intersection into a tee configuration would require eminent domain and wetlands, a very long and expensive process.

    Route 44 is a 50 MPH road with local business that divides our town in half. Most residents will have to cross this road 1-2 times per day, especially people in South Rehoboth traveling north to Pawtucket or Attleboro. Because of the speed and hills it makes for a scary crossing.

    Wilmarth Bridge Road is simply a death trap. Bay State is a circus with that quaint little "island". Both approaches from the East have hills with limited line of sight and cars traveling 50+ mph.

    Traffic lights at both these intersection are badly needed. The safest crossing is 44/118, but depending upon the time of day, it is a wing and a prayer.

    The intersection has 4 approaches. with three choices, straight, left or right. The probability of traveling through there with a vehicle in front of you cutting across traffic turning left is very high. The only low risk choice is turning right. UPS programs all their routes for right turns, if possible. Turning left with two lanes of on coming traffic is high risk, thus the large number of accidents. Worst todays' drivers are impatient, I see people running those lights all the time.

    A rotary seems odd in a rural town such as Rehoboth. However, that intersection is vey unique, and like it or not has seen increasing traffic. A rotary is quick and easy, and the least expensive solution.

    The alternative is do nothing, risking more and more accidents. My hope is the State will also address Wilmarth and Bay State Road.

    Sunday, December 2, 2018 Report this

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