{"id":178,"date":"2021-08-26T20:07:15","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T20:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moiraroundabout.ca\/?page_id=178"},"modified":"2021-08-26T20:07:16","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T20:07:16","slug":"project-rationale","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/moiraroundabout.ca\/?page_id=178","title":{"rendered":"Project Rationale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The purpose of installing a roundabout at this location is to improve operational safety for all users of the intersection while maintaining predominantly free flow operating conditions for all vehicles, including large trucks, farm equipment, and horse drawn carriages. The roundabout has been designed with a radius that will accommodate large vehicles, and a slight alignment shift of Highway 62 to the west to improve sightlines to the intersection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current traffic volume at this location warrants a need for imposed intersection control now<\/u><\/em>. The high traffic volume on Highway 62 creates delays for drivers on the sideroads attempting to proceed across, or turn onto, Highway 62. That\u2019s the current problem. Without enhanced intersection control operational conditions will continue to worsen over time as traffic volumes on all approaches increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common approach when right of way control is warranted for intersections like this one is traffic signals. However, a red light brings motorists to a complete stop. Currently, there is a challenge with southbound heavy trucks climbing the grade south of the intersection heading toward Belleville, and northbound heading toward Highway 7. Stopping vehicles at the intersection with traffic signals would worsen the current operational difficulty. First, southbound trucks stopped for a red light would be proceeding away from the intersection from a full stop. Although there is a down grade heading south from the intersection prior reaching the bottom of the hill, trucks leaving from a stop condition would not generate speeds matching the existing condition and would experience greater uphill speed reductions than they do now. This has impacts to vehicles following behind the slow moving truck. Also, due to the steep upgrade approaching the intersection from the south, northbound motorists stopped by traffic signals may have difficulty during winter conditions if the roadway becomes slippery. This is further complicated by the known presence of horse drawn vehicles and large farm equipment also using the intersection. The roundabout will facilitate an exit operating speed of approximately 30 to 40 km\/h, which promotes a more free flow for traffic in all directions than would be provided by traffic signals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, because intersection control is required now due to the heavy volume of traffic at the intersection, and because the choice for that control is between traffic control signals and a Roundabout, the Roundabout is considered the best option given what we know about the historical, current, and predicted operating conditions at this site. The installation of a roundabout will benefit overall safety and operating conditions by providing right of way control within the intersection without bringing motorists to a full stop most of the time, and by reducing operating speeds approaching the intersection in all directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n