Posted: 2:06 p.m. May 10, 2010
MDOT wants your views on roundabouts
BY MATT HELMS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The state wants to know what drivers think about roundabouts, the modernized adaptations of traffic circles that are springing up across metro Detroit and Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Transportation said today that it’s teaming up with the Wayne State University Transportation Research Group to gauge public perception about the circular intersection designs through an online survey. MDOT spokesman Bob Felt said it’s part of a $200,000 research project that will include crash analysis and public education efforts.
Among the most recent roundabouts is one on 26 Mile Road over the M-53 freeway in Macomb County.
Some drivers love them. Others loathe or fear them. But when drivers learn how to use them, they generally come to like them, Felt said.
“We’re going to see more roundabouts in Michigan,” Felt said. “Once operational, these roundabouts not only improve traffic flow, but they improve safety.”
MDOT said its 15-question survey will collect feedback from the public regarding prior experience with roundabouts and opinions about how they work.
The survey is at
www.michigan.gov/roundabout. Click on "Take the Roundabout Survey" link.
MDOT said surveys must be completed by June 11.
Contact MATT HELMS:
mhelms@freepress.com.