Roundabouts, Traffic Circles, and Diverging Diamonds, Oh My!

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Hornbeck
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8:17p, 3/4/25
AG
In the interests of keeping the "Coming and Going" thread clear, we can talk about local traffic anomalies here.

I'll start: I live out near Fitch and 6. Very few folks in my humble opinion, *very few* in this town know how to traverse a roundabout. The one on Arrington near Tower Point HEB is one example, the other is one near Scott & White.

Edit to add: I lived in Australia for a while, and I drove there. Being able to traverse a roundabout is critical, so, when I see people screwing up, like *stopping* at the yield, even when there's no one in the roundabout, it ticks me off.
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EBrazosAg
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8:20p, 3/4/25
AG
Thank you for the new thread. I agree with its creation, and I'm fascinated with their new sexy status. I predict that by 2035 they will be the new thing to avoid in roads. Because TXdOT and consulting firms need a reason to exist and promulgated opinions. Medians will be the first to go in 2029.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Average Joe
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In reply to Hornbeck • 8:36p, 3/4/25
AG
Hornbeck said:
In the interests of keeping the "Coming and Going" thread clear, we can talk about local traffic anomalies here.

I'll start: I live out near Fitch and 6. Very few folks in my humble opinion, *very few* in this town know how to traverse a roundabout. The one on Arrington near Tower Point HEB is one example, the other is one near Scott & White.

Edit to add: I lived in Australia for a while, and I drove there. Being able to traverse a roundabout is critical, so, when I see people screwing up, like *stopping* at the yield, even when there's no one in the roundabout, it ticks me off.


They don't know because roundabouts are foreign to them. Build them, learn to drive on them, and they won't be so bad.

I also see people not know how stop signs and red lights work.
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91_Aggie
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8:43p, 3/4/25
AG
Yep... roundabouts are great... we have too many people that get all scared about anything new.
Can't use anecdotal evidence to conclude "they must go because I saw a few people not go when they should" but ignore all the red light runners and normal intersection wrecks.and accidents.

I havent heard any deadly accidents (or even any accidents) at the few roundabouts we have.

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chickencoupe16
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1:14a, 3/5/25
AG
We need exponentially more roundabouts in this country. Not so sure about the diverging diamonds but I don't hate it as much as I used to. On that topic...

Is any lane here allowed to make a right turn on red?
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doubledog
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6:10a, 3/5/25
A one lane roundabout should have at least a 30 ft radius. The Bryan and CoCS build their roundabouts too small. See Broadmor and Nash, that roundabout is way too small.
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Stucco
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 6:48a, 3/5/25
The left lane cannot because of the sign. For the right lane, it is not clear to me if the sign is positioned to cover both lanes, or a single lane. It could easily have been positioned between the lanes to avoid this ambiguity. I could call TXDOT and ask what the intent is. I've always been very impressed with their responses. If they agree they may adjust the signage.

You could also ask why there is no right on red. As long as there is visibility and the crossing speed is low it shouldn't be an issue.

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/tn/htm/tn.544.htm 544.007
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ChampsAg
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11:18a, 3/5/25
I don't mind the roundabouts in downtown, don't usually have any issues there. The new one on WJB is an accident waiting to happen. Who yields, who doesn't...

The sports cars seem to enjoy it in the mornings though.

I have gotten used to the diamond on University and 2818, not looking forward to the one at the bypass.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to Stucco • 11:18a, 3/5/25
AG
I agree that only the left lane is forbidden but in my experience, a large majority of drivers think it applies to both lanes.
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AggiePhil
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11:43a, 3/5/25
AG
Bryan tried camming too much into the gokart track that is the new William J. Bryan. The lanes are incredibly narrow and wind all over the place. There will definitely be side-swipes. Lots of them.
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ChampsAg
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12:35p, 3/5/25
Not to mention the new red lights at WJB and Coulter look about ready to be put into action
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doubledog
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In reply to ChampsAg • 1:04p, 3/5/25
ChampsAg said:
I don't mind the roundabouts in downtown, don't usually have any issues there. The new one on WJB is an accident waiting to happen. Who yields, who doesn't...

The sports cars seem to enjoy it in the mornings though.

I have gotten used to the diamond on University and 2818, not looking forward to the one at the bypass.
When you think about it WJB at Sue Haswell park was a roundabout, There is no need for a micro roundabout at each end of the park.
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Rex Racer
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 1:23p, 3/5/25
AG
chickencoupe16 said:
I agree that only the left lane is forbidden but in my experience, a large majority of drivers think it applies to both lanes.
I always thought if it's a red arrow, you can't go, regardless. Otherwise, why would it not just be a regular red light?
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Bunk Moreland
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1:29p, 3/5/25
Roundabouts are great. I can even deal with the folks who don't understand what they're doing.

But before they can figure that out, they'll need to defeat the first boss...understanding how to function at the 4-way stop at Graham & Victoria.
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techno-ag
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In reply to Hornbeck • 2:01p, 3/5/25
AG
My favorite was going through a roundabout and getting honked at by somebody at the yield sign for not yielding to them.

No ma'am, that's not the way these work.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
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Hornbeck
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In reply to techno-ag • 2:35p, 3/5/25
AG
techno-ag said:
My favorite was going through a roundabout and getting honked at by somebody at the yield sign for not yielding to them.

No ma'am, that's not the way these work.


One of my recent faves is taking a U-Turn at a protected arrow, (thanks, medians) and some asshat in a brodozer decides to take a right on red, and there's almost a collision. That dude honking at me really ticks me off. Happened today at Texas and Harvey, going southbound to go to Spec's.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to Rex Racer • 2:45p, 3/5/25
AG
Rex Racer said:
chickencoupe16 said:
I agree that only the left lane is forbidden but in my experience, a large majority of drivers think it applies to both lanes.
I always thought if it's a red arrow, you can't go, regardless. Otherwise, why would it not just be a regular red light?


I've never heard that, but you may be right. Of course, if you are, that begs the question of why put a sign at all? Or why not put two if you're going to put one? Or why not put one in the center of the other signs?
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agnerd
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In reply to Hornbeck • 4:14p, 3/5/25
AG
Hornbeck said:
techno-ag said:
My favorite was going through a roundabout and getting honked at by somebody at the yield sign for not yielding to them.

No ma'am, that's not the way these work.


One of my recent faves is taking a U-Turn at a protected arrow, (thanks, medians) and some asshat in a brodozer decides to take a right on red, and there's almost a collision. That dude honking at me really ticks me off. Happened today at Texas and Harvey, going southbound to go to Spec's.
Don't break the law, and he won't honk at you
https://crosleylaw.com/blog/u-turn-laws-in-texas-whos-at-fault-after-a-crash/

U-turn is basically considered 2 left turns as far as the law is concerned. First one was fine, but brodozer turning right has priority over your "second left turn."
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jello123
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 4:16p, 3/5/25
chickencoupe16 said:
I agree that only the left lane is forbidden but in my experience, a large majority of drivers think it applies to both lanes.
Perhaps not true but I was told that if 2 right turn lanes turn onto a 1-way street, both can turn on red. My question is the (forgotten to take down) traffic light on north bound feeder of Harvey Mitchell Pkwy @ FM 60, turning left (west) onto FM 60 (Stotzer) when red is legal after stopping?????
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Hornbeck
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In reply to agnerd • 4:24p, 3/5/25
AG
I beg to differ… when he's at a red light, and I'm under a protected green arrow at that southbound light.

U-Turns are not forbidden there. Turning right on red has to yield to traffic on the main road, no? That's what I was taught in driver's ed. You may only turn right on red *only* if it is clear. Otherwise, no one would ever be able to make a U turn around protected lights that the medians have forced us into.
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AggiePhil
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In reply to agnerd • 4:48p, 3/5/25
AG
agnerd said:
Hornbeck said:
techno-ag said:
My favorite was going through a roundabout and getting honked at by somebody at the yield sign for not yielding to them.

No ma'am, that's not the way these work.


One of my recent faves is taking a U-Turn at a protected arrow, (thanks, medians) and some asshat in a brodozer decides to take a right on red, and there's almost a collision. That dude honking at me really ticks me off. Happened today at Texas and Harvey, going southbound to go to Spec's.
Don't break the law, and he won't honk at you
https://crosleylaw.com/blog/u-turn-laws-in-texas-whos-at-fault-after-a-crash/

U-turn is basically considered 2 left turns as far as the law is concerned. First one was fine, but brodozer turning right has priority over your "second left turn."
I disagree. Vehicle stopped at the red light on an intersecting roadway has a duty to yield to all other traffic, namely any other vehicle with the right-of-way, including u-turning vehicles. That's the only way a right turn on red is allowable--if the driver yields to other traffic (again, including traffic legally occupying the intersection).
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Aggie_Boomin 21
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In reply to doubledog • 6:29p, 3/5/25
AG
doubledog said:
A one lane roundabout should have at least a 30 ft radius. The Bryan and CoCS build their roundabouts too small. See Broadmor and Nash, that roundabout is way too small.

Inscribed circle diameter on that roundabout measures to roughly 85' in google maps. "Typical" minimum diameter for single lane roundabouts without fully mountable islands is 90' per aashto greenbook. For "mini-roundabouts" the minimum is 45', but those require fully mountable central islands. The approaches to that roundabout are signed for 15 mph, so if the island was fully mountable it would be considered a mini, and therefore by the book. You are correct that they should've either built it to that typical minimum radius for single lane roundabouts, or made the central island fully mountable (get rid of the trees in the middle). I'm not sure that extra 5' would really make it easier to drive though. My guess would be they said the apron on the central island was large enough that they figured enough could be mounted for it to kind of fall in between a full single lane roundabout and a mini.

I know this was in the weeds, and the point wasn't just to say you're wrong, I'm trying to highlight that the biggest challenge to roundabouts in my opinion is how large they need to be to not have absurdly low approach speeds relative to the roads that make up the intersection. Most of the time the right-of-way space isn't there for it to be a decent sized circle.
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Independence H-D
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6:53p, 3/5/25
You want to know how much I trust other drivers? I look both ways at roundabouts.
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Stucco
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In reply to agnerd • 8:47p, 3/5/25
agnerd said:
Hornbeck said:
techno-ag said:
My favorite was going through a roundabout and getting honked at by somebody at the yield sign for not yielding to them.

No ma'am, that's not the way these work.


One of my recent faves is taking a U-Turn at a protected arrow, (thanks, medians) and some asshat in a brodozer decides to take a right on red, and there's almost a collision. That dude honking at me really ticks me off. Happened today at Texas and Harvey, going southbound to go to Spec's.
Don't break the law, and he won't honk at you
https://crosleylaw.com/blog/u-turn-laws-in-texas-whos-at-fault-after-a-crash/

U-turn is basically considered 2 left turns as far as the law is concerned. First one was fine, but brodozer turning right has priority over your "second left turn."


I could be missing a section of the code, but I would interpret the left arrow as the right of way to enter the intersection, and once inside the car at the red cannot legally enter the intersection unless it is safe.

Though they are legal, u turns at lights seem to catch people off guard. The code says the driver with the green arrow "may cautiously enter the intersection." Emphasis on cautiously.
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Rexter
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9:23p, 3/5/25
Isn't there a sign on west bound Harvey that states right turn on red yield to u-turn? Or something to that effect?
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GSS
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10:34p, 3/5/25
CoB was made aware of this nonsense years ago, no change. Pic was taken today.
Eastbound from Wellborn Rd, on Old College Rd., Roundabout is at College Main... dueling Yield signs

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chickencoupe16
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In reply to GSS • 11:11p, 3/5/25
AG
I'm sorry, what's wrong? Both yield signs appear to be facing the camera.
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GSS
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 7:28a, 3/6/25
chickencoupe16 said:
I'm sorry, what's wrong? Both yield signs appear to be facing the camera.
Do you think this proper signage, for use of a roundabout? What is the right side "Yield" sign designed to do?
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Hornbeck
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In reply to GSS • 11:06a, 3/6/25
AG
GSS said:
chickencoupe16 said:
I'm sorry, what's wrong? Both yield signs appear to be facing the camera.
Do you think this proper signage, for use of a roundabout? What is the right side "Yield" sign designed to do?


First sign: you need to yield to traffic in the roundabout.
Second sign: HEY! YOU REALLY NEED TO YEILD TO TRAFFIC IN THE ROUNDABOUT, DUMMY!!!!

That's my take on it.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to GSS • 11:39a, 3/6/25
AG
GSS said:
chickencoupe16 said:
I'm sorry, what's wrong? Both yield signs appear to be facing the camera.
Do you think this proper signage, for use of a roundabout? What is the right side "Yield" sign designed to do?


It's superfluous, sure, but I don't know that it's wrong which is why I asked, "what's wrong?"
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GSS
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 12:00p, 3/6/25
Correct use of a roundabout generally is yielding to traffic "in" the roundabout, which from that approach, would be from the the left.
A 2nd "Yield" sign on the right could readily be construed as yielding to traffic from the right, not yet in the roundabout...which would defeat the purpose.But be sorta normal, for our area....
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Aggie_Boomin 21
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In reply to GSS • 1:08p, 3/6/25
AG
Generally yield signs are placed on the right hand side of traffic. Placement on that one on the right is not ideal as it's far from the travel way and behind that fence a little. I would guess they added the one on the left because of the less than ideal noticeability of the one on the right, possibly after they installed the one on the right and realized it wasn't great.

I don't think the sign on the right is far enough into the roundabout or close enough to where the road coming from the right enters the roundabout to be a problem, but could be wrong.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to GSS • 1:34p, 3/6/25
AG
So if at a T-intersection there is a yield sign on the right (curb) and not on the left (roadway), I only yield to traffic from the right?
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GSS
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 3:08p, 3/6/25
chickencoupe16 said:
So if at a T-intersection there is a yield sign on the right (curb) and not on the left (roadway), I only yield to traffic from the right?
You do whatever you want, for your example. Mine is about roundabout use....
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GSS
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In reply to Aggie_Boomin 21 • 3:11p, 3/6/25
Aggie_Boomin 21 said:
Generally yield signs are placed on the right hand side of traffic. Placement on that one on the right is not ideal as it's far from the travel way and behind that fence a little. I would guess they added the one on the left because of the less than ideal noticeability of the one on the right, possibly after they installed the one on the right and realized it wasn't great.

I don't think the sign on the right is far enough into the roundabout or close enough to where the road coming from the right enters the roundabout to be a problem, but could be wrong.
If your vehicle is "in" the roundabout, and it would be at the location of the right side Yield sign, vehicles approaching from the right are supposed to yield to your vehicle...not make you stop, and let them enter.
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