Students driving around campus this semester may find themselves driving into a scene reminiscent of “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” with one exception: The new roundabout on the U’s campus has a train running through it.
U student Jana Baldwin-Francis says she is concerned for her safety due to the lack of education that the public has received about the new roundabout.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen. People don’t know how to use it right,” said Baldwin-Francis, a senior communication major. “Just the other day, I almost hit a driver who kept stopping in the middle of [it].”
The roundabout is intended to assist traffic flow in one direction around a central island.
It functions with yield signs at entry points where drivers are supposed to yield to those already inside of the roundabout-those who have the right-of-way.
Although roundabout etiquette is relatively simple, some drivers may not be as familiar with the rules due to the scarcity of roundabouts in Utah.
“I would not have known what to do if I had not visited Europe recently. I don’t blame those here who aren’t familiar with it,” said Annie Nebeker, the U’s associate dean of students. “There is definitely some concern about safety for those who don’t know how to use it.”
Safety was one of the reasons the roundabout was constructed this summer, as was the intention to assist the flow of traffic for TRAX, according to Mike Grodner, Utah Transit Authority director for the Medical Center Light Rail Transit Project.
“Statistically, roundabouts are safer and more efficient than traffic lights and stop signs,” Grodner said. “And because of the fully gated intersections due to TRAX, the U’s roundabout is even safer than others.”
Drivers will have the choice of exiting from the east or west gates in the roundabout when a TRAX train is about to approach.
U Project Manager Tom Christensen says people will have adequate time to exit the roundabout safely before a train approaches.
But some U students say the addition of TRAX to the roundabout will cause more concern rather than relief.
“The first thing I thought when I saw that maze was ‘Jeez, when is an accident going to happen?'” said Will Vandertoolen, a U sophomore studying mechanical engineering. “I’m just irritated they would design something that would cause so much traffic.”
Congested traffic is something UTA officials hope to alleviate with the opening of the new TRAX line on Sept. 29.
The roundabout is also unique for the train running through it, according to Christensen.
“As far as I know, our roundabout is the only roundabout in the United States with a train running through it,” he said.
Educational posters regarding the new TRAX line or the roundabout can be found in the Heritage Center lobby.
More information can also by found on the Internet by visiting www.rideuta.com/trax/expansion or by calling RIDE-UTA (743-3882).