HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0496.005 2004-2006 Page 1 of I
LINDA RAVENELL
From: "LINDA RAVENELL" <ravene11011werizon.net>
To: "Jason Armstrong" <jrmstrong@hawaiitribune-herald.com> 1, "
Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2005 5:29 PM
Subject: RE: Your Story "County To Eye Roundabouts"
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Sorry, but all those people interested in installing roundabouts do not know what they are talking about.
Roundabouts or traffic circles are a great leap backward in highway engineering.
New Jersey and Connecticut have been very busy the last 20 years or so removing all their Vaffic circles and
changing over to regular intersections, usually with 4-way stop signs. Why? The circle is visually confusing to
many drivers. To make a left turn, one must ddve three-quarters around the circle and be in the right-hand lane at
the right time to exit. I teamed years ago not to expect other drivers to yield or slow down for entering or exiting
drivers. One was frequently left at the curb until one could force one's way into the circle and then crawl around
the edge while trying not to miss one's turns. It was a nightmare that 1 would not care to repeat. A simple 4-way
stop is easier to negotiate. I suggest that our local officials talk to the New Jersey traffic engineers.
The serious local highway problem is the widespread infatuation with 2-lane roads, usually without a drivable
shoulder. For sheer frustration, try making a simple right-hand turn from Kaloli Drive onto Route 130 at morning
rush hour. The traffic flow seems to be controlled by a traffic light way down in Pahoa. Route 130 is bumper-to-
bumpercars, all trying to go 55 mph. I'd love to see Route 130 and Route 11 widened to 4 lanes with drivable
shoulders plus an occasional traffic light or 4-way stop to break up the traffic flow. Doubtless the screaming
against this will not come from drivers or adjoining property owners but from the Highway Department who will
have to move a lot of rock to widen the roads. Other screaming will come from the chronically underfunded utility
companies who will have to move thousands of utility poles back from the roads.
Local drivers need to team a few simple things:
1. The posted speed limit is not a suggestion.
2. During rain, drivers must slow down for road conditions.
3. If the driver needs to use the windshield wipers, then the vehicle headlights must be fumed on so that other
drivers can see YOU.
Overall, local drivers rate as more polite than drivers in Boston, New York City, or Washington, DC. How
delightful to find that drivers will stop for pedestrians in front of Wal-Mart and that KTA provides its own security
guards who direct traffic.
Driving around Hilo is quite easy compared to East Coast cities. Why should the local officials go out of their way
to make driving more difficult? Personally, I would not put much uedence in a traffic study done in Maine. They
have a low population. Their biggest traffic hazard is moose or snow on the road. Factor in their long
snowbound winters, and it seems obvious that their road conditions do not translate to Hawaii.
Very truly yours, , ,
~ ` ' . ~
L'irida Dusek Ravenell
HC1, Box 5474, Keaau, HI 96749
982-9510
Comm No.
cc: Councilman Bob Jacobson, Ka'u~-:f~~ .
Ref. To: P+asa~M ~ ~ ~1~.~
Ref. Uate NOV R 205
10/30/2005