HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0964.165 2004-2006
Modern roundabout Safety for Hwy 130
Aloha Chairman Mga and members of the Hawaz I County Council,
My name is Dr. Keola G.A. Downing, Ph.D., and I am a strong supporter of modem
roundabouts. I have read extensively about the traffic calming devise known as "modem
roundabouts" as part of my responsibility in the Transportation Working Group of the Puna
Community Development Plan. Please do not make any decision on Hwy 130 improvements until
our work toward a new Puna Community Development Plan is completed. Don't be responsible
for a "Ready Shoot Aim" move!
I strongly oppose widening Hwy 130 unless it includes modem roundabouts for the many
dangerous intersections between the highway and the subdivision private roadways. I would
prefer that Hwy 130 become a residential boulevard with a lowered speed limit and modem
roundabouts at all the currently dangerous intersections of the highway and the subdivision
roadways. Presently a person is faced with almost impossible left turn situations on most of the
intersections at most times of the day. With increased traffic, we will be looking at more and
more automobile crashes in the future.
Use of modern roundabouts has beem shown to decrease fatal crashes by as much as 90%, and
sever injury crashes as much as 70%. This is very important to all of us who must use the
roadways every day. I cannot understand the reluctance on the part of the State Department of
Transportation in adopting this proven safety traffic cahning devise for Hwy 130. Please do not
let the Department force their concept of a freeway between Kea au and Pahoa on the citizens of
Puna. Even at 45mph the trip only takes 15 minutes. Do we really need to hurry ourselves into
the grave?
We do not want to see a freeway cutting through our neighborhood. It is far better to reduce the
speed limit and provide modem roundabouts to increase the safety of travel on Hwy 130, than to
allow the Department to force an unwanted increase in the size of the death toll by adding two
more lanes to an already dysfunctional and dangerous highway. We do not want to see any more
crashes on our roadways. We all know that with the increasing population we are experiencing
today, the result of widening Hwy 130 to four lanes from Kea' au to Pahoa without the inclusion
of modem roundabout technology will result in many more deaths, disabling injuries, and frequent
automobile crashes.
Mahalo,
Dr. Keola G. . Downing, Ph D. Comm. No. •b
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