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Comment by Vaanir | Hacker News Reader

I live close to this magnificent piece of engineering, AMA.

It’s not easy to understand why it is structured this way. As a local do you have any idea why it’s composed of five mini roundabouts instead of just a single one? Does it feel like it handles high levels of traffic better?

You can travel both directions around the roundabout this way, if you need to get to the exit that's to the right of yours, you can do it, whilst a traditional roundabout would require you to go all of the way around, which would improve congestion I think.

I'm not sure on the actual design decision reasonings, however you can reach many of the exit junctions with multiple routes. So if everyone drove around it sensibly, there _would_ be fewer cars stuck in traffic.

I'd have to see a study or simulation. I can't take it on faith, because what I see is very many points where cars have to stop and yield. Multiple routes could just imply packing more cars into one ginormous intersection where they block each other trying to get in or out. And where you have multiple routes to one junction, you have merging.

Thanks ! I’m curious to know your viewpoint ! Do you notice more accidents than on standard junctions ? Is it really that confusing for newbies ?

I enjoy it! you can avoid lots of traffic and queuing if you take a different route around the whole roundabout.

Personally never witnessed an accident, but I have heard of them.

They tend to be caused by indecision or drivers speeding -- drivers that think that they have a right of way i.e when everyone has stopped, two people go onto a mini roundabout at once.

> Do you notice more accidents than on standard junctions ?

I think the whole point of the design is that there are fewer accidents at the same time as higher throughput.

Does it have one of those "X days without an incident" signs next to it? :)

Great idea. Will pitch that to the council.

Ah, a fellow Swindonian!

He's not the only one.

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