To roundabout or not, that is the question. In short, they bring out that human tendency to dislike change of any kind. Roundabouts are no exception; however, credible surveys show that after they get used to them, the favorable percentage more than doubles to 63 percent while the antis drop to 13 percent.

Roundabouts improve safety by slowing traffic and reducing overall collisions by 37percent, fatal collisions by 90 percent, injury accidents by 75 percent, and pedestrian accidents by 45 percent. This is because drivers need to slow down and pay attention while navigating them and are not racing to beat a light change. Another plus is they work during power outages, unlike traffic signals.

Roundabouts improve traffic flow and reduce delays because the wait time at stop lights is eliminated and fewer stops occur. An additional benefit might be fewer emissions.

Roundabouts are flexible to fit most any area and cost about the same to install as an intersection. Long-term savings vary from $5,000 to $10,000 per year since they need no electricity to operate.

On a recent trip around the UK, I observed that roundabouts and traffic circles are used heavily on major motorways and secondary roads. Of significant interest was that traffic moves very well with slowing but fewer stop and go jams like those so common near exits in the US. The UK has an extensive rail system for travelers, but they move all freight by truck and there are large numbers of trucks on the motorways and they navigate the roundabouts just fine.

In competition with traffic signals, roundabouts are clear winners They are safer, improve traffic flow, are cheaper than traffic lights and can be designed for use in most areas. A no-brainer for solving our problems at both ends of the Avenue.