> Lucky "Thus the only cloverleaf interchange is the other four-way one, which is on the other side of the state line: it's the interchange between I-205 and Washington route 500." Wizard

Looking at the images linked here, I find one thing not to like about the fancy braided interchange: it looks like there is no way to do a 180 on it. One of the great traditions of driving (especially with me, in Norfolk, searching for the airport) is getting lost, and having easy ways to turn around can be very important!

In the poll, I voted for the traffic circle as the best thing, but I now have to think again about that choice. It is a very efficient way to get people through intersections with a minimal expense, which definitely makes it appealing, but I hadn't thought about the fact that a traffic circle would dramatically slow down through traffic, and (assuming 90-degree intersection of two roads) require stright-through traffic to all move into the left lane before the traffic circle in order to be able to continue. This is not a good combination.

Making matters worse would be the driver education. We have a couple of traffic circles here in Calgary, one of which brings together five roads at a two-lane circle. I have used that one often, and I have frequently been forced to come to a complete stop in the inside lane when some ignoramus in the outside line drives past the exit I want (and the exit he is legally obligated to depart through!). I'm just glad that I'm aware enough of the ignorance of others to be able to stop doing what I have the right-of-way to do and hence avoid a collision. Of course, at that point, I have to ask myself if having the traffic circle there at all is really worth it.

Sometimes I wish the Calgary Police Service would park down there for about six months and fill the city coffers while educating ignorant drivers. Seems like a win-win idea to me.

Don "I don't hate EVERYONE else on the roads -- at least 15% of other drivers are decent human beings" Monkey