SOLUTION for Adelaide Motorists

Road Safety PLUS 

 

Britannia Roundabout

Corner Fullerton/Kensington Roads, Adelaide

According to the Adelaide Advertiser 4/3/98 this location is the scene of a minor crash every three days. 

Much effort has been spent on feasibility studies, plans and meetings since above report. Unfortunately, during the 8 years since, before anything progresses from the drawing board to the road, we usually have a new Minister of Transport (four or more since above article).

Here is our suggestion to re-build above roundabout. We have split the five-road roundabout into a T-junction, plus a roundabout where four roads meet (1+4=5). 

The key positives are:              

  • Simple, low cost solution

  • No traffic lights

  • No road closures

  • Minimum delays, easier south to north flow on Fullarton Road

  • Parklands only marginally affected (only a few trees need removing).

Problem point: In peak hour traffic traffic the sheer volume approaching from Wakefield Road could block flow on Dequetteville Terrace, if KEEP CLEAR signs are violated. We have thought of a unique solution (see below).


Simple solution to the Britannia Roundabout, Adelaide's nightmare

 

Above plan solves the hazardous present situation, where traffic going north on Dequetteville Terrace has to give way to those approaching almost from behind their right shoulder. In our plan Wakefield Road and Dequetteville Tce meet at a comfortable right angle, then move onto the roundabout proper.

Instead of five roads meeting on the roundabout, in this proposal there are only four, making it no different to numerous existing roundabouts around the state.

The problem crash spot: Traffic from the right lane in Dequetteville Tce. is allowed to continue into Kensington Road, which is not literally straight ahead, and therefore confusing. These vehicles crash into vehicles turning right from the left lane in Dequetteville Tce. into Fullarton Road, which is regarded by many as straight ahead, being only slightly angled. 

The solution : Allow the left lane also to turn right from Dequetteville Tce. into Fullerton Road, which motorists are doing now illegally. Clear signage both in Dequetteville and Wakefield Road, including painted directional arrows will guide  motorists into the correct lane early.

The potential bottleneck/danger spot: 

If traffic builds up on Wakefield Road and disobeys KEEP CLEAR markings, a potentially dangerous situation may arise, if it blocks traffic moving southwest coming from the roundabout.   

Solution: In the median strip are 'over-flow lanes (ghost islands), where drivers can 'escape' to, if they are blocking traffic across Dequetteville Terrace. They should only be used when necessary and have right-of-way, when leaving. 

It is unbelievable that over 100 crashes supposedly occur every year on this corner and nothing has been done to solve it in eight years. A tunnel would be an ideal option, but it would not solve all problems.  

Adelaide's motorists were promised the nightmare would be put right in the new millennium. (They just did not tell us which millennium). But there is good news (I assume): Crash repairers are keeping staff at full capacity while the bonanza lasts. 

                              Suggestion by Dieter Fischer, Driving Plus Motor School, May 1998

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Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor. 

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