The latest episode of Freakonomics Radio was about roundabouts (sometimes called traffic circles), those things that cars go around in an intersection. I’m not a fan, but it was interesting to hear the pros and cons of these alternatives to stoplights.
While I didn’t change my mind after listening to this podcast, I was pleased to learn something new (I’m always pleased to learn something new.)
Roundabouts are small, usually only one lane. If a roundabout is larger with multiple lanes, it’s called a rotary. It turns out most of the roundabouts that drive me crazy (we have a couple I encounter all the time in Chehalis) are actually rotaries.
Now I know, and you do too. It doesn’t change my opinion, but at least I know what to call them the next time I encounter one.