I think the biggest problem with such a design is simply people not being used to it. Once you're used to occasionally being on the left side of the road for thirty seconds twice a day, there's no downside. The first took a long time, the next few will come slowly, and then they'll become just part of the terrain like cloverleafs (bleh). I also expect their acceptance will vary geographically, like roundabouts (still bleh for me, YMMV).
I live in Springfield, and so far it actually seems like the most dangerous parts are the right hand turns from MO-13 on to I-44 (step 6 on the interactive diagram). A lot of people forget that although they have bypassed the traffic signal they still have to yield to the oncoming traffic from the opposite side of MO-13 that they would typically be looking at to check right of way.
I think the "newness" of it all could be alleviated simply by posting traffic officers at both intersections for the first month or so of usage. People are always more alert when they see a cop a round and they will be there on the spot if any issues arise.
Comments
I think the biggest problem with such a design is simply people not being used to it. Once you're used to occasionally being on the left side of the road for thirty seconds twice a day, there's no downside. The first took a long time, the next few will come slowly, and then they'll become just part of the terrain like cloverleafs (bleh). I also expect their acceptance will vary geographically, like roundabouts (still bleh for me, YMMV).
I live in Springfield, and so far it actually seems like the most dangerous parts are the right hand turns from MO-13 on to I-44 (step 6 on the interactive diagram). A lot of people forget that although they have bypassed the traffic signal they still have to yield to the oncoming traffic from the opposite side of MO-13 that they would typically be looking at to check right of way.
I think the "newness" of it all could be alleviated simply by posting traffic officers at both intersections for the first month or so of usage. People are always more alert when they see a cop a round and they will be there on the spot if any issues arise.
Maybe hiding the other side of the road in some way would help.
cloverleafs (bleh); roundabouts (bleh); jughandles (bleeeegh). This is the best solution to the problem I've ever seen.