Hobbled for years, Dolphin Roundabout fully reopened to improve traffic

[Rimmer]

Hobbled for years, Dolphin Roundabout fully reopened to improve traffic

PATTAYA:--After years of being crippled, Pattaya’s Dolphin Roundabout has been restored to its original working design.

 

Pattaya blocked off lanes of the landmark traffic circle in 2015 to prevent vehicles from circumnavigating the roundabout, arguing that it would improve traffic flow. In fact, it made congestion worse.

 

It has taken four years, but the light bulb finally went on for traffic planners and police who now have fully reopened the traffic circle for most vehicles.

 

Traffic police inspector Pol. Maj. Aruth Sapanon said Feb. 9 that large vehicles – specifically tour buses – will be barred from the roundabout during evening rush hour on weekdays and after 7 p.m. on weekends. Drivers of smaller cars and trucks and motorcycles can go around in circles to their hearts’ delight.

 

Aruth said the reopening is conditional and will be evaluated again at the end of next month.

 

Read more: http://www.pattayamail.com/news/hobbled-for-years-dolphin-roundabout-fully-reopened-to-improve-traffic-246257

-- PATTAYA MAIL 2019-15-02--

 

[canopus1969]

So after all this time the light bulb has been switched on and fatheads now understand how a roundabout should be used ?

[johng]

2 hours ago, Rimmer said:

Aruth said the reopening is conditional and will be evaluated again at the end of next month.

Well there you go...expect it to be closed again very soon.

[rtco]

I could never understand the logic of why they closed part of it off and turned it into a pseudo u-turn in the first place. But then again Thai's don't understand roundabouts and the reason for them and that if they are used properly they do actually make traffic flow far easier. 

[sungod]

The reason it reopened was down to Terminal 21 and increased traffic in the area. Cars coming down Naklua wanting to go to the beach road had to U turn on North Road outside Terminal 21 adding to more congestion.

[trainman34014]

They built a small roundabout in our Moo Baan after several accidents on a particular junction.   Crazy Thai's just didn't understand it and would go any way but the right way.  After 6 months so many Thai's had been in the Office complaining about it and saying they didn't understand it or why it was there that it was demolished, so it's back to accidents again and now they are happy !

[Cake Monster]

4 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

So after all this time the light bulb has been switched on and fatheads now understand how a roundabout should be used ?

No ! they just think they do.

Trying to educate the Thais as to how a Roundabout is used would be akin to trying to educate pork

Back to total chaos again, and the hundreds of accidents ( which was why it was blocked in the first place )

[champers]

The roundabour was closed after a lady on a motor cycle was crushed to death by a concrete mixer. Fortunately, everyone seems now to proceed with caution, mixed in with a helping of fear. Giving way to traffic from the right is not seemingly a norm for anyone using the roundabout.

Phased traffic lights would help, with working cameras to catch offenders. Unlikely, but we can live in hope.

[johng]

The roundabout at Jomtien 2nd/Wat boon was short lived unfortunately,traffic flow was great when it was there....but as stated earlier confusing for some.

 

 

[lamyai3]

9 hours ago, Rimmer said:

Pattaya blocked off lanes of the landmark traffic circle in 2015 to prevent vehicles from circumnavigating the roundabout

Isn't that what you're meant to do on a roundabout? 

[Sydebolle]

So the brainless chiefs of the brainless realized, that a round-about is all about round about. 

Congratulations are in order; you may go back to your room now! 

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, champers said:

The roundabour was closed after a lady on a motor cycle was crushed to death by a concrete mixer.

Wasn't it 2 young women on a motorcycle? The mixer wanted to come off the roundabout, they were on it's inside and wanted to go further round. It became a nuisance now as Naklua Rd no longer allowed you to get to the Beach  Rd, and I got a few ticket trying to U-Turn on the bike at the pedestrian crossing there. 

To be honest I have been avoiding that area since T21 opened.

[hobobo]

17 hours ago, rtco said:

I could never understand the logic of why they closed part of it off and turned it into a pseudo u-turn in the first place. But then again Thai's don't understand roundabouts and the reason for them and that if they are used properly they do actually make traffic flow far easier. 

As you say, they don't have a clue how roundabouts work, and this is compounded with the Thai attitude of ME FIRST

[Pattaya46]

Bad idea IMHO. That will means more cars on Beach Road, and bigger problems than the already big permanent bottleneck problem at the Beach Rd-South Rd crossing 

[mikebell]

20 hours ago, rtco said:

But then again Thai's don't understand roundabouts and the reason for them

and traffic indicator lights: down to turn right; up for a left turn: preferably completed 30 metres before turning not mid turn.

[johng]

Well it was closed off again this afternoon...so..how long was that ?

[Geordie59]

No busses after 7pm at weekends. 

Where will all the tour busses leaving Alcazar, Tiffant Show of even some hotel go then?

Edited February 17, 2019 by Geordie59

[Happy Grumpy]

On 2/15/2019 at 4:29 PM, trainman34014 said:

They built a small roundabout in our Moo Baan after several accidents on a particular junction.   Crazy Thai's just didn't understand it and would go any way but the right way.  After 6 months so many Thai's had been in the Office complaining about it and saying they didn't understand it or why it was there that it was demolished, so it's back to accidents again and now they are happy !

Yield and merge doesn't come naturally to them.