Concern about the use of the Warrens Roundabout remains uppermost in the minds of those who have to use it since the expansion. The image [click to enlarge] bears two points in red which are areas of the roundabout causing the most problems for motorists. Despite improved road markings, the ignorance and impatience shown by users of the roundabout when crossing lanes to exit remains an issue.
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David; The areas marked in red are indeed 2 of the areas where most of the problems lie. But the map is an old one. It doesn’t even have the area of most concern, the new dedicated entrance/exit to the Simpson’s complex. It would be great if you could source a current map of the area to see where the real problems lie.
@Checkit-out
Thanks but this is the most recent update on Google Earth. As soon as it refreshed BU will update.
Perhaps Mike Williams, the private sector PR man for the project, might be willing to provide a current map.
Would appreciate if someone could shoot him an email on BU’s behalf.
@de hood
This blog is for you.
Anthony
da ain’ look like Ba’bados … You picture come from Florida or some place so 🙂
Here is the image posted by anthony above which has been ‘touched-up’ by Checkit-Out.
http://bajan.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/simpsons-roundabout-crop2.jpg
Some idiots were of the impression that Barbados did NOT have enough space for flyovers… what a load of rubbish that was. A couple of transverse flyovers (moving traffic over the main high way as opposed to what was proposed) and the problem solve’.
@ David| January 8, 2012 at 3:47 PM |
@de hood
This blog is for you.
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Thanks a million, Dave, for your efforts on trying to bring some sense to the non-sense at Warrens. Rest assured that I and a host of other posters here on BU appreciate what you are trying to do for us “seniors” and all others concerned.
David;
I appended text and drew some arrows and lines on Anthony’s map to try to get people to appreciate the madness that can legally occur on the approach to the roundabout primarily from Redmans and from the University. The new roundabout’s shape has been significantly changed ensuring that when one enters the roundabout from the welches/redmans village area you have to accelerate and then take a sharp left turn to get into the outer rightmost lane. In doing that manouvre, anyone coming very quickly from the university in the inner/right lane is effectively at a blind spot for the person entering the roundabout from welches, who also has to look out for anyone coming on his left out of the new simpsons complex and who is permitted to cross him and shoot straight across to exit the roundabout for chefette/shell station or to go around it to go on to UWI. It is a wonder there have not been more accidents there.
Over the past few days the road markings have been changed twice. They don’t seem to know what they are doing. I hope the last change was the final one. I would be surprised if those markings have not been changed at least 5 times in the last month.
The uncertainty about how to use the road is one of the major causes for the accidents there. In addition, I think that MTW should inform people that they should never speed up and pass people who are already in the roundabout, neither on the left nor the right. Passing people in the roundabout, cutting in front of people in the roundabout, and uncertainty on how the roundabout should be used is the major cause of the accidents there.
The entrance / exit to the Simpson’s compound is also a major cause of accidents. It should be blocked off and shut down asap.
@Checkit-Out
Thanks to you and all the others for your invaluable feedback to date.
Be assured that it is being monitored and may very well be responsible for some of the recent changes incorporated at the roundabout.
Minister John Boyce is suggesting Barbadians be patient:
http://bajan.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/warrensdarcyscot1.jpg
Most of the problem with understanding it could be alleviated if sign were placed 50-100 meters from the roundabout that clearly shows how to use it like six roads one. Now does the current design make sense. I think not . The real issue problem is where is traffic blocking up that cause the jam to happen.? heading down to warren roundabout is normally grid lock because of the exits to first Caribbean, and warren industrial park and soon to be baobab towers. how can this be alleviated simply. place no left turn sign at exist and traffic immediate would flow faster. same thing for people coming up green hill and heading to jackson their way is grid lock because of people constantly tunring left on the jackson side. now the next jam is redman village. traffic backs up there because of the ill timed traffic lights. rewrite the program and we cans have is flowing much smother. there will be no left turn from automotive art during peak traffic time. also no right turn into automotive art side during same time period. at clyde walcott roundabout the evening traffic back up due to the y at kelsie supermarket. traffic need to flow thru those streets so no back up to roundabout can occur. send some traffic officers to observe it for a week and make decisions to suit based on the reports.
instead of no left turn should be no right turns
I am sure I am correct in saying that “sin bins” are used at roundabouts in the UK.
We should introduce sin bins – marked areas (usually in yellow) – on road surfaces anywhere, including roundabouts, where drivers are not allowed to enter unless their exit is clear. If they are brought to halt in the area and caught, on the spot fines can be administered.
Of course this will cause us all to slow down, which must be a good thing with prevailing road design. Painting yellow boxes on the road surface costs very little and solves immediate problems, until something more permanent can be done.
Just get fly-overs, overpasses whatever they are called. Owen you were right on this one. You were and are a true visonary.
I really can’t see the need for overpasses at this time. The die is already cast for the roundabouts and the money is already spent. What the authorities have to do now is make the roundabout safer and I think it can be done through the combination of a number of initiatives that have already been suggested on this and the other thread that dealt with the roundabout; eg. much better signage; restricting some lanes; allowing and publicizing the need to use signals to indicate, in the roundabout, if a driver intends to change lanes; a driver education blitz; large signs some distance from the roundabout indicating early which lanes to use to get to one’s destination; An initial police presence to observe problems and get compliance with the rules; recognition by all users and officials, including the police, that the blame for the current situation cannot be squarely laid on drivers only but that several factors have caused the current situation. Impress on drivers that they should drive extra carefully when approaching and in the roundabout.
The minister has asked for patience as we enter phase 2 at Warrens. The question for the minister is why should the public be patient in the face of the risk where life and limb are at risk? At every phase of the project public safety must be paramount.
@ Checkit-Out
“The entrance / exit to the Simpson’s compound is also a major cause of accidents ..”
And negatively impact one of the true Dictators of economic policy in Barbados? Yah mad?
@ Str8 Up
” …a true visionary..”
You ass … how you know the man ain’ tek lil’ piece from 3S and others under the table …? A true visionary would have had the flyovers flyover the highway, not have the highway reduced to single lane and flyover the feeder roads …
David
“John Boyce is suggesting Barbadians be patient:”
with an incompetent mess of fire-proof career public servants and yard fowl consultants …? Be patient with a process that not only does not have a history of working but continues to cost me as a tax payer because these people like Boyce must still draw salaries? Be patient with the insurance companies that will continue to charge you for the slightest infringement according to their conventions irrespective of the fact that there is a design problem that is not of my (a consumer’s) making?
Everybody makes mistakes. Intelligent people correct their mistakes and move on.
All the other roundabouts I have driven around when in Barbados were great. No problem for me even though I live in Toronto where there are no roundabouts.
Now we have a new roundabout that I will have to avoid next time I am in Barbados.
Surely the Engineering brainiacs in Barbados can find a solution to this problem before someone gets seriously injured.
I have now noticed since the remarkings this week at the Darcy Scott Roundabout persons coming from Welches, Redmans section of this highway can now use the right outer lane to go straight up the highway or to UWI as previously indicated or to Shell and the other businesses in this area
@A Customer; 6:11 pm; To continue where you left off: …………..where they can provide an easy target for the people exiting the Simpson’s and coming straight and fast across the roundabout in the middle lane or even the right lane.
I watched the traffic around the roundabout again this morning, and, while there were no near accidents this time while I was observing, many drivers still seem to be making incorrect manouvres. However, practically all seemed to be extremely careful.
That exit from the simpsons complex is still highly dangerous especially if persons using it intend to go towards the University or exit at the Chefette road. This is primarily because of an intersection of paths with people coming fast from UWI on the inner, rightmost lane of the roundabout intending to exit to the right lane going towards the polyclinic to turn right towards Green Hill.
MTW needs to get that Public education programme up and running asap.
Agree an area of concern is exiting from the SOL/Chefette. Cars approaching from the CIBC/FCIB roundabout are accelerating through the roundabout. This will be a problem.
I thought the problem was the (unnecessary) newly established entrance from the Simpson’s complex …!
We shudda had flyovers
Owen was right got in traffic experts who knew what they were doing.
More patch up and botch it.
The new roundabout is messy dangerous and ineffective.
In addition, I think that MTW should inform people that they should never speed up and pass people who are already in the roundabout, neither on the left nor the right.
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You gotta be kidding MPW aint got their asses round to telling people how to use two lanes on the highway yet..
@ Str8 Up
” …a true visionary..”
You ass … how you know the man ain’ tek lil’ piece from 3S and others under the table …? A true visionary would have had the flyovers flyover the highway, not have the highway reduced to single lane and flyover the feeder roads …
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Still banging the same old drum we tired o that crap man.
And any one with more than two brain cells can see there is no room for traverse flyovers- there is houses there aint you noticed ?
You gonna buy them all?
The flyovers that would have gone down the highway didnt need no new land as it was already owned by the government.
@Ru4real
Who are the experts you are referring to?
Do you mean 3S?
Has 3S been responsible for any projects since being fired by Barbados?
3S were traffic experts.
Thats why they were hired
@ Ru4real
You attacking me not Str8 Up.
Yes acquire the land. Reducing traffic to a single lane in the direction of the highway was a f#ckin’ bad idea. Some solutions only become expensive if they do not solve the problem as intended. An open ended contract with 3S along with a deal with COW and the concrete walls that were placed down the centre of the entire highway was expensive.
“The flyovers that would have gone down the highway didnt need no new land as it was already owned by the government” .. So this makes this the better option. Foolishness.
BTW I do not have two brain cells, but I only need three of the little bit I got to deal with the likes of you!
@ru4real
You have not answered the question. 3S was a company registered specifically to perform the local flyover project which comprised of 5 persons.
Hants
Surely the Engineering brainiacs in Barbados can find a solution to this problem before someone gets seriously injured
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Bape?
They is lying low and quiet before they howled like hyenas .
3S was a company registered specifically to perform the local flyover project which comprised of 5 persons.
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Who told you that one?
More DLP BS.
You can check for yourself there is no need to debate it.
@BAF
An open ended contract with 3S along with a deal with COW and the concrete walls that were placed down the centre of the entire highway was expensive.
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COW and Rayside were the local subcontractors for 3S employing Bajans.
What open ended contract what?
You mean like the present never ending roundabout ‘improvements ‘carried ‘out by PEI?
The concrete New Jersey Barriers have been a huge success cutting down the horrendous accidents that used to be seen on the ABC,
Maybe you don’t get off island much as you would know that these concrete barriers are being erected all over the world their because of their safety results.
So they are expensive – concrete is expensive- whadya want cheap or safe?
How much is a life worth?
In fact the present government has belatedly copied the idea and extended the down from Garfield Sobers to Banks.
You have not answered the question. 3S was a company registered specifically to perform the local flyover project which comprised of 5 persons
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BS you ever go to their office ?
No i guess not .
They had a whole team of experts there professionals who knew their jobs.
Experts in their fields
You could see their people out on the road.
All this is lies and BS
BAF Some solutions only become expensive if they do not solve the problem as intended.
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Correct and that is what is quite clear to just about everyone .
The flyovers were the correct and tidy solution and i doubt would have cost any more than all these make do and mends.
@ru4real
Yes we are familiar with the model, SMI is trying to do the same i.e sub contracting
A Customer | January 10, 2012 at 6:11 PM | I have now noticed since the remarkings this week at the Darcy Scott Roundabout persons coming from Welches, Redmans section of this highway can now use the right outer lane to go straight up the highway or to UWI as previously indicated or to Shell and the other businesses in this area
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It was impossible previously
All the traffic going south in one lane!
And the crashes continue like one a day vitamins.lol
The markings were changed yet again yesterday. You can now use the right lane to go in go in three directions. ABC,CGI and UWI.
I did not check to see if the centre still allows you to exit into right lane going up the ABC H’wy. If it does, then I will be force to conclude that someone is trying to get somebody killed.
Yesterday evening I saw a car facing Chefette straddling a concrete upstand on one side of the pedestrian walkway.
The markings on the road are changed almost on a daily basis. New glass on the road -evidence of crashes- were seen everyday for the past four days and I saw one actual accident. The insurance companies need to place a moratorium on no claim bonuses on accidents on this road and recover their costs from the road designers.
I.Wonder; Yes, the new markings to the right lane now has a three pronged arrow which I take it to mean that one can use that lane to also get into the right lane going east up the ABC. Everybody gone mad!
Wouldn’t there have been a computer simulation of traffic flow at the roundabout to anticipate flows etc?
The regular changes in the road markings suggest that they are playing it by ear not computer.
Long tail backs two days running due to accidents on the roundabout.
Complete and utter shambles.
This blog has been updated with the most recent directions on how to use the Warrens Roundabout.
David wrote “Wouldn’t there have been a computer simulation of traffic flow at the roundabout to anticipate flows etc?”
Therein lies the problem. Computers do not compensate for variations in human senses and driving abilities.
IMHO the roundabout is complex and dangerous. I will avoid it next time I am in Barbados.
Very clear directions, pity it took so long.
It would be interesting to see the directions for using the Simpson exit and the manoeuvre needed to go towards Welches.
The only problem for me is the reluctance of the authorities to force motorist to access the gas station from the KFC roundabout.
If drivers heading north don’t give these people turning into the gas station an ease, then traffic will back up into the D’Arcy Scott roundabout.
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