9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Opportunity- Adding roundabouts instead of lighted intersections

Interview 1: Pepsi Delivery Driver
When discussing how this individual felt about an addition of roundabouts along his route, he was actually not too fond of the idea. I did take the time to explain the benefits to the flow of traffic and even hinted to the idea that his travel for deliveries may be more efficient as less time would be wasted waiting for lights, but he didn't see it that way. His biggest focus way the amount of time that would be lost during the construction period. The need for finding different routes and some businesses had limited access to them currently, so disturbing this flow in any way would drastically effect the business.

Interview 2: Track Coach
When addressing the roundabout topic, the coach was particularly pleased with more lighted intersections being taken down as his main concern was the safety of the people in the cross walk. He explained that many drivers try to make the light when it is approaching or on red and this is a dangerous period as pedestrians may begin to cross. As he is someone working with the youth, he worries that distracted kids would enter the crosswalk, distracted by their phones or music and may be hit. Generally there aren't cross walks where cars are entering and exiting a roundabout and there are usually specific areas for pedestrians to cross that may be a bit safer.

Interview 3: Nurse
This individual liked the idea of the roundabout as she believed it kept cars moving. Especially at a hospital, there can be many cars coming in and out of the different buildings and to prevent traffic and to also get patients to their destinations quicker, she believed the roundabouts would be very beneficial. Additionally, she claimed there would be a large benefit for her night commute as she wouldn't have to wait for the timed lights at the end of her shift. Allowing her to return home quicker.

Interview 4: Property Manager
This individual believed the trend of the roundabouts are picking up and can be good for traffic flow in all size cities. As he is working in Gainesville, he believes there is a very bad ratio with the size of the city and the amount of cars. This causes him to miss many lights and have heavy traffic periods throughout the day due to so many cars. He stated that regardless of the speed, if there was a solution to keep traffic moving so he was just sitting on Archer or over by the mall at certain times of the day, then he would feel much better. He also believed that people tend to get on their phones when they are sitting at traffic lights and this distraction slows up traffic even more.

Interview 5: Massage Therapist
This individual is seldom on the road and splits her time between biking or driving to work. When biking to work, she finds that the roundabouts actually make her commute more difficult as she feels almost pushed aside or not respected on the road. When she is in a car, she finds that other drivers don't know which direction to look and make bad judgment calls, occasionally resulting in accidents. She is a bit split between how beneficial roundabouts truly are as she has been on both sides of the argument.

Inside the Boundary
1. Track Coach
Safe crossing options for kids
Too many distracted pedestrians (ex.Pokemon Go App)
https://www.santamarialaw.net/pokemon-go-mobile-game-causing-distracted-walking-accidents.html

2. Nurse
Helps keep traffic moving between buildings
Traffic may impede on someone who may need assistance in a timely manner.

3. Property Manager
Need to be able to get across the city to manage properties
Finds himself wasting large portions of the day in traffic

Outside the Boundary
1. Pepsi Driver
Greater time lost due to the construction of the roundabout
Worries if change will be significant enough to be worth the construction

2. Massage Therapist
Greater risks when commuting on a bicycle and not enough education on right-of-way
Lack of driving etiquette and education amongst drivers