Circle the wagons, but do it right: OTA

TORONTO – Roundabouts – intersections where you don’t stop but rather veer to the right or left until you reach your desired direction – are getting more popular by the day.

At last count, there were more than 1,200 in use at various intersections across North America and urban planners seem to love them.

According to the planning department at the Ontario city of Waterloo, which has about 15 roundabouts in its region, “international studies both here and abroad report significant reductions in numbers and more importantly, the severity of collisions."

The question arises: Are these things built big enough for trucks?

So around the bend the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA), which has decided to finance a study to determine if there are some roundabout designs (or ‘jug handles’ as they’re commonly called in some parts) that are more conducive to big trucks.

Comments OTA’s VP, Operations & Safety, Geoff Wood: "It is appropriate and proactive for OTA to take the position that municipalities should ensure that new roundabouts will accommodate all truck configurations."

OTA will be distributing the discussion paper to organizations like the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Good Roads Association and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and asking them to share this work with their members.

If you’d like a copy of the discussion paper, e-mail otapublicaffairs@ontruck.org.

Also, if you’d like to watch a roundabout in action, check out this mesmerizing webcam view of a Hamilton, Ont., intersection.

It’s got the same effect as those fireplace DVDs people without fireplaces play on the TV during the holidays, so don’t blame us if you fall asleep at your desk.