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Vortex Junction: traffic distribution structure
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The VORTEX roundabout is a brand new traffic distribution system, which can ensure a balanced speed and a non-stop traffic flow in an intersection even up to 36,000 vehicles/hour in total. The concept of the roundabout is that the special “vortex-like” lay-out of the lanes enables the vehicles passing through the traffic distribution structure to maneuver between the lanes in one direction from the outside towards the inside, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents and facilitates and accelerates non-stop traveling. The Vortex is the only traffic distribution structure, beside the spaghetti-type bridge system, which can ensure non-stop traffic flow at a much lower investment. On the free and valuable middle field there is enough space for any kind of business establishments. The VORTEX is an ideal solution in suburban areas crossed by more than two roads that carry heavy traffic. The configuration of the intersection is flexible; the symmetry can be modified for the actual conditions and traffic demands.
How it works
The most important advantage of the traffic distribution structure according to the invention is that because the road sections join the junction in a special way vehicles can pass through it in faster and more safely. The probability of traffic congestion and accidents is significantly reduced.
The logic of the vortex always “draws” the traffic flowing into it from the outside lanes towards the inside lane nearest to the off-ramps, as a result of which a maximum number of vehicles can join the outside lane running around in a safe way at all times and from all directions, and by preventing congestion the environmental pollution of the given junction is reduced.
A further advantage is that because of the simpler and more comprehensible traffic situation the stress borne by drivers is also reduced. Fewer traffic signs are needed. Drivers need to pay attention only to traffic signs and road surface signs providing information on exits, so that they can select their destination safely and leave the vortex as soon as possible. All this has a favorable effect on drivers’ behavior, which may facilitate accident-free traffic.
The only traffic maneuvers to be performed in the vortex — changing into the inner lane on the driver’s side by giving way to the vehicles driving in that lane, by checking in the side mirror on the driver’s side without blind spots — is a task that can be carried out easily and safely at a high speed even by less-experienced drivers.
Another advantage is that the construction costs of the traffic distribution structure are lower than those of other solutions that are equivalent from the aspect of traffic control and have similar traffic permeability. Furthermore, due to the novel line of the road, the time and live labor needed to construct the facility is also significantly reduced, which has a favorable effect on the traffic control of the given area, as the quick construction of a busy junction involves traffic restrictions lasting for a shorter period.
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A further advantage of the vortex as compared to spaghetti-bridge systems that are more expensive to construct is that on approaching the junction, drivers that do not know the junction are not compelled to make a decision immediately in the vortex, when in a vehicle travelling at a high speed they only have a very short time to change into the right lane in order to select their destination. In the vortex they can spend as much time as they like while they select the correct exit.
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