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Comment by kmeisthax | Hacker News Reader

wait I thought "traffic circle" and "roundabout" were synonyms

They are in most contexts.

There are "traffic circles" that aren't roundabouts but just a round block in the middle of an intersection that requires the traffic to move around in a circle so cross traffic is slowed. Also called a "traffic calming circle."

https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs...

That could also be a location specific term too. These circles are very common in Seattle.

I thought that was a roundabout. At least my UK family would call that a roundabout.

Roundabouts have to have splitters and other features that traffic calming circles lack. Also, technically you can go whichever way you want around a traffic calming circle: counterclockwise is recommended, but many trucks physically cannot navigate them that way. And there are zero traffic laws distinguishing a traffic calming circle from an uncontrolled intersection.

Depends on which country/state you are from, they may or may not be the same.

Look up on wikiprdia, there are even different types of roundabouts

This is the first time I've even heard the term "traffic circle"

It's an Americanism. "Roundabout" is the God Given Queens[0] English equivalent.

[0] King Charles is so uncharismatic I do not acknowledge his existence

I am American! Metro Detroit area. I guess we also don't have many roundabouts. A lot of our road designs are based on Michigan Lefts[0] though which Wikipedia says are also called "median U‑turn crossover or median U‑turn, or restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT)" which I don't see much elsewhere in the country.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_left

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