The important thing is they eliminate the left-turn phases and the extra time they take, and reduce the potential for t-bone crashes.
@chrissolace
Ай бұрын
I’m in GA and (idk about others) but I like it! Traffic flows SO much better and there’s no guesswork or pressure of “oh, do I have enough room to turn left here or right on red”. You wait your turn and you go. Before and during the installation, traffic would back up a mile or two from the highway exit… after it was installed, I hardly ever see traffic despite being a busy exit.
@polypolyman
Ай бұрын
One important but often overlooked safety feature for these interchanges is that you need some sort of barrier between the lanes at the “wrong way” portion - otherwise everyone’s low beams will end up acting like high beams to the other side and get blindingly bright in some cases
@petermiddo
28 күн бұрын
There is one an hour North of me, near Caloundra, Queensland, Australia. Because I am FREQUENTLY towing my caravan onto this road to access our beach holidays and (now) an on call job, i am impressed with the ease and simplicity of these intersections. Even my father (83, and still towing HIS caravan) is more impressed than he would like to be.
@robbiedobbles
Ай бұрын
Tulsa just got our first diverging diamond. I like it but I know most don't. I think it has went over relatively well after years of people assuming it would be a demolition derby of drivers getting confused. It just takes time to get used to. I definitely could see an instance of being new to the intersection and its raining or dark and not having the confidence the first time. Or as you note, if power was out and its harder to understand how to navigate without the lights.
@thesmallestatom
Ай бұрын
Love it! there’s one near by me in northern VA. the first time you drive through it is funny, by the time you realize what’s going on, it’s over. Totally transformed the intersections and now traffic flows amazingly.
@iteagle03
Ай бұрын
I'll take diverging diamonds all day, every day versus a round-about. People have absolutely no clue how to drive in a roundabout.
@chrissolace
Ай бұрын
@@iteagle03 Yeah, DDs are pretty much “follow and go” so they’re a lot easier to learn, and I think easier to just add onto existing roads compared to roundabouts.
@jamess1787
Ай бұрын
Americans have no way how to use round-a-bouts. ** The rest of the metric world has figured them out. 😂
@josh6715
Ай бұрын
@@jamess1787where I live in Australia roundabouts are every where and it's a nightmare
@Shade_Tree_Mechanic
Ай бұрын
Some don't lol @@jamess1787
@briank10101
29 күн бұрын
@@jamess1787shouldn't assume all
@streetsmartstraffic
Ай бұрын
We are building our first diverging diamond in an upcoming project. Guess it's time to learn more about the programming and operation side of it! Great job Traffic Light Doctor!
@streetsmartstraffic
Ай бұрын
Did you say there is no detection though? We need to get that taken care of if not!
@nickp.4915
Ай бұрын
diverging diamond interchanges are incredible.... had a major interchange to enter\exit an interstate highway in the area that in peak rush hour traffic the state route that crossed the interstate would back up cars for nearly 3/4 of a mile at the interstate overpass in both directions. Daily commute would take at least 20 minutes sitting in that line of backed up cars and at least 10 light cycles to pass over the interstate. They changed the exchange to a diverging diamond like this and in over three years now It has not one time taken more than two minutes to pass over the interstate. About 20% of the time I pass the interchange I get stopped for a light either entering prior to the overpass or exiting the diversion sitting on top of the overpass the lights are timed so only the correct amount of cars will fit on the overpass. The light entering and leaving is always very quick, around 30 seconds or so and away you go you are through that section that used to take nearly 25 minutes. 80% of the time I hit the interchange now the lights are green and there is not even a stop to be made. Whomever designed this is a traffic flow genius! The only real downside I see would be construction costs as the DD's that are in this area all now require a second overpass parallel to the first where in the past there was only one overpass and that second overpass sure cant be cheap... Dont know if they all run on two overpasses or in some areas just a single wider overpass but here they seem to always use two in parallel with each other.
@pastormichaelnewsom
Ай бұрын
Fixed a major traffic headache near me! Its rare traffic backs up now
@BigbearSM-IL
Ай бұрын
I like them. Moves traffic along. Another one I have seen is a SPUI=Single Point Urban Interchange where there is one signal at a center point on a bridge. Controls all exits, entrances, and pass thru traffic. Had one when exiting from Tollway to get to the hospital with the ambulance. With an Opticom, I would capture the light from the ramp and have a clear path from the off ramp to turn left to get to the hospital.
@ThatGuy.75
Ай бұрын
We have one near Olympia Washington and I absolutely love it. It is a lot more fluid, it is pretty cut and dry, and it is faster. The only downside to this whole thing is traffic at the intersections prior to the Diverging Diamond get really backed up. That being said, it is still worth it!
@alanmcferrin
Ай бұрын
We've had one in Columbus OH for over 10 years. Also have one that they called a crossover ramp. Both have been huge helps in keeping traffic moving in all directions in areas where traffic was constantly backed up on the interstate creating a huge safety hazard. Totally for these.
@BrianDominy
Ай бұрын
I never thought about the importance of battery backup at these. I can't imagine trying to navigate this without power or in flash.
@matth5309
Ай бұрын
Why does your work truck utilize green strobes instead of amber or white? Curious as I’ve never seen that before. We have two diverging diamond interchanges in the west burbs of Chicago where I’m at. They were a bit jarring at first but do work very well.
@BalooUriza
Ай бұрын
I think an improvement could be made for the power-off operation of these, since these will tend to have mostly turning traffic when deployed in the right place. Allow traffic on the prevailing pattern to free flow when the lights are dark, so only the remaining conflicting movement has to stop.
@shawncole7930
24 күн бұрын
There are a few diverging diamond intersections in my city. Once I understood them and drove through them, I became a fan.
@Chris_In_Texas
Ай бұрын
Diverging diamonds, round-abouts, whats next? 👍🤠 I am all for keeping traffic moving when possible. I was lucky enough to be introduced to them long ago when Springfield MO was the 1st in the country! I would like to see more networked lights and all controlled together to act as a single system and not all isolated intersections, maybe ChatGPT can run the city for us!
@gen157
Ай бұрын
They're great, got a few near me. The problem is traffic signals the next intersections away often struggle with the increased flow.
@garcjr
Ай бұрын
DDIs are great especially for interchanges with uneven traffic patterns. The next best is the SPUI which is great for even traffic volumes and takes less realestate.
@moosescorner
Ай бұрын
I like a lot of the modern traffic solutions, i know they can be scary to people but the benefits of them are so worth it. There are some local intersections to me that i wish they'd add displaced left turns that would significantly improve safety
@juniperwinters3277
Ай бұрын
We have one in Superior, CO, and yes, it took me some getting used to, but once I got used to the diverging diamond, I don't mind them at all.
@MrGarySomething
Ай бұрын
Where i live we have a diverging diamond. I like it a lot. We also have traffic circles for most of the on and off ramps for the highway here. I-94
@Elkpine
Ай бұрын
I have one near me here in Illinois and absolutely love diverging diamond intersections. Traffic just flows and never stuck waiting for long for the lights
@omegamobius0174
Ай бұрын
Funnily enough I used to hate these interchanges and thought they were over-designed but the more I go through them and how smooth things flow, I'm really starting to appreciate them
@TimmyMoza
Ай бұрын
They are building these in NC… while they are more efficient they still dont eliminate waiting… it takes some getting used to, and ya gotta be more careful of those unfamiliar with or not paying attention… seen lots of bumps and last minute dodging….
@mike95826
22 күн бұрын
We got our first in Lacey Washington about 2 years ago and they are building another just down the road. They seem to work best when the interchange has heavy freeway on and off traffic and less "crossover" traffic. It also appears that the traffic engineers are building a lot more "traffic circles" and removing the lights in suburban areas where there is heavy traffic on the main street and very little on the side street.
@JV-pu8kx
Ай бұрын
There are two DDI's in my area and they work great! (There is a SPUI, or single-point urban interchange, in my area as well.) Just follow the signs and you shouldn't have any problems. There is an Interstate interchange, with additional side-roads involved, that when looking at in on a map, you would scratch your head so much your scalp would bleed wondering how to navigate it. It looked like a plate of spaghetti to me. Just know which direction you are headed and follow the signs!
@MikeHarris1984
Ай бұрын
I love the Diverging Diamond changes... we have a few out here in the Phoenix Metro area and they are freaking awesome... But ours our designed much bigger and big walls and stuff where if you are in the wrong lane of traffic, you REALLY have to try to make it there... there is no easy way to get over. the ones that are designed correctly, they are amazing... when the cities try to squeeze them into small overpasses and roads, then its not fully safe as you can't force traffic naturally in the correct flows.... But using the mutli hight overpass and naturally swaying traffic into the flow to go straight through, most of the time, a driver has NO IDEA they just went through it... They are amazing!
@kens.3729
Ай бұрын
Diverging Diamonds are Great but you need to have your Head in the Game, your Eyes on the Road and you Can’t have your Head Up your Butt. Very Important. 😬👍
@rootbear75
Ай бұрын
People don't like it because it's 'different.' It is so much better than SPUIs or a normal diamond interchange.
@deyontecoleman2163
28 күн бұрын
I think diverging diamond intersections are very cool. I've been through one here in Florida.
@richskater
Ай бұрын
They're awesome for pedestrians, you only have to look one direction for traffic when crossing the street. I commute through one on the way to work and I don't have any issues with it.
@jjjohnson2005
Ай бұрын
I've experienced these a few times. I like how they work, especially if I don't have to wait a long time for a left arrow
@keithbeck8170
Ай бұрын
I will take these over a round-a-bout every day of the week!
@YehudaKatz1
Ай бұрын
100% in favor of diverging diamonds - they should be used absolutely everywhere possible.
@billschnell5545
Ай бұрын
Our city recntly installed a diverging diamond at a very busy intersection. What used to take many cycles now takes just a few to get thru. Traffic flow is MUCH improved. I'm a fan!
@twodogsandtheirfamily
Ай бұрын
We have one very close to us that we go through often, it works really great. Big fan.
@MikeInIN
Ай бұрын
Yes. For them! Have you done a video on displaced turning Lanes?
@leavemealone300435
Ай бұрын
These work really well in Reno Nevada. They are everywhere
@rswear
Ай бұрын
I've heard about them, but have yet to see one. It's makes a lot of sense to me and I am generally in favor, although I won't have a strong opinion until I encounter one in the wild.
@Liam_Wa
Ай бұрын
I'm all for diverging diamonds! They just need to be built so that it's not confussing to the driver, hopefully with you adding the additional signage drivers don't go the wrong way.
@curtiswaagner
24 күн бұрын
I drive thru that Diberville interstate intersection daily, but technically this is only a half exit. no exit ramp from west I-10 and no entrance ramp for East I-10.. I like the new intersections that I have come across The one in Pooler GA has like 10 lanes and it definitely make that intersection better
@keithshort688
Ай бұрын
Columbus, Ohio has a diverging diamond interchange at I-270 & Roberts Road. There are also single point urban interchanges and dozens of roundabouts in the Central Ohio area. I prefer the diverging diamond and spui. I'm not a fan of the roundabouts. The worst roundabout is at Riverside Drive & State Route 161 in Dublin, Ohio. That roundabout is constantly backed up by heavy traffic and it ought to have traffic signals at that roundabout. Are there any traffic signals at roundabouts in the United States that anyone know of? I've heard that they have traffic signals at roundabouts in the United Kingdom.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
Roundabouts are only good for low volume intersections. England did not plan for than and just retroactively signalizes then when volumes are past the capacity.
@andrewoverbey
Ай бұрын
I used to have one right by my house in MO and I miss it everytime I get out by the interstate where I live now.
@AddieDirectsTV
Ай бұрын
They're not bad. We have one here that has the complication of a light rail line going through the middle of it, though. THAT gets interesting tbh.
@chrissolace
Ай бұрын
@@AddieDirectsTV Mine has pedestrian crossings through the middle, which I think is a lot safer than walking on the sides! And it looks nice with the lights!
@Kjhgr01
Ай бұрын
It's weird the first time you drive thru one but you get use to it. It's really nice if you need to do a U-turn on the Interstate though.
@RASpitzer23
Ай бұрын
I have yet to encounter a diverging diamond. Sounds pretty decent on paper, but I doubt they'd work here - if people don't know how to pull over for an oncoming ambulance, then I doubt they'd understand that the arrow that says you must go straight and not turn right, means that you must go straight and not turn right. My opinions on the locals aside - they're another tool in the toolbox. Are they the best interchange in 100% of cases? No, absolutely not. But in the right places, they will absolutely shine.
@leskeegan9033
Ай бұрын
In Kodak Tn. they have one like this on top of the overpass. In Florida they put these divirging diamonds underneath the overpass.
@lylelanley18
Ай бұрын
I’m all in favor of anything that makes traffic more efficient and flow better. That being said, have you considered purchasing one of my fine Monorails?
@BrettCKC
Ай бұрын
I've no issue with DDI's by their overall design - they're extremely efficient. However, what I do have a problem with is how many DDI's are implemented. I've seen numerous conversions from diamond interchanges into a DDI. The result is an incredibly cramped DDI, with extremely sharp turns, poor signage, and poor to borderline dangerous signal locations. I'll use a few examples here in the Kansas City region. First up, there is a DDI at Interstate 35 and Homestead Lane (Southwest Johnson County, KS), it's a perfect implementation of a DDI. Large, easy to drive in, signed and signaled properly. However, go northeast on i35 into central Johnson County, KS, there's another DDI at i35 and 119th St. This one is a tight and crammed/shoe-horned-in DDI. Further north, another DDI shoe-horn took place at i35 and 95th St. This DDI during peak hour actually gets jammed due to borderline poor signage and poor timing of the signals versus traffic volume. Up in Kansas City KS, KDOT redid an area known as "The Turner Diagonal". It now is a DDI, and it's a properly designed DDI. Overall, when a DDI is properly implemented, they work incredibly well. When they're just a "drop in replacement" from a previous type of interchange, it tends to cause more issues than its worth. At some places in the Kansas City area, SPUI's are utilized along the highway system. I feel those work much more efficiently than a DDI with extreme traffic loads. Then finally, we have a special DDI in NE KCMO at i35 and Mo152 (39.244691, -94.455814). Protected left lane. The proper terminology for this one honestly escapes me, but it's quite unique. It's stupidly efficient at traffic flow, to the point of "this works almost too well".
@rickhammer1905
Ай бұрын
I like it. There is one in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
@janetlewis7145
Ай бұрын
Manteca,CA has one at Ca Hwy 120 and Union Rd. Bill
@NipkowDisk
Ай бұрын
DDI's are great IMO.
@zephyrsman
Ай бұрын
My wife hates them. I love it. I call this on D'Iberville Blvd. a half diverging diamond, since there are no ramps to allow one to get on I-10 East on the northbound side, or to I-10 West on the southbound side. Otherwise, it's a good concept. Like someone else posted, they are MUCH better than roundabouts. What a nightmare those are.
@MrRMB1
Ай бұрын
There’s one close to where I live. It’s confusing but is working as designed.
@evangelicalcatholics
20 күн бұрын
They're installing roundabouts everywhere in MN and while there may be a few less accidents, the accidents are worse. People driving over the center and flipping, for example. Also, no one follows the Yield signs and end up jutting right into the roundabout, causing traffic already in the circle to slow/stop, and this defeats the whole purpose. Diverging Diamonds...hmm. But only for high-traffic areas like interstate interchanges/ramps. I still think stop lights work best. But they could always be improved. Either that or more bridges/underpasses/viaducts and less 4-way intersections all around. But how expensive would that be?
@richardhasbrouck4986
Ай бұрын
We have 2 of these in the Savannah,GA metro area
@webluke
Ай бұрын
They put 3 versions of this in the exact location in Grand Junction, CO, near me over a few years. It is no better for traffic than normal lights; the only reason it kind of works was 2 big truck stops were put in, and it would have made it hard for the trucks to get into them because the interstate and the highway don't meet perpendicular to each other. Where the dude's control box is, they have constructed a 4-foot-tall concrete box that continuously gets crashed into. We keep seeing these "engineered" solutions to problems that make them more complicated and no better. I hate roundabouts, but the "average" person is way better at using them at this point when they don't get complex with multiple lanes and disappearing lanes. I blame lots of the over-engineered solutions built into roads these days by "book" engineers who are never out in the field.
@slonon6410
Ай бұрын
That diamond looks ok, but the double diamond in Lexington, Ky at Harrodsburg rd. and new circle rd. is an absolute cluster F. and after seeing your video I understand why it's mess. The double diamond stops and holds right turn traffic going onto Harrodsburg rd. when it shouldn't. they ended the lanes wrong which interfered with the zipper merge. great videos btw
@JustMePatrick
Ай бұрын
The interchange I take to get off for work is currently in the 1st phase of construction. It is being converted from a traditional diamond interchange to the DDI. A new southbound bridge is being added and the existing bridge will be rehabbed next year in the 2nd phase along with reconstructing the road for about a .75 miles east and west.
@leskeegan9033
Ай бұрын
Much better then a roundabout.
@TruckNTim80
Ай бұрын
We are building a lot of those in FL
@tzisorey
Ай бұрын
They say that you should never discuss politics, religion, or divergent diamond intersections in polite conversation.
@Trafficlightdoctor
Ай бұрын
🤣🤣🤣
@Josh-of-all-Trades
Ай бұрын
Diverging diamonds are weird and confusing.... but people don't screw it up nearly as often as they screw up roundabouts. Not by a long shot.
@Mitsuolevel
Ай бұрын
I think this is what they just put in at i 94 and 127 in Michigan
@jeffdafoe
Ай бұрын
Having to deal with this every day under a high traffic load, it's total crap. If you're coming off the highway via what looks to be the "ville on ramp" (can't read it clearly), there is a signal added right before where that ramp meets the northbound (assuming up is north). What happens that sucks azz is you're on a ramp going both up and left, so you can't see anything to your right. Northbound cars run a red (look at how far back from that intersection that signal is) and we start driving because our signal (not pictured here) is green.. no way to do a head check due to complex angles.. I've read that the guy who designed this style of interchange had been obsessed with it since he was a child. It sucks.
@allanspc
Ай бұрын
For a diamond intersection
@High-Tech-Geek
22 күн бұрын
I was excited to get one but now am upset by the diverging diamond. We went from a single light to 3 traffic lights each direction. The merges coming off the interstate and getting on the interstate are conflict zones. And my street is just after the dd so I have to cross all the way from the extreme left to the extreme right to turn onto my road (a major artery) and the traffic coming off the interstate never yields. We've had so many accidents at this "new" dd.
@WizoworDD
29 күн бұрын
Got one here. Not a big fan but at least its not a roundabout.
@aperson9495
Ай бұрын
Diverging diamonds seem to work well. There are a few of them in my area and never had an issue. Honestly, in my opinion, you need to be 'pretty special' to not be able to understand the lane markings and drive as you're supposed to through them.... But that's just me lol.
@megodzillaudeadable
Ай бұрын
It sounds like a good idea, but they are very confusing and disturbing in practice. People don't like to feel as if they are driving into oncoming traffic. Additionally, I have seen a number of HORRIBLE accidents at the diverging diamond intersection at Dorsett Rd and I-270 in NW STL County.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
Making any left turn requires negotiating oncoming traffic. DDI makes the crossing easier.
@WildWildWeasel
Ай бұрын
People aren't smart enough to not go through red lights, what makes you think this will be any different
@Makenz
Ай бұрын
Diverging diamonds are second only to roundabouts.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
Apples and oranges. Roundabouts are great for low volume intersections/interchanges traffic platooning is not needed. DDIs are better for larger volumes distributed to surface streets.
@BartlettTFD
Ай бұрын
I see 2 major problems with the “ diversion diamond”. First, the confusion factor. Senior citizen drivers and distracted, (smartphone) drivers. Second, Drivers Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs will be unable to comprehend the complexity of this type of intersection.
@ZBB415
28 күн бұрын
This is a proven improvement that has been used in dozens of interchanges. And honestly this is not complex at all, you drive where the paint lines and signs tell you to. Once you use it a handful of times it is very easy to understand and becomes second nature. People will complain because its not a normal intersection but thats because they don't understand it.
@buellreaucracy
Ай бұрын
D’Iberville? I thought it was cool when this was installed
@k6usy
Ай бұрын
Put them everywhere.
@Riverrockphotos
Ай бұрын
We have one here and I love it.
@livestreammaster
Ай бұрын
I prefer a DDI over a stupid roundabout
@marco42
Ай бұрын
Why not just two roundabouts?
@Rymac91
Ай бұрын
Diverging Diamond Interchanges are slightly more efficient than double roundabouts when dealing with multiple lanes and scale up to heavy traffic similar to free flowing highway interchanges. Missouri is the first state to build a DDI and they have preferred it for most future highway interchange projects. There is an example of a half DDI half roundabout north of Belton, MO off of I-49 where the east side has a roundabout to deal with traffic from the ramps and a frontage road.
@Xx1SailorScoutxX
Ай бұрын
Alabama has one of these in Spanish Fort. I want to say it's Exit 38 on Interstate 10.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
Roundabout would fail due because the traffic volumes are greater than a roundabout's capacity, and the construction would cost more. A roundabout interchange would cost more because it would take more right-of-way outside of the prior interchange design. That would require more stormwater management facilities, as well as shoring / retaining walls due to encroaching into the slopes of the overpass highway. And the roundabout would not be efficient for places with such high traffic volumes. They max out at 1000 vehicles per hour for single lane roundabout (1700 for dual lanes). Roundabout interchanges are better for rural surburban locations where traffic is not projected to increase.
@brunoais
Ай бұрын
We have roundabouts instead.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
Roundabouts would fail because the traffic volumes are greater than a roundabout's capacity, and the construction would cost more. A roundabout interchange would cost more because it would take more right-of-way outside of the prior interchange design. That would require more stormwater management facilities, as well as shoring / retaining walls due to encroaching into the slopes of the overpass highway. And the roundabout would not be efficient for places with such high traffic volumes. They max out at 1000 vehicles per hour for single lane roundabout (1700 for dual lanes). Roundabout interchanges are better for rural/surburban locations where traffic is not projected to increase.
@andos2923
Ай бұрын
I am not a fan of DDI. I think SPUI is much cleaner. Florida has dived in on DDI with both feet! I swear they are building a highway exclusively with DDI.
@traffic.engineer
Ай бұрын
SPUi is effecient for the through traffic. DDI is more efficient for ramp traffic and costs less.
@BalooUriza
Ай бұрын
These things are rad but most of them are built terribly... like this one (could be, keep reading). Just adding a physically-protected bicycle lane wide enough or a wide hard shoulder separate from the pedestrian sidewalk continuing through the interchange fixes this. Without this, it's a moat. Ideally, the bicycle lanes and sidewalks get peeled away gracefully to a dedicated cyclepath with its own sidewalk that runs outside bypassing the interchange, if you don't have terrain on your side, and if you're going to go through the expense of installing a diverging diamond in the first place, you might as well spend the extra money to sweat the details *this much*, because Vision Zero is a thing.
@beargibson3100
Ай бұрын
We have one of these in town, and I hate it. It is slower than what was there, and needlessly overly complicated. A 4 leaf clover setup is way better. These garbage intersections are getting out pf hand.
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