Tag Archives: Mass media

Wired Looks At Roundabouts

Wired writes at roundabouts in the US and even links to the Rio Rancho Observer.

Opposition is much more widespread in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where an admittedly unscientific poll by Loma Colorado Library found most in town want to roundabout to go. A big reason for the disdain is people don’t understand how roundabouts work or how drivers are supposed to use them. According to The Rio Rancho Observer, people have seen trucks almost roll over barreling through the roundabouts too fast, and some have even seen tire tracks suggesting people are going straight through them. And some people think roundabouts make driving more complicated because, as one man said, “you’re not quite sure what the other guy’s going to do.” Despite the mounting frustration, the town plans to build more roundabouts.

Wired says “most in town want to roundabout to go” based on a poorly thought out article that doesn’t prove anything.

Mythbusters Uses New Mexico Tech’s Rocket Sled

The Mythbusters were testing weather two semi trucks that collide at highway speeds into a car would turn the car into a pancake and fuse the semis trucks together. The were not able to prove either scenarios.

In usual Mythbusters fashion, they have to see what it will take to do what they were testing. To turn a car into a pancake, they went to New Mexico Tech to use their rocket rail to smash the car. There is a video of the results on YouTube.

They also fused sheets of metal together using explosives. If I can find that video I will add it.