Student ideas regarding Summerville traffic problems and solutions are making the rounds in certain circles at Rollings Middle School. The LEGO robotics team “Rollings Robo Knights” will propose installing roundabouts to judges during the research portion of the state robotics competition at Clemson University March 6.
The intersection in question is five points, where Main Street, Carolina Avenue and Tupper Lane converge about half a mile from the school. The team’s argument is based on statistics showing roundabouts are safer and use less energy than traffic lights.
The Robo Knights built a model that cuts Tupper Lane from five points and makes it a cul-de-sac while turning the Main Street and Carolina Avenue intersection into a roundabout.
“This is the best possibility for mass transit,” student Neil Monga says. “It fits into the grid design.”
The team started studying roundabouts in November, Rollings teacher Lucia Dantzler says. She’s been the robotics coach for six years.
Robo Knights spoke with Kimley-Horn & Associates, who proposed the idea of adding roundabouts in Summerville to Dorchester County Council Feb. 1.
“We feel like we’re on the right track,” Dantzler says. “If you don’t start you never get anywhere.”
Results from a survey sent from Robo Knights to parents and students shows traffic congestion is the biggest concern.
The Robo Knights placed third in the research competition at Trident Technical College on Jan. 30. Before heading to Clemson they will gather testimonials from residents at Wescott Plantation, one of the few places in Summerville with roundabouts. The team also talked to the Summerville Public Works Committee Wednesday.
The Robo Knights wrote a skit called “Traffic Court.” It makes the case of roundabouts (defense) vs. four-way intersections (prosecution). The skit argues pros and cons of roundabouts.
The research team is: Neil Monga, Faith Huff, Sam Bantley, Olivia Musselman, Olivia Jones and Pranab Sachithanandan. The robot operators are Johnny Steverson, Evan Topper, Cameron Kunce and Marquez Horne.
“We will use our best strategy to gain points,” Dantzler says. “These students were very mature.”
The team has had “lock-ins,” when they work late on the robot and sleep over at the school, Danztler says. “It is a very demanding organization. You need a long period of time to really delve into anything. Two hours after school is not enough. We’ll watch movies and eat pizza after working until 1:30 a.m. If you’re not serious about it don’t come to this table.”
Students would be smarter if the school offered robotics as an “exploratory” (elective) because it involves math, science, technology, research and life skills while addressing a real problem – a global issue, Dantzler says.
The team’s two chants are “Roundabouts: There is no doubt it’s a safer route,” and, “We’ll run circles around you.”

From Rollings Robo Knights brochure

Roundabout pros:
-    Average intersection has 16 ways to get into an accident, roundabouts have only four.
-    Reduced speeds lessen severity of crashes (25 mph, opposed to 60 mph on some highways).
-    No dangerous left turns.
-    Reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent.
-    Reduce crash injuries by 76 percent.
-    Reduce pedestrian crashes by 30-40 percent.
-    More fuel efficient due to decreased stopping and idling.
-    Stoplights cost $5,000 a year to operate. Roundabouts use no electricity.
-    Traffic constantly moving, no build up.

Roundabout cons:
-    Difficult for large trucks to navigate.
-    Landscape must be maintained.
-    People may be unfamiliar with how to drive them.
-    People unwilling to change.