Yogi Berra once said: “You can observe a lot by watching.”

            That’s the idea behind using a webcam to observe Valparaiso’s new roundabout, located at the former Triangle intersection of Lincolnway, La Porte Avenue, and Sturdy Road—have students watch operations at the roundabout and learn how it works.  The webcam’s possibilities go beyond simply watching, however.

            Roundabouts are new in Valparaiso, and students at VU are unlikely to have seen one in action.  The webcam will allow students to observe the roundabout at any time of day, from any location, during any weather condition, to see differences in traffic patterns by time of day, day of the week, seasonally, and for special events.  Differences in driver decision-making can also be observed, and data about the operations of the roundabout can be conveniently collected without any of the risks associated with working in the field. The activity in the roundabout can also be observed in the classroom in real time as a teaching tool via each classroom’s network and Internet connections. There are also potential applications as a research tool.

            The webcam isn’t just for VU students, though.  Anyone will be able to access it, and it has some additional benefits. For example, the City of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Police Department can also observe operations at the roundabout using the webcam. This access allows the City and police to potentially respond more quickly to emergencies and to make operational adjustments if problems occur.  Anyone traveling to Valparaiso can also check the webcam for congestion or other problems at the intersection. The webcam address will be publicized as soon as the final installation is complete.