Frank Blackmore (traffic engineer)
Encyclopedia
Frank Blackmore, OBE
, DFC (February 16, 1916 – June 5, 2008) was a British
traffic
engineer
. Blackmore was also the inventor of the mini-roundabout.
Born in 1916 at Fort National, Algeria
, where his father worked as a missionary
. Along with his sisters Lorna and Violette and brother William, he later moved to Lausanne
, Switzerland
, the birth country of his mother. He studied civil engineering until moving to Britain in 1936. He started to work for Colchester
borough council until the outbreak of World War II
when he joined the Royal Air Force
. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for his actions when he made an emergency landing on the beach at Ardnamurchan Point
. He rose to the rank of wing commander and remained with the RAF until 1959.
In 1960 he joined the Transport Research Laboratory
. This is where he came up with the idea of the mini-roundabout. During his time with the TRL he came up with several ideas to improve the flow of traffic at junctions. The mini-roundabout was officially adopted in 1975; he was appointed an OBE in 1976. He left the TRL in 1980. After he retired he continued to work as an overseas consultant in Bangkok
, Baghdad
and California
.
Blackmore died on June 5, 2008. He is survived by two daughters and a son. His first wife, Ginon Dufour, died of tuberculosis
in 1942. His second marriage to Eva Johnson was dissolved in 1969.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DFC (February 16, 1916 – June 5, 2008) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. Blackmore was also the inventor of the mini-roundabout.
Born in 1916 at Fort National, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, where his father worked as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. Along with his sisters Lorna and Violette and brother William, he later moved to Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, the birth country of his mother. He studied civil engineering until moving to Britain in 1936. He started to work for Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
borough council until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when he joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
for his actions when he made an emergency landing on the beach at Ardnamurchan Point
Ardnamurchan Point
Ardnamurchan Point is an isolated peninsula with a lighthouse in Highland, Scotland.-Location:Ardnamurchan Point lies at the western end of the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is north of Corrachadh Mòr, the most westerly point on the island of Great Britain, which is...
. He rose to the rank of wing commander and remained with the RAF until 1959.
In 1960 he joined the Transport Research Laboratory
Transport Research Laboratory
TRL is a British transport consultancy and research organisation based at Wokingham Berkshire with approximately 500 staff. TRL is owned by the Transport Research Foundation , which is overseen by 80 sector members from the transport industry. TRL also own small UK regional offices situated in...
. This is where he came up with the idea of the mini-roundabout. During his time with the TRL he came up with several ideas to improve the flow of traffic at junctions. The mini-roundabout was officially adopted in 1975; he was appointed an OBE in 1976. He left the TRL in 1980. After he retired he continued to work as an overseas consultant in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Blackmore died on June 5, 2008. He is survived by two daughters and a son. His first wife, Ginon Dufour, died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in 1942. His second marriage to Eva Johnson was dissolved in 1969.