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Near where I live, there is a split 3-lane-each-way toll road. The speed limit is 85mph. Directly on either side of the toll road are the free roads. The only

by wyager 10y ago

Near where I live, there is a split 3-lane-each-way toll road. The speed limit is 85mph. Directly on either side of the toll road are the free roads. The only difference is one fewer lane each way. The speed limit is 60mph. I do not believe there is enough difference between the two roads to justify a 25mph speed limit difference, except to create an artificial police-enforced incentive to fork over if you want to be able to drive as fast as you should. I suspect many speed limits are designed in this way: either mostly arbitrary or calculated to maximize revenue (for police, toll road operators, etc.). They are not designed with optimizing driver utility in mind. There are few things better than when you end up driving in a swarm of experienced drivers who are willing to safely exceed the speed limit. Safety (and efficiency!) in numbers.

rplst8 10y ago
This is essentially what the DC region has with Virginia's Express lanes, though the difference here is only 10 MPH. The waste of space and resources that was required to put those extra lanes in, and all of the traffic control measures could have EASILY doubled the number of lanes on the beltway - alleviating traffic for many many years to come. Instead, they've just created a false economy around the pricing of convenience. It's essentially rent seeking by the government.
- aeorgnoieang 10y ago
  > alleviating traffic for many many years to come This never seems to happen in practice tho, from what I understand. Traffic always seems to 'magically' expand to match capacity.
  - rplst8 10y ago
    Because the highways have never been big enough in the first place.
- dragonwriter 10y ago
  > The waste of space and resources that was required to put those extra lanes in, and all of the traffic control measures could have EASILY doubled the number of lanes on the beltway - alleviating traffic for many many years to come. Adding traffic lanes increases traffic. (Amusingly, I originally learned this reading about the research that went into SimCity, though I've done a lot more reading on urban and traffic planning since.)
tunap 10y ago
Dallas, Austin or San Anton? 131 is(was?) the highest speed limit in the country. And had it's first fatality within 24 hours of raising to 85 MPH. I will take this over the previous 65 day / 55 night option. Nothing quite as infuriating as getting a ticket for driving 65 in Nowhere, West Texas.

by wyager 10y ago

rplst8 10y ago

This is essentially what the DC region has with Virginia's Express lanes, though the difference here is only 10 MPH. The waste of space and resources that was required to put those extra lanes in, and all of the traffic control measures could have EASILY doubled the number of lanes on the beltway - alleviating traffic for many many years to come. Instead, they've just created a false economy around the pricing of convenience. It's essentially rent seeking by the government.

aeorgnoieang 10y ago
> alleviating traffic for many many years to come This never seems to happen in practice tho, from what I understand. Traffic always seems to 'magically' expand to match capacity.
- rplst8 10y ago
  Because the highways have never been big enough in the first place.
dragonwriter 10y ago
> The waste of space and resources that was required to put those extra lanes in, and all of the traffic control measures could have EASILY doubled the number of lanes on the beltway - alleviating traffic for many many years to come. Adding traffic lanes increases traffic. (Amusingly, I originally learned this reading about the research that went into SimCity, though I've done a lot more reading on urban and traffic planning since.)

tunap 10y ago

Dallas, Austin or San Anton? 131 is(was?) the highest speed limit in the country. And had it's first fatality within 24 hours of raising to 85 MPH. I will take this over the previous 65 day / 55 night option. Nothing quite as infuriating as getting a ticket for driving 65 in Nowhere, West Texas.