New national speed limit

[plainsman]

I have seen more and more media promotion of a national 55 mph speed limit, usually by folks that live in NYC and don't drive much. Now I am all for conserving energy, but 55 mph really is a bad "solution". First, it won't be obeyed, particularly by heavy trucks, and this gets to be a real safety hazard when you have smaller passenger vehicles running at 55 (or quasilegal 58), and large trucks closing at 70 mph. Second, the 55 mph limit does not really grasp the problems faced on a drive across South Dakota. Now even a slight increase to 60 mph (I have not heard anyone suggest even that sensible a modification), would cost little in fuel, but would be much more enforcable, and create a much more stable traffic flow (assuming a quasilega 63 mph).
Please, lets not go back to 55, a bad idea then, a bad idea now!

[Andy J]

Much like the gun control advocates, do gooders at their worst... At least the Senator pushing for it, is retiering...

All a 55 MPH speed limit will do is, enrich the DMV's and insurance companies coffers, with the revenue from BS Speeding Tickets.

[jtr1962]

I agree 100% Bob. It's been argued that the 55 mph speed limit is responsible for an entire generation of bad drivers. Even today's higher than 55 mph speed limits are often at the 5th or 10th percentile, meaning 90-95% of drivers routinely violate them. Since drivers see they can safety break this traffic law, their behavoir carries over to other traffic laws, such as not stopping at red lights, where violation is defintely not safe. The end result is a country of unsafe drivers who routinely ignore traffic laws and common courtesy. Lowering the limit back to 55 mph will make this behavoir even worse. Also, legislating speed limits is a terrible idea in general. The original 55 mph limit got us into this habit. We never went back to letting traffic engineers decide the limit even after it was lifted. Quite a few states still have maximum state speed limits making it impossible for traffic engineers to set proper limits.

Lower speed limits also hinder automobile development. Had higher limits existed, we would have been using vehicles which were more efficient at those speeds, and incidentally at all speeds, rather than SUVs. Even when gas was $1.50 SUVs would have been too expensive to operate for most people had proper limits existed. We can make vehicles which are more efficient at 100 mph than most of today's vehicles are at 55 mph if there was the need. All a 55 mph limit does is act as a bandaid for poor vehicle design. Also, since the reason is to ostensibly save fuel, then what would be the deal with the soon-to-come electric cars which don't burn fuel at all? And for that matter why should a highly fuel efficient vehicle be limited to the same speed as a gas-guzzling SUV?

Lower speed limits are NOT the way to deal with higher energy prices. Besides being unenforceable as you said, they have been proven to decrease safety. Slower speeds remove a driver's attention from the driving process. They end up doing other tasks besides driving with deadly results, or even fall asleep behind the wheel out of sheer boredom. If we're really determined to reduce the energy usage for travel in this country then we need a multitiered approach. For starters, we need a national high-speed rail system so that many long distance car or plane trips are done by train instead. We need to switch over from internal combustion engines to batteries and electric motors. We need to design vehicles which are inherently more efficient regardless of how they're powered. This means getting rid of the boxes which currently dominate the roads. It costs no more to shape a vehicle to cut through the wind, and the energy savings last for the life of the vehicle. Lastly, we need to set sane speed limits based on sound traffic engineering practice. Higher limits will encourage innovation.

Incidentally, the original 55 mph limit was the reason I totally lost interest in obtaining a driver's license. Driving at such a low speed made the auto totally useless to cover the large distances in the US from my perspective. Even today's slighter higher limits don't cut it from a transportation efficiency standpoint.

[Conrail Tweety]

55 MPH actually increases fuel consumption in mountianous territory, especially for trucks. Fuel is wasted anytime a vehicle uses its brakes to convert kenetic energy into heat. One of the best ways to conserve fuel is to stay off the brakes as much as possible.

If a truck has to ride its brakes all the way thru the dip between hills, then a tremendous amount of fuel is wasted climbing the next hill due to the truck needing to run in lower gears for the climb, requiring many more revolutions of the engine. The more revolutions the engine makes, the more fuel it consumes.

This also wastes time and decreases driver productivity. Most OTR drivers are paid by the mile. The D.O.T. limits how many hours per day can be worked. So a legislated reduction in speed reduces the driver's wages.

A highway near where I live recently increased the speed limit from 55 to 60 MPH. There is a 3-mile long hill that is quite steep at the very bottom, but the grade is fairly shallow for the middle two miles. This tiny 5 MPH increase in legal speed now allows trucks to stay in high gear over the steep section at the bottom and travel about 1.7 miles further up the hill before needing to drop to a lower gear.
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I know of a brand new state-owned facility that was built according to state-mandated energy regulations. During the design phase, in order to SAVE electricity, the users of the building requested that TWO light switches be put at the entrance to a secure area, one to control a single light, the other to control all the other lights. The request was made because a single light was needed for the security cameras to work properly in the area which is occupied less than an hour per month. The request was denied because the regulations mandated all lights be on the same switch to encourage saving power. So now they have to burn ALL the lights 24/7/365 in order to satisfy their security mandates. At the request of the users, the state purchased a larger, more expensive climate-control system in order to handle the extra heat from the lights.

Legislators intentions may be good, but laws intended to save energy often do just the opposite.

[Jim Prower]

I have a few friends in Michigan who report that regular interstate speeds reach 90-100 MPH. Lot of good speed limits are doing there. My car tops out at those speeds.

I think the gold standard of limited-access highways is...(and you were expecting this) the Autobahn. It's not COMPLETELY speed-limit-less, and they will ticket you if they catch you doing 240 in traffic: reckless driving is still reckless. Speed limits are around 120 Km/H around interchanges. Your car must be in good condition, too, with tires rated for somewhere above your top speed. No clunkers.

[Andy J]

Take into account, what the "wide open" autobahn, has done for the design of German Cars...Look at how well built even the lowly VW is compared to inexpensive American cars...

They are built strong, because they will be driven ON the autobahn....So German cars, tend to be built to a much higher standard.

[rdamurphy]

The problem, in the US with speed limit-less highways is kind of, well, let me explain. Montana for the longest time had no speed limits after the 55 mph (Thanks Jimmy Carter for the stupid idea!) law was repealed. The problem became "do-gooders" riding the left lane trying to slow down faster traffic. Then there's the truly ignorant who actually don't know they're not supposed to drive in the left lane all the time.

Either way, it became dangerous when someone doing 90 (or even 75) came up behind some clown driving 55 in the left lane who wouldn't move over.

If you've ever driven in Oregon, it's impossible to drive over 55, even today, because of all the smug self-centered idiots that refuse to drive in any lane other than the left one at any speed other than 55.

I drove from Denver to Colorado Springs today, doing 70 in a 75 because ONE vehicle (a red Chevy Tahoe) rode the left lane at 70 the entire way (60 miles). Even with multiple signs saying "stay in right lane except to pass" the State helpfully posted. I finally passed her at the bottom of Monument Hill, in the right lane, 5 miles before my exit. Had the wife and kids in the car, so I couldn't tell her she was Number One in my book...

I started driving when the speed limit was 55, and cops were adamant about enforcing it. Driving from LA to Buffalo at 55 was a LOOOOOOOOONG tedious trip. Kansas used to have radar traps set up with over a dozen chase cars, Ohio troopers used to stand in the middle of the highway after the trap and just pull people over with a chase car for those who didn't. (Additional charge, donchaknow!)

Oklahoma would just pull over anybody with out of state plates and give them a ticket for 65 in a 55.

I don't think the country is in the mood to put up with the police state traffic enforcement Carter left us with...

Robert

[Hawk]

It didn't work last time. What makes them think it will work this time?

[rdamurphy]

They don't remember it didn't work last time. For Liberals, history began yesterday. They still think Algore and Jimmy Carter were resounding successes, and actually believe JFK has a "legacy." Lord knows what they think about LBJ, other than perhaps they simply forgot he existed, like Neville Chamberlain.

Robert

[rpicardi1]

It didn't work last time. What makes them think it will work this time?

The new technology such as On Star and GPS tracking devices used by the trucking industry, can easily be adapted to track your mileage, for taxing purposes, and control your speed. Devices are already in the newer cars that report back your driving habits via satellite. Some, line the GM devices, can disable a car on remote command.

Many fleet delivery trucks are governor limited to 53mph - so don't blame their driver for "milking the clock." They are unable to drive any faster. When the Michigan seasonal load and speed limits are in effect, all trucks MUST drive under 35mph on all roads except for designated state and federal highways.

Don't act surprised when, under the guise of Global Warming, you will be mandated to have installed at your expense a government controlled black box, before you can get a license plate. That device will monitor your driving habits and generate tickets for each violation, monitor your location, control how fast you are allowed to drive, record how much you drive for taxing purposes, and will disable your ride should the Government determine that you have exceeded your mileage quota for the month.

California is already considering such a device so that they can tax your mileage instead of having to install toll booths on the highways.

[Gixxer86g]

Speed limit:170mph.Woohoo!

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/attachment.php?attachmentid=4766&stc=1&d=1215348520

[chucksc]

It didn't work last time. What makes them think it will work this time?
Hawk - we are talking the worst kinds of tree huggers here - don't confuse them with facts, eh? :)

An original thought and a cold drink of dihydrogen monoxide would cause instant brain death due to overwork for most of them... Emphasis on the original thought part...

LOL

[van2001ko]

It didn't work last time. What makes them think it will work this time?

The new technology such as On Star and GPS tracking devices used by the trucking industry, can easily be adapted to track your mileage, for taxing purposes, and control your speed. Devices are already in the newer cars that report back your driving habits via satellite. Some, line the GM devices, can disable a car on remote command.

Many fleet delivery trucks are governor limited to 53mph - so don't blame their driver for "milking the clock." They are unable to drive any faster. When the Michigan seasonal load and speed limits are in effect, all trucks MUST drive under 35mph on all roads except for designated state and federal highways.

Don't act surprised when, under the guise of Global Warming, you will be mandated to have installed at your expense a government controlled black box, before you can get a license plate. That device will monitor your driving habits and generate tickets for each violation, monitor your location, control how fast you are allowed to drive, record how much you drive for taxing purposes, and will disable your ride should the Government determine that you have exceeded your mileage quota for the month.

California is already considering such a device so that they can tax your mileage instead of having to install toll booths on the highways.


Well around here trucks are mainly govern at 67 MPH, whereas buses are set to 60 MPH on the dot. I think a national speed limit of 65 would be perfect instead of the 55 MPH. Fuel Economy will be generally good. Most people drive at 65 mph on the expressway with even a 50 MPH limit in place. Fuel economy generally does not decrease until the vehicle reaches approximately 70 MPH in speed. My opinon on those low speed governs (53 mph) can put the vehicle in extreme danger given to the fact they have no maneuvering ability on the expressways. In fact I have seen cases where it disrupts the flow of traffic.

[rpicardi1]

New Cars in California Must Display Global Warming Score

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2008/07/07/cars-california-global-warming-score

The looneyness continues.

[rdamurphy]

I've you've ever been to California, you'd almost wish you hadn't. If you go to a convenience store, there are so many warnings posted on the front windows, you'd think you were going to visit the reactor room at Chernobyl! Fancy "vapor return" hoses attached to the gas pumps, the ever-present "such and such substance is known to the State of California to cause cancer" stickers, the nanny-State warnings about food products, it's downright ridiculous!

It's a wonder they don't make people wear a helmet just to walk outside. Which is what you have to do to smoke a cigarette, even in your own house (http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/505/belmont_california_enacts_partial_smoking_ban).

Robert

[jtr1962]

It's funny how despite all these laws California has the worst pollution and smog problems in the entire country. From what I've heard there are often so-called "bad air days" where they actually recommend limiting your exposure time outdoors. As bad as I think the pollution is in NYC at times, I don't remember such warnings here on any kind of a regular basis. California is going after the symptoms of pollution without going after the real cause (too many cars making too many trips). A lot of low-emissions cars are still going to make a lot of pollution.

[Paul1953]

Wait til all those atheletes get over to China. There is already the expectation that there will be casualties, including deaths, especially amongst the marathon runners.

[rdamurphy]

Really! I hadn't heard that, I read they have to clean up the ocean for the boat races because the coastlines are clogged with municipal waste.

Robert

[xgsft]

It's a wonder they don't make people wear a helmet just to walk outside.


No, they will not. Simply because... materials they use to make helmets was found in the State of California to cause cancer... :D

[rpicardi1]

Really! I hadn't heard that, I read they have to clean up the ocean for the boat races because the coastlines are clogged with municipal waste.

There has been problem in racing sailing vessels due to a huge algae bloom clogging the waters. There are some 10,000 people at work skimming this stuff off the water.

http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/37577

There are also plans to shut down all power plants in the area and restrict traffic in order to cut some of the smog.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/24/transportation-tuesday-chinas-olympic-dream-faces-pollution-woes/

Millions of links of their environmental mess.

[pmcn]

Really! I hadn't heard that, I read they have to clean up the ocean for the boat races because the coastlines are clogged with municipal waste.

There has been problem in racing sailing vessels due to a huge algae bloom clogging the waters. There are some 10,000 people at work skimming this stuff off the water.

http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/37577

There are also plans to shut down all power plants in the area and restrict traffic in order to cut some of the smog.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/24/transportation-tuesday-chinas-olympic-dream-faces-pollution-woes/

Millions of links of their environmental mess.




All ports are closing as of 7-15 to incoming shipments (unless you know who to pay). They expect the ports to remain closed for about 2 months. There will also be shut downs of "smoke stack" industries during this period to reduce the amount of smog.

Paul

[Gixxer86g]

Are the Chinese still running steam as their primary locomotive type?

[rdamurphy]

I dunno, but I do know that some guy in China made a 3000 mile route, lots of good Chinese stuff available.

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/attachment.php?attachmentid=4808&stc=1&d=1215525438

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/attachment.php?attachmentid=4809&stc=1&d=1215525457

http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/attachment.php?attachmentid=4811&stc=1&d=1215525860

I guess they have some huge railfans over there, too!

Robert

[Amtrak 464]

Depressing. I'm not as proud as I once was to live in California. If the smog doesn't kill me, the anti-smog politicians will. And about the warning labels, you get used to them after about 10 years.

[trainrover]

New national speed limit
Sorry, you must be asking upon the wrong board...most folks 'roun' here cannot comprehend the inherent elasticity in national...
around these parts? they'd probably ask you how to spell A-B-O-R-I-G-I-N-A-L too!