[USA] United States Interstate Highways

[Majestic]

Originally Posted by Dan1113

A bit of news: Utah is now testing 80 mph on a short stretch of I-15 freeway (35 miles long). A law passed in early 2008 allows I-15 speed limits in really rural parts to be raised to 80.

Was there any state where such limits had been tested and what had been the results?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Majestic

Was there any state where such limits had been tested and what had been the results?

I think in Texas it's actually cities (or maybe counties) that decide the speed limits and there I know there are a bunch of 80 segments. Don't think there are any other places with 80, though.

[Majestic]

Originally Posted by ChrisZwolle

Interstate 80: Des Moines - Omaha

A fast drive across I-80 from Des Moines, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska.



by ShingleCreek

Wow, I'm glad to see a decent driving culture, there's no left lane hogging at all!

A law passed in early 2008 allows I-15 speed limits in really rural parts to be raised to 80.

I think rasing speed limit on those very rural stretches should require setting-up crashbarriers for safety reasons.

[Houstonian]

Origanlly posted by Dan113
I think in Texas it's actually cities (or maybe counties) that decide the speed limits and there I know there are a bunch of 80 segments. Don't think there are any other places with 80, though.

Your correct kinda. Here in west Texas, the speed limit along I-10 from Kerr County to El Paso County is 80 mph (130 km/h), the highest in the nation, but at night you have to reduce your speed to 65mph. TxDot decides the speed limits in Texas. (I think)

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by Houstonian

Your correct kinda. Here in west Texas, the speed limit along I-10 from Kerr County to El Paso County is 80 mph (130 km/h), the highest in the nation, but at night you have to reduce your speed to 65mph. TxDot decides the speed limits in Texas. (I think)

That's about the only thing I hate about driving in Texas, annoying night speed limits. I'd rather the limit just be a flat 70 or 75 throughout the 24 hours of the day.

[Dan]

Are there any other places in the US (and other parts of TX) planning on implementing 80 mph?

[Houstonian]

I don't think so. Only I-15 in Utah. Im glad the proposal to reduce speed limits to 55mph in the U.S failed.

[mgk920]

Originally Posted by ChrisZwolle

Interstate 80: Des Moines - Omaha

A fast drive across I-80 from Des Moines, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska.



by ShingleCreek

Even better!







Mike

[Majestic]

How do those "state speed limit" signs work? I've seen a couple of "State speed limit 55" signs in NY but still there is 65 limit on freeways, right? Or 55 only applies to urban freeways? Then why it's called "state"?

http://www.upstatenyroads.com/assets/SIGNS21.jpg

[Houstonian]

Houston, Tejas:

I-45 Going south towards DT.

[LtBk]

Originally Posted by Houstonian

You should really visit a city in Texas before you say an opinion like that.

Sorry, I meant the surrounding area.

[radiant_city]

Originally Posted by ChrisZwolle

Interstate 80: Des Moines - Omaha

A fast drive across I-80 from Des Moines, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska.

Gotta like that traveling music. Trading fours with the Jack of Speed!

[tollfreak]

Originally Posted by Majestic

How do those "state speed limit" signs work? I've seen a couple of "State speed limit 55" signs in NY but still there is 65 limit on freeways, right? Or 55 only applies to urban freeways? Then why it's called "state"?

http://www.upstatenyroads.com/assets/SIGNS21.jpg

i think they judge by density of the area that a freeway is passing..for example the state speed limit 55 applies on the NY Thruway south of exit 15A, which is approximately 35 miles north of NYC. The state 55 also applies in the New England Thruway up until the connecticut border(exit 21-I-287)(even though it's still 55 there, but it's not state 55)

[ChrisZwolle]

If I take a look at the New York City traffic information, it doesn't look that bad, there are only 2 traffic jams longer than 3 miles at 8.30 am. Even the bridges and tunnels have only minor delays inbound.

Is the NYC congestion exagerated?

[pwalker]

Originally Posted by Dan1113

A bit of news: Utah is now testing 80 mph on a short stretch of I-15 freeway (35 miles long). A law passed in early 2008 allows I-15 speed limits in really rural parts to be raised to 80.

Yes, I just drove this stretch over New Years. They may have changed it because it was 80 only for 18 miles. The test area is both directions of I-15 in central Utah. The stretch is uncrowded, mostly straight with just some gradual curves. Elevation is mostly level with some gradual rises. Most of the drivers were right at 80, just a couple "pushing" it higher. However, many drivers in Utah drive 80 or above even in the 75 zone.

[ChrisZwolle]

Georgia 400 Northbound, Atlanta

A drive on the Georgia 400 Northbound. You can say about Atlanta what you want, but I think they did a pretty good job building some more major job centers outside downtown. Remember this entire video has been taken outside downtown Atlanta. You'll see quite some office towers.



by Freewayjim

[HwyIsraelFreak]

Originally Posted by Majestic

How do those "state speed limit" signs work? I've seen a couple of "State speed limit 55" signs in NY but still there is 65 limit on freeways, right? Or 55 only applies to urban freeways? Then why it's called "state"?

Those signs mean that the maximum speed limit in that state is 55 mph ONLY for that type of road.

[pwalker]

Originally Posted by HwyIsraelFreak

Those signs mean that the maximum speed limit in that state is 55 mph ONLY for that type of road.

It could also mean that it is 55mph "unless otherwise posted". A lot of states use that kind of language to cover themselves in places where signs are few and far between.

[ChrisZwolle]

They should categorize freeways in my opinion. At least per state. Like 75 mph unless otherwise posted. Now you have to watch all the signs very closely to know the speed limit.

I also don't understand why eastern states have such low speed limits in rural areas... 60 - 65 mph is way too slow, should be 75 mph at least.

[HwyIsraelFreak]

The problem with that in New Jersey is that wherever the highway isn't too mountainous for speeds exceeding 65, it's somewhat urban (houses within a mile).