General Discussion

kentauros

(29,414 posts)

28. I've never driven on it.

Tue Dec 9, 2014, 03:45 PM

Dec 2014

The closest I've gotten to that is watching Top Gear

I remember seeing a great show on it on the Discovery channel (back when they showed informative stuff) and, as I recall, the thickness of the roadway is indeed like a runway. Poured concrete thickness was either 16" or maybe 18" (40-46 cm.) That's where I learned about the grade being no more than four degrees. They really have to stretch out the fill when going over a mountain (in addition to lengthy tunnels or cuts.)

One thing they also had were dedicated crews whose only job was to clean and maintain the road and warning/reflector signs. They had specialized robot-arm rotary brushes on their trucks to clean the signs top to bottom.

To compare, I regularly see speed limit signs in neighborhoods around here there have been "greened" by nearby pine trees, and they've been that way for at least fifteen years. The 'rule' here seems to be "If it's still legible, don't clean it."

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Utah raised speed limits on interstate to 80mph, results? Fewer crashes. [View all] FLPanhandle Dec 2014 OP

Look at the Autobahn Drale Dec 2014 #1

Not to mention one extremely important fact about the Autobahn: kentauros Dec 2014 #5

You're Not Kidding ProfessorGAC Dec 2014 #22

I've never driven on it. kentauros Dec 2014 #28

I think the main reason the Autobahn is safer cpwm17 Dec 2014 #24

They're likely taught better, kentauros Dec 2014 #30

The litter and trash along the roads seems to be regional cpwm17 Dec 2014 #33

I don't know where you live in Central Florida Aerows Dec 2014 #37

It isn't "Slower traffic keep right".... A HERETIC I AM Dec 2014 #34

You're right there cpwm17 Dec 2014 #35

a question would be are the accidents that do occur more or less fatal? another factor is that Utah still_one Dec 2014 #2

It's probably best if all traffic is traveling at a similar speed... PoliticAverse Dec 2014 #3

Most studies agree with you. FLPanhandle Dec 2014 #4

Exactly. Speed doesn't kill, delta-V Does. n/t lumberjack_jeff Dec 2014 #8

Yeap, a car going 55mph while everyone is going 80 is more dangerous uponit7771 Dec 2014 #17

This goes to the "75 percent rule" A HERETIC I AM Dec 2014 #36

This was about to be my response. People going 80 despite a speed limit causes crashes with people ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2014 #11

my unit gets closer to 38 mpg BubbaFett Dec 2014 #6

Too bad it isn't electric vehicles doing it instead of gasoline. Bandit Dec 2014 #7

We are in the year of cheap oil right now. FLPanhandle Dec 2014 #9

driving in the city, our minivan gets about 400 miles to the tank joeglow3 Dec 2014 #16

Using your logic, pouring more gas down the carburetor uses less gasoline... Bandit Dec 2014 #20

I NEVER questioned the idea that you burn more going faster. joeglow3 Dec 2014 #21

There's also the matter of air resistance. Mariana Dec 2014 #32

Unsafe is safe Vox Moi Dec 2014 #10

In Utah the freeway is straight. You can see for upaloopa Dec 2014 #12

Or, Too Light ProfessorGAC Dec 2014 #25

I went to Park City a year ago in my 2013 Mustang upaloopa Dec 2014 #29

Fewer crashes, but deadlier, unless ... JEFF9K Dec 2014 #13

Interesting since Utah public safety says... Historic NY Dec 2014 #14

When there is a wreck Wellstone ruled Dec 2014 #15

Many, many years ago, RebelOne Dec 2014 #18

Physics of high speed crashes edhopper Dec 2014 #19

75 is about my limit. AngryAmish Dec 2014 #23

In Germany, . . . ProfessorGAC Dec 2014 #27

In australia, I once cruised at 110 MPH for hours. ChairmanAgnostic Dec 2014 #26

I once traveled to Pittsburgh by car... JaneyVee Dec 2014 #31