sburns
Well-known member
Are you kidding, you don't drive/ride in the GTA do you? I constantly see people doing 80 or 90. Then there are people who can't even drive up a slight incline without slowing down. Speeds are all over the place around here.
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MTO survey is up for 400 series increased speed limits
- Thread starter DJM
- Start date
sburns
Well-known member
I don't agree with the extra speed, or our infrastructure, but yes about other drivers.
Imagine the pile ups in winter while everyone is doing 140 and still thinking they can stop like they are doing 100k and leave no space, thus no time to stop. I dunno I don't want that.
Maybe out of the GTA it could work, but not within. There are places were merging is very limited from on ramps.
^ That hasn't been the general observation in other jurisdictions that have increased speed limits. It's more like an increase of 10 miles per hour (US studies) increases the average actual speed only 1 mph ... because only the "speed limit followers" actually increase their speed. The "whatever speed is comfortable" drivers - the drivers who go the speed that they are comfortable with regardless of speed limit - stay the same. It's pretty obvious to anyone driving in Ontario that the latter group greatly outnumber the former, and the same is true elsewhere.
Even on unlimited sections of German autobahn, the general flow of traffic is 120 - 140 km/h.
Even on unlimited sections of German autobahn, the general flow of traffic is 120 - 140 km/h.
And for what it's worth, leaving the speed limit at 100 km/h on highway 401 between the 407 junction (exit 330) and the 35/115 junction (exit 436), and on highway 400 south of the 407, probably makes sense in view of traffic volume. It's often not even reaching that speed anyhow.
I didn't like the questions. Do you regularly speed over 120 kph. wtf?
Do you go slower/with/faster than traffic.
Speed is relative to the time of day here. During rush hour, traffic is moving at 5-20kph and during low traffic times, it's sometimes moving 130+.
Do you go slower/with/faster than traffic.
Speed is relative to the time of day here. During rush hour, traffic is moving at 5-20kph and during low traffic times, it's sometimes moving 130+.
I82l8
Well-known member
IMHO the speed limit should be less in urban areas then outside.
100 km/h is fine in urban areas and 120 km/h outside.
In Germany that's the way it is. As soon as you hit an urban area there is a speed limit.
Same goes in a lot of US states.
I also like the US states (such as Michigan) that have a lower speed limit for trucks.
100 km/h is fine in urban areas and 120 km/h outside.
In Germany that's the way it is. As soon as you hit an urban area there is a speed limit.
Same goes in a lot of US states.
I also like the US states (such as Michigan) that have a lower speed limit for trucks.
I filled out the survey, for what that's going to be worth.
I'd be happy with a 115 - 120 limit on the 400 series highways, which is what I do anyways when traffic permits, so it really changes nothing for me.
I'd also be happy with increased enforcement for left lane bandits, aggressive drivers who weave in and out of traffic, tailgaters and cellphone users/distracted drivers in general. Also, license plate cameras recognition cameras to identity and take out suspended drivers, uninsured vehicles and others who don't deserve the privilege of driving.
In the GTA and other urban areas I'd like to see some kind of active traffic management where speed limits on the 400 series highways are dynamic and adjusted up and down in real time based on overall traffic volume to smooth out traffic flow. It really makes no sense to have drivers doing 120 race up to the end of a traffic jam only to have to brake down to 30 kph for 2 km, then back up to 120 and then down to 50 kph and so forth. I think a significant number of accidents on the 401 are rear end collisions caused by constant traffic flow changes and driver distraction or incompetent braking and many of these could be eliminated by simply smoothing out traffic flow.
I'd be happy with a 115 - 120 limit on the 400 series highways, which is what I do anyways when traffic permits, so it really changes nothing for me.
I'd also be happy with increased enforcement for left lane bandits, aggressive drivers who weave in and out of traffic, tailgaters and cellphone users/distracted drivers in general. Also, license plate cameras recognition cameras to identity and take out suspended drivers, uninsured vehicles and others who don't deserve the privilege of driving.
In the GTA and other urban areas I'd like to see some kind of active traffic management where speed limits on the 400 series highways are dynamic and adjusted up and down in real time based on overall traffic volume to smooth out traffic flow. It really makes no sense to have drivers doing 120 race up to the end of a traffic jam only to have to brake down to 30 kph for 2 km, then back up to 120 and then down to 50 kph and so forth. I think a significant number of accidents on the 401 are rear end collisions caused by constant traffic flow changes and driver distraction or incompetent braking and many of these could be eliminated by simply smoothing out traffic flow.
Although I doubt it would happen because of the cost, if they were to do dynamic speed limit, they could also easily add minimum speed to the signs. In clear weather with light traffic, the minimum speed should be 105 in the right lane (set by truck speed limiters) and probably 5 under the limit for all other lanes (and the right lane when congested). If someone wants to go slower, there is always another route available.
wonderings
Well-known member
While a speed increase would be nice on highways, I do think they will not do a whole lot without education/enforcement for those who cruise down the left lane without moving over for faster traffic. Traffic moves so much smoother when people do this. I am not in GTA, but do take a highway out in Kitchener to work every morning, again nothing to compare to GTA traffic but the whole thing "bogs" down here when someone sits cruising slowly in the left lane. Creates more danger when people are now zipping right and left to pass. They really need to educate the public on this simple thing and they need to make a traffic law regarding it if there is not one already and start enforcing it. I think this would help immensely.
While being much less headline worthy in an election campaign, that one change would do more to improve safety and throughput on highways than any speed limit change.
wonderings
Well-known member
I completely agree. Get people to stay out of the left, keep that lane open for passing, it just makes sense and has been show to work all over. Why we think we always need to re-invent the wheel here is beyond me.
Remember who runs the province right now.
The populist crowd like increased speed limits. Douggie can pat himself on the back and expect a few more votes from the 150km/hr club in the next election.
Increased enforcement? GaaaAh, how dare they even consider it!?! Heresy! Get the flaming pitchforks ready!
Do you have any studies to back this statement up?
We have some of the lowest speed limits in North America and traffic travels here slowly generally. Most of the states has a 118km/h speed limit or higher, and traffic moves way faster there on average.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Increasing the speed by 10kmh in those sections will reduce congestion - it's basic physics. They will re-congest as volume reaches saturation however the onset and release of saturation due to higher flow rates (speed) will reduces the amount of time these roadways are congested considerably.
Germany does that by variable speed limits on overhead sign boards (which we already have throughout the area in question - the COMPASS system). Free-flowing conditions? Unlimited. Approaching a junction? 120 km/h. Traffic slowing down ahead? 80 km/h on the last overhead sign board before the "stau", 100 km/h on the one before that, 120 km/h on the one before that. Bad weather? On my trip I saw as low as 80 km/h on the overhead sign board in heavy rain with poor visibility. And I really didn't feel like doing much more than that (on a motorcycle).
Baby steps ...
Baby steps ...
I'm game with increasing the limits for sure, just as long as I can still do 100km/h or so in the right most lane while towing my trailer. I would hope they would do what some states do (and has been already said here), by having a minimum and maximum. But as always, enforcement of slow traffic keep right would be the most beneficial thing they could possibly do.
Using the 401 from Milton right through to Bowmanville you could have overhead signs showing variable speed per lane every 1/2 km as well as lane open/closed status, just like you see in lanes approaching border crossings. This could smooth out traffic slow and eliminate having people bunch up and then race to the next congestion point, making the overall commute quicker. Given the enormous cost of infrastructure and the fact that there simply isn't any more highway space optimizing traffic flow on the 401 should be a priority.
The cost of doing this is peanuts and the technology already exists. This should also reduce accidents and, for God's sake OPP, clear accidents that do happen much quicker.
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