33
Freeways and Highways are different things here.liberator wrote:also known as a Highway or Interstate.
TI - Coming in 2011 - Promise!
"Everyone has to wear clothes, and if you don't, you get arrested!" - Mr. T
"Everyone has to wear clothes, and if you don't, you get arrested!" - Mr. T
35
Road designations are more based on how fast you can go here, at least when you're in the city. As I understand the system -
Dual carriageways are 2 laned (each way), minor arterial roads in the city where you can generally go at around 70 kph.
Highways are roads that connect towns over long distances, but since these also penetrate into the city, they serve as major arterial roads. The speed varies along these based on the surrounding conditions.
The Freeways are the most important, in city arterial roads that have been built as much as possible away from houses and pedestrian traffic, so you can go at 100 all the way along. Learner drivers aren't allowed on the freeways.
Dual carriageways are 2 laned (each way), minor arterial roads in the city where you can generally go at around 70 kph.
Highways are roads that connect towns over long distances, but since these also penetrate into the city, they serve as major arterial roads. The speed varies along these based on the surrounding conditions.
The Freeways are the most important, in city arterial roads that have been built as much as possible away from houses and pedestrian traffic, so you can go at 100 all the way along. Learner drivers aren't allowed on the freeways.
TI - Coming in 2011 - Promise!
"Everyone has to wear clothes, and if you don't, you get arrested!" - Mr. T
"Everyone has to wear clothes, and if you don't, you get arrested!" - Mr. T
36
A Highway, in the States, is any major(IE avg daytime traffic flow of ~5+ cars per minute) long range public thouroughfare with unlimited access. They are typically 4-lane(2 in each direction), but sometimes swell to 6 or 8 lanes in high traffic areas, usually in cities
The Interstate Highway system is a grid of limited access Highways that were commissioned by Pres. Eisenhower(IIRC) and based on the Autobahn and other similar roads in the Hitler commisioned in Germany before WW2. Limited access, converse of unlimited access, in that the public is not allowed to enter it from just any point.
A Highway could have a dozen access points, or more, in the span of a mile, with some of them even being private driveways. An Interstate is only accessible at certain preplanned points and can go for literally dozens of miles with no access at all.
The Interstate Highway system is a grid of limited access Highways that were commissioned by Pres. Eisenhower(IIRC) and based on the Autobahn and other similar roads in the Hitler commisioned in Germany before WW2. Limited access, converse of unlimited access, in that the public is not allowed to enter it from just any point.
A Highway could have a dozen access points, or more, in the span of a mile, with some of them even being private driveways. An Interstate is only accessible at certain preplanned points and can go for literally dozens of miles with no access at all.
My first Armageddon has died.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
37
Offhand, UK motorways are 3-4 lanes wide and have a 70mph limit, dual carriageways are 2 lanes and 50-60mph (again, offhand; need to doublecheck the exact limit). We don't have anything really approximating an interstate for the obvious reason that we're not big enough to need them (unlike Oz or the US).
Incidentally, I've read a story that the interstates were partly designed to allow fast troop transit in the event of (a Soviet) invasion.... I think (99.9% certain) this is an urban legend, though.
Incidentally, I've read a story that the interstates were partly designed to allow fast troop transit in the event of (a Soviet) invasion.... I think (99.9% certain) this is an urban legend, though.
38
I believe that is partly true aldo.
Interstates have a 70mph limit(many don't abide by it) and Highways are typically 55-60 till you get into town where it drops precipitously to 35-45 and teh cops love to sit there and make traffic stops.
Interstates have a 70mph limit(many don't abide by it) and Highways are typically 55-60 till you get into town where it drops precipitously to 35-45 and teh cops love to sit there and make traffic stops.
My first Armageddon has died.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
40
Obviously I remember my Highway Code a little better (oh well you're a learner if IIRC so that's forgivable).aldo wrote:Offhand, UK motorways are 3-4 lanes wide and have a 70mph limit, dual carriageways are 2 lanes and 50-60mph (again, offhand; need to doublecheck the exact limit).
The speed limit for a country road (single lane) is 60mph unless otherwise sign posted.
Dual Carriageways have a maximum speed of 70mph. Oddly enough some roads that were dual carriageways like the A2 have been widened to 3 or more lanes in places.
Motorways do not differ from Dual carriageways in terms of the number of lanes as though most have 3 or more lanes there are some that only have 2 (The M1 goes down to 2 lanes near Newcastle IIRC for instance). The difference between the two is that only certain types of vehicles are allowed on motorways. If you're completely crazy there is nothing stopping you from deciding to ride a bicycle down the A2 even when it's 3 lanes wide. You'd have to have a death wish to do it but legally there is no reason you can't.
The speed limit for a moterway is also 70mph.
(The fact that the speed limit on a dual carriageway and a moterway is exactly the same always trips people up because they expect motorways to be faster)
42
hippo, Interstate == 70mph everywhere except in the densest of urban sprawls.
I drove on a 8 lane(4 in each direction) section of I-565, and the speed limit was apparently 70 mph.
I'm not sure, but I'm going to see if that is a faster way for me to get to work...
I drove on a 8 lane(4 in each direction) section of I-565, and the speed limit was apparently 70 mph.
I'm not sure, but I'm going to see if that is a faster way for me to get to work...
My first Armageddon has died.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
43
Not exactly. A lot of that depends on the individual state transportation department (Montana's unlimited speed limits, for example).
EDIT: Okay, here we go.
From Wikipedia:
EDIT: Okay, here we go.
From Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterstateSpeed limits
Speed limits vary according to location. By initial planning, the Interstate system was designed to be able to move traffic at speeds of 75 to 80 miles per hour (120 to 130 km/h) except in limited stretches (such as steep mountain passes) where many vehicles cannot maintain such speeds. In 1974, the maximum speed limit allowed on interstate highways (along with all others in the country) was reduced to 55 mph (90 km/h) as a gasoline conservation measure in response to the 1973 energy crisis. After the end of the embargo this restriction was continued, being justified as a safety measure, but it was very unpopular, especially in western states; it was relaxed in 1987 to allow 65 mph (100 km/h) speeds in most areas if the states so chose, and eliminated in 1995, fully returning speed limits to state control. During this interim period, some roads (such as I-88 in Illinois) were specifically designated as Interstates to take advantage of this higher speed limit.
While some states have maintained the 65 mph limit, other states have increased the limits to 70 or 75 mph (110 or 120 km/h). Soon after the end of the National Minimum Speed Limit, the state of Montana ended daytime speed limits for automobile traffic on Interstate Highways in the state, instead instructing motorists to maintain a "reasonable and prudent" speed. A few years later, the "reasonable and prudent" law was declared unconstitutional for being too vague. A limit of 75 mph (120 km/h) was enacted in its place.
"I like the funny sounds of parrots squawking,"
- Jimmy Buffet
- Jimmy Buffet
) on the open road and not fear reprisal!45
To be honest, my speedometer tops out at 85, and I would be afraid to go much past this for fear of causing my engine to explode. Mostly, 'cause it roars like a dragon set loose as I approach 80, strangely it's almost silent at 65-70.
My first Armageddon has died.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.
2005.11.25 06:22:57 combat Your Tachyon Beam Laser I perfectly strikes Ruined Stargate, wrecking for
733.8 damage.