Highways in Canada - Page 440

dmuzika · #**8781** Posted **Jan 31, 2021, 7:21 AM**

A couple in Alberta:

Deerfoot Tr/Glenmore Tr (Calgary) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/khjz816evAfXPoGs5

One of the busiest interchanges in Calgary; 3 through lanes squeeze down to 2 in all directions; the cloverleaf is missing a NB to WB link where traffic has to follow area surface streets. Upgrade have been proposed but are long overdue.

Deerfoot Tr/Memorial Dr (Calgary) -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sucLDSsv9FLZ1UxWA

The main freeway connection between downtown Calgary and Hwy 2 and also one of the busiest interchanges in the city. Despite Memorial Dr being free flow both east and west of Deerfoot, there are lights along Memorial. The LRT runs down the middle of Memorial Dr and there is a level crossing with the southbound ramp.

Groat Road/Victoria Road/River Valley Rd (Edmonton) -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eyKJbTgXbSoFuDU19

Admittedly Groat Road is a smaller, slower speed expressway, only 4 lanes total. The big issue is it squeezes to 1 through lane each way. Even for 1950s standards, that's pretty lackluster.

jamincan · #**8782** Posted **Jan 31, 2021, 11:50 AM**

The Canal Rd. exit is supposed to be closed now that the Line 5 interchange is open, but it remains to be seen if the Ford government has the wherewithal to follow through on an unpopular move.

Innsertnamehere · #**8783** Posted **Jan 31, 2021, 1:27 PM**

Canal rd will be closed this spring when they begin work on the north canal bridge replacement project.

35/115 interchange has an EA underway right now to identify the preferred solution on how to fix it. No funding identified as to when it will happen though.

The 406 has an 80km/h limit through St. Catharines, not 60. The 406 is also more like a regional connecting highway to help traffic get to Welland, it’s fine to be a bit substandard.

The Hanlon Parkway sucks, but they are slowly upgrading it. It should be a full freeway south of Wellington Streer in a few years once a few different projects finish up.

dmuzika · #**8784** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 3:32 PM**

Alberta private member’s bill would increase some highway speed limits to 120 km/h
Caley Ramsay, Global News

Quote:

A private member’s bill has been introduced which, if passed, would increase the speed limit on some Alberta highways.

UCP MLA Searle Turton introduced Bill 213: the Traffic Safety (Maximum Speed Limit for Provincial Freeways) Amendment Act on Wednesday.

If passed, the bill would set the maximum speed limit for many provincial freeways at 120 kilometres per hour [75 MPH].

“Bill 213 would allow motorists to use our freeways at the speeds they were designed and engineered for, and match posted speed limits with the realistic speeds commuters follow. Evidence shows this would make our freeways safer,” Turton said in a news release Thursday.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7690854/alberta-private-members-bill-highway-speed/

Interesting that the article alludes to both freeways and divided highways. If it was strictly rural freeways, then technically only the Hwy 2 between Edmonton & Calgary, Hwy 1 between Calgary and Banff National Park, and a short stretch of Hwy 16 would qualify; however if it was divided highways then it would broaden the scope. There are some pretty isolated divided highways that aren't technically freeways where you could probably get away with 120 km/h, traffic is likely travelling that speed or higher anyways.

MolsonExport · #**8785** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 3:40 PM**

Quote:

Evidence shows this would make our freeways safer

the audacity of such a bullshit statement staggers the mind

swimmer_spe · #**8786** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

the audacity of such a bullshit statement staggers the mind

The cruising speed on the 400 series highways in Ontario is around 120km/hr. I'd bet if they raised it to 120 km/hr, there would be less speeding. Unless you are going to have very strict enforcement, speeds are not going to go down.

MolsonExport · #**8787** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 3:52 PM**

accidents at 120km/hr are going to be more damaging than those at 100km/hr, which in turn are more damaging than those at 80km/hr. I mean this is very simple physics (kinetic energy) being discussed.

JHikka · #**8788** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 3:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

The cruising speed on the 400 series highways in Ontario is around 120km/hr. I'd bet if they raised it to 120 km/hr, there would be less speeding. Unless you are going to have very strict enforcement, speeds are not going to go down.

Speeds would only go up. People get away with what they can get away with.

Innsertnamehere · #**8789** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

Speeds would only go up. People get away with what they can get away with.

I drive on the QEW regularly with the test 110 limit in Ontario and my experience is that speeds aren't any different than other similar highways in the province (long distance 6 lane highways). Most cars still do 115-120, with the left lane generally operating at around 130. It's no different on the 400 or 401, with 100 limits. Speeds may be up a bit on average, but not by 10km/h.

I think the reality is that most people drive the speed they are comfortable driving at, which for most is that 120 range.

My understanding is that this is similar to what it is like in the US in states with higher speed limits, there are less speeders. The average speed of the highway increases a bit, but not as much as the speed limit increases as most people just end up driving at the speed they are comfortable with.

My understanding for example is that in Germany on the autobahn, the average speed of a car is in the 130km/h range despite there being no speed limit. Most people just don't like driving faster than that. Now of course on the autobahn you also get a second contingent of drivers going 160-180km/h.. but that's not the majority of drivers.

Honestly, Albertas roads are so overengineered anyway that 120km/h can probably be easily sustained on their freeways with minimal impact on safety. These aren't 80 year old freeways with substandard designs like you see on the US east coast.

The 2 year test period for 110 limits in Ontario is almost up, I'm hopeful that the PCs will extend it to most of the provincial highway network. Heck, they should test 120 limits on some of the better designed freeways in the province if you ask me (407, 416, 400 north of Barrie, etc.).

JHikka · #**8790** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

I drive on the QEW regularly with the test 110 limit in Ontario and my experience is that speeds aren't any different than other similar highways in the province (long distance 6 lane highways). Most cars still do 115-120, with the left lane generally operating at around 130. It's no different on the 400 or 401, with 100 limits.

I can drive 130 on the 401 from Toronto eastbound and be either average or slower than other cars until Belleville or so.

ssiguy · #**8791** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

accidents at 120km/hr are going to be more damaging than those at 100km/hr, which in turn are more damaging than those at 80km/hr. I mean this is very simple physics (kinetic energy) being discussed.

While that's true, head-on collisions are very rare on freeways.

Also, there is the question of testing. When people go on their license testing, they are tested on freeways while driving on 95 km/hour max which in no way is a reflection of what these drivers will confront on the freeways in the real world when, at a minimum, cars are going 110 and many over 130.

urbandreamer · #**8792** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 9:00 PM**

It's interesting on Hwy 86 for example the speed limit is 80kph but most people go 100 then towards Wingham it's 90kph so we all automatically up it to 110kph. I'm always surprised by the number of commuters blowing by me at 120-130kph. In some ways the 401 is actually safer at 130 than the rural Ontario routes at 100.

isotack · #**8793** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 9:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

accidents at 120km/hr are going to be more damaging than those at 100km/hr, which in turn are more damaging than those at 80km/hr. I mean this is very simple physics (kinetic energy) being discussed.

I hope you don't drive with that simple logic.

swimmer_spe · #**8794** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 10:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotack

I hope you don't drive with that simple logic.

I hope he only drives vehicles with the highest crash test results.

MolsonExport · #**8795** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 10:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotack

I hope you don't drive with that simple logic.

are you back? Ready to slag Montreal?

Do you do anything here besides engage in ad hominem attacks?

MolsonExport · #**8796** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

I hope he only drives vehicles with the highest crash test results.

What? why are you making this into something personal? What are you trying to say here?

jamincan · #**8797** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 10:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

While that's true, head-on collisions are very rare on freeways.

Also, there is the question of testing. When people go on their license testing, they are tested on freeways while driving on 95 km/hour max which in no way is a reflection of what these drivers will confront on the freeways in the real world when, at a minimum, cars are going 110 and many over 130.

The original claim that was disputed is that increasing the speed limit would make the highway safer. You can argue that it would have an insignificant effect on safety, that speeds wouldn't change because the design speed of the highway has a greater influence on driver speed than the speed limit, that divided highways have fewer head-on collisions, and so forth, but to argue that higher speeds would make them safer is a pretty bold claim.

GreaterMontréal · #**8798** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 10:59 PM**

It wont make the highway safer because people that drive slow will continue to drive slow and people that drive fast will drive faster, the speed difference between slower and faster cars will accentuate. We are not in south-west Texas where the speed limit is 85mph with excellent visibility. People already drive at 130km/h in Quebec, if you can't enforce something (giving tickets above 125km/h) , then you should not modify the speed limit. A speed limit of 120km/h would be in reality 140km/h if there are not more cops patrolling the highways.

swimmer_spe · #**8799** Posted **Mar 12, 2021, 11:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

accidents at 120km/hr are going to be more damaging than those at 100km/hr, which in turn are more damaging than those at 80km/hr. I mean this is very simple physics (kinetic energy) being discussed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

What? why are you making this into something personal? What are you trying to say here?

If you think speed limits are too high due to damages in an accident, then you must only allow yourself to drive vehicles with the highest safety rating. Otherwise your false narrative is just that.

It is not a simple scaled thing.

GreaterMontréal · #**8800** Posted **Mar 13, 2021, 12:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

If you think speed limits are too high due to damages in an accident, then you must only allow yourself to drive vehicles with the highest safety rating. Otherwise your false narrative is just that.

It is not a simple scaled thing.

The faster you go, the longer it's gonna take to stop the car. So if you are moving at 130km/h, with 1sec of reaction time, you will need 131m to stop.
If you are moving at 100km/h, you will only need 84m. That is a 47m difference. The faster you drive, the more distance you need to have with the car in front of you, and crash stats have proven that drivers do not follow that rule.