When will the roads fill to capacity?
Discussion
On Friday I was in the car on the way back from Goodwood, listening to the travel info on Radio 2. The bulletin lasted for about 10 mins as the lady explained huge jams across the country with lines like 'whatever way you go you'll get stuck' and 'traffic between junction 2 and junction 12 which is basically the whole motorway'. In brief, it was chaos. Everywhere.
So I started to think about where the tipping point is? All families have two, three, maybe four cars these days and everyone wants to drive. Rush hour traffic is bad, weekend traffic is bad, Friday night traffic is bad, bank holiday traffic is bad.......where will it end?
As new roads are few and far between, will we ever reach gridlock?
I'm talking motorways and commuter routes here, I realise that many of our nations glorious B-roads and countryside back lanes will remain clear for a while yet.
So I started to think about where the tipping point is? All families have two, three, maybe four cars these days and everyone wants to drive. Rush hour traffic is bad, weekend traffic is bad, Friday night traffic is bad, bank holiday traffic is bad.......where will it end?
As new roads are few and far between, will we ever reach gridlock?
I'm talking motorways and commuter routes here, I realise that many of our nations glorious B-roads and countryside back lanes will remain clear for a while yet.
I think they already have in the South East. There is the argument that the greenies spout that building more roads doesn't actually improve the situation and I think they've got a point. Spend the money on public transport and get the people who just drive for transport off the roads leaving them clearer for those those that enjoy them.
I guess my question is theoretical.
If we keep reproducing, we keep buying more cars, and we continue to expect to drive them wherever and whenever we choose, how much can the roads take?
Is there a time when the government will look at car use (projected for (say) 2025) and think 'ah, this won't work' hybrids or otherwise.
If we keep reproducing, we keep buying more cars, and we continue to expect to drive them wherever and whenever we choose, how much can the roads take?
Is there a time when the government will look at car use (projected for (say) 2025) and think 'ah, this won't work' hybrids or otherwise.
They're not that bad. I drove from Kent to Leeds and back in a day - no jams, no agg, way quicker than the train. Also, my journey back from Goodwood was perfect - no jams really.
We're many decades away from gridlock - realistically driving will become too expensive for some folks - they'll be priced off the roads. In fact, I know of a few people who are consciously using the car less because of the expense.
We're many decades away from gridlock - realistically driving will become too expensive for some folks - they'll be priced off the roads. In fact, I know of a few people who are consciously using the car less because of the expense.
Garlick said:
I guess my question is theoretical.
If we keep reproducing, we keep buying more cars, and we continue to expect to drive them wherever and whenever we choose, how much can the roads take?
Is there a time when the government will look at car use (projected for (say) 2025) and think 'ah, this won't work' hybrids or otherwise.
Controversially, I have repeatedly suggested on here that petrol is way too cheap in this country. So many pointless journeys are made by car, if it takes a monumental price-rise to get the plebs off the roads and out of my way, I'm all for it.If we keep reproducing, we keep buying more cars, and we continue to expect to drive them wherever and whenever we choose, how much can the roads take?
Is there a time when the government will look at car use (projected for (say) 2025) and think 'ah, this won't work' hybrids or otherwise.
I always wonder this.
I guess it depends how you are defining capacity.
It seems to me that the average speed of any journey has been slowly reducing year after year forever now.
I suspect we have a way to go yet though (if ever). IM not sure what population is predicted to do but I don't think it's going to shoot upwards thus logically we won't get that much more congested in that practically everyone already has a car.
I guess it depends how you are defining capacity.
It seems to me that the average speed of any journey has been slowly reducing year after year forever now.
I suspect we have a way to go yet though (if ever). IM not sure what population is predicted to do but I don't think it's going to shoot upwards thus logically we won't get that much more congested in that practically everyone already has a car.
bqf said:
They're not that bad. I drove from Kent to Leeds and back in a day - no jams, no agg, way quicker than the train. Also, my journey back from Goodwood was perfect - no jams really.
We're many decades away from gridlock - realistically driving will become too expensive for some folks - they'll be priced off the roads. In fact, I know of a few people who are consciously using the car less because of the expense.
...bang on cue.We're many decades away from gridlock - realistically driving will become too expensive for some folks - they'll be priced off the roads. In fact, I know of a few people who are consciously using the car less because of the expense.
If anything, it seems less youngsters aspire to drive these days than when I were a lad, either because they know they can't afford it, or they genuinely aren't bothered.
Too busy on t
tter/Facespace/Mybook to learn how to drive an automobile, and there's always Mam or Dad to give them a lift to somewhere completely pointless.
Too busy on t
tter/Facespace/Mybook to learn how to drive an automobile, and there's always Mam or Dad to give them a lift to somewhere completely pointless.
Well, we live in a capitalist society, and such societies reserve the 'best' commodities and services available for those who are prepared to pay for them. I perceive motoring to be the 'best' travel method available and so I should be prepared to pay big.
Why should everyone (including benefit scrounging Orion drivers) be allowed to use the 'best method' at my expense (through the £1,000 of road taxes I pay)??
France have the right idea - reserve the roads for those who can pay. I'm all for road pricing.
Why should everyone (including benefit scrounging Orion drivers) be allowed to use the 'best method' at my expense (through the £1,000 of road taxes I pay)??
France have the right idea - reserve the roads for those who can pay. I'm all for road pricing.
RizzoTheRat said:
Get the people who just drive for transport off the roads leaving them clearer for those those that enjoy them.
Minor point, but you are aware that the government tends to see the road network as a transport network rather than a big playground for a relatively insignificant minority of driving enthusiasts aren't you?
I like your logic though, however fundamentally flawed.
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