Taking the racing line on a motorway

[clive_candy]

There's been the odd occasion when it's been possible to do this - perhaps in the early hours, around Christmas, during Covid etc, when there's been no other traffic in sight - and when the nature of the bends has made it an option.

Anyway, I've been thinking, how much would you shave off the journey from one end of the M1 to the other if you were able to take the racing line all the way?

Googled it before troubling you all but couldn't find anything.

[deggles]

Less than you'd think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_girdling_Eart...

[nobrakes]

deggles said:

Less than you'd think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_girdling_Eart...

Less distance travelled so less fuel used so environmentally friendly = win win.

[Glassman]

Taking the racing line makes sense if it's safe to do so; that said, even with all the middle lane hogs; some think they are doing the right think whilst others refuse to budge.

[Giantt]

Find it surprising the number of people who insist on staying in middle, outside lane,and when you pull over to the inside,put a considerable distance between you n them just through taking shorter line

[Pica-Pica]

deggles said:

Less than you'd think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_girdling_Eart...

The wiki comment:
‘As the string must be raised all along the entire 40,000 km (25,000 mi) circumference, one might expect several kilometres of additional string. Surprisingly, the answer is 2π m or around 6.3 metres (21 ft).’

… is a worrying indictment of maths teaching/understanding.

[brillomaster]

EmailAddress said:

If the M25 has a rough radius of 20 miles. Equating to its circumference being 125 miles (actual being 117).

Then adding 24ft (2x12ft lanes).

The extended distance increases by less than a mile.

The M1 is about a third longer, but with less 'corners' so probably similar.

considerably less than a mile. if the radius of a circle is 24ft larger, the circumference is 151ft longer. 1 mile is 5280 ft, so 151ft is 0.028 of a mile.

lets say you average 150mph... so that 0.028 of a mile extra you have to travel by being in the outside lane not the inside lane would take you 7 tenths of a second longer.