M42 mandatory speed signs !
Discussion
Munter said:
Yeah I used to hate getting home 20 mins or so earlier when they were in use. Twas a right b
h having to spend more time at home rather than in traffic....
yep - given i have used the M42 on and off for jobs over the last 12+ years, id much rather cruise home stress free @ 50 in 15 mins than stop/start/stop/start for 30minsh having to spend more time at home rather than in traffic....It really is an epitome; all those faster, more reliable journey times; reduced accident rates and don't even get me started on the increased capacity!!
The figures speak for themselves; both as a motorist and as a professional traffic engineer I think the scheme is bloody brilliant!
The one good, innovative project which somebody at the HA has obviously stuck their neck out to achieve.
The figures speak for themselves; both as a motorist and as a professional traffic engineer I think the scheme is bloody brilliant!
The one good, innovative project which somebody at the HA has obviously stuck their neck out to achieve.
'Tis still annoying when they still have the 50 limit set at 20:00 when there are a lot less vehicles about. I think it is a good idea during the big peak times and the use of the hard shoulder also helps a lot.
I've never seen any of the results from the no HGV overtaking project further up the M42 towards the M1. I remember thinking that a lot of vans didn't want it to show any posative results as they used to keep pace with the HGVs.
I've never seen any of the results from the no HGV overtaking project further up the M42 towards the M1. I remember thinking that a lot of vans didn't want it to show any posative results as they used to keep pace with the HGVs.
Edited by Bob the Planner on Thursday 13th November 15:19
Having had to travel to the Watford office regularly over the last month or so (from Telford), I've had a fair bit of time on the '42 at peak periods, as well as (depending on where the tailbacks are) the '40 or M1.
I must admit, that the 42 - in Active Management mode - isn't too bad. The traffic generally moves quite well and only comes to a halt when sheer weight of traffic renders the signage meaningless: "Queue Ahead. Caution. 40mph" when you are stationary. No sh!t, Sherlock.
Yet last week I came back from Watford using M1 / M6 / M6 Toll, and on the M1 North I managed to get above .7 leptons for one 5 mile stretch between Luton and the M6 junction. The rest of the time all three lanes were on tippy toe, dabbing their brakes between 40 and 60 mph with no room to seek some decent braking space. Frustrating and faintly dangerous in equal measures. Then again, on the 42 when the variable limits vary (!?!) between 40 / 50 / 40 / 60 / 40 etc between gantries, it's equally infuriating having to adjust my cruise control every mile or so
In such cases, the junction for the M6 Toll shines like a beacon.
I must admit, that the 42 - in Active Management mode - isn't too bad. The traffic generally moves quite well and only comes to a halt when sheer weight of traffic renders the signage meaningless: "Queue Ahead. Caution. 40mph" when you are stationary. No sh!t, Sherlock.
Yet last week I came back from Watford using M1 / M6 / M6 Toll, and on the M1 North I managed to get above .7 leptons for one 5 mile stretch between Luton and the M6 junction. The rest of the time all three lanes were on tippy toe, dabbing their brakes between 40 and 60 mph with no room to seek some decent braking space. Frustrating and faintly dangerous in equal measures. Then again, on the 42 when the variable limits vary (!?!) between 40 / 50 / 40 / 60 / 40 etc between gantries, it's equally infuriating having to adjust my cruise control every mile or so
In such cases, the junction for the M6 Toll shines like a beacon.
heebeegeetee said:
At night they have different speeds for different lanes, 20mph in lane 1 and 40 or 50 in the others. I've asked vonhosen on another thread what he would do in this situ, but for some reason he's keeping schtum.
Not so smart if you join the M42 in lane 1 at 20mph then move to lane 2 into a traffic flow running twice as fast - but I guess we can all handle that, eh?I can see the need to 'protect workforce in road' which is what is displayed on the matrix signs but more often than not, when I've travelled this stretch at night, there has been no workforce at work nor any sign of them, their vehicles or any cones.
Puff Puff said:
heebeegeetee said:
At night they have different speeds for different lanes, 20mph in lane 1 and 40 or 50 in the others. I've asked vonhosen on another thread what he would do in this situ, but for some reason he's keeping schtum.
Not so smart if you join the M42 in lane 1 at 20mph then move to lane 2 into a traffic flow running twice as fast - but I guess we can all handle that, eh?I can see the need to 'protect workforce in road' which is what is displayed on the matrix signs but more often than not, when I've travelled this stretch at night, there has been no workforce at work nor any sign of them, their vehicles or any cones.
Philrose said:
Some of those cameras are active and adjust to the variable speed limits operating. I know I got done by one going southbound between the M6 junction and the A45. 53 when set at 40 - 
At least one active camera on each link 
So says the HA's design guidance on Managed Motorways anyways...It's not like the speed limit isn't advertised enough
or was it one of lapse of concentration 'oh crap im on the motorway and the speed limit isn't 70mph' moments DOH!!!!! Gassing Station | Midlands | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff