Topic: Quebec To Pilot Variable Speed Limits

[Autos_Editor]

Limit would increase, decrease based on weather, traffic

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[Fobroader]

Shouldn't that happen automatically.....shouldn't any licensed driver have the good sense about them to slow down for slippery condition or heavy traffic??

[MarkStevenson]

Shouldn't that happen automatically.....shouldn't any licensed driver have the good sense about them to slow down for slippery condition or heavy traffic??

You'd think but no. Don't we see enough proof of this in our winters?

Depending on the car, driver's skill, and a host of other variables, it could be argued the safe speed for two different people in different cars but on the same stretch of road at the same time is different.

However, I think this is more a tool for law enforcement. It gives them another bargaining chip...

"Yes, sir, the speed limit is usually 80 ... but, today it is 60 due to X, Y, Z."

[Northernridge]

Zero chance of anybody knowing what the actual speed limit is on a given day. The cops' minds will blow.

Got to hand it to Quebec though, they come up with novel ideas.

[pcsp]

Great concept, but hard to enforce equitably. Sometimes we can have drizzle, fog can "roll in"creating channels of poor visibility, downpours can happen instantly and end in minutes, I've seen it raining on one side of the street and dry on the other. As you may have guessed, I live in Newfoundland.

[mixmanmash]

It's not only about safety, it's also about smoothing traffic flow. In theory.

This.  And the side benefit is fuel economy

[WRX_Pilot]

It's not only about safety, it's also about smoothing traffic flow. In theory.

This.  And the side benefit is fuel economy

Pfff.  Ontario already has frustratingly low speed limits.  I just got back from ND where the limit is a glorious 75mph  (along with most western states)   I hear there are roads with 85mph limits in Texas!

[mixmanmash]

It's not only about safety, it's also about smoothing traffic flow. In theory.

This.  And the side benefit is fuel economy

Pfff.  Ontario already has frustratingly low speed limits.  I just got back from ND where the limit is a glorious 75mph  (along with most western states)   I hear there are roads with 85mph limits in Texas!

This is true.  85 mph in Utah as well.

[mlin32]

I like the idea of Variable Speed limits but they must be enforceable; this is accomplished mostly by photo in Europe (okay by me). The maximum can be reduced not just in poor weather, but also during times of heavy congestion. For instance if you drive in Germany, the overhead gantries have cameras that monitor traffic conditions and speeds, and can automatically reduce the maximum limit based on conditions and also display congestion advisory signs.

There has been a variable limit near me on a short stretch of highway in South Carolina that descends the Appalachain range- a 6% gradient for 10km on a road that is structurally deficient from an engineering perspective (they're too broke to fix it). The system is automated based on fog and weather detection systems yet is absolutely useless because it is not enforced.

[Benhaze]

Zero chance of anybody knowing what the actual speed limit is on a given day. The cops' minds will blow.

Got to hand it to Quebec though, they come up with novel ideas.

 

[Noto]

Shouldn't that happen automatically.....shouldn't any licensed driver have the good sense about them to slow down for slippery condition or heavy traffic??

"Should" is the operative word.

It's not only about safety, it's also about smoothing traffic flow. In theory.

^^This.

and who's to say that it'll only lower speed limits?  Maybe it'll increase them if there's no traffic?  One can dream.

[quadzilla]

Driving home yesterday I thought we had this on the 401 between Kingston and Toronto. I'd go 130kph and then 10kph, then 100kph then 0kph. Repeat.