I don't live there any more, but I've heard that they're reducing the highway/freeway speeds to 55mph within city limits. Unbelievable. This is supposedly being done at the behest of the Texas Natural Resource Commission. These are the same people who tell me that I must limit the amount of trash I can put out on a weekly basis, operating on the theory that if I must dump less, then I must consume less. Idiots. Enviro-Nazis is more like it. It's not even an elected body. And these people are trying to tell me how much I can and cannot consume... And getting my tax money to do it. These are the same people who have tried repeatedly to make the river an alcohol-free zone. Over my dead body.
I really dont see how this is going to cut pollution any within the city limits of Houston. To me it seems like this is a con by the Texas DPS to get people to slow down. If people are driving slower, then that means it is going to take them longer to get somewhere, thus producing a longer period of emissions from a vehicle. Wouldnt going 70 and getting somewhere quicker produce the same amount of emissions as going 55 and getting somewhere slower? Something to ponder.
Going 10 miles at 55 mph apparently produces significantly less pollution than going 10 miles at 70 mph. Why? I have no clue, but I believe 55 is the "optimal" speed for fuel efficiency. So, if people actually follow this, it should cut pollution quite a bit. However, if they did that in Austin, I'd still be pissed off and try to drive 80.
Low Emission Vehicles, like my Honda... should be exempt! hehe Back to that picture at the beginning of this post.... why does TxDOT have to take the whole sign down, poles and all?? can't they just unscrew the old sign and screw in the new one? That is a waste of taxpayer money!!!!
Why the **** is the guy on the right smiling? That is seriously sick. I swear these guys are sadists.
I would suspect this is based on outdated figures before cars became more aerodynamic (last 15 years or so). From what PE tell me, pretty much your most fuel efficient speed should correspond to a max non-polluting speed. I think most modern cars are pretty fuel efficient at 70, I think fuel efficiency is minimally increased at 55. One thing is for sure, traffic jams (lowering the speed should crowd the freeways more because fewer cars get through per hour) and city driving should worsen fuel economy and increase pollution, so the effects on reducing pollution by reducing car speeds to 55 (as if the measure would practically do this) is probably a lot more complex than its proponents argue for. Personally, I am glad I am not driving 45 and 610 or any major H-town freeway any more. Personally, I am glad I am not driving 45 and 610 or any major H-town freeway any more.
1. Ban those stupid SUVs before lowering my speed limit. I must get 20 times the fuel efficiency of one of those stupid Tahoes. 2. Bite the bullet and reduce petro-chemical plant pollution. The economy will take a hit for it and thousands will lose jobs (including, perhaps, my mother), but it would at least address the problem at hand.
I don't think its only Harris County but also surrounding counties. I'm just glad the speed limit hasn't been reduced b/w Austin and Houston. Then I'd never go home.
Yeah Harris county and surrounding counties have been proclaimed a reformulated gasoline area because of our air pollution output. (by the EPA) That means we can only sell gasoline that has emmission reducing oxygenates added to the fuel. This didn't do much since we have so much industry concentrated in this area. The EPA than forced Texas (well, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission) to meet certain emmission limits in our area or pay heavy fines. The TNRCC couldn't come up with a plan that met the EPA's requirements and instead proposed a plan just to placate them. The EPA was forced to accept this or nothing without any consequence to us because we have some really good political clout in DC and the fact the govt does not want to hinder another industry in these times (energy/petrol./petrochem). So the point of this is, lower speeds is a minor inconvenience when compared to the inconvenience and ramifications of a struggling local economy.
i've heard that satellite imagery has basically confirmed that a good portion of pollution in houston is beyond our control, but comes up from fires in central and south america...anyone else heard that??? same is true of los angeles, from what i've heard.
It is Houston and surrounding counties; I have to drive up 288 everyday to get to UH. I usually barely get there in time as it is....not looking forward to after Spring Break. And I'm sure the 10 mph will make all the difference in pollution. Especially since we've just got to be on the road longer. Surely it has nothing to do with the chemical plants that create the landscape of this part of the state.
JV, Sorry but I'll pass on your ban as I drive an Isuzu Rodeo, and it gets pretty solid gas mileage. I do think this law is very stupid and short sighted, however.
Yeah, my Rodeo is pretty solid too. Trucks can be worse than SUVs. Nothing like the Dodge RAM I used to drive, which required me following a tanker truck for constant refills.
