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Regional Boards => International Highways => Topic started by: ACSCmapcollector on October 22, 2016, 07:45:14 PM

Title: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: ACSCmapcollector on October 22, 2016, 07:45:14 PM
Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.  I looked up Russia on Google maps, and I just think that Russia is not as developed as the rest of the world for freeways (multi divided highways).
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: oscar on October 22, 2016, 08:02:48 PM
Huh? Since Russia is a nation, you could as easily say that it has the best and most freeway network(s) in the (its) nation.

If you meant to say "world" instead, there are certainly many other nations with weaker, or no, freeway networks.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: english si on October 22, 2016, 08:04:30 PM
The Soviets built lots of main roads as wide, mostly-grade separated (though not entirely), non-access controlled (there's driveways) routes that have mostly functioned well enough to not justify the expense of frontage roads (or whatever to remove slow traffic and driveways) and central barriers, though they are upgrading to/constructing freeways where needed.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 22, 2016, 10:24:20 PM
Many countries do not have a freeway network. It's expensive, and in especially poorer and developing countries, there is more interest in spending money elsewhere. Many countries in Africa come to mind.

Then there are countries with low population where building a freeway or freeways isn't economically feasible and/or there is a lack of interest to invest in one. The Trans Canada Highway will probably never be fully freeway for example as it would cost billions to do and wouldn't add any significant benefits to the country (especially in the Prairies where it's already twinned with at-grades every 1 mi).

Spending money on freeway building may also look bad politically, as many people do not understand the importance and value of a reliable transportation system. Such is the case in the city where I live. 700K population with no freeways.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Alps on October 22, 2016, 10:38:52 PM
Quote from: oscar on October 22, 2016, 08:02:48 PM
Huh? Since Russia is a nation, you could as easily say that it has the best and most freeway network(s) in the (its) nation.

If you meant to say "world" instead, there are certainly many other nations with weaker, or no, freeway networks.
No, what he said is exactly correct. Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation. Also, Scott Presnal is special.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Rothman on October 26, 2016, 01:55:51 PM
Although it's highway network doesn't look like much, Russia's passenger and freight rail network is extensive.  This was actually a mistake made by American intelligence during the Cold War.  I heard CIA analysts bark about how the road between Moscow and Saint Petersburg was a two-laner when they were in the CIA and generally scoffing at Russia's road system.  It was a classic example of Americans not being able to look beyond their own experience (i.e., how could Russia have an efficient transportation system without interstate highways?).
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: nexus73 on October 26, 2016, 07:26:00 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 26, 2016, 01:55:51 PM
Although it's highway network doesn't look like much, Russia's passenger and freight rail network is extensive.  This was actually a mistake made by American intelligence during the Cold War.  I heard CIA analysts bark about how the road between Moscow and Saint Petersburg was a two-laner when they were in the CIA and generally scoffing at Russia's road system.  It was a classic example of Americans not being able to look beyond their own experience (i.e., how could Russia have an efficient transportation system without interstate highways?).

When the Wehrmacht's Army Group Center was in Smolensk during July 1941, Hitler took the panzers which were keying the advance on Moscow and sent them to Army Group South so he could bag Ukraine and Kiev.  The Fuhrer thought of Moscow as simply a political prize.  Big Mistake!  Moscow was the hub of the USSR's railroad system.  Had it been taken by the Germans, the entire Eastern Front would have been left frozen in place due to a lack of logistics for the Red Army.  No shipments could have made it from Murmansk or Archangel to the war front.  Leningrad could not have been supplied in the coming winter.  Armies and agricultural goods in Ukraine would have been stuck there and could have been picked off in 1942 with no real problem.  Caucasus oil would be stuck there, unable to reach any industrial area. 

Once the roads turned to mud in October, Hitler was ready to resume the advance on Moscow.  Too late!  He had a very poor idea of what the proper center of gravity was for a large scale continental conquest.  Lucky us!

Rick
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: compdude787 on October 26, 2016, 07:33:33 PM
It's amazing the amount of mistakes that Hitler made in the course of WWII.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: english si on October 26, 2016, 07:42:55 PM
Hitler did at least give Kaliningrad Oblast a rather reasonable freeway network back when it was part of East Prussia. ;)
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Max Rockatansky on October 26, 2016, 10:43:57 PM
Yeah but can Russia beat Greenland for lack of freeways?....I think not.  :rolleyes:  Also is the thread title some sort of subtle hint at a possible reformation of the Soviet Union that is going on behind the scenes?   :)
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: dvferyance on October 27, 2016, 02:00:15 PM
I was unaware that Russia had any freeways. I heard that many of their roads aren't even paved. As far as the Trans Canadian highway that was mentioned earlier true it will likely never be a freeway it's whole length but I could see more freeway segments being built in the future.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: NE2 on October 27, 2016, 03:03:06 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on October 27, 2016, 02:00:15 PM
I heard that many of their roads aren't even paved.
I heard the same about the United States.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: kphoger on October 27, 2016, 05:50:33 PM
Quote from: NE2 on October 27, 2016, 03:03:06 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on October 27, 2016, 02:00:15 PM
I heard that many of their roads aren't even paved.
I heard the same about the United States.

Well played, sir!
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: ACSCmapcollector on October 28, 2016, 06:54:12 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 26, 2016, 10:43:57 PM
Yeah but can Russia beat Greenland for lack of freeways?....I think not.  :rolleyes:  Also is the thread title some sort of subtle hint at a possible reformation of the Soviet Union that is going on behind the scenes?   :)

That is because of Communism, Max.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Pete from Boston on October 28, 2016, 07:11:42 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 26, 2016, 10:43:57 PMAlso is the thread title some sort of subtle hint at a possible reformation of the Soviet Union that is going on behind the scenes?   :)

Behind the scenes?  Some would say the effort is in full view.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Max Rockatansky on October 28, 2016, 07:21:00 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on October 28, 2016, 07:11:42 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 26, 2016, 10:43:57 PMAlso is the thread title some sort of subtle hint at a possible reformation of the Soviet Union that is going on behind the scenes?   :)

Behind the scenes?  Some would say the effort is in full view.

Hey if that's what Scott was going with the thread title I'll give him props for the subtle satire.  But then again that would take a huge step up the writing level he's demonstrated in other threads for that to be plausible.

Quote from: ACSCmapcollector on October 28, 2016, 06:54:12 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 26, 2016, 10:43:57 PM
Yeah but can Russia beat Greenland for lack of freeways?....I think not.  :rolleyes:  Also is the thread title some sort of subtle hint at a possible reformation of the Soviet Union that is going on behind the scenes?   :)

That is because of Communism, Max.

I was referring to your thread title.  Basically you refer to Russia as having one of the fewest "freeways" in the "nation."  That suggestions a Union of States...perhaps Soviet Socialist States?....almost seemed like you were calling out for revolution there...a freeway revolution perhaps?  :rolleyes:  Anyways, I'm just assuming you meant "world" and not "nation." 
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Alps on October 29, 2016, 12:13:08 PM
In Soviet Russia, freeway networks has nation.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Max Rockatansky on October 29, 2016, 12:35:16 PM
Quote from: Alps on October 29, 2016, 12:13:08 PM
In Soviet Russia, freeway networks has nation.

Yes, and don't forget when the road forks in Soviet Russia it forks you. 

Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Chris on October 30, 2016, 08:50:57 AM
Car ownership was really low in Russia before the 1990s.

As someone from another forum put it:

Quote
Here is some stats with a number of cars per a thousand of people:

year cars
1970 5.5 (probably don't need so many motorways)
1985 44.5 (some roads are being built, but slowly)
1993 75.7 (hey, the country is going through a couple of revolutions, what roads?)
1997 113.7 (still no money and no new roads)
2002 147.7 (the number of cars doubled over the ten years; got some money - started building roads... in Moscow, where the money gather)
2010 249.0 (Ok, people from Moscow want to ride across the country, let's build roads between cities)
2014 317.0 (again the number of cars doubled since 2002, we need motorways)

To compare; the rate is nearly 800 cars per 1,000 inhabitants in the U.S. and 572 per 1,000 inhabitants in Germany.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: vdeane on October 30, 2016, 12:59:52 PM
That certainly explains why driving in Russia is so dangerous: they have an EXTREMELY high percentage of new drivers.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: 1995hoo on October 30, 2016, 01:47:05 PM
Quote from: Chris on October 30, 2016, 08:50:57 AM
Car ownership was really low in Russia before the 1990s.

....

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: J N Winkler on October 30, 2016, 02:55:02 PM
Family friends from Topeka visited the Soviet Union in the early 1970's.  They both taught at Washburn University, so they tended to spend more on intellectual enrichment than on consumer durables.  At one point, as they were touring Moscow, their Intourist minder asked them if they had a car back in the US; apparently Soviet domestic propaganda at the time stressed that car ownership in the US was still a rarity.  They told her that, yes, they did have a car, but they did not have the heart to add that they were the only household in their block with just one car.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: Max Rockatansky on October 30, 2016, 03:24:12 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on October 30, 2016, 01:47:05 PM
Quote from: Chris on October 30, 2016, 08:50:57 AM
Car ownership was really low in Russia before the 1990s.

....

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D



Apparently you didn't need to wait ten years if a training montage by Rocky Balboa broke out in Siberia.  Seriously the driving skill level is so bad that they KGB guys couldn't even manage not to crash the car following someone out on a jog:



Should have nipped that in the butt since it wasn't too long until Rocky overthrew Communism and ended the Cold War:

Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: jeffandnicole on October 30, 2016, 04:46:53 PM
Quote from: Alps on October 29, 2016, 12:13:08 PM
In Soviet Russia, freeway networks has nation.

That's how I always felt about the NJ Turnpike. It could be it's own seperate country. It seems only recently it is being more friendly with the rest of the state.
Title: Re: Russia probably has one of the fewest freeway networks in the nation.
Post by: ACSCmapcollector on October 31, 2016, 08:00:16 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 30, 2016, 04:46:53 PM
Quote from: Alps on October 29, 2016, 12:13:08 PM
In Soviet Russia, freeway networks has nation.

That's how I always felt about the NJ Turnpike. It could be it's own seperate country. It seems only recently it is being more friendly with the rest of the state.

That is until you get into the European Union, or the EU.