Interesting articles pertaining to roads in general

[TravelingBethelite]

I'll start with this, [[possibly] obviously] written for the general public:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/67990/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-us-interstate-system

[Big John]

Of course #7 is wrong.  For a long time with US 24 and I-24 in Illinois, and now with 74 in NC and 41 in WI/IL

[CtrlAltDel]

For a list of deeper facts, that members of this board are less likely to know, see here:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/previousfacts.cfm.

Well worth a look, I'd say.

For example:

58% of Interstate bridges are stringer bridges, 15% are culverts, 10% are slabs, 6% are boxbeams and 5% are tee beams. (Now if I only knew what those terms mean.)

The biggest year for new Interstates was 1967, when 3,354.20 miles of highway opened. Counting the turnpikes that had been incorporated into the Interstate system, a total of 25,641.90 miles had been opened by the end of the year.

The Interstate system carries about 721,381,000,000 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) a year.  About 91,296,000,000 of them (13%) are by heavy single-unit and combination trucks. (The number for trucks seems low to me.)

The state with the highest proportion of its traffic on Interstate highways is Utah, with 36%. The least is Delaware, with 15%.

In July 1964, construction of I-91 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was halted when workers found dinosaur tracks that may have been 180 million years old in the highway’s path. The footprint was 14 inches long and a foot wide, with the third toe missing.

[1995hoo]

I'll start with this, [[possibly] obviously] written for the general public:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/67990/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-us-interstate-system

"Bob" Shuster, eh?

[cjk374]

Of course #7 is wrong.  For a long time with US 24 and I-24 in Illinois, and now with 74 in NC and 41 in WI/IL

And also I- & US 49 in Arkansas.

[Zeffy]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research/7-things-you-should-be-doing-while-driving-but-probably-arent/ar-AAdSNZf#page=1

Some of these I don't agree with. #1 I won't speed through towns that are known speed traps, regardless of what anyone else is doing. #3... I'm sorry, I just can't brake with my left foot. It's not possible. I'm not sure why this article is teaching me I should do something that my drivers ed class said NEVER to do.

[vdeane]

Plus braking with your left foot is IMPOSSIBLE if you drive a manual.

[Rothman]

I know two-foot driving has its advocates, but I know that if I ever tried it, I'd definitely stomp on the brakes when I meant to stomp on the gas.

[D-Dey65]

#7 is violated all over New York, as well as Florida. Granted, Florida SRs 75 and 95 are hidden routes under US highways 231 and 29 respectively, and FL SR 10 is a hidden route under US 90 through most of the state (except for the Pensacola area and eastern Jacksonville), but they still exist as state routes in the same states as I-4, I-10, I-75, and I-95.

[Brandon]

Plus braking with your left foot is IMPOSSIBLE if you drive a manual.

Exactly.  That's why braking with your left foot is a big no-no.

[Pete from Boston]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research/7-things-you-should-be-doing-while-driving-but-probably-arent/ar-AAdSNZf#page=1

Some of these I don't agree with. #1 I won't speed through towns that are known speed traps, regardless of what anyone else is doing. #3... I'm sorry, I just can't brake with my left foot. It's not possible. I'm not sure why this article is teaching me I should do something that my drivers ed class said NEVER to do.

Once upon a time, I was unemployed and someone hired me to write internet "buying guides."

I would be sent a bunch of "research" on a type of product (links to other web pages about the same thing), and asked to carefully distill the information into a catchy write-up in a set format useful to the consumer.

I did a good job, which was not what they wanted.  Instead they wanted what you have in this article–something slapped together with little thought and no real fact-checking.  In my case, "editors" rewrote good recommendations to instead lead readers to their ad partner's product. 

So it makes little sense to a) get upset at nor b) read this kind of fluff. It was written so you'd click on things, and that's as far as they took it seriously. 

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Plus braking with your left foot is IMPOSSIBLE if you drive a manual.

I agree. Since most cars in my country are manual, nobody would brake with their left foot.

#7 is violated all over New York, as well as Florida. Granted, Florida SRs 75 and 95 are hidden routes under US highways 231 and 29 respectively, and FL SR 10 is a hidden route under US 90 through most of the state (except for the Pensacola area and eastern Jacksonville), but they still exist as state routes in the same states as I-4, I-10, I-75, and I-95.

What does have number duplications to do with dash cams? Anyway, now I think if it was up to me, I would allow for an interstate and a US or state route with the same number to exist in the same state, as interstates are always expressways*, while US and state routes... well, you never know. It would accompany it with a color change in expressway signage (at least with interstate ones), as most of the world does.

* I'm looking at you, I-70 in Breezewood and I-180 WY.

[1995hoo]

I know two-foot driving has its advocates, but I know that if I ever tried it, I'd definitely stomp on the brakes when I meant to stomp on the gas.

I use two feet every time I drive. Right foot for the accelerator and brake, left foot for the clutch.

I feel utterly lost when I drive an automatic (which I have not done since April, but will almost surely wind up doing later this month with a rental) in part because my left foot isn't doing anything. Funny thing is, I've tried left-foot braking when driving golf carts. Couldn't do it. Felt too unnatural.

[Rothman]

I know two-foot driving has its advocates, but I know that if I ever tried it, I'd definitely stomp on the brakes when I meant to stomp on the gas.

I use two feet every time I drive. Right foot for the accelerator and brake, left foot for the clutch.

I feel utterly lost when I drive an automatic (which I have not done since April, but will almost surely wind up doing later this month with a rental) in part because my left foot isn't doing anything. Funny thing is, I've tried left-foot braking when driving golf carts. Couldn't do it. Felt too unnatural.

I feel that my training in how to drive a standard is now a lost art.

[D-Dey65]

What does have number duplications to do with dash cams?

Uhh, was that supposed to be a joke? Because I don't remember saying anything about dashcams in my post.

[CtrlAltDel]

What does have number duplications to do with dash cams?

Uhh, was that supposed to be a joke? Because I don't remember saying anything about dashcams in my post.

You said #7, which in one article was about dash cams, but in another was about the repetition of route numbers.

[vdeane]

What does have number duplications to do with dash cams?

Uhh, was that supposed to be a joke? Because I don't remember saying anything about dashcams in my post.

The most recent article posted prior to your post was "7 things you should be doing while driving".  Number 7 was to use a dash cam.  Because the other article wasn't even so much as mentioned or commented on at any point between the posting of "7 things you should be doing while driving" and your post, everyone assumed you were commenting on the dash cams.

[D-Dey65]

This is what I've read:

7. INTERSTATES AND HIGHWAYS WITH THE SAME NUMBER CANNOT RUN THROUGH THE SAME STATE.

The numbering system used for interstates is intended to be the mirror opposite of the U.S. highway system, so drivers won't be confused about whether to take Highway 70 or Interstate 70. For example, I-10 runs through southern states east-west (as all major even-numbered interstates do; odd-numbered interstates run north-south), while Highway 10 runs through northern states. Because I-50 would run through the same states as Route 50, the number will never be used.

Nothing about dash cams.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Ah, I thought you were referring to the MSN article clickbait, not the Mental Floss article, as you posted after the former was linked here.

[The Nature Boy]

This is what I've read:

7. INTERSTATES AND HIGHWAYS WITH THE SAME NUMBER CANNOT RUN THROUGH THE SAME STATE.

The numbering system used for interstates is intended to be the mirror opposite of the U.S. highway system, so drivers won't be confused about whether to take Highway 70 or Interstate 70. For example, I-10 runs through southern states east-west (as all major even-numbered interstates do; odd-numbered interstates run north-south), while Highway 10 runs through northern states. Because I-50 would run through the same states as Route 50, the number will never be used.

Nothing about dash cams.

This is also made false by the existence of US 74 and I-74 in North Carolina.

[slorydn1]

You know, it's funny that they mentioned 70 under #7. US-70 runs right through my county and I cannot tell you how many 911 calls I have recieved about a bad wreck on "I-70" during my career. As part of what I do I have to confirm the location, so quite often I have to ask "Are you sure you're on I-70 and not US-70? I-70 is around 300 miles north of here in Maryland." They get so pissy about that, too.

[Purgatory On Wheels]

You know, it's funny that they mentioned 70 under #7. US-70 runs right through my county and I cannot tell you how many 911 calls I have recieved about a bad wreck on "I-70" during my career. As part of what I do I have to confirm the location, so quite often I have to ask "Are you sure you're on I-70 and not US-70? I-70 is around 300 miles north of here in Maryland." They get so pissy about that, too.

You really have to ask them that?  What other road would they be on, if you're that far away from I-70?

[slorydn1]

You know, it's funny that they mentioned 70 under #7. US-70 runs right through my county and I cannot tell you how many 911 calls I have recieved about a bad wreck on "I-70" during my career. As part of what I do I have to confirm the location, so quite often I have to ask "Are you sure you're on I-70 and not US-70? I-70 is around 300 miles north of here in Maryland." They get so pissy about that, too.

You really have to ask them that?  What other road would they be on, if you're that far away from I-70?

Yes, I have to, because of that statistical less than a lightning strikes chance that the wireless 911 call was misrouted 300+ miles and two states away.


Back in the early days of Wireless E-911 it happened a lot. I used to get calls that really were on I-95 at points that were 2+ hours away from me. It doesn't happen often any more (when it does now, usually it will be calls that are in my county but that should go to one of the cities instead of me).


But with my luck it would be that .00001 percent chance that the caller who said they were on I-70 really was on I-70 and then you'd be reading about me getting sued for negligence in the newspaper.

[Pete from Boston]

Pope Francis Lays Hands On Ailing U.S. Infrastructure

NEW YORK–Treating the frail, long-overlooked structures with an unparalleled display of compassion, Pope Francis reportedly inspired a crowd of onlookers Friday by laying his hands upon the ailing United States infrastructure. "My heart just melted when I watched the pope interrupt his address to walk over and gently embrace this disfigured bridge cross-girder that was covered in unsightly rust" ...

[freebrickproductions]

Just going to copy this over from the Huntsville thread:
http://whnt.com/2015/09/25/some-liken-old-madison-pikes-reopening-to-a-religious-experience/

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A four-lane expansion, new bridge, sidewalks, and wider lanes: Who wouldn't be singing praises?

Hallelujah! Closed since November 2013, Old Madison Pike between Cummings Research Park and Slaughter Road is finally opened to the motoring, walking and cycling public.

In a week absolutely wrought with global holy significance, for folks right here deprived of the ability to travel Old Madison Pike for nearly two years, today was literally like a religious experience.

"It is a big day for both the city of Huntsville and city of Madison," said Johnny Harris, Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation.

"Hallelujah, amen!" said Madison Mayor Troy Trulock.

Of course everyone gave thanks in their own way:

"Hallelujah, brother. It's open," said some of the crew members.

"It's close to my house it's very good," said a member of the Chinese Christian Church.

The festivities started with the public joining Mayor Tommy Battle, city department heads, and reps from ALDOT for a Healthy Huntsville walk on the newly constructed section of roadway. But let's face it, this may as well have been a pilgrimage.

"Victory," said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

"I appreciate the Lord washing the asphalt off for us today," Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong said, referring to the rain.

"As you know our citizens are excited. They can get to and from their shopping, to and from work. It is just fantastic for everybody so I'm excited to be out here today to say Hallelujah, it's here," Madison Mayor Trulock said.

"Now do you think we're going to have people speaking in tongues and falling out here today?" WHNT News 19 asked.

"Probably, yes. They are so excited I think that's exactly what'll happen," Trulock said.

Now, not to marry church and state but this momentous occasion brings political implications of Biblical proportions as well.

"Oh yeah I want to say hallelujah and praise Jesus and praise the state and praise Mayor Battle for picking up my campaign slogan from 1988 and runnin' and jumpin' with this deal," said Huntsville's Jackie Reed.

"And Troy, I didn't tell you the real reason we did this bridge is so that Miss Reed could get to your council meetings quicker," Mayor Battle joked. "Miss Reed we want to tell you your work is finished with the city of Huntsville. You have accomplished everything. We are totally in line. We're going to send you to brighter greener pastures right down the road here."

One of the biggest blessings from all this? The project was actually completed a month ahead of schedule, believe it or not.