squizzler
Established Member
I can sympathise as to why industry professionals might be keen to dismiss an increased speed to humiliate the motorists on Watling Street as mere willy waving, however I think there is merit to discussing it.
The choices we make are emotional as much as they are on technical merits (something I think the - very logically minded - planners and engineers might forget; their fellow humans are not terribly rational).
In BR days there used to be a formula that every mph in average speed would deliver 1% more revenue. I don't know how much the proposed 90mph will increase average speed on the route. But for this to be performed for significant stretches in a shop window opening onto a neighbouring highway might have a multiplier effect - the reduced journey times are reflected not merely in numbers in a timetable but visible obliteration of the highway alternative.
The choices we make are emotional as much as they are on technical merits (something I think the - very logically minded - planners and engineers might forget; their fellow humans are not terribly rational).
In BR days there used to be a formula that every mph in average speed would deliver 1% more revenue. I don't know how much the proposed 90mph will increase average speed on the route. But for this to be performed for significant stretches in a shop window opening onto a neighbouring highway might have a multiplier effect - the reduced journey times are reflected not merely in numbers in a timetable but visible obliteration of the highway alternative.