What changes are required to improve our road network?

Ricochet J

Ricochet J

Ricochet J

Soldato
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
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In this thread we will discuss what is needed to improve the UK's road network.

To stimulate a healthy debate try to avoid saying stuff like "make people keep to the left" - actually provide an explanation on how you propose to enforce any changes.

Go!
 
Ricochet J said:
In this thread we will discuss what is needed to improve the UK's road network.

To stimulate a healthy debate try to avoid saying stuff like "make people keep to the left" - actually provide an explanation on how you propose to enforce any changes.

Go!
Click to expand...

Strategical nukes then a rebuild.

Sorry, too much coffee.

Spend the money generated by the roads on the roads is my best idea.
 
Educate people on how to use roads properly with police enforcing these things instead of speed trapping.

Higher national speed limit; Something like 90MPH but variable based on conditions, like in Europe.
 
Proper traffic control at traffic lights.
there is a lot of traffic lights out there that are just timed, and not actually running any sort of traffic sensing hardware to monitor and re-time traffic lights when required. Too much waiting about waiting for a car that never comes, or a 30 second green light that lets through a single solitary car.
Bring in the evolving AI traffic controls, they can do a much much better job than can the work experience kid who likes flashy lights.
 
[TW]Fox;17413317 said:
Ability to turn left at a red traffic light.
Click to expand...

I can't see that working on our roads - a lot of traffic lights here include pedestrian crossings, and most of the road users in this country are far too stupid to make good use of this.
 
1. Have a French style speed limit... 85MPH dropping 70MPH when it rains.
2. Improve lane discipline especially on motorways. Teach people to move in the centre lane at major junctions to help the traffic flow. But also teach people not to hog the middle lane.
3. Ban HGV’s overtaking on anything other than the slightest incline. I would hate to think how many tailbacks are caused by HGV’s completing a 5 mile overtake.
4. When a accident happens... do everything possible to get the vehicles off the carriageway and onto the hard shoulder... stop closing the damn highway for an hour while a full investigation is completed.
5. Fix traffic light phasing so you can drive at 30mph and not be forced to stop at every set of lights.
 
Maintenance is the main thing that bothers me that I can think of right now, i.e. the state of the roads and how (dis)organised roadworks usually are. Spend more money on keeping them in good condition and less on "safety" nonsense.
 
Definately have smart learning traffic lights, so at peak times they stay green for longer, and off peak times use there sensors to judge whether or not a car is waiting so it can change to green.

Speed limit 85mph would be great, after all the speed limit was put in place when cars where a hell of a lot ****, but then again what about all the old bangers still on the road, do you enforce a speed limit for them based on reg No. or age to stop them becoming a danger?
 
On a slightly selfish note I wouldn't mind a couple more dual carriageways in this part of the world. I believe Norwich is the only city in England without a dual carriageway/motorway linking it to the rest of the road network.

The last section of the A11 past Elveden is the bare minimum that needs doing (and is at least on the agenda). In addition the A47 from Gt Yarmouth right through to the M1 should be done and the A17 from Kings Lynn to the A1.
 
remove bus lanes from roads that only have a single bus route.
demolish the bus stops that stick out into the road.

perform traffic surveys to determine whether bus lanes actually enhance the total flow of people through a road. if they do, great, if they dont, bin them.

large fines for breaching box junction rules.
 
The main change doesn't need to come from the network, it needs to come from the majority that cannot use said road network correctly.
 
Less traffic lights- I get fed up sometimes of having to stop on a 60/70mph road to let one car turn onto the road. Improved phasing of lights too, and banning HGVs overtaking is a great one. Generally I feel that in many cases our network is under capacity and in recent decades has been subjected to more tack-ons and bodge-job alterations than I don't know what. Try and drive into many British city centres and you get the picture- too many at-grade junctions, traffic lights, mixing of all different types of traffic, ped lights, foot traffic etc.

There is definitely a case now for new routes- medium and long distance. Pinch points need to be relieved faster- extra lanes, hard shoulder running. Other developed countries are still adding onto their trunk network (Like Germany), yet we seem to be at a standstill. Generally speaking though the standard of driving in this country is high and so are the roads.
 
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