RH77 -
Quote:
Originally Posted by RH77
...
Just an observation -- I routinely drive in urban rush-hour slowdowns that force an average speed of 50mph. It isn't stop-n-go, but density increases. I get great FE during these periods due to slower speeds. Hills are harder to keep momentum, but entering/exiting traffic keep 2 of 3 lanes flowing smoothly.
Have others experienced this type of traffic flow?
RH77
|
Yes. There is a "sweet spot" in LA traffic where the density forces the cars to slow down but not stop. This creates a lower average MPH. All my best runs have been when my average MPH is below 50.
Here's my scangauge readings for my best run :
My SW2's (home to work) trip log for 2008-04-25
Quote:
SCANGAUGE "CURRENT" READINGS :
61.2 MPG,
0.4 Gallons,
200 Water Temp Max,
27.5 Miles,
2135 RPM Max,
0.6 Hours,
58 MPH Max,
45 MPH AVG
HYPOTHESIS : Nice hot dry LA weather and a few glorious turtles to follow. Following one super-slow truck helped me on the 105 West, where I typically start falling below 60 MPG on my best runs.
|
As lovemysan has stated in other posts, I *know* that my best run would be at an average speed of around 40 MPH. However, until the
Eco-Gamera appears before me on my way to work, that ain't gonna happen.
Somewhere in my urban transportation planning notes there is a description of the original LA transportation plan. The idea was to have freeways, but also "parkways" that would be at lower speeds, say 45 MPH. The parkways would have been wide streets like Venice, and intersections would have been bridged so that cars could keep moving. The corners of intersections would have been given up to make right-turn merge lanes. There would be no left turns (three rights make a left). This would have meant giving up the corner lots on these "sub-arteries", but I think it would have gone a long way to relieving the congestion we are experiencing right now.
CarloSW2