PAGAN'S PERSPECTIVE. HIGHWAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN: PART 1 - THE MOTORWAYS SYSTEM

These comments on the British motorways draws from information contained in "A History of British Motorways" by George Charlesworth, published by Thomas Telford Limited of London. The definition of the term Motorways is given, and it is noted that the motorway tends to parallel the design and development of the U.S. interstate highway system. Economics dictated some changes in the design standards as construction proceeded in the 1960s. For example, the 1966 standard cross-section for a dual 3-lane road which was 129-ft overall, was reduced to 116 feet. The 1970 election of the conservative government and the 1973 oil crisis led to a de-emphasis of motorway construction. The oil crisis also led to an experimental speed limit of 50 mph. During this 6-month period, there was a reduction in accidents of 40% in daylight and 28% in darkness over and above that likely to be explained by trends with time and seasonal variation and also with reduction in traffic. 1979 data indicate that in a little over 1,500 miles of motorway, 4,044 accidents resulted in 201 fatalities. A study concluded that a 1% rise in the average speed resulted in a 2.85% increase in all accidents.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
• Authors:
  • Pagan, A R
• Publication Date: 1987-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 38-40
• Serial:
  • Better Roads
  • Volume: 57
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0006-0208
  • Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cross sections; Economic impacts; Energy resources; Freeways; Highway design; Highways; History; Safety; Speed limits; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; History; Pavements; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00475209
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1987 12:00AM