Middle lane hoggers.

[GrasB]

...and this is part of the problem... different people have different levels of comfort. I don't drive very much, and do stick to 70 on motorways (except if I decide to move to the outer lane if there are 3 lanes, in which case I reckon it is safer (if illegal) to go over 70 on the basis that on a free-flowing motorway most traffic in the outer lane will be doing well over 70) - sometimes I look at the gap between two lorries in the inside lane and decide not to move into it, and then realise that I probably could have moved into it. Those of you who drive 1000s of miles a year and can judge that sort of thing to a T should perhaps cut those of us who don't and can't a bit of slack?

If you thought it wasn't big enough, then felt it was you should have moved in latter then you were probably right to say out. The result would most likely have been a very short stint in the nearside lane. Dipping in to the near side lane every time you have a hint of a gap in there leads to excessive lane transitions. This is turn dramatically increases the of risk of collisions as every lane change is a potential conflict point & on a 3 lane dual carriageway potentially effects 3 vehicles directly.

 

[User482]

[QUOTE 2491224, member: 9609"]for a road - vehicles per hour
define carrying capacity[/quote]
Which, if the road is busy, is increased when the speed limit is reduced.

 

[GrasB]

As I drive a HGV, hopefully I can add a little bit to this
Yes there are limited to 56mph, but they do take some power to get to 56 mph, so most HGV drivers like to keep at 56mph and try not to back off, because say 10 minutes lost because you have to slow down could mean the difference in missing your slot on a delivery, or even worse going over your driving hours.

From observation it typically takes about 90s for a lorry to pass another (given that it often takes a lorry most but not all the distance between junctions on the A14 & M11 which are typically 1.5 to 2.5 miles apart at). Given a standard maximum length of 16.5m that works out to be about 0.4mph. Over a 800 mile journey the difference between 56 & 56.4mph is 6min!

 

[paul04]

From observation it typically takes about 90s for a lorry to pass another (given that it often takes a lorry most but not all the distance between junctions on the A14 & M11 which are typically 1.5 to 2.5 miles apart at). Given a standard maximum length of 16.5m that works out to be about 0.4mph. Over a 800 mile journey the difference between 56 & 56.4mph is 6min!

Its very hard to explain, There so many factors to take into account I could write here all day and still not explain it all.
It does take a long time to wind these HGV's up to 56mph, like 0 to 56mph in 2 minutes(if your lucky) and once at 56mph you like to keep that momentum going.

 

[GrasB]

I don't know which roads you're driving on but you should come for a spin along the A14 with me...

M11, A14, A11 are the main ones around Cambridge. What's wrong with that estimate?

 

[PK99]

PK99 said: ↑

Middle lane hogging CAUSES congestion by forcing 3 lanes of traffic into 1 (if everyone follows the rules and does not pass on the inside)​

That's bollocks...

No, It's my observation on the M25 (J10/11/12 maiinly) and M40 in the middle of the day, travelling at 70 in the empty LH lane with Mr MLH in the middle doing 50 and traffic backed up behind MLH leaving me with the option of passing on the inside or trying to join the two/three streams into one as they try to pass. Mr MLH, in that frequent scenario, is causing congestion behind him and causing a hazard.

 

[User482]

PK99 said: ↑

Middle lane hogging CAUSES congestion by forcing 3 lanes of traffic into 1 (if everyone follows the rules and does not pass on the inside)​

No, It's my observation on the M25 (J10/11/12 maiinly) and M40 in the middle of the day, travelling at 70 in the empty LH lane with Mr MLH in the middle doing 50 and traffic backed up behind MLH leaving me with the option of passing on the inside or trying to join the two/three streams into one as they try to pass. Mr MLH, in that frequent scenario, is causing congestion behind him and causing a hazard.

What you've described isn't congestion.

 

[PK99]

What you've described isn't congestion.

It certainly looks and feels like congestion when stuck in that large clump of cars behind Mr MLH

 

[User482]

It certainly looks and feels like congestion when stuck in that large clump of cars behind Mr MLH

You've described a short period of travelling slightly slower than you would wish to. What do you suppose is the total impact on your journey time?

 

[PK99]

You've described a short period of travelling slightly slower than you would wish to. What do you suppose is the total impact on your journey time?

It is not journey time that is the main issue, it is the forced switching of lanes and the passing on the inside it promotes - both represent an additional hazard caused by the MLH.

I'm doing 65/70 in the LH lane. Mr MLH is doing 50/60 in the middle lane. I have two choices if I want to pass: On the inside, or try to join the 70 plus stream in the RH lane. Actually 3, I could put my headlights and indicator on and tailgate in the hope of intimidating Mr MLH into the LH lane.

 

[snorri]

No skiving here...

Driving provides the best work skive opportunities of all.

 

[User482]

It is not journey time that is the main issue, it is the forced switching of lanes and the passing on the inside it promotes - both represent an additional hazard caused by the MLH.

I'm doing 65/70 in the LH lane. Mr MLH is doing 50/60 in the middle lane. I have two choices if I want to pass: On the inside, or try to join the 70 plus stream in the RH lane. Actually 3, I could put my headlights and indicator on and tailgate in the hope of intimidating Mr MLH into the LH lane.

So, not congestion then. As for the hazard, I think Smeggers has it covered.

 

[GrasB]

Yes that gentle flick of the indicator and twist of the wheel can be sooooo wearing cant it.

Nope, however the mental fatigue/stress of the additional observation & decision events over a long drive may be significant. Essentially you need to make 2~3x more observational checks & pass through twice as many, minimum, decision points.

 

[GrasB]

You need to relax a little more, you'd be a better driver.

Doesn't matter how relaxed you are it's still going go increase stress/fatigue levels, they may increase from very low but they increase. You see you're making decision under pressure so it's more stressful than not making them... end of story.

 

[skudupnorth]

Literally pushed?

Close enough that they get the message........you had to be there