The I-15 Access Road speed limit is only 45 mph, however, the majority of motorists travel at freeway speeds of 65-70 mph!
Isn’t it possible it was set too low?
Pete
It’s possible, Pete.
The Access Road…that one-way road that runs alongside I-15, is meant to move exiting ramp traffic off the freeway.
Pete’s right….the speed limit is 45 mph, but it’s more like a Nascar course.
Speeds limits are set by the type of road, speed of traffic, and sight distance, and 45 mph really does seem too low here.
NDOT did do a speed limit survey this past year after another 8 News Now viewer asked for it.
Speed studies determine 85 percent of the average speed, and then crunch numbers and make adjustments to find the appropriate speed limit.
Prelim information of this study show the 85th percentile for the Access Road, is in excess of 60 mph! No surprise there.
Traffic Ops is now trying to determine what the recommended speed should be.
Once it’s official, adjusting the speed will mean the installation of new safety equipment like attenuators.
An impact attenuator, also known as a crash cushion, is used to reduce damage in the case of a collision. This will be even more necessary if a higher speed limit is implemented.
That new equipment would be installed as the budget allows.
Seems to me this will be 50 or 55 mph speed limit once it’s all said or done, which is what Pete requested.
Brian