• Crashumbc@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 day ago

    NOT SINGLE ROAD in this country is set by “how fast people drive” that is without a doubt the stupidest thing heard in a long time.

    Speed limits are set by civil engineers using a whole host of scientific data, local ordinances, state laws, and FHA rules.

    I wish I could send this to my ex (a certified civil engineer) she’d die laughing.

    • GissaMittJobb
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      24 hours ago

      Speed limits are set by civil engineers using a whole host of scientific data, local ordinances, state laws, and FHA rules.

      You’re vastly overestimating the sophistication involved in speed limit setting. Look up the concept of 85th percentile speed for more information.

      As a caveat, this doesn’t apply to every country, but it certainly appears to for the U.S, given that multiple DOTs list it as the “common method for setting speed limits”.

    • Tudsamfa@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      Well I wouldn’t know, but I saw this video, which says this is how it is described in “Confessions of a recovering engineer” by Charles Marohn, former professional engineer. If you or your ex find any fault with what Charles wrote or what NJB got wrong in adapting part of the book into his video, let me know.