Proposed 60 mph speed limit, Will it REALLY cut pollution? Options

[x2lls]

My view is that I don't believe it will.
Yes, a constant speed is almost always the most efficient way of using fuel, at the right speed that is, but with the high volume of vehicles on the roads, will it actually work?

I suspect all it will do is bring down the average speed of those that usually drive at 80 plus, to a slightly lower level. Does driving faster actually increase the volume of pollutants expelled? After all, the fuel is only being burnt at a faster rate at higher speed, so surely a litre burnt in say, an hour as opposed to thirty minutes will still convert to the same amount output, only over an extended period of time?

[Blake]

I am wholeheartedly in favour of the 60mph limit to slash pollution. My only criticism is that it should slightly lower, say 55mph.

Time is running out for our world to save itself from the catastrophe of climate change.

In all honesty, I'd like to see the whole country adopt this more rational speed limit. It would help slash gas consumption, air pollution and reduce the severity of collisions.

Bring it on!

[motormad]

I am wholeheartedly in favour of the 60mph limit to slash pollution. My only criticism is that it should slightly lower, say 55mph.

Time is running out for our world to save itself from the catastrophe of climate change.

In all honesty, I'd like to see the whole country adopt this more rational speed limit. It would help slash gas consumption, air pollution and reduce the severity of collisions.

Bring it on!

Are you American?

Rather than that you need to tackle things GLOBALLY. We are just a drop in the ocean. China is by far the worst country for pollution. Cows pollute more than cars. We can make beef without the need for cows anymore. Can we kill all the cows and the Chinese?

[Blake]

Are you American?

Rather than that you need to tackle things GLOBALLY. We are just a drop in the ocean. China is by far the worst country for pollution. Cows pollute more than cars. We can make beef without the need for cows anymore. Can we kill all the cows and the Chinese?

Yes, climate change needs international action to solve but we have our part to play and we should set a good example here and now.

We need to be in the vanguard!

[Simon Kirby]

Yes, climate change needs international action to solve but we have our part to play and we should set a good example here and now.

We need to be in the vanguard!

The speed limit proposal is not intended to reduce greenhouses gasses so climate change is not an issue here. The intention is to reduce NO₂ locally because it is a respiratory irritant and it mostly comes from local traffic.

[MontyPython]

The speed limit proposal is not intended to reduce greenhouses gasses so climate change is not an issue here. The intention is to reduce NO₂ locally because it is a respiratory irritant and it mostly comes from local traffic.

How is the NO² output differ from CO²? I presume both will be effect by RPM/Load rather than physical speed.

I would imagine that both are affected more by driving style, and therefore driving smoothly is far better than sharp acceleration/braking. The solution is therefore more about trying to improve peoples driving style! I have found the variable speed limits on the M25 good at this - but you still get some who accelerate to the car in front and then brake heavily.

[Simon Kirby]

How is the NO² output differ from CO²? I presume both will be effect by RPM/Load rather than physical speed.

I would imagine that both are affected more by driving style, and therefore driving smoothly is far better than sharp acceleration/braking. The solution is therefore more about trying to improve peoples driving style! I have found the variable speed limits on the M25 good at this - but you still get some who accelerate to the car in front and then brake heavily.

The formation of NO₂ ( and other oxides of nitrogen) depends on the engine temperature, and their emission depends on the performance of the exhaust and catalytic converter, so I'm guessing that there might possibly be some correlation between those factors and the speed, though what that might be I have no idea. I'm not saying the idea makes sense, just saying what the idea behind the proposal is. It's lamentable that the press coverage did nothing to inform the debate and leant only on the motorist's frustration at having to go slower, though in practice that does appear to be the only thing that matters to people.

[MontyPython]

The formation of NO₂ ( and other oxides of nitrogen) depends on the engine temperature, and their emission depends on the performance of the exhaust and catalytic converter, so I'm guessing that there might possibly be some correlation between those factors and the speed, though what that might be I have no idea. I'm not saying the idea makes sense, just saying what the idea behind the proposal is. It's lamentable that the press coverage did nothing to inform the debate and leant only on the motorist's frustration at having to go slower, though in practice that does appear to be the only thing that matters to people.

Thanks Simon! as I am sure you guessed I wasn't questioning you, rather the facts!

[Simon Kirby]

Thanks Simon! as I am sure you guessed I wasn't questioning you, rather the facts!