Key Findings on Speeds on Iowa’s Rural Expressways and Freeways
· The 85th percentile operating speeds have increased an average of 8.2 mph (from 61.6 to 69.8 mph) since the new speed limits went into effect in 1996. The 85th percentile speed is the speed 85 percent of vehicles travel at or below, and 15 percent of vehicles exceed. (Refer to page 5 for 85th Percentile speed details.)
· The 85th percentile operating speed in 2001 is 69.8 mph compared to 69.7 mph in 2000.
· In 2001, 46.8 percent of drivers were exceeding the 65 mph expressway speed limit, up from 31 percent in 1996 when the speed limit was increased to 65 mph. The percent exceeding the speed limit in 2000 was 50.4 percent. Prior to the speed limit increase, 71 percent of all drivers were exceeding the 55 mph speed limit. (Refer to Table 2 on page 6.)
· The percentile speeds also show that more drivers are complying with the 65 mph speed limits, when compared to compliance with the former 55 mph speed limit.
· In comparing Iowa speed data for the Interstate system with that of other states, the speeds are approximately the same as other states with 70 mph speed limits, but about 4 mph less than states with 75 mph speed limits.
Right after I posted yesterday it was down again, I don't think it's getting better.
Where is everybody?