For me the speed limit issue really comes down to risk and reward.
For the mile between 2nd and 15th, raising from 35 to 50 would save, at best, assuming perfect constant speed, entering at 50 and exiting at 50 (so no acceleration or deceleration time), and a green light at 9th street, at best a savings of 30 seconds. That's the best time improvement someone could possibly hope for on this stretch. Now let's see what we get in return for that 30 seconds (at best) of savings.
Increased stopping distance -
Stopping Distances
With dry pavement, the best scenario, and attentive drivers, typical stopping distance at 50mph is 175 feet. Compared with 75ft at 30mph, or 120ft at 40mph. You get into wet pavement and you're looking at 300ft of stopping distance at 50mph. All to save 30 seconds.
And what will increased stopping distance cause? Well, if you do hit a pedestrian, the changes of their surviving go down astronomically.
Speed Concepts: Informational Guide - FHWA Safety Program
At 30MPH there's a 45% chance of fatality.
At 40MPH there's a 85% change of fatality.
At 50 MPH the pedestrian is dead.
So for the savings of 30 seconds (at best), not only have you increased the chance exponentially of hitting a pedestrian, but you've taken away any chance they have of surviving a collision. This doesn't even take into account things like effective visibility distance (which decreases with speed, and issues with cars entering and exiting the roadway).
And again, we're talking about 30 seconds (at best). Even if you include the entire stretch from 2nd street to past 33rd, you're talking a net savings of less than a minute (at best). It just doesn't seem worth it.
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