←back to thread

How good are American roads?

(www.construction-physics.com)
193 points chmaynard | 8 comments | 20 Nov 24 14:45 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
Show context
jameshart ◴[20 Nov 24 15:17 UTC] No.42194610[source]▶
This is a great analysis but it does focus exclusively on ‘roughness’, which is obviously important but isn’t the be-all-end-all of road quality.

One area I notice in particular that roads in the northeast US subjectively feel worse than Europe is in quality of road markings. Constant plow scraping and harsh salting seems to destroy markings.

I think it also shows up in the overall fit and finish of road infrastructure - edging and barriers, signage, lighting, maintenance of medians, how curbs and furniture contribute to junction legibility… and of course bridges.

One major reason is that European countries typically have national road agencies and consistent standards across the country (because, generally, smaller and less federal). US’s patchwork of federal, state and local road maintenance leads to vastly different budgets and department priorities across the network.

replies(9): >>42194735 #>>42194896 #>>42195496 #>>42196027 #>>42196214 #>>42196762 #>>42198273 #>>42199203 #>>42199580 #
1. dyauspitr ◴[20 Nov 24 18:27 UTC] No.42196762[source]▶
For what it’s worth I hate the roads and parking in Europe. Roads are narrow, intersections are chaotic and parking is a joke. I drove around Europe for around 3 months (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium etc.) and longed to drive back in the US again.
replies(6): >>42196826 #>>42196964 #>>42197027 #>>42197146 #>>42199033 #>>42199206 #
2. DrBrock ◴[20 Nov 24 18:34 UTC] No.42196826[source]▶
This feels like it's supposed to sound like a bad thing. I think it's awesome the cities you went to were designed for the people who actually live in those cities, not the people driving through.
3. ◴[20 Nov 24 18:50 UTC] No.42196964[source]▶
4. switch007 ◴[20 Nov 24 18:57 UTC] No.42197027[source]▶
Yeah in Europe you want to head for the main train stations or Park and Rides if you're spending time in cities. They usually have large car parks and good public transport.

Outside of towns and cities the road networks in those countries are generally excellent. Especially in France and Italy with their toll roads.

If you're just going city to city, take the train.

I've driven extensively in Spain and to a lesser extent France, Italy and Germany and never found parking a "joke" except in cities or with a huge car. Of course, due to density, the free parking places are usually very busy and hectic. But there's always an option to pay/pay more

replies(1): >>42202565 #
5. the_mitsuhiko ◴[20 Nov 24 19:14 UTC] No.42197146[source]▶
Probably comes down to what you are used to. I find driving in the US stressful mostly because of other drivers not behaving like I’m used to.
6. salynchnew ◴[20 Nov 24 22:59 UTC] No.42199033[source]▶
Perhaps the best roads are those that see the least vehicular traffic.
7. devilbunny ◴[20 Nov 24 23:24 UTC] No.42199206[source]▶
If you find those roads narrow, don't try the UK or (especially) Ireland.

I've driven in France, Iberia, and Central/near Eastern Europe (Stuttgart to Budapest, Krakow, and back). City streets can be small, but the highways are highways. Even smaller roads in Slovakia weren't bad. Honestly didn't seem that different from driving in the US except that obedience to speed limits was a lot higher (though their limits are generally higher, so there's no real need to speed - 130 km/h is just over 80 mph, which is usually as fast as I would want to drive anyway).

8. 71bw ◴[21 Nov 24 09:37 UTC] No.42202565[source]▶
>Yeah in Europe you want to head for the main train stations or Park and Rides if you're spending time in cities. They usually have large car parks and good public transport.

I live in Europe. I have travelled in Europe immensely over the last 15 years. I would NEVER recommend anybody this strategy, ESPECIALLY if they're coming from outside the EU.