Roadworks - good or bad?

23/04/2010 by admin.

It is now getting quite common on the motorways and dual-carriage ways in the UK to have long stretches of roadworks, with average speed cameras over the distance (normally set to 50mph). Keeping everyone at a steady speed usually helps the traffic flow smoothly. Although no-one likes being help up, even for a few seconds by driving slower, what impact does this have from a green point of view? A steady speed of 50 mph is probably very efficient for all types of vehicles on the road.

Let’s make some rough assumptions :

Length of roadworks = 5 miles

Number of vehicles = 20000/day

Average miles-per-gallon at ‘normal’ speeds = 35 mpg

Average miles-per-gallon at steady 50 mph = 45 mpg 

 CO2 emissions = 10.9 Kg/gallon

So, normally , the emissions over this 5 mile stretch = 20000 * 5 / 35 * 10.9 = 31142 Kg CO2

At steady 50 mph, the emissions are 20000 * 5 / 45 * 10.9 = 24222 Kg CO2

This gives a reduction of 6920 Kg CO2 every day that this is in place. When you think that these large roadworks are normally in place for months at a time, this adds up to massive CO2 reductions. Something to bear in mind next time you hear someone moaning about the roadworks. It may take them slightly longer to drive the route, but it will save them money and help the environment.

For more tips on greener driving, don’t forget to take a look on the Green Saving Expert website.

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