I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my dearest and closest Cheese Brother for my previous line of rhetoric in the case of his assertion on TSi that driving faster than the posted speed limit will not get you to your destination any faster or economically.

Having put a Garmin Nuvi GPS unit in my vehicle, I can now track my travel time vs. speed, and this particular model even tracks my fuel economy. I have learned that driving 78mph from my home in The Gurnie to Steeleye's house in Falls Church, VA only gains me approximately 4 minutes over driving the posted speed limit, while causing my cost to drive the 57 miles to rise by $8.

I am most sincerely sorry for calling you a fat nerd (or whatever it was I called you).

OTOH I'll still drive somewhere between 75 and 85mph because that's what everyone else is doing and I don't want to get rear ended by some Guatemalan in a carpet layer's truck.

Thank you for your attention.

PS: Funniest thing I ever saw today, a Sikh driving a jacked up F150 V10 monster truck. The paint job matched his turban. But then his beard matched the tires...

Having put a Garmin Nuvi GPS unit in my vehicle, I can now track my travel time vs. speed, and this particular model even tracks my fuel economy. I have learned that driving 78mph from my home in The Gurnie to Steeleye's house in Falls Church, VA only gains me approximately 4 minutes over driving the posted speed limit, while causing my cost to drive the 57 miles to rise by $8.

I accept your apology for calling me names.
Math was always on my side, anyway.

Now, when are you going to apologize for making the persian attack my sack?

Dude she's totally autonomous. You think I could make her do anything? Or stop her? Same goes for the Greek.

The original argument was just time saved.  From only the perspective of time saved, I still think the argument is a loser.  I would always choose to speed and save the 1 minute based on the original argument.

Once you turn it into an economic question and factor in fuel economy, it always makes sense to drive slower.  The sweet spot for maximum fuel economy varies depending on the vehicle, but typically lies somewhere between 45-55 MPH.  By the time you include other variables in the equation, like the cost of a ticket or accident resulting from speeding, plus the increase in insurance costs based on those two factors, you'd find that it definitely does not make economic sense to speed.

Actually, Emp, my recollection is that the original argument had a foundation of time-saved, but was weighed AGAINST potential time lost if receiving a ticket.  It wouldn't be much of a CBA, otherwise.

fuel economy is an excellent angle as well, and I appreciate my oldest (in time with the cheese) cheese brother for including it as an angle.

I still think going slower than the rest of traffic is more dangerous than going slightly faster than it.

Every time I feel like dilly dallying and doing like 60 on 95 it's one near miss after another. It's like my car has suddenly become invisible.

Ok, I'm outta here ...

Your original post was time only.  I went back and checked.    I'm the dick that took it down the path of what your odds of getting caught speeding were and how much it would cost you in terms of time.  

It does make more sense to evaluate the issue in economic terms.  You could solve it as an optimization problem for the ideal amount to speed/not speed.  

You'd need the following information as a starting point:
Odds of getting caught speeding as a function of speed in excess of the limit
Cost of speeding infraction for the ranges of speeding
Odds of being in accident as a function of speed
Average cost of repairs/court costs/etc. for being involved in an accident as a function of speed
Average fuel cost as a function of speed
Some sort of economic value you assign to your time

You could estimate how many miles you drive per year on the highway and in residential areas and calculate based on zone type.  Or you could subdivide the problem further: 25 mph zones, 35 mph zones, etc.

I bet I could turn this problem into a master's thesis at least, maybe a doctoral thesis.

hmmm, what kind of tyres is the transport running ? and the psi. no, im not really asking. just saw a thread i had not posted on.

I bet I could turn this problem into a master's thesis at least, maybe a doctoral thesis.

Add in location for all of those functions, too.  the value will be different depending on your specific position at any given time.

They'd be included in calculating the average fuel cost as a function of speed.  Tire pressure is a significant factor in fuel economy.  

I bet I could turn this problem into a master's thesis at least, maybe a doctoral thesis.

Add in location for all of those functions, too.  the value will be different depending on your specific position at any given time.

Yeah, the odds of being caught speeding and the odds of being in an accident would be dependent on locality.
Other variables would be dependent on type of car you chose to use.

You will also need a standard octane level for the fuel.

You will also need a standard octane level for the fuel.

I would assume that the manufacturer's recommendation would be followed.  I'd lump that variable in with the average fuel cost as a function of speed.  All of the variables relating to the particular car would be expressed through that variable, really.



I really like optimization.  I think it's the only thing I studied in grad school that I actually liked.

Speed kills dude.  I stick to 30mph all the time.



hehehehe

OK now I have to start an apology thread for getting this off the ground again...

Yeah, since I'm pretty much guaranteed to run any math related thread into the ground.

Emp, you're welcome to run with this as a PhD topic, if you'll give me a credit in the thesis.

how much money would it cost to haul lucas across texas, as opposed to Kyle

compared to the weight of a car, Kyle and I are not significant.

Going 75 miles an hour gives you 4 miles every three minutes.

80 4 every three.

90 3 every two.

On long trips it does make a difference.

compared to the weight of a car, Kyle and I are not significant.

I beg to differ on that point, the size of the passenger does make a difference. It might not be noticable for 1 person in a car, but put 4 250lb+ people in a car and you'll notice a difference...

Yeah, but under didn't want to put FOUR of me in the car.  Just one of me.

The aerodynamics benefits from the compressed suspension would/might void some of the fuel consumpition issues.

and unrelated, but 'cause i wana...

Not likely.

The engine still has to do more work to move that extra 1000lbs.

Not if you funnel the flatulance into the manifold.

*peeks into thread*
*leaves again*

You will also need a standard octane level for the fuel.

US standard octane levels are lower than the rest of the world.

*peeks into thread*
*leaves again*

Yeah, I wouldnt waste your time either...