Who sets speed limits in Texas, TXDOT or the county? I have been told TXDOT. But if that is true why do I see speed limits change when you cross a county line. For example FM1488 is 55 in Harris county and 50 in Waller county. Same two lane road and same level of risk. Also 290 is 65 in Waller county and 70 in Washington county. Again same road and road conditions.
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Not sure who sets it but I think population has something to do with it(at least on the interstates)In for the answer -
I “think” it guess like this…..Originally posted by kmitchl View Post
The state mandates speed lines if there is no sign so like in an urban area (like neighborhoods) it is 30mph.
The state sets the speed limit on state highways after a study of average traffic speeds on that stretch of roadway, however, a city or county within their jurisdiction can lower the speed limit after they conduct their own study.
In the urban areas a city or county has jurisdiction and can go as low as 25mph without requiring a study.
Or something to that effect. Basically the state sets their highways’ speed limits but a local jurisdiction can lower it after some kind of required study or process.Comment
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TXDOT set the speed limits from engineer recommendations and road conditions. County commissioners can request TXDOT to consider a lower speed limit. TXDOT did a 3 month traffic survey on our truck route before setting the limit.Comment
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Gotta be county for the final #...you take 1017 from San Isidro to Hebbronville & you literally have the same stretch of road all of it out in the sticks that goes from 60-65-70-75mph. Beyond stupid.Comment
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What difference does it make? Speed limits are just a suggestion.Comment
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Good luck with that when you get stopped in some county needing to supplement the Christmas fund.Originally posted by ThisLadyHunts View Post
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I was just kidding, y’all…!Comment
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For the most part I think what has been posted so far is correct. Different entities build and maintain different roads and have jurisdiction. TxDOT builds and maintains roads and sets limits/criteria, counties build and maintain other roads and set limits/criteria, cities build and maintain other roads and set limits/criteria. There can be different criteria between all 3 in a very close area with different roads being owned by different entities.
Using you county line example, multiple things could have happened. If it is a county owned and maintained road, 1 county won't cross the county line so the next county will set the criteria, etc. on their side resulting in a change at the county line. Even if it is a TxDOT road, there are districts and areas within TxDOT. A state owned road could switch districts at a count line and as a result a different set of people may be in charge of design, review, construction, etc of the road even within TxDOT. Within TxDOT, portions of roads are built, expanded, etc. at different times as well. The road may all be in 1 TxDOT district but 1 portion may have been widened in 2010 while another section may have been widened in 2020. The roadway section looks the same but the criteria is ever changing so something like a curve may have met a certain design speed in 2010 and met a lower 1 in 2020 causing a difference in speed limit where the project limits are. For clarity, design speed does not equal speed limit. Or the set of plans for the 2020 widening may have had a goal of a higher speed which results in things not noticeable while driving (radius in roadway curvature, change in grade for a hill or valley, roadway cross slopes, etc.) and the older widening didn't have the same goal. They can't go back and up the speed limit on the old section of roadway just to match the new roadway if design criteria isn't/wasn't met on the old section.
And to further complicate things, funding also plays a role. TxDOT may build a road with 100% TxDOT funds and design it 100% to their criteria and liking. TxDOT may also build a road with partial federal funding and as a result has to use some federal criteria. Or the opposite may be true, a city or county may pony up the money for TxDOT to build or expand a roadway and as a result the city/county/paying entity now has a say in criteria which could ultimately influence speed limits and other things.Comment
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Speed limits are for younger people that have an abundance of time. Get out of my way.🤣🤣Comment
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