Haven't been on a motorway driving for some time but recently noticed the alarming amount of "tramlining" occuring in the slow lane especially M4 & M5.One area was so bad it pulled my cars front wheels to one side.I suspect the tram lines/wheel ruts are probably caused by the increase in HGV numbers and gross weights. I hope the highway maintenance authority are doing something about it.Anyone had any really bad experiences concerning this.
2007-05-31 10:48:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
These ruts are caused by the road foundations compressing under the weight of HGVs.
It's a consequence of government policy which allows 44tonne axle load vehicles on roads that were built for 33tonne axle loads 40 or more years ago.
The M4 has been resurfaced many times but not re-built throughout its length from the foundation upwards. It has been patched instead. The result is the long stretches of lorry ruts and the ghastly patched surface which exists between J13 and J16.
It is short-term thinking on the part of the people responsible for allocating the road repair budgets. All motorways suffer from this to some extent and now major A roads (e.g. A34) are suffering too.
2007-06-02 10:33:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, there is no such thing as a 'slow lane' on a motorway. It is the 'inside lane', 'nearside lane' or 'lane 1'.
The main reason for the increase in the grooves in this lane on many motorways, isn't so much the number or the weight of trucks, but the lack of investment being put into road repairs.
The Highway's Agency uses a shallower foundation on the roads than in the past, in order to save time and money - the result being, that the surface sags more quickly. In addition, repairs and resurfacing are carried out less frequently, allowing the road to deteriorate to a greater degree.
As always, it's all about money...
2007-06-01 01:38:46 · answer #2 · answered by Nightworks 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The ruts are caused by the volume of heavy vehicles.
If you think that was alarming,its much worse driving a lorry when you drop into them unexpectedly ,especially after moving back into the left from the middle lane.Can be a scary wobble sometimes.
2007-05-31 17:56:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the main supply route from Al Jubail to King Khaled Military city in Saudi Arabia had these tramlines up to 9 inches deep during the first gulf war. numerous accidents, many fatal.
2007-05-31 18:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are even worse in heavy rain. as far as i remember they appeared soon after the M4 was resurfaced well over 5 years ago. I tend to drive off centre closer to the hard shoulder to avoid them.
2007-05-31 18:10:40 · answer #5 · answered by Slick Rick 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's become more noticeable over the last few years. The M11 Southbound was particularly bad until it was re-surfaced, even on the concrete parts.
2007-05-31 17:55:12 · answer #6 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I drive on 3 roads to get to work and they're terrible for this, they really pull your car over and it's quite frustrating. They're not major roads but they're having huge heavy lorries going over them. it's quite scary.
2007-05-31 17:56:19 · answer #7 · answered by weezyb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋