Speed limits set to change for US 62/82 in Idalou

IDALOU, TX (KCBD) - Traffic flowing through Idalou on US 62/82 will be getting across town a little quicker beginning this week. The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to post signs that will increase the speed limits on US 62/82 through the City of Idalou city limits.

The new speed limits will range from 45 miles per hour to 60 mph and are based on a speed study conducted by TxDOT. Speed limits on Texas highways are set by the 85th percentile method, which represents the speed the majority of drivers will travel at or below, said George Villarreal, P.E., TxDOT traffic engineer.

"During the study, free-flowing traffic speed for vehicles is tallied and the 85th percentile speed is calculated using gathered information," Villarreal said. "Speed checks are made on an average weekday during off-peak hours and under favorable weather conditions to reflect a true and normal traffic situation."

Additional roadway feature data such as curves, surface width, crash history, cross streets, school crossings and sites that generate traffic are collected during the speed study and are used by engineers when designing speed zones.

Speed limits are normally set at the nearest value to the 85th percentile speed ending in five or zero.