[King Rudi]

There are times that I wonder how certain things came to be or how something is accomplished. I'm sure many of you are the same way. Since we have quite the interesting collective here, spanning in a wide array of backgrounds, let's bounce some topics off of each other and see if we can shed some light to odd ponderings.

While I was driving during lunch yesterday, paying no attention to speed limit, I wondered; how are speed limits set on each road. What constitutes that particular speed? What factors are involved in determining said speed? Could it be number and angle of curves on that road, whether or not it's a residential street, how many side streets are connected, etc. Or could it be some guy who drives down the road once construction is completed and thinks to himself, "Yep, I feel comfortable driving at this speed" and reports back to the office, this is the speed that everyone needs to drive.

No stupid questions here. All inquiries are open. I'd prefer for people that genuinely do not know something and have always wondered about something, are not made to feel stupid. Please be kind in your responses. This should be pretty interesting until we derail the thread 3 posts in.

[Tommy-G]

I have always pondered how a large plane can stay in the air. I mean do those engines really put out enough power to keep all that weight from falling to the ground (most of the time)

[KennyFSU]

Why do we drive on a "parkway" yet park on a "driveway?"

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

Why do we drive on a "parkway" yet park on a "driveway?"

Why are there tolls on the freeway?
Why is the Highway on the ground?
There is a whole book of these....very entertaining

[Sara]

What I would have been like 200+ years ago if I was alive then

[naf]

road ways are designed with an intended speed limit. the limit is basically governed by stopping sight distance with greater speeds requiring smoother vertical and horizontal curves. smoother curves generally add cost.

Freeway speed limits are generally further governed by what is called free flow speed which accounts for lane width, shoulder lateral clearance, number of lanes and interchange density.

Capacity models (vehicle density) can further reduce speed limits from the free flow speed.

other matters, not of concern to a civil engineer, may also affect speed limits.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by Sara

What I would have been like 200+ years ago if I was alive then

I've wondered this too, but it is more so pondering what it would be like prior to the invention of glasses. I'm blind as a bat without them, feel like I would be useless back in the day lol.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by JP10

I've wondered this too, but it is more so pondering what it would be like prior to the invention of glasses. I'm blind as a bat without them, feel like I would be useless back in the day lol.

Same. Thank goodness for lasik, hair salons, and plastic surgeons. I wonder what I would have looked like back then.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Sara

What I would have been like 200+ years ago if I was alive then

[unluky]

Why do women still claim they get dressed up for their men and why do men still play along with this, when every human knows this is not the case?

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by TommyG-inFlaNow

I have always pondered how a large plane can stay in the air. I mean do those engines really put out enough power to keep all that weight from falling to the ground (most of the time)

My Mom and I were driving along the airport the other day and she asked this question. Except it went a little like this. How can that big bitch stay in the air and not just drop out? She will not fly.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

My Mom and I were driving along the airport the other day and she asked this question. Except it went a little like this. How can that big bitch stay in the air and not just drop out? She will not fly.

Yeah, my comments resemble that but its usually to myself. I work right near Sarasota airport and they fly low over us all day as I look up and scratch my head.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by unluky

Why do women still claim they get dressed up for their men and why do men still play along with this, when every human knows this is not the case?

I get "dressed up" to appreciate that he takes me somewhere nice. though I expect him to dress nicely, too.

I dress more casual when with my girlfriends.

[Efthreeoh]

I'd like to know who was the first person who decided to eat a crab. It's just a large spider that lives underwater.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'd like to know who was the first person who decided to eat a crab. It's just a large spider that lives underwater.

I'm never going to eat a crab again without thinking it's an underwater spider.....

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by unluky

Why do women still claim they get dressed up for their men and why do men still play along with this, when every human knows this is not the case?

I've never claimed this. I feel better when I'm dressed up. My work attire is basic so when we go somewhere it's nice to get ready and put on something nice. I enjoy that. If I'm just chilling or running errands it's much more casual.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by Sara

I'm never going to eat a crab again without thinking it's an underwater spider.....

First time in the Osaka aquarium I was downstairs. The exhibit was eye level and I saw this….



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_spider_crab

[Sara]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

First time in the Osaka aquarium I was downstairs. The exhibit was eye level and I saw this….

I'd probably scream if I saw this while diving somewhere.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by Sara

I'd probably scream if I saw this while diving somewhere.

I quickly resolved the issue with myself by naming it the great satan. I loathe spiders and crabs already aren’t great… why would they be combined like this? Satan.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

I quickly resolved the issue with myself by naming it the great satan. I loathe spiders and crabs already aren’t great… why would they be combined like this? Satan.

The worst is when the crabs come out at night on the panhandle beaches of Florida. My child loves walking on the beach in the dark barefoot to catch the tiny crabs. I, on the other hand, act like an elephant who has just seen a mouse and will wear tennis shoes. I cannot stand the thought of stepping on one, or one running across my foot.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by TommyG-inFlaNow

I have always pondered how a large plane can stay in the air. I mean do those engines really put out enough power to keep all that weight from falling to the ground (most of the time)

No mystery. Bernoulli's principle:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_principle

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Sara

What I would have been like 200+ years ago if I was alive then

...or how people called Triple Hay before phones were invented if their horse runs out of fuel on the side of the road?????