Per the Seattle Times…
Overhead electronic signs will dictate the speed limits, in a system called “speed harmonization” that’s used on some European highways. Drivers near the airfield might be held to 30 or 40 mph, instead of going the standard 60 mph, only to meet stop-and-go traffic downtown.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004334020_lowspeed08m.html
Now it’s just a matter of time before speed cameras will show up (like Red-Light cameras but for speeders…)
I read about an engineers proposal for this type of speed control, and he stated the only way it would work would be with photo speed limit enforcement.
If the variable speed limits don’t get followed I’d like to see photo enforcement.
The variable speed limits on I-5 would be advisory, not regulatory.
The idea is to get vehicles heading towards stop and go traffic to start slowing down before the get to the congested area. Rather than ‘hurry up, slam on the brakes, and crawl’ traffic flow would be smoother and more vehicles would get through.