I’ve just returned from the “National Association of Small Trucking Companies” (NASTC) event in Nashville, TN. I was asked to speak at this year’s convention on fuel mileage and efficiency. This year offered a variety of informative workshops, speakers and great networking opportunities for small trucking companies.
While at the NASTC event, awards were given out to selected top drivers across the country. The winning drivers had reached over several million accident free miles over the course of their driving careers. I’m so impressed by these dedicated professional men and women of our industry. It was an honor to meet them and I enjoyed some fun conversation. One morning as they gathered for some coffee, I listened as they joked and played highway trivia with one another. They each had so many stories and experiences which many years over the road had brought them. I found it quite fascinating and decided to do a bit of highway trivia of my own. Below are some questions you may or may not know in regards to our Interstate Highway System.
1. Why was the Interstate System created?
2. Who built the Interstate System?
3. How long is the Interstate System?
4. When did the Interstate System first begin?
5. When was the first road completed?
6. Which Interstate is the longest?
7. Which state has the most interstates?
8. What interstate is the heaviest traveled?
9. Which Interstate System uses the metric form of measurement for its mile markers?
10 Where is the “one” traffic light located on the Interstate System?
1. President Dwight D Eisenhower witnessed and was impressed with Germanys Autobahn and realized the necessity for military troops to rapidly and conveniently transport military goods and services to any spot in the country. This could determine the survival of our nation in the event of an attack.
2. The Interstate System was built under the direction and support of President Eisenhower. The Interstate System was built under the principles of the Federal-aid highway program in 1916. Construction funds were made available to the state highway/transportation agencies; which built the interstates.
3. As of 2010, it has a total length of 47,182 miles.
4. The system is named for President Dwight D Eisenhower, who championed its formation. Construction was authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 and the original portion was completed 35 years later.
5. On October 17, 1974 Nebraska became the first state to complete all its mainline interstate highways.
6. I-90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at 3,101.13 miles.
7. New York – 29 routes totaling 1,674.73 miles.
8. I-405 in Los Angeles with approx. 374,000 vehicles per day. ( approx. as of 2008)
9. I-19 in Arizona. In 1980, Arizona was awarded by DOT a single contract to install new signs which used metric units.
10. I-70 thru Breezewood, PA .
I will be posting a blog in the near future featuring all of the outstanding NASTC drivers of the year.