Autostraße System
The Autostraße System is the national highway system of the Aemilian Federation, it was established as part of the Wirtschaftsplan 1730 in the United Principalities to increase that nation's industrial output. The system was adopted by the Aemilian Federation as part of the integration of the United Principalities into the Aemilian Federation following the Aemilian intervention in the United Principalities. Three roads, the Autostraße 1 and 2 , as well as the Meer-zu-Lich-Straße are maintained under the regime of the Autostraße System. The posted top speed for these roads is 60 km/h as part of the policy of the Aemilian Federation not to incentivise car travel.
Despite the name, the Autostraße System is not a connected network of roads, only Autostraße 1 and 2 are connected with each other, as they both depart from Weisenburg, but they are not connected to the Meer-zu-Lich-Straße. It is possible to travel between all major cities in the federation by road but not all roads are paved, and many lead through narrow streets in cities and forests, and are wholly unsuitable for heavy freight traffic. Discussions were held whether to improve the road network, but no majority was found in the Aemilian Senate. Expansion of the road system is highly unpopular with most citizens as many fear that it would be detrimental for investment in the national railroad system, which is both good and affordable. Economists counter by saying that expanding the system and making a connection between Autostraße 2, from Bülow to Stadt Sankt Rosa, to the Meer-zu-Lich-Straße, over Oudorp and Stadt Sankt Ludwigshafen would provide a boost to internal trade in the federation. They have also suggested linking Weisenburg to Volksburg. No plans exist to realise these ideas, contrary to the economic views, the Autostraße 1 is considered a risk by military analysts as it enables the rapid transportation of heavy armour through the Lanzerwald, where the forest is normally too dense to allow this. This negates part of the military doctrine of the Confoederatio Aemilia, that is based on the difficulties posed to foreign invaders in moving troops and maintaining supply lines in the uninhabitable territory. The Exercitus Aemilia has started to construct casemates along the Autostraße 1 since the mid-1740's, often outfitted with Flachfeuergeschütz 40/1682 cannons, Mehrfachraketenwerfergeschütz 80x32/1716 rocket systems, and Maschinenrotationskanone 30/1732 autocannons.
The roads themselves are well-maintained, with road surfaces replaced every 10 years. The roads are maintained as single-carriageways, which is a downgrade from what the Autostraße 1 and 2 were designed for in the United Principalities in the 1730's, when they were constructed as dual-carriageways. The roads do not cross other roads, all junctions are designed as grade-separated junctions for reasons of safety and traffic flow. The roads are open from 06:00 in the morning to 20:00 in the evening, to prevent cars from waking people up in adjacent residential areas. It is allowed to exit the Autostraße up to 30 minutes after the closure to reach an exit, but using onramps is not allowed. The first offence per year is not punished, to prevent this curfew from hurting people who have to use their car for an emergency. Exceptions on the curfew can be granted on a case-by-case basis by the jurisdiction of Land Weisenburg for Autostraße 1 and 2, and by Taktwinkel and Sankt Rosa for the Meer-zu-Lich-Straße.
The top speed of 60 km/h is vigorously maintained, with fixed speed traps every 2-5 kilometres of the road. Penalties for traffic violations can be harsh, as the Aemilian Federation wants to counter the establishment of a hooning culture. While the first violation is usually only prosecuted by sending a stern letter to the offender, repeat offenders can be ordered to pay (in A-Mark) up to ⍲500 for speed violations of up to 5 km/h, ⍲2,500 for speed violations up to 15 km/h and driving licenses can be permanently revoked when driving over 75 km/h on the Autostraße, along with a fine of up to ⍲10,000. Maximum fines are lower for citizens with lower recorded incomes according to the tax authority, and for foreigners that can prove their yearly income is below a certain threshold.
Roads
- Meer-zu-Lich-Straße: Stadt Sankt Rosa - Stadt Taktwinkel - Etzeland border
- Autostraße 1: Weisenburg - Gödelitz
- Autostraße 2: Weisenburg - Jürichen - Bülow
