News 8 has learned the North Texas Tollway Authority is in the process of increasing speed limits along the Dallas North Tollway and the Bush Turnpike.

NTTA has now concluded what most drivers already seemed to know, posted speed limits are not realistic.

In a series of exclusive reports, News 8 uncovered a mistake by NTTA that resulted in speed limits being set too low. NTTA never did a speed study, which is a state-mandated test determining the speed most drivers feel comfortable driving. The speed limit is supposed to be set near the number found from the test results.

NTTA leaders said they didn't know about their mistake until News 8 told them. After the discovery, the agency concluded a system-wide study of speed limits. The Preliminary findings are in, and so is a new position from the NTTA.

"We would be agreeable to raising the speed limits on our roadways," said NTTA spokesperson Sheritta Coffelt.

WFAA-TV

Officials have been measuring how fast cars really travel.

The NTTA said it will only raise speed limits if it doesn't result in additional air pollution.

Michael Morris, a North Texas regional transportation czar, said it is doable and will recommend several ways to do it, including offering toll discounts for carpoolers.

"I think we could go to, during the peak periods, half price tolls as an incentive to carpool," he said.

"If he's optimistic, our leadership has expressed that they're optimistic," Coffelt said.

NTTA staff said it's too early in the process to say how high speeds would go, but if there are no objections, the changes could take effect in three or four months.

E-mail dschechter@wfaa.com