Intelligent Speed Control

[blademan]

Guys 'n gals.
I guess this one has probably been done before but I am interested in your thoughts for a particular reason.
Basically, we are talking about electronically limiting the speed of cars and bikes, so that it is impossible to exceed the local speed limit.
I can see the logic in built up area's, but can see it being used everywhere so that the gov has total control over every motorist.
What do you think

[BliarOut]

It would kill an awful lot of people. Anyone who want's to introduce legislation should be personally accountable for the outcome.

[Mr E]

Get in car. Select drive. Push pedal to the floor.

Brain off.

[zumbruk]

It's technically impossible. What happens in all the places where two roads with different limits cross over each other (bridge, underpass, crossroads)or run alongside one another? What happens when GPS lock is lost? What happens if the "black box" stops working? What about the older vehicle fleet not fitted with a black box?

The whole dumb idea is just a stick to beat motorists with; "If you don't stop complaining about speed cameras, we'll do *this* to you!"

[zumbruk]

Mr E said:

Get in car. Select drive. Push pedal to the floor. Brain off.

And that's what's happening as cruise control becomes more popular, apparently. Set cruise to speed limit, pedal to floor, brain off.

[regmolehusband]

It would be almost impossible to retrofit to vehicles already in use and therefore new vehicle sales would plummet. The automative industries would lobby hard against this sort of proposal.

If it were to happen it would have to be done using the frog in boiling water strategy. Maximum speed limiting first on new vehicles so we'd hardly notice. Then limiting vehicles to a certain percentage well above the various speed limits assuming the GPS receiver was secure and couldn't be shielded (VERY difficult), and finally full implementation at the speed limits.

I'd say full implementation is thirty years away and most unlikely to happen anyway (and I'll probably be dead).

The problem of ensuring an uninterruptable GPS signal is probably insurmountable and they would have to implement a network of roadside beacons instead. This would cost billions and therefore is most unlikely to happen - if we were to believe for one second that one third of accidents are "speed related" then these billions might save three lives a day. Not cost effective. Unless it's all about control freakery - but vote labour out and that one goes away too.

"Reg"

>> Edited by regmolehusband on Thursday 3rd February 10:47

[nel]

See page 3 onwards of this thread, many aspects of such systems are considered:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=3&f=23&t=151656&h=0

When you start to think about the technical requirements of fitting a speed limiting measure to all vehicles, you rapidly come to the conclusion that it is not technically feasible.

The only (frightening) scenario that is technically feasible is requiring GPS devices in all vehicles so that they can tell when you speed ANYWHERE and fine you, but that is so big brotherish that I can't believe we'll ever go there!

[Globulators]

blademan said:

Basically, we are talking about electronically limiting the speed of cars and bikes, so that it is impossible to exceed the local speed limit.

Electronically limiting the powers of a parasitic government would be a much better idea, maybe tagging them too.

Sometimes more and more control and restrictions creates a big backlash. I think we're getting nearer to that now, and every new law or camera or restriction increases the pressure building up.

The only sensible speed control is the speed sensitive traffic light with camera to stop red-light jumping. There is no way around it and it reminds the forgetful motorist, I've used it abroad and it is quite brilliant.

[blademan]

Some people in my company have been tasked by a certain agency to design such a system specifically on motorcycles.
Claims have been made that trialing this kind of system abroad has reaped huge benefits, and the usual huge percentage of lives that would be saved if it were implemented overnight.

[einion yrth]

blademan said:

Some people in my company have been tasked by a certain agency to design such a system specifically on motorcycles.

That'll be superb when it goes wrong just as you're taking a corner.

[bobbins]

There are moves afoot in the EU to make GPS mandatory on all new cars. Dates of 2010, 2012 & 2015 have been bandied around.
Prime reason is for road charging, initially for things like congestion charging and specific toll roads, but could be used wider than that.
There are projects going on to limit vehicle speed (didn't Leeds Uni do one a couple of yrs ago?).

I'm sure everyone can think of many reasons NOT to do these things but it'll come eventually.

[off_again]

Most of this has already been covered at length, but what about overtaking? Imagine a country road with some doddery old git doing 50 in an NSL. You would like to pass and his inconsiderate and inconsistent driving style represents a bit of a danger (how many times have you been caught like this?).

But you cant. Since you can only get to 60 the difference between speeds isnt that great. The time that you would then have to be on the other side of the road is increased, hence the increased danger....

So, imagine no overtaking - it would breed an entirely new road rage driver. Once they were perfectly normal and reasonable, now they are reduced to a dribbling idiot for the fact that they can no longer overtake ANYTHING...

Its scary and frightening that ANYONE would consider the thought of electronically limiting the speed of your car.

[cptsideways]

My Volvo to Africa was fitted with a system this week as part of a sponsorship deal. Its GPS based,

I got the first journey log back today.......


Scary stuff

I was'nt in rush at all (for a change ) but having something that I could'nt adjust my speed up & down with would be quite simply frightening. It would'nt be impossible to implement technically but it would be expensive.

I could see it having NO bearing on safety WHATSOEVER except in a lethal way.

Try any of the these when the only option is decelaration is truly a frightening scenario

1 Eg an overtake on an A/B road
2 Merging in turn
3 Roundabouts requiring merging into traffic
4 Merging from sliproads
5 Passing cyclists before a pinch point
6 Passing trucks doing 40mph on an A road
7 Having throttle control in slippery conditions
8 Being able to safely find a gap in a queue of lorries in the inside & centre lanes of a motorway without having to slow down & bring the motorway to a halt.

I ask anyone who has anything to do with the notion of the idea to actually try it & make use of it for a decent period of time, not just a quick test.



One final one, if we had this system fitted would drivers be immune from the 97% of accidents caused by everything else other than exceeding a speed limit?

[julianc]

off_again said:

Most of this has already been covered at length, but what about overtaking? Imagine a country road with some doddery old git doing 50 in an NSL. You would like to pass and his inconsiderate and inconsistent driving style represents a bit of a danger (how many times have you been caught like this?). But you cant. Since you can only get to 60 the difference between speeds isnt that great. The time that you would then have to be on the other side of the road is increased, hence the increased danger.... So, imagine no overtaking - it would breed an entirely new road rage driver. Once they were perfectly normal and reasonable, now they are reduced to a dribbling idiot for the fact that they can no longer overtake ANYTHING... Its scary and frightening that ANYONE would consider the thought of electronically limiting the speed of your car.

Agree entirely.

[james_j]

There is no logic to this. Anyone who is a good driver will know that the best and only intelligent speed control is the driver's right foot. This is because the speed necessary for travel varies continuously and not according to a posted limit.

Additionally, there are also very great dangers as highlighted above.

[blademan]

julianc said:

Its scary and frightening that ANYONE would consider the thought of electronically limiting the speed of your car.

Yes I agree, but the gov are looking at ways to reduce KSI's and this is one of the area's they are looking at.
I also think that, as has been said, this will increase road rage by a big margin, ref overtaking slow vehicles etc

[ashes]

I believe the trials at Leeds Uni are underway as we speak.

Trouble is, only needs a few held at the limit and all are slowed down. This is starting to happen with lorries keeping to 40 on A roads!

[deeen]

And how would they replace all the revenue lost from speed cameras?

[Bluementhol]

deeen said:

And how would they replace all the revenue lost from speed cameras?

Exactly, it's never going to happen. Of course unless they actually believe the rubbish they spout.

[DeltaFox]

deeen said:

And how would they replace all the revenue lost from speed cameras?

By lowering the limits and upping the fines.