Speed Limiter Trials Begin...
Discussion
Interesting article about speed limiters in today's Daily Mail (no, I never bought the thing, I saw this posted elsewhere):
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‘Big Brother’ in the boot that will stop drivers speeding’
by Ray Massey, Transport Editor
Cars are to be fitted with electronic devices that will automatically keep drivers within the speed limit in trial costing £2 million.
If successful, manufacturers could be ordered to fit the ‘black box’ limiters costing between £100 and £200 to all new cars within a decade.
Supporters say the idea could save more than 1,000 lives a year. But, coming at a time when speed cameras are proliferating, it triggered fresh allegations of Big Brother-style interference to slow cars down.
The Government is backing the two-year experiment by Leeds University and the motor industry research body MIRA, which will involve up to 20 Skoda Fabia cars.
The system – which could eventually make speed cameras redundant – is known as Intelligent Speed Adaption and works in a similar way to in-car satellite navigation systems.
Its backers say it could be easily and relatively cheaply integrated into existing dashboard technology.
Each Skoda has a small computer in the boot which carries in its memory a digital road map showing the limits on all roads in Leeds, as well as the motorways around the UK.
A satellite positioning system tells the computer where the car is at all times.
When a vehicle drives into an area where the speed limit drops from, say 40mph to 30mph, a signal is sent to a device which controls the engine management system, preventing the speed from rising above the legal limit.
The driver hears a ‘beep’ when the limit changes and can see a warning on the electronic map on the dashboard.
The system detects whether the driver is responding to the new limit. If not, the car will begin braking automatically some 300 yards before the 30mph sign.
Drivers taking part in the trial will be able to override the system in an emergency, for example to accelerate out of danger.
It is not known, however, if an override would be included if the device was approved for general use.
Professor Oliver Carston from Leeds University’s department of transport studies, who is leading the project denied it smacked of Big Brother.
‘I don’t think it is Big Brother to enforce the law,’ he said. ‘This system is cheaper than speed cameras and more effective at changing driver behaviour.’
A 12-month trial has already been carried out successfully on one Ford Escort. In the new project, some 80 drivers will be monitored in sessions lasting six months easch – checking their driving for a month before the limiter is switched on, for four months while it is on and then for one month without it.
Professor Carsten said: ‘We want to assess whether the system changes people’s driving habits.’
‘Once the system is switched off, they may feel so liberated that they drive like a bat out of hell.
Alternatively, they might be more aware of speed limits and be better drivers.’
Initial tests showed that drivers felt safer and had fewer near-misses with pedestrians or cyclists. Jonathan Simpson of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘We think the real danger is that this system would put motorists on auto-pilot rather than, in any way, thinking about their speed.’
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Just thought I'd post to see what people's feelings on this were.
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‘Big Brother’ in the boot that will stop drivers speeding’
by Ray Massey, Transport Editor
Cars are to be fitted with electronic devices that will automatically keep drivers within the speed limit in trial costing £2 million.
If successful, manufacturers could be ordered to fit the ‘black box’ limiters costing between £100 and £200 to all new cars within a decade.
Supporters say the idea could save more than 1,000 lives a year. But, coming at a time when speed cameras are proliferating, it triggered fresh allegations of Big Brother-style interference to slow cars down.
The Government is backing the two-year experiment by Leeds University and the motor industry research body MIRA, which will involve up to 20 Skoda Fabia cars.
The system – which could eventually make speed cameras redundant – is known as Intelligent Speed Adaption and works in a similar way to in-car satellite navigation systems.
Its backers say it could be easily and relatively cheaply integrated into existing dashboard technology.
Each Skoda has a small computer in the boot which carries in its memory a digital road map showing the limits on all roads in Leeds, as well as the motorways around the UK.
A satellite positioning system tells the computer where the car is at all times.
When a vehicle drives into an area where the speed limit drops from, say 40mph to 30mph, a signal is sent to a device which controls the engine management system, preventing the speed from rising above the legal limit.
The driver hears a ‘beep’ when the limit changes and can see a warning on the electronic map on the dashboard.
The system detects whether the driver is responding to the new limit. If not, the car will begin braking automatically some 300 yards before the 30mph sign.
Drivers taking part in the trial will be able to override the system in an emergency, for example to accelerate out of danger.
It is not known, however, if an override would be included if the device was approved for general use.
Professor Oliver Carston from Leeds University’s department of transport studies, who is leading the project denied it smacked of Big Brother.
‘I don’t think it is Big Brother to enforce the law,’ he said. ‘This system is cheaper than speed cameras and more effective at changing driver behaviour.’
A 12-month trial has already been carried out successfully on one Ford Escort. In the new project, some 80 drivers will be monitored in sessions lasting six months easch – checking their driving for a month before the limiter is switched on, for four months while it is on and then for one month without it.
Professor Carsten said: ‘We want to assess whether the system changes people’s driving habits.’
‘Once the system is switched off, they may feel so liberated that they drive like a bat out of hell.
Alternatively, they might be more aware of speed limits and be better drivers.’
Initial tests showed that drivers felt safer and had fewer near-misses with pedestrians or cyclists. Jonathan Simpson of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘We think the real danger is that this system would put motorists on auto-pilot rather than, in any way, thinking about their speed.’
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Just thought I'd post to see what people's feelings on this were.
not this old chesnut AGAIN! 
They can fcuk off.
Besides. Who would knowingly buy a car with such a dangerous device in it. Market forces should ensure the death of such a dumb idea.
After all - if millions of people just said - I won't buy a new car - I'll stick with my old (unrestricted) one for a few more years - I think the Govt would have to back down or watch the death of the motor industry.
Knowing this lot of wnakers they'd probably let the industry die before they listened.
Oh and just to reiterate:
They can fcuk off.
Besides. Who would knowingly buy a car with such a dangerous device in it. Market forces should ensure the death of such a dumb idea.
After all - if millions of people just said - I won't buy a new car - I'll stick with my old (unrestricted) one for a few more years - I think the Govt would have to back down or watch the death of the motor industry.
Knowing this lot of wnakers they'd probably let the industry die before they listened.
Oh and just to reiterate:
They can fcuk off.
"Intelligent Speed Adaption"
What the
?
Whats intelligent about being able to drive everywhere with your foot to the floor, eh?
They can off if they think they are coming near my car to fit a "black box" or whatever.
When will this numptyism stop? Please lets hope this scheme does not anywhere.
What the
? Whats intelligent about being able to drive everywhere with your foot to the floor, eh?
They can
off if they think they are coming near my car to fit a "black box" or whatever. When will this numptyism stop? Please lets hope this scheme does not anywhere.
Trigger for civil war, anyone?
Let the fcukers try.
To quote Dee Schneider: "We're not gowna take it!"
I pray to Odin that the scum who are thinking up such schemes for society's further bondage are all taken in the night by that bloke with the big coat and large agricultural implement.
I hate their way of thinking so much it physically hurts.
Please, let them die.
Let the fcukers try.
To quote Dee Schneider: "We're not gowna take it!"
I pray to Odin that the scum who are thinking up such schemes for society's further bondage are all taken in the night by that bloke with the big coat and large agricultural implement.
I hate their way of thinking so much it physically hurts.
Please, let them die.
I know that it is research and hopefully they can objectively examine the data they get. I would hate that another 'safety' device be hijacked by the anti-car lobby and used against all reasonable and decent motorists...
But to put things in perspective - they aint going to force anyone to do this. My guess is that it will be introduced over a period of 5 - 10 years where it becomes a standard fit on new cars. It will also have an override switch so that you dont have to use it, only using it if necessary (like driving in an unfamiliar city for example). Plus it is unlikely that it will be mandatory for older cars. They have difficulty in forcing any additional costs, never mind the potential £200 for a box... just not going to happen... people would see it as a tax and kick whoever is in power at that time.... Though could see that some extreme drivers being forced to have the kit fitted due to a large number of speeding convictions...
Cheers,
Paul
P.S. Agree 100% with the comments from RAC man - it will put drivers on autopilot who will absolve themselves from any responsibility to drive carefully...
But to put things in perspective - they aint going to force anyone to do this. My guess is that it will be introduced over a period of 5 - 10 years where it becomes a standard fit on new cars. It will also have an override switch so that you dont have to use it, only using it if necessary (like driving in an unfamiliar city for example). Plus it is unlikely that it will be mandatory for older cars. They have difficulty in forcing any additional costs, never mind the potential £200 for a box... just not going to happen... people would see it as a tax and kick whoever is in power at that time.... Though could see that some extreme drivers being forced to have the kit fitted due to a large number of speeding convictions...
Cheers,
Paul
P.S. Agree 100% with the comments from RAC man - it will put drivers on autopilot who will absolve themselves from any responsibility to drive carefully...
Anyone for crashing these buggers into erroneously sited gatsos?
Can someone please explain exactly who is funding this research? If it's the motor manufacturers I'm not happy. Or perhaps our motoring taxes are being wasted on this big brother bollox and the Boffins at Leeds University should perhaps be redeployed onto something useful that will have an impact on saftey such as cutting hedges near junctions in the countryside.
DAZ
Oh yeah, they can do what the Don says.
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 8th April 16:36
Can someone please explain exactly who is funding this research? If it's the motor manufacturers I'm not happy. Or perhaps our motoring taxes are being wasted on this big brother bollox and the Boffins at Leeds University should perhaps be redeployed onto something useful that will have an impact on saftey such as cutting hedges near junctions in the countryside.
DAZ
Oh yeah, they can do what the Don says.
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 8th April 16:36
Podie said:
robp said:
Podie said:
It's RESEARCH. It DOES NOT mean that it will go into production. :sigh:
famous last words...!
I WORKED on the first project (undergrad on placement year)... trust me, it's RESEARCH
>> Edited by Podie on Tuesday 8th April 14:56
Fair enough! Is this the first test of its kind then?
presumably if it did become mandatory theyd only be able to check it come MOT time, or at the roadside - so just fit a switch on the power feed - can switch it on and off at will!
Also could make a good excuse if you get caught speeding - "sorry officer, i cant have been speeding - my car is limited and simply WILL NOT speed!"
Also could make a good excuse if you get caught speeding - "sorry officer, i cant have been speeding - my car is limited and simply WILL NOT speed!"
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