Wednesday 11th February 2004

Collision Detection

SMMT urge Govt to pull finger out and allocated a dedicated radio frequency

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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is urging the Government to allocate the 24GHz ultra-wide short wave radio frequency for use by motor manufacturers as soon as possible.

They want to reserve the frequency for use by car manufacturers as part of collision detection systems.

Manufacturers in the UK and across Europe have already developed collision warning systems that rely on 24GHz. However, their introduction has been delayed by the Radio Communications Agency (RCA) which believes there are possible interference issues with current users, including radio astronomers and short wave radio enthusiasts.

United States Federal bodies have already reviewed interference and compatibility issues and given their approval for automotive radar use.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented, 'The government's Road Safety Strategy aims to cut road accidents by 40 per cent by 2010. Key to achieving this target is the significant investment manufacturers have made in developing active safety systems that prevent accidents happening. Collision detection sensors that use 24GHz wavelength are an important part of the package .

'The technology is ready to roll, now the Radio Communications Agency must give us the frequency to use it' , he added.

[Sgt^Roc]

holy cow could it will be a major conflict with current speeding policy, particularly when these systems start start recording "averted crashes" where the real accidents take place eg not where speed cameras are, what the comfort of a few radio hams worth when lives are there to be saved.

[fast westfield]

Or the radar said it was safe to overtake on the blind bend.........not

[neon_fox]

So the manufacturers spend zillions implementing new collision avoidance technology as mandated by govt policy and pass on the costs to the consumer as part of the price of a new car.

Where have we seen this before? Airbags. And the world is a _much_ safer place now we have airbags.

Alternatively, the govt could try and educate drivers and improve the driving standard from it's currently appallingly low levels, but then I guess it's much easier to pass legislation than it is to do something genuinely useful...

[gfun]

Simple extra gizmo on car = more expensive car = more tax even for people who don’t get scameraed.

[Le TVR]

The 'conflict' is that they dont have equipment available on the EU frequency band. The cheapskates just want to avoid more R+D. US has allocated 24GHz and EU is 77GHz.

Maybe its that they would interfere with the 24GHz band speed detector equipment (now that would be ironic).

(Or maybe no-ones told them that the RA dont exist anymore......)