BIKE: And now for something completely different

[Andrew Wimsatt]

 From The Scotsman

Andrew

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July 31, 2004
Illusion of danger a radical way to cut speed
Alastair Dalton, Transport Correspondent
The Scotsman

ROADS could be altered to appear more dangerous to drivers in a radical 
new attempt to slow down traffic without the need for speed bumps.

Streets would be remodelled to deliberately increase uncertainty in 
drivers’ minds, as part of the novel psychological approach to cutting 
vehicle speeds.

Government-funded researchers believe the measures could have the same 
effect on motorists as road humps.

They include narrowing roads, blurring pavement edges and removing 
white lines from the middle of roads.

The researchers said the changes would prompt drivers to automatically 
slow down because they would fear straying on to the edge of the road 
or risk a head-on collision.

Trees could also be planted on the edges of roads to break up 
sightlines.

Experts at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) believe the measures 
could cost much less than speed humps, which are hated by many drivers 
and residents.

Such physical obstructions are disliked because of the increased noise 
and vibration they cause, and the potential damage to vehicles and 
discomfort for passengers.

Janet Kennedy, who led the research, said that more complex road 
conditions reduced vehicle speeds because drivers had to think more and 
they perceived accident risks as higher.

She said: "Perceptual techniques which make the environment seem more 
complex or less safe have the potential for success.

"Natural traffic calming, such as narrow or winding roads, can be very 
effective as well as being more acceptable to drivers.

"Carefully-designed schemes, using the properties of natural traffic 
calming, have the potential to achieve a similar effect."

The research, funded by the Department for Transport, has been tested 
on a driving simulator and the TRL now hopes to start trials with local 
authorities.

Elements of the technique have already been pioneered in parts of 
England.

These include the removal of central white lines on suburban roads in 
Wiltshire, which cut accidents by a third.

The introduction of "self-explaining roads" in four Norfolk villages 
also involved removing lines.

The TRL research has been generally welcomed by motoring groups.

Mark McArthur-Christie, the road safety spokesman for the Association 
of British Drivers, said: "We are massively in favour of this because 
there are very few downsides. It is quite an elegant approach to the 
problem."

Sue Nicholson, the head of campaigns for the RAC Foundation, called for 
a trial of the scheme in Scotland. She said: "It makes drivers act more 
cautiously and removes their safety net."

Neil Greig, the head of policy in Scotland for the AA Motoring Trust, 
said such schemes could work in some areas, but must be properly 
maintained. He said: "In specific locations where speed-related 
accidents are a problem and traffic calming would be unpopular, I can 
see it being welcomed by locals and drivers alike. It must not be seen 
as a cheap option though and any new features would have to be 
maintained to a high standard. All too often such schemes are 
implemented and then neglected by cash-strapped councils."

The Scottish Executive said it would consider the results of the 
research.