BIKE: Re: And now for something completely different

[Michael Zakes]

not to mention that the extra accidents will slow traffic as well so they
can get around the police/fire/ambulance. ;}

and British drivers tend to be much better trained as well as more used to
cyclists in general, so I'm not as sure we'd have as good a result here

Michael F Zakes, prop.
Waterloo Cycles
2815 Fruth
Austin TX 78705
512.472.9253

"I think the burden is on those people who think he didn't have weapons of
mass
destruction to tell the world where they are."

Ari Fleischer, on July 9, 2003.


mail


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Wimsatt" <awimsatt>
To: <forum>
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 1:51 AM
Subject: BIKE: And now for something completely different


>From The Scotsman

Andrew

-------------

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.


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