speed limit a waste of time, effort?

http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/april09/speedlimit41009.html

MANHATTAN -- Kansas gravel roads have varying speed limits, but a study by Kansas State University researchers shows that instead of abiding by those limits, people are more likely to use their own judgment to gauge how fast they should drive on the roads.

D: that book "Traffic" had an alternative solution.

Instead of wide lanes, clear of obstacles to the sides, instead make the road seem narrow and hemmed in. Drivers who ought to drive 50kph will only do so when the road only *feels* safe at 50.

I think one city created an extended different-coloured faux gutter that seemed to eat up a coupla feet of road width.

There is the issue of making room for fire trucks.

I wonder if we could use more but smaller trucks for 'burbs.

ocean unexpected source of sulphur dioxide

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090401.wshipping01/BNStory/International/home

The proposal was made public on Monday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which said the move could save up to 8,300 lives annually in the two countries because of the large number of premature deaths caused by smog and other air contaminants from ships

Ships are big polluters because they burn a low quality, asphalt-like fuel laced with impurities such as sulphur left over from the refining process after cleaner items, such as gasoline, are produced. "It's basically garbage that's being sold as fuel," said Beatrice Olivastri, chief executive officer of Friends of the Earth Canada. The shippers are "using our atmosphere as a free garbage can," she said.

D: and after all that effort removing it from auto fuel.

A compromise that involves using dirty fuel on the high seas, but clean fuel near land could work.

brit police chief busted use blackberry during accident

http://i.gizmodo.com/5187752/police-chief-unintentionally-shows-that-blackberry%252Bdrivingcar-accident


D: here is a little food for thought.
If you MUST use a cell phone while driving, talk and don't text!
At least your eyes are on the road then.
Although your eyes will typically rest low and front in a neutral position, without actively scanning.
Don't kid yourself. Over prolonged periods of time, doing anything but driving will be a hazard.

I admit, I see runners and cyclists wearing earbuds.
That strikes me as a very poor career choice.

I hear some of the new electric cars are very quiet.
We are used to listening for engines.
Maybe they'll add a soundtrack loop of "vroom, vroom!"
[=

http://statastic.com/category/economics/negative-externalities/


Why Cyclists Should Love Shared Cars
Thursday, September 7th, 2006
Car-sharing is gaining popularity in cities across the United States. The idea is simple: car-share companies or cooperatives park hundreds of cars in convenient locations that any member can rent by the hour. Most car-share programs cost about $8 to $12 per hour, including gas, insurance and maintenance.
On the face of it, car-sharing is a economical and eco-friendly way to get around. Zipcar has about 40 members sharing each car in their national fleet. That’s certainly better than 1 car per person, right? Perhaps. If your goal is to reduce the total area dedicated to parking a vehicle, it does indeed free up valuable urban space. If, however, your goal is to reduce traffic congestion, smog, or reliance on fossil fuels, the jury’s still out.
Car Sharing Increases Mobility - and Traffic - Amongst Urbanites

D: lotsa pretty charts that break down the numbers.

Car sharing could make suburbs semi-viable.

Tree hugger had rebuilt burb streets last week.
It introduced carsharing and communal aspects into cul-de-sac culverts.

less lanes more safe - study

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/ip-srs032709.php


Hartford was the first US city to develop and implement a comprehensive citywide traffic calming masterplan. Included in the plan were the building of mini-roundabouts, curb extensions, speed tables, parking chicanes, bicycle lanes and the implementation of "road diets" in which excess lanes were eliminated from particular streets.

...

However, there were significant reductions in crash rates on three streets, Franklin, Main and Wethersfield, which the team explains was due significantly to the reduction in speed on these roads achieved by putting them on a road diet.
"Speeds at the study sites were reduced by up to six miles per hour, with an average reduction of three to four miles per hour," the team explains, "The road diets also prevented aggressive drivers from passing more prudent drivers, thus, eliminating one potential source of conflict."
-----------------

Lessons?
1) slower
2) less lanes means less passing.

We all know 50kph means 60-70kph.

I suggest
1) 40kph
2) meaning 50 tops.
That means lotsa traffic cops. Everybody hates them, but without a decent chance to get caught, the occasional speeding ticket just becomes 'the cost of doing business'.
I think up to 14kph over the speed limit does not result in demerit points, just a fine.
So busting somebody at 20kph over for 20 over would start to sting in a hurry...

study on ground level ozone

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311170627.htm

"Previous research has connected short-term or acute ozone exposure to impaired lung function, aggravated asthma symptoms, increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations, but the impact of long-term exposure to ozone on mortality had not been pinned down until now."

"World Health Organization data indicate that about 240,000 people die each year from respiratory causes in the United States," said Jerrett. "Even a 4 percent increase can translate into thousands of excess deaths each year. Globally, some 7.7 million people die from respiratory causes, so worldwide the impact of ozone pollution could be very large."

However, that same gas is toxic at ground level where it can be breathed by humans. Ground level ozone is formed through a complex chemical reaction in sunlight between nitrogen oxides (NOx), commonly spewed from vehicle exhaust, and industrial factory emissions.

D: if a coupla planes hit a tower and kill 4000, we declare war.
Well car accidents and car pollution have killed that many multiple times over by now.
Maybe we should pick a fight we can win?

Finns have serious traffic fines.

http://www.globalmotors.net/finnish-millionaire-gets-111888-euro-speeding-ticket/

OMG. That is about $200,000US for going about 30kph over the speed limit!

Though not popular, MORE traffic cops would deter speeding.
The odds of getting caught plus the punishment would deter.
Right now, people gamble.

Given that accidents are hugely costly to society, and represent a negative externality the driver does not pay, this merely evens the finances.