Seeing Through SPECS

The speed camera is once again being sold as a magic answer to road safety, reincarnated as SPECS average speed cameras. SPECS cameras were installed on 32 miles of the A77 in July 2005. 3 years later we have the familiar 'before' and 'after' claims. 3 years prior to installation there were 13 deaths and 52 serious injuries, 3 years after installation the figures dropped to 7 and 34 respectively. The total number of accidents fell 19%, average speeds have fallen by 5to 6mph, and the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit fell by 66%.

Accompanying camera installation were a number of significant safety engineering measures including: selective road widening and re-alignment, passing lanes, improved junction layouts, improved signing and lining, and educational programmes.

Now, which measures will get the credit for casualty reduction? Cameras or engineering/education?

Geoff Hoon, Sunday Times 9th November 2008:

In an interview with The Sunday Times he indicated that many so-called "spot" cameras, which measure speed at a fixed point, could be replaced by the new average-speed cameras, which he claims are fairer and encourage safer driving.

"Spot speed cameras are seen by some people as unfair because when you are driving along you perhaps don't notice your speed," Hoon said.

"What is interesting about average-speed cameras is that [limits] are largely observed by motorists."

Geoff Hoon, BBC Breakfast with Frost, 02/02/2003:

GEOFF HOON: It is absolutely clear that we must remove the weapons of mass destruction from control by Saddam Hussein - that is our primary purpose. Those weapons of mass destruction present a real threat, not only as we've seen in appalling circumstances to the people of Iraq and surrounding regions used in Iraq's invasion of Iran, but also to the safety and security of the world. As the Prime Minister has said, we know that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, we equally know that if he goes on with their possession they could easily fall into the hands of terrorists and be a direct threat on the streets of London, anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Fatal Crash at Speed Camera Site, Birmingham A452

Birmingham Evening Mail, 31 October 2008: Teenager Dies in Chester Road smash

Birmingham Parking Policy Consultation

Birmingham City Council is developing a new Parking Policy. Over time, the Council has developed a number of separate policies to deal with parking. This strategy is intended to bring together and update existing elements of the City Council’s Parking Policies including the Unitary Development Plan and Visions, together with recent changes in national legislation, so as to be a comprehensive approach to managing on street and off street parking, provision, control and enforcement.

The parking policy will provide the policy framework for effective parking management, which is supportive of the City Council’s strategic objectives for integrated land use and transport planning, environment, social inclusion, economic prosperity and regeneration: all important elements of sustainable development.

The policy document deals with:

Parking for people with mobility difficulties, including the Blue Badge scheme
Non-car modes such as cycles, powered two-wheel vehicles, buses, coaches, taxis and lorries
On street parking supply and charges
Off street parking supply and charges
Park & Ride
Enforcement
Supporting Measures such as Travelwise and Car Clubs

In addition, the document includes the city's draft parking standards which will be used for planning purposes in determining the appropriate level of car parking provision in new developments. These will become part of the City's Local Development Framework and will be consulted on formally in 2009.


There's a short online questionnaire here.

or fill it in and post it to:

Parking Policy Consultation
Transportation Strategy & Development
Birmingham City Council
FREEPOST NEA 14876
PO BOX 37
Birmingham
B4 7BR

Consultation will close on 31 December 2008.

New Device Reduces Need for Motorway Closures

Professor Peter Haycock and Dr Matthew Hocking have invented a device which detects rusted metal in concrete supports under motorways and bridges.

It will allow construction firms to scan concrete for evidence of corrosion, without having to close the road for inspection.

Dr Hocking said: "I have spent many hours sitting on the M6 over the years, so I would be pleased if we helped to do something about it.

"The machine can tell the amount of rust in steel, therefore we can scan over an area without having to take the concrete off and have an idea about the condition of the steel underneath.

The technology is ideal for planning projects that would have meant stopping the traffic on the motorway."

Dr Hocking and Prof Haycock, founders of Keele-based SciSite, first developed the technology for the EMAD – an Electro-Magnetic Anomaly Detector – 12 years ago.

It was first used to check for rust on wheels.

But they started researching its use with reinforced concrete five years ago, and are now ready to launch a version of the machine for the construction industry.
EMAD uses a probe on a trolley which is held up to concrete posts and reveals corrosion levels.

And SciSite says technology currently used does not accurately document the amount of corrosion which can leave roads closed for days because concrete supports have to be opened up for investigation.

The company, which is based on Keele Science Park, is currently seeking investment to build dozens of the machines to lease them out.

The Sentinel: 'New device means no jams tomorrow'