tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post2554202298174354211..comments2024-03-27T11:51:03.366+00:00Comments on The Ranty Highwayman: Why Is Twenty Plenty?The Ranty Highwaymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17361350433158148025noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-82912874095413987122020-12-24T13:31:53.342+00:002020-12-24T13:31:53.342+00:00Currently living in Munich where streets that are ...Currently living in Munich where streets that are largely for housing and small shops are 30 kph. Even in the out of the ring development the roads are narrow. There is room for two way traffic but parking is allowed, in many cases on either side, but not directly across from each other. You can't expect to do 30kph because you have to negotiate with oncoming drivers based on who is first and whose side the cars are parked. Between that and intersection right of way laws you rarely get speeding, or even sustained 30 speeds. Plus there doesn't seem to have a need for actual traffic enforcement.Ralphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384390989166582629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-11377227415399920552020-12-13T23:27:49.531+00:002020-12-13T23:27:49.531+00:00As I understand it, from government stats, 85% of ...As I understand it, from government stats, 85% of drivers, if allowed, will drive faster than the 20mph limit. This goes up to 90% at the weekend...ktachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17033087773589049696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-10259367170019444902020-12-13T15:37:24.600+00:002020-12-13T15:37:24.600+00:00Seems like a no brainer tbh, would be good to see ...Seems like a no brainer tbh, would be good to see some data from the Scottish Boarders on changes in speed and behavior following the blanket roll out of 20mph limits. Imo, 20mph limits in urban areas are a lot like parking restrictions, they can be painted and signed as such, but are they observed if not enforced or made more difficult through the introduction of infrastructure? (speed bumps, bollards etc.) 20mph speed limits are a police enforcement issue, which leads to a difficult decision for society, do we divert already stretched resources to enforce this rule, is there a bureaucratic knock on effect for police officers? Does a cost benefit analysis of this approach show it is efficient? Yes you cannot put a price on additional safety benefits, but will these benefits actually be realised in real world conditions? Are traffic calming measures required in order to promote this change, which I think is the case presently when introducing 20mph zones? <br /><br />Despite these issues, the general public can actually help with this problem, for instance on a one lane road all it takes is 1 driver to reduce their speed and all those behind are forced to follow by default. This is the case despite any formal introduction/change to existing speed limits. Painting 20 roundels on the ground and installing signage is not a magic wand that will save more lives, massive behavior change is required and anyone that drives in urban areas can help to contribute to this change right now! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828166865647185633.post-6877267337216414412020-12-13T14:31:07.849+00:002020-12-13T14:31:07.849+00:00You mention the cognitive overload as speeds incre...You mention the cognitive overload as speeds increase and there is a known tipping point for the brain to close down the focus on from peripheral vision to a more directional and narrower angle<br /><br />As speed increase the brain needs the assistance of clear road markings, and ultimately the risk management of a guided system, with higher levels of regulation (signalling, exclusive use of the moving space) - a railway - as speeds increase further<br /><br />There have been trials where road markings have been removed and without indicators of priority, and positioning drivers speeds drop, to around 18mph perhaps the evolved top speed for unassisted human movement - as the maximum running speeds for hom sap peak at around 20mph (a 4 minute mile = 15mph)<br /><br />With our ancestors running around at up to 20mph, little 'accidents' like running into trees, or falling over are the equivalent of crashes we might have in the modern world, with a body that has adapted to survive banging into things at .. up to 20mph. Those who were badly damaged in such crashes didn't breed, and so the body features we have today are of a robust package which can take the knocks and react to things happening as long as the speeds are under 20mph - some parts are even sacrificial 'fuses' that break or bruise rather then have damage to more critical parts - notably here the collar bone. It can also inform protective action in a crash - a foetal 'tuck' with the head against the chest, legs protecting one side, spine & rib cage the other, with arms crossed over the nape of the neck protects the brain with the rest of the body, or the feet hitting first, and the legs bending from straight to squat provides a natural shock absorber<br /><br />There might be some intersting analysis from minor cycle crashes to see whether this who have done judo, or a contact sport where people collide or fall over (or both) suffer fewer broken bones or other injuries, and from thisA V Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017321154956576544noreply@blogger.com