London begins testing GPS-enabled speed limiters

Transport for London has just begun testing a new technology that will artificially limit the top speeds of taxis, buses and government fleet vehicles. Called Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), the system will keep track of speed limits all over London and will prevent operators from accelerating past that legal limit. The device is capable of slowing the vehicle down regardless of the driver's wishes.

Alternatively, the system can be switched into an advisory mode that simply informs the driver when the speed limit has been reached. If these tests prove successful, it's likely that the ISA technology will be made available within the next 12 months to private motorists that wish to limit the top speed of their personal vehicles. So far, there's no indication that the government will mandate the use of the ISA system.

It's hoped that a large number of drivers will choose to equip their vehicles with the ISA technology. Transport for London believes that both accidents and road congestion would be drastically reduced, which would also have the desirable effect of reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/11/london-begins-testing-gps-enabled-speed-limiters/

or overtaking...

Seems to be the only way to get into a lane.

If you are going to modify the vehicle dynamics the operators needs to be trained.


For instance when I put my foot to the pedal - I mentally associate it with a certain response ... However if that response is going to vary - I better be prepared for it.

I think this needs to tested on a limited basis before being implemented systemwide

And, in practice, this being London, relatively few opportunities to pass people exist, especially at speeds above the legal limit. And the drivers will be ready for the response, if the technology works OK, anyway.

Like, what if you are passing someone and they suddenly speed up when a car is coming the other way. Your car won't let you go any faster and you may not have enough time to break and get back behind the other car.

There are times when quick acceleration is needed to avoid a bad situation.

What's the Brit's take on this? It seems like their country is having Big Brother take charge at an alarming rate.

Every time we talk about smaller engines- someone claims that his "hemi" (whatever) has saved his life. Probably because he was passing someone who was going the speed limit when he noticed the harvester in his path.