Alderman Marti Zucco said today that “Technology can play a serious role in road safety for cars, cyclists and also motor bike users”

Over the past 18 months I have been investigation and Idea and also discussing this with a number of stakeholders and believe that this idea could go a long way in assisting in the issues that we have with cars and cyclists on our roads.

State Government has a proposal for a one meter distance to be adhered to when cars and cyclists are on the road. How this can be policed or who is at fault is questionable to say the least. All I can see is the legal profession heavily involved in litigation on whether it was one meter or less.

This idea will go a long way towards assisting in determining distance and also providing a warning that a cyclist and car are at an unsafe distance.

The idea is in two parts; part one is what I am calling “bike Safe” and parts two is “road Safe”

The idea is basically using an “Ultrasonic Distance Sensor” The Technology is readily available and comes in various forms and all that would be required is to be adapted for this use.

The idea is to have a sender on a bike and a receiver on a car placed at the appropriate point in which a “ping” or sound will be heard inside the car when a cyclist is within the set distance.

What would be required is legislation to ensure that all road users must have sensors installed whether it is a receiver or sender.

The question will be asked who will pay for this and that is a debate that needs to be had should this idea be pursed to reality.

These sensors cost at an average of around 20 dollars each and of course would require installation but I would envisage that a specifically adapted design purchased in bulk could see the item cost reduced.

What needs to be taken into account is not the “cost” of the device but is a life or someone being hurt more important than having a device that could assist is seeing less accidents on our roads? The Bike safe sensor could also be installed on motor bikes and assist in the blind side of cars.

Part two being “road safe” and looking at the big picture in that left side reflectors on Highways could be adapted as senders to assist cars veering left off the highway to also installing senders on the centre road strip to assist in the same process whereby the technology could be that when a cars blinker are on it disconnects the Highway mode within the car.

Part two is something that would require the State or Federal governments to investigate further but the “bike safe” should be developed in conjunction with Councils as Councils are heavily involved with bikeways and should take some responsibility in the safety of all road users.

In conclusion “We need to find solutions to making our roads safer implementing laws is only a step but as we live in a technological era so why not use technology to further assist in road safety no matter the cost as what price can we put on a life and all the associated costs of accidents”

Alderman Zucco further added “I will take this matter to Council for consideration and now we have a challenge to the Tasmanian techno’s to see if they can make it happen”

Link to one type of Sensor “ping” technology

http://www.parallax.com/product/28015
MARTI ZUCCO – City of Hobart – Alderman http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Home Personal Web: www.martizucco.com.au Facebook; martizucco – politics