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.
[Source: Channel 4, Autocar | Image: Edward Barnieh Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 4:45PM (5/11/2009)
A pricey little system no doubt, but is it a good value for the taxpayers? Nothing but the best for the taxpayers!
Reply
MIke!!ekiM 6:48PM (5/11/2009)
Now if we get this in under the "mileage tax" label, we can use these GPS systems for "other things".
Reply
Bill 12:38PM (5/12/2009)
It sounds like this system will also prevent these vehicles from exceeding the speed limit briefly if needed to, say, avoid a vehicle running a red light.
Reply
Sean 8:19PM (5/12/2009)
reply below (sorry it screwed up)
Sean 8:18PM (5/12/2009)
Granted there are occasions where that would be desirable, can you honestly say that the slower response time of an accelerating engine would outdo the lightning-fast response of brakes in accident avoidance? Especially when talking about computer-controlled automatic transmissions that have a noticeable lag time (if you don't normally drive them aggressively...and if you do, well then you're just who this system was designed for!)
Reply