SPEED ON BENDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 10

SPEED ON BENDS

NEW SAFETY SIGNAL DEVISED An automatic signalling device, which seems to possess definite possibilities, is now being tested thoroughly in Baltimore, United States. Recognising that many drivers are unaware of the speed at which they travel around curves, the inventors of this new device have designed it to ensure that motorists observe a safe | speed. The apparatus is electrically operated on lines similar to the system I used in some automatic traffic signal* employed at intersections. It consists ot three major units -an illuminated road sign, which shows the safe speed for negotiating the turn, a traffic light with two faces suspended ; high above the centre of lhe road, and showing two illuminated discs facing the traffic travelling in each direction, and a sound detector which is embedded in the road in such a way that motorists must pass over the sound chamber. This sound chamber is retangular in shape, and it contains a microphone, which picks up the sound of the tyres passing overhead and converts the sound waves into electrical impulses. These arc conveyed by wires Io a timing mechanism, which in turn operates the signal lights suspended c?ntrally over the road at the danger point. Operation of Signal. If the motorist passes over the sound detector at the sale speed as shown by the illuminated sign at. the side of lhe road, the trathe light will turn from red “Stop'' to amber- “ Slow" before he reaches it, thus informing him that he may proceed. Should the driver cross the sound detector at a dangerous speed the indicator will remain red, and he will have to stop and wait lor a predetermined 1 ime--presumably set by automatic mechanism within lhe de-vice--when the signal light will change to amber, and he may go ahead. Failure to lake notice of the

warning conveyed by the signal wiU result in a heavy penalty. Another feature of the device is that when a line of slosely following cars approaches the sign at the prescribed safe speed, the signal will dis- > play the amber light until a gap occurs, then it. will revert to red. The habit of many motorists of cutting blind corners is recognised in another feature ot this new signal, for I the detector in the other approach tp 5 the curve warns motorists of the approach of cars from the opposite dirJ ection. The device thus allows motorists to negotiate the curve at only the safe i speed, and also warns them of vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Distinct Possibilities. Most of the fatal accidents in counI try districts arc caused by drivers, I i often unwittingly taking corners too , | fast, so that their cars are thrown off 'I the road by centrifugal force. It is considered that this new signal, in principle, is a very important, contriI but ion to the task of making the highways safer, and it will be interesting tr sec the result of the very careful I trial to which it is now being subI I jecled. I Presuming that it does everything . | claimed for it, the only objection to its extensive use on country roads seems to be the obvious one of ex- | pensc. It would be hoping for 100 I much to see it. in use on every blind main road corner. There are, however, certain notoriously dangerous curves where its use would be a very ' great blessing to the motoring public.