[sustran] Around the globe from MTR #196

[Paul Barter]

This is from MOBILIZING THE REGION (A Weekly Bulletin from the Tri-State
Transportation Campaign),  Electronic Edition Number 196 (November 13,
1998)


AROUND THE GLOBE

* Police in Dortmund, Germany are teaming up with
grade-schoolers to make motorists accountable for
dangerous, anti-social driving. In a concentrated week-
long push to spotlight safety around schools, police posted
radar speed detectors at schools, and stopped drivers
flagrantly exceeding the 18 mph speed limit. Instead of
receiving a citation, the scofflaws were escorted to a group
of fourth graders who read them the riot act.  The kids
plied the motorists with questions like: Do you know how
fast you were driving? Did you not see the speed limit
sign? The technique received high visibility in the press,
and because the program occurs at local schools, there is a
large chance that the students or teachers will know the
drivers. Though the motorists are publicly shamed, the
program creates positive reinforcement because it
illustrates the negative consequences of speeding.

* Police in some French jurisdictions are introducing law-
breaking motorists to people who have been paralyzed or
otherwise disabled in past traffic crashes.  The disabled
participants volunteer to spend a day riding with the
police.  The volunteers are presented to the apprehended
speeders, who are then better able to contemplate the
possible consequences of their actions at the wheel.

* Variable speed limits are in operation on part of the M25,
the orbital highway around London.  The policy is based
on the idea that at certain volumes, greater traffic flow can
be achieved by reducing speed limits.  The scheme is
enforced with cameras and large variable message signs
that tell drivers if the current limit is lower than the
standard 70 mph.  The project has been judged a success
in terms of congestion relief and accident reduction.

* In September, Copenhagen introduced a system to
minimize the amount of half-empty vehicles operating in
the city center. Trucks and vans must obtain a certificate
to enter the inner city and must be loaded to at least 60%
capacity while entering or leaving the inner city. City
officials hope that the program reduces heavy traffic by
30%. Amsterdam introduced a similar certificate scheme
in October with even more strenuous conditions -
vehicles must be loaded to at least 80% of capacity when
entering or leaving the city.