The Swedish government is planning large-scale trials of
Intelligent Speed Adaptation--an offshoot of Intelligent Transportation Systems--in four
cities to promote its goal of "zero visions," which aims for zero traffic
fatalities on the nation's roads.
The ISA demonstrations, to be held in Borlange, Lidkoping,
Lund, and Umea, will involve more than 10,000 specially fitted vehicles between 1999 and
2001.
The Swedish National Road Administration will manage the
$10 million demonstration projects at the four test sites with the cooperation of local
authorities. A variety of techniques ranging from advisory messages to "active
throttle control" will be used to "inform or help drivers to adapt their speed
to the 30 and 50 kilometer speed limits" in urban areas.
SNRA has said it considers the upcoming tests as a first
phase designed to gain experience with "dynamic speed adaptation" technologies,
obtain popular support, take large test samples, and encourage small and medium
manufacturers to enter the market. European Union funding support is also being sought,
along with assistance from Sweden's export and trade ministries.
Different techniques will be tested at different sites. In
Borlange, for example, up to 1,000 vehicles will be equipped with urban speed supervision
and warning systems based on Global Positioning Systems and digital maps. Vehicles that
continue to speed after a warning has sounded will have the violation recorded.
Cooperating owners will get "speed guide": software fitted to a small on-board
personal computer linked with the GPS receiver to record vehicle speeds. The Swedish
Association of Local Authorities will conduct the local trial with technical assistance
from a transport electronics firm.
At Umea, the SNRA plans to equip 10,000 vehicles with a
dashboard speed-warning device. Roadside radio frequency beacons will transmit speed
limits and warning to the dashboard instrument. The city and the local university will
cooperate on the project.
The Lund site will test "active accelerator
pedals" that will allow speeding vehicles to "coast through" speed
restrictions, but will prevent the driver from accelerating. The plan is to equip about
1,500 cooperating commuter vehicles with the device. Speed cameras and speed bumps will be
used in Lidkoping, along with a dashboard warning system.
SNRA intends for the large-scale trials to demonstrate
that "voluntary systems can have a positive effect on the road traffic system, that
users accept the system and are willing to pay for it, and that the relevant authorities
will support the necessary infrastructure."
Return To International Focus
Some of these pages may include links to documents in the Adobe PDF format. Please download the Adobe PDF reader if you have not already done so.
