How Wireless EV Charging Works

[Harry Bloomfield]

She and her family are used to it, so don't really notice anymore, but whenever I go there I am very aware of fair amount of 'road noise, not primarily from engines but, rather, the loud 'clatter' of HGVs (which I doubt is much different at the two speeds we're discussing)

We are on, a residential street, quiet all of the time, except school time and train times, to/from the local station, with the rare HGV, and a 20 limit. Across the full width, we have shallow strip bumps. Driving at the limit, in my car, over the strips, they are unnoticeable, go faster - and they do become more noticeable.

Most drivers obey the limit, but some ignore it, often I see the latter braking heavily for the bumps. Anything towing a light trailer too fast, will bounce the trailer in the air then it's quite noisy, or HGV's likewise. At the moment, due to electrification works on the railway, we have rail replacement coaches up and down. Sometimes these race up and down, at up to 40mph, which is very intimidating, and dangerous on such a road.

 

[JohnW2]

We are on, a residential street, quiet all of the time, except school time and train times, to/from the local station, with the rare HGV ...

In that case, do I take it that 'traffic noise' would not really be a significant issue even if the speed limit were still 30 mph?

 

[JohnW2]

... Fewer casualties. ....

It's very difficult to get useful statistics about this ...

In 2023, there were more than 5 times fewer deaths on 20 mph roads than 30 mph ones (90 vs. 478) and over three times fewer total casualties (20.027 vs. 65,754.

However, the figures 'would inevitably show something like that', wouldn't they, given that there are far more 30 mph roads than 20 mph ones? From those figures alone, one really can't conclude anything about which of the speed limits is 'safer' (in terms of deaths and casualties).

 

[morqthana]

Across the full width, we have shallow strip bumps. Driving at the limit, in my car, over the strips, they are unnoticeable, go faster - and they do become more noticeable.

Most drivers obey the limit, but some ignore it, often I see the latter braking heavily for the bumps. Anything towing a light trailer too fast, will bounce the trailer in the air then it's quite noisy, or HGV's likewise.

Which is why, IMO, the idea of 20mph zones rather than just 20mph limits, is flawed. Zones use physical features to reduce speeds, such as road humps, the idea being to make the zone "self-enforcing" so that speeds naturally fall to around 20mph.

But such measures are ugly, expensive, and when ignored can be a nuisance to residents. And a problem for, for example, ambulances on emergency calls which might validly need to go at more than 20mph.

I don't see what's wrong with using cameras, ANPR, and penalties to enforce speed limits onto drivers who simply will not cooperate. Of course education, PR, "bringing people along" with reduced speed limits, etc are better than sticks, but for the refuseniks - fines and penalty points, please, not humps and chicanes on the roads.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

In that case, do I take it that 'traffic noise' would not really be a significant issue even if the speed limit were still 30 mph?

Yes, there has been a very noticeable difference, since the limit was introduced, for those who obey the limits, versus those who ignore it.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, there has been a very noticeable difference, since the limit was introduced, for those who obey the limits, versus those who ignore it.

There surely was never much of a 'noise issue', even with the higher speed limit, given that you live on "... a residential street, quiet all of the time, except school time and train times, to/from the local station, with the rare HGV..", was there?

... and, when there are regular noise issues, one rapidly comes to subconsciously 'ignore' ('not notice') it. Way back, I lived only about 50 yards from a very busy bit of the (above ground) underground in outer London. For the first few weeks, we were very aware of the noise, but thereafter "didn't even notice it" (but visitors dis ). I may be soon (if it's ever completed!) have a similar experience, since my present house is only 100 yards or so from the path of HS2!

 

[JohnW2]

I don't see what's wrong with using cameras, ANPR, and penalties to enforce speed limits onto drivers who simply will not cooperate. Of course education, PR, "bringing people along" with reduced speed limits, etc are better than sticks, but for the refuseniks - fines and penalty points, please, not humps and chicanes on the roads.

I don't particularly disagree with any of that but, in contrast with the situation with higher speed limits (which may reflect views about the 'safe speed' for a particular road at any time), I do think consideration should be given to whether 20 mph (or even some 30 mph) ones should necessarily always apply "24/7". There is plenty of precedent for restrictions (e.g. parking, lane usage etc. ) varying with time of day and day iof the week.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

... and, when there are regular noise issues, one rapidly comes to subconsciously 'ignore' ('not notice') it. Way back, I lived only about 50 yards from a very busy bit of the (above ground) underground in outer London. For the first few weeks, we were very aware of the noise, but thereafter "didn't even notice it" (but visitors dis ). I may be soon (if it's ever completed!) have a similar experience, since my present house is only 100 yards or so from the path of HS2!

Then perhaps I am more sensitive to noise (I know in fact that I am), and I do notice speeds. I am likewise 100 yards from a mainline, in a cutting, I can just about hear the trains, but I definitely always feel their passing.

 

[JohnW2]

Then perhaps I am more sensitive to noise (I know in fact that I am), and I do notice speeds. I am likewise 100 yards from a mainline, in a cutting, I can just about hear the trains, but I definitely always feel their passing.

Fair enough - we all vary, and it would be a very boring world if we didn't.