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BEHIND THE LINES EVSC - Network Article November 2002

External Vehicle Speed Control (EVSC) one of the most  talked about issues in transport circles today but what's it all  about?

First to throw the proverbial spanner in the works I'll mention  Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) and  not forgetting Telematics.

These systems all have some form of EVSC included in their adaptation of speed controls even EVSC has several variants mixed up like a well-shaken bag of Dolly Mixtures.

If we forget for a moment, ITS, ISA, Variable EVSC, Fixed EVSC, Dynamic EVSC, Advisory EVSC or  Driver Select EVSC and concentrate solely on the basics of EVSC.

EVSC is a system that provides a vehicle with information on the speed limit for  the road being driven on which provides the capability for  automatic limitation of vehicle top speed to the current limit.

Now  lets go through that piece-by-piece.

System: Electronic devices fitted  taking control away from the driver or rider.

Information: Transmitted to a vehicle via a network of roadside transponders or Global Positioning  System (GPS). Development of Differential Global Positioning System (dGPS)  enhanced with a broadcast correctional signal to give more accuracy on vehicle positions and speeds.

Speed Limit: Knowing the speed limit and distance that applies where the vehicle is driving, through a continuously updated speed database. The position is obtained through a GPS receiver in  the vehicle or via a network of roadside transponders.

Speed Limit for  the Road: Onboard computer compares the co-ordinates from a GPS receiver or  roadside transponders on vehicle speeds with a digital map onto which the speed limits have been entered.

Automatic Limitation: Reducing the speed by limiting the throttle response or applying the brakes. Developing a convoy  system for vehicles.

Using approximately twenty vehicles Leeds University is heading trials of EVSC adapted vehicles in the UK, which is due to start  early in 2003.

There is more than a rumour of a motorcycle fitted with  various speed controls being stabled at Leeds. Despite asking through MAG's membership of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) no invite has been forthcoming to inspect the bike to see what lies in wait for the rider.

MAG recently joined ITS United Kingdom as an associate member representing riders from the inside of technical developments and protecting against the philosophical ideals of a fully controlled road  transport system.

Compared to the UK's meagre testing of vehicles Sweden*  has recently completed a "favourable" three-year trial in four towns using  ten thousand drivers as willing volunteers on the future of fitting of mandatory speed controls in vehicles.

So delighted are the Swedes that a possible scenario has been set out for the introduction mandatory speed  adaptation.

By 2004 state subsidies for voluntary installation of ISA, introduction of dynamic speed limits (responding to conditions on the road network).

By 2009 regulations on ISA being standard in new vehicles, standardisation within the automotive industry for ISA to be able to work all over Europe.

2010 being the point in time when ISA will be a mandatory  standard in all new vehicles.

By 2014 public opinion is favourably disposed to regulating its mandatory use.

2015-2019 an entirely  undramatic decision is passed that ISA will be mandatory in Sweden. Several  EU countries will adopt the same decision, large parts of Europe have resulted in a large number of telematic services such as traffic information,  navigation, a number of so-called "mayday" functions, etc having been  connected to the ISA systems.

By 2024 in principle 100 percent of the  European road network is covered, road authorities have established traffic management centres (TMC) from where all vehicles on the road are constantly being kept updated about necessary route guidance, traffic information and any restrictions.

By 2025 all vehicles are by law connected to a TMC,  road managers will gradually dismantle all road signs since all necessary information is displayed for the driver in vehicles used for travel or  transport.

Frightening scenario? Vehicles and drivers controlled and  monitored throughout Europe but where does the motorcycle fit into this  grandiose proposal?

We are at a technical crossroads the majority off  the motorcycling population aware of what seems to be a simplistic problem of  technical speed control fitted to motorcycles, which will eventually be  overcome by science.

The central and fundamental purpose of EVSC and the  associated systems is not just technical speed control but control over individuals, control over your vehicles, control over your movements, control  over your live.

It seems the horsemen of a technological apocalypse are  riding over the horizon and are heading this way as EVSC matures to overcome the technical problems with scientific solutions.

The last horse is in a stable at LeedsUniversity lets keep it locked away in its stall.

MAG's EVSC petition based on the Mulhouse Declaration has been  signed by thousands of vehicle drivers and is still available on the MAG and Network web sites.

Copies will be available at the MAG stand at the Motorcycle and Scooter Show NEC Birmingham as we prepare to take the campaign  forward.

Come and meet us at Stand T120 you will be surprised!!!!

*The Swedish report is available in a PDF file at www.vv.se/isa

Sign the Mulhouse Declaration Here