Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sheep in the city

A new generation of robotic road-user is increasingly incapable of acting according to context, relying instead on traffic signals. The new breed of pedestrian is unable to cross the road diagonally through slow-moving traffic. They make everything stop. Like rooks … Continue reading

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Cyclists and cabbies

Green would-be Mayor, Jenny Jones, complains about taxi-drivers yelling abuse and cutting her up when she’s cycling. I always find cabbies on the ball and courteous. Of course I don’t get under their feet at junctions; I go on opportunity, … Continue reading

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Traffic control = child abuse

By telling children to beware motorists when it should be the other way round, and by forcing toddlers to learn age-inappropriate road-safety drill, the traffic control system amounts to institutionalised child abuse.

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Control or trust?

Supporters of speed cameras wonder why drivers can’t just observe the rules. We don’t object to just regulation, but as long as traffic policy is based on the unjust system of priority, it must be challenged. Commenting on electoral reform, … Continue reading

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Red light Ken

Ken Livingstone says (ES, 7.4.11), “We now know that at least 4,000 people die prematurely every year because of poor air quality.” Bizarre that it has taken him so long to wise up to this well-known fact. Under his watch … Continue reading

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Sweet FA?

The FA demands respect when it should be earning it. How can you respect an organisation that fails so abjectly to adopt umpiring techniques that have been available since the advent of TV action replay? In the same way, how … Continue reading

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Heavy duty control

No doubt traffic engineers puff with pride at their ability to apportion equal green time to the multiple movements at interchanges such as Vauxhall Cross and Trafalgar Square (6 secs per min). Does it bother them that their complex algorithms … Continue reading

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Google + Equality Streets v the TCD

High on Google’s list of good management tips is “empower your team and don’t micromanage.” If the TCD (traffic control dictatorship) had a list, its core directive would no doubt be the polar opposite, along the lines of “stamp on initiative, … Continue reading

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No traffic controls = civilised streets

Below is a link to some early 20th-century footage shot from a tram progressing along a US city street teeming with people on foot, horse-drawn carts, motor vehicles, trams – all human life is here, in all its beautiful, harmonious … Continue reading

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Today and Ed – joint shame?

The Today Programme’s big interview this morning was Ed Miliband. So now we know what Labour would do about the deficit. Or do we? All I gleaned was that Ed would spread cuts over four years, “and go out and ask the people … Continue reading

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