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2 Tech., L. & Ins. 1 (1997)

handle is hein.journals/tnlylwad2 and id is 1 raw text is: Technology, Law and Insurance, 1997 2, 1-7 Safety technology, law and insurance of the 'free-flow' transport concept SZCZEPAN EDMUND ZAKRZEWSKI Post Office Box 506, Proctorville, OH 45669, USA Received 23 October 1996 There is increased national activity in the development of future transportation systems, and there is a major focus on automating the highway/roadway system. The obvious reasons are to enhance safety, increase capacities, and reduce environmental and energy impacts. This paper reviews the current problems in automated transport systems in relation to safety, (appropriate) technology, law and insurance. An innovative alternative transportation system; the 'free-flow' concept is described, and the conclusion lists the superiority of the 'free-flow' concept in relation to safety, technology, law and insurance. Keywords: automated transportation system, 'free-flow', transport safety Introduction Since the transport system has so many failure and liability potentials, this paper will address some of the aspects of the free-flow concept in relation to safety, technology, law and insurance (STLI). Intelligent vehicle-highway systems (IVHS) stra- tegic plans (USA) are an exciting step to improve our surface transportation (traffic) systems. There are impressive numbers of professionals, indus- tries and agencies involved with these plans. Other well known similar plans are: DRIVE (dedicated road infrastructure for vehicle safety in Europe), PROMETHEUS (program for European traffic with highest efficiency and unprecedented safety), RTI (road transport informatics), GIDS (generic intelli- gent driver support), Japan's RACS (road/automo- bile communications system), AMTICS (advanced mobile traffic information and communication system), and VICS (vehicle information and com- munication system). Clearly, the world is moving forwards at a relentless pace, knowing very well the urgency to move people and goods more quickly and safely. The goals are typically: 1 to improve the safety of surface transporta- tion; 2 to increase the capacity and operational effi- ciency of the surface transportation system; 3 to enhance personal mobility and the conve- 1359-9372 © 1997 E & FN Spon nience and comfort of the surface transporta- tion system; 4 to reduced environmental and energy impacts of surface transportation; 5 to enhance the present and future productivity of individuals, organizations and the economy as a whole, and 6 to create an environment in which the development and deployment of IVHS can flourish. Let us examine these goals individually from the safety, technology, law and insurance (STLI) points of view. 1. The objective 'to improve safety' includes the reduction of fatalities and injuries. To achieve the goals, plans are underway to automate the high- way system through vehicle guidance systems (platooning vehicles into convoys), establish auto- matic vehicle identification (AVI), traffic manage- ment centres, design sensors to maintain collision avoidance, install vehicle information and route guidance (on-board visual displays), and automate vehicle tracking (steering and vehicle spacing). This sophisticated system would be interlinked with satellite communication services. A simple STLI response to this system is as follows. (a) If anything fails electronically, the potential property and human loss could be cata- strophic. Therefore, very sophisticated fail-

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