| Subject: |
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Re: INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT & HIGHWAY AUTOMATION |
| Name: |
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Cathy Huntowski |
| Date Posted: |
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Apr 15, 07 - 8:07 AM |
| Email: |
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chuntowski@new.rr.com |
| Website: |
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http://www.ldrlongdistancerider.com/motorcyclists_rights/bikersrights0705.php |
| Message: |
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-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Huntowski [mailto:chuntowski@new.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 6:55 PM
To: Bruce Arnold
Subject: Re: INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT & HIGHWAY AUTOMATION (In the grand scheme, is a place for motorcycles assured?)
Bruce - Thanks for your well researched and thoughtful article on
motorcycles and the ITS system. Ever since I attended my first
NHTSA-sponsored Lifesavers Conference in Cleveland, Ohio and asked an ITS
designer if motorcycles were being considered as the parts and technology
that rule the system were being developed I have been concerned about the
"deer-in-the-headlights" look that came over his face. You're absolutely
right that we need to be involved! The tough part is that it's not as easy
as tracking legislation. It involves tracking government research
contracting with private companies who develop this stuff and then test it
before selling it to major vehicle manufacturers. Just like ignition
interlock systems to deter convicted DWI offenders were only first available
only for cars, it has taken over 15 years of testing to come up with one for
motorcycles (though it hasn't proven safe enough to install yet from what
competing manufacurers said at this year's Lifesavers). There are those of
us that have been attending this and other conferences and going to trade
shows to see what new technologies are being developed and introduced by the
various vehicle manufacturers but it is the legislative arena that allows
the vehicle-traffic control interface to be used/mandated and that's where
we could have some effect. But - it's better to slow down or curtail the R&D
process and turn down or off- the flow of government sponsored research
money. I've said to many of my biker friends - just because we can do
something, does that mean we should? The same applies to the ITS system,
just because we can develop this system and all it's "Big Brotheresque"
components, does that mean we should. It really does chip away at privacy,
personal responsibility and basic rights when a cop can remotely shut down
your car's electronic ignition system, lock your doors and windows while he
uses his on-board wireless computer to check you and your vehicle out before
even approaching your car. (Heard this scenario described in a seminar last
year.) Guess what we need is to figure out a national and state-by-state
approach to curtailing the "if the government thinks it's good for me then
it must be good" type of thinking that the Gen Xers and younger seem to have
taken to heart (by no coincidence, the first generation to be seat-belted
their entire lives).
Well thanks for letting me ramble on - if their's anything besides staying
vigilant that can be done, just let me know, I've been screaming into the
wind on this issue for years but I'm not done yet!
Cat Huntowski
ABATE of Wisconsin, BOD member |
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