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Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

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Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#21

Post by blincoln »

Xylakant wrote: post #13
naraniano wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's see if you shed a tear when a car breaks and city hall (this is, all the citizens, including you) has to pay for it.

These are installed in areas with speed limits at walking speeds. So if you're driving fast enough to damage your car and then seek damages, the best thing will that might happen is that they'll laugh you off. The worst thing is that you'll loose your drivers license. (No tears shed either)

Maybe where you live. In the Seattle area[1], speed bumps are frequently installed on residential streets where the actual limit is 25-30 miles per hour (40-50 kilometers/hour using non-legacy units).

It's typically done in "problems areas" where a small number of people drive 25-50% or more over the limit, but it's extremely frustrating, because it forces drivers to drive way below the actual limit when crossing the speed bumps - especially if they're the bolt-down kind. i.e. the effect is to cause irritation for ~99% of drivers in order to punish a tiny minority.

[1] I'm sure it happens elsewhere in the US, too.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#22

Post by Jyaif »

naraniano wrote: post #2

Being Spanish, I know someone will stab those with a knife or a screwdriver the first day they are installed. That someone might even be me. I mean I'm happy they are proud of their invention but, please. Don't make me laugh.

And that's why we can't have nice things.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#23

Post by naraniano »

ricardobeat wrote: post #14
naraniano wrote: post #2

Being Spanish, I know someone will stab those with a knife or a screwdriver the first day they are installed. That someone might even be me. I mean I'm happy they are proud of their invention but, please. Don't make me laugh.

How many public lighting bulbs and metro card readers have you broken recently? Those are all more fragile than this.

None, because nobody hates lighting bulbs or metro card readers, while every driver hates speed bumps.

Well, maybe not all drivers, but one driver who hates that damn speed bump that he has to drive over every day is enough to make that baby bleed. :)

I'm just being realistic. I've lived in an impoverished area all of my life and I know how things here work. I'm saying what I honestly believe would happen with these.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#24

Post by bfung »

Can someone enlighten me on why we need a smarter speed bump?

If cars going too fast are going to be damaged either way, there's no benefits on that end.

If the motivation is that cars can go slightly faster overall over the bump to reduce traffic... then don't put a bump there!?!?

Slow traffic will still be slow?

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#25

Post by astrobase_go »

amenod wrote: post #19
hirsin wrote: post #8

A student startup built something similar for potholes, which i think is a better use of the tech (1). Essentially road repair crews could carry a couple bags of the fluid and drop the bag into a pothole, where it would confirm to the shape of the hole while stiffening on impact from the tires. Unsurprisingly this was invented in Cleveland. 1. http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-04/bouncy-thic...

> Unsurprisingly this was invented in Cleveland. For us uninitiated - why? Quality if the roads there?

the roads in and around the cleveland metro area have high traffic loads; undergo long periods of fluctuating cold temperatures during the winter; and get nailed periodically by lake-effect snow and ice.

as such, they experience lots of freezing and thawing, experience high traffic from lots of tractor trailers and snow plows, and get coated with de-icing materials (salt, or more recently sand-based grit in some areas). synergistically, these conditions are extremely rough on paved roads, so potholes are ubiquitous and painful.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#26

Post by Xylakant »

blincoln wrote: post #21
Xylakant wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are installed in areas with speed limits at walking speeds. So if you're driving fast enough to damage your car and then seek damages, the best thing will that might happen is that they'll laugh you off. The worst thing is that you'll loose your drivers license. (No tears shed either)

Maybe where you live. In the Seattle area[1], speed bumps are frequently installed on residential streets where the actual limit is 25-30 miles per hour (40-50 kilometers/hour using non-legacy units). It's typically done in "problems areas" where a small number of people drive 25-50% or more over the limit, but it's extremely frustrating, because it forces drivers to drive way below the actual limit when crossing the…

So if this kind would be installed, then they'd be soft at regulated speed and only solid at speeds significantly exceeding those. I doubt you'd be able to sue the city for breaking your car then - you have been warned. Still, no tear shed.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#27

Post by azinman2 »

bfung wrote: post #24

Can someone enlighten me on why we need a smarter speed bump? If cars going too fast are going to be damaged either way, there's no benefits on that end. If the motivation is that cars can go slightly faster overall over the bump to reduce traffic... then don't put a bump there!?!? Slow traffic will still be slow?

It’s so that when you go the appropriate speed you don’t feel the bump.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#29

Post by maxerickson »

exabrial wrote: post #20

Does it allow emergency vehicles to proceed quickly? :/ That's my main criticism of speed bumps

They are rarely placed where the prudent maximum speed is much above the posted speed.

I guess if there is a patient in fragile condition in the back of an ambulance that would be an issue.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#30

Post by _nalply »

naraniano wrote: post #2

Being Spanish, I know someone will stab those with a knife or a screwdriver the first day they are installed. That someone might even be me. I mean I'm happy they are proud of their invention but, please. Don't make me laugh.

Add a fine mesh and connect the mesh to electricity like a cattle fence. Insert screwdriver and... ZORCH! Muahaha.
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