Speed buzzer reins in taxi drivers

14 Mar 2016

A loud warning tone activated when speeding, has triggered a dramatic improvement in minibus taxi driver behaviour. Researchers at Stellenbosch University's department of electronic engineering have evaluated the efficacy of an audible warning system in improving speed compliance by long-distance minibus taxis.

©Mark Atkins via 123RF

"The speed-triggered warning tone had a positive impact on speeding behaviour for taxis," lecturer Dr Thinus Booysen said. He conducted the study with Nelson Ebot Eno Akpa, from the same department, and Professor Marion Sinclair, from the department of civil engineering. They received support from MiX Telematics, TomTom, and MTN.

Booysen said the warning tone was set to activate after driving above 110km/h for 10 seconds, and that before activation, the mean speed of 40% of trips were above 120km/h and 85% above 110km/h.

Although the speed limit for taxis is 100km/h, many drivers think it is 120km/h. Booysen said the researchers decided on 110km/h to make sure there was not too much resistance to the warning system.

"We tested the tone at two volumes" one that could be drowned out by loud music, and one that could not be ignored.

Speeding reduced significantly

"The impact of the loud speed-triggered warning tone on speeding is significant "usually, for 72% of the trips the taxis spend over 80% of each trip over the speed limit," Booysen said. "With the loud warning tone, this figure was reduced to only 20% of trips."

"The mean speeds of all of the trips completed were below 120km/h, and only 40% of trips had a mean speed above 110km/h." Drivers reverted to their normal driving after the warning tone was deactivated.

"The speeds driven during the warning tone activation led to a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency, which means a driver can increase his remuneration for the return trip between Cape Town and Mthatha by more than R1,000," Booysen said. " - TMG Digital

Source: Herald

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