HC Deb 16 December 1975 vol 902 cc622-4W
Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what experiments are being made in the case of the device known as AWARE to vary the intensity of light in the warning panel; and what study has been made in this regard on the effect of oncoming headlights.

Dr. Gilbert

The present prototype design of AWARE provides for several levels of intensity. At relatively small cost, control could be achieved from the roadside or from inside the car. The legibility of in-vehicle instruments at night is not regarded as a major problem, but research is currently in hand on the best colours and lamp intensities under different lighting conditions.

Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether road information transmitted aurally will be transmitted in more than one language; which language will be used in Wales; how long it will take to transmit the average message; and, if more than one language is used, what effect this will have on the provision of roadside transmitting stations and on their cost;

(2) whether it is intended that all vehicles shall be obliged by law to fit electronic warning devices, such as RITA and AWARE, when they are perfected; when he estimates this date will be; and what will be the cost to the private motorist and to public funds;

(3) what progress is being made in the problem of bringing to the notice of motor cylists information electronically disseminated to motor cars.

Dr. Gilbert

I cannot say how soon these systems will be perfected. The time-scale depends on the progress of the collaborative project in Europe to which my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Carmichael) referred in the Adjournment debate of 26th June. He then indicated that consideration was being given to a jointly financed public demonstration of developed examples. It has since been agreed that the case for a demonstration will be collectively reviewed in two years' time, and that relevant research work will meanwhile be pursued on a relatively limited scale.

In these circumstances it is premature to give close consideration either to the use of alternative languages in an aural system, or to the effects of electronic systems on motor cyclists. We do not at present contemplate making the use of in-car systems compulsory. Costs to provide motorists would be about £10 for RITA and about £15 for AWARE. The public costs per mile installed would be around £3,000 for AWARE and £5,000 for RITA in one language, over and above the cost of the external signals at present being installed on our motorways. These figures reflect present work, but will of course need revision with the passage of time.—[Vol. 894, c. 981–92.]

Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards he will build into devices, such as RITA and AWARE, to ensure that they are always operational.

Dr. Gilbert

Though no guarantee can be given of the serviceability of any technical equipment, modern electronic data transmission techniques should ensure a high degree of reliability in the roadside equipment. The reliability of the in-vehicle equipment should be comparable with that of a car radio, and its state of serviceability would be obvious to the user. Essential information would of course continue to be displayed on external signs.