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> Level Crossing app: trialists required
Andy Capp
post Jul 1 2014, 04:25 PM
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This lot are looking for volunteers to try the level crossing app. I understand that it sends a torpedo every time you get held up by a train.


"Welcome to LevelX.info ! We are aiming to improve road users' experience of UK level crossings, starting with Thatcham.

Because the railway line is used by over 100 trains per day, the gates are closed over 40% of the time in the morning peak. There are also a lot of us : over 6,500 vehicles cross the railway each day. These two factors result, as you probably know, in a lot of queues and delays for motorists .

A bridge has been looked at several times, but for several reasons this is not likely to happen soon. So what more can be done ?

We're planning to build a driver information service which would alert you through a smartphone, website (PC, tablet or mobile), Twitter, or SMS when the gates are due to close - so you can time your journey to miss the queues.
Thank you to the 650 people who took the survey in September - this was a fantastic response ! The survey confirmed what an annoyance the crossing is, and that the information service we're proposing would be of interest to most people.

All being well, we'd like to start a free public trial within a few months. Please also help spread the word to your local friends and through Facebook and Twitter. Watch this space for further news over the next few months..."


http://www.levelx.info
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MontyPython
post Jul 1 2014, 04:51 PM
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How are you supposed to use the Tablet/Smartphone whilst driving?

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Andy Capp
post Jul 1 2014, 05:30 PM
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QUOTE (MontyPython @ Jul 1 2014, 05:51 PM) *
How are you supposed to use the Tablet/Smartphone whilst driving?

Like any other driving aid, including traffic reports, etc. You can also plan before you set off.
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MontyPython
post Jul 1 2014, 06:04 PM
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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Jul 1 2014, 06:30 PM) *
Like any other driving aid, including traffic reports, etc. You can also plan before you set off.


Indeed you can but I'm sure many will be encouraged to have another look and thereby not be in full control of their vehicle.
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Andy Capp
post Jul 1 2014, 06:09 PM
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QUOTE (MontyPython @ Jul 1 2014, 07:04 PM) *
Indeed you can but I'm sure many will be encouraged to have another look and thereby not be in full control of their vehicle.

That is true with all driving aids, from speedos, to satnavs.
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NWNREADER
post Jul 1 2014, 07:42 PM
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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Jul 1 2014, 07:09 PM) *
That is true with all driving aids, from speedos, to satnavs.


Speedos are a driving aid? I find them most uncomfortable to drive in.......
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Simon Kirby
post Jul 1 2014, 08:01 PM
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QUOTE (NWNREADER @ Jul 1 2014, 08:42 PM) *
Speedos are a driving aid? I find them most uncomfortable to drive in.......

What about on trunk roads?


--------------------
Right an injustice - give Simon Kirby his allotment back!
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MontyPython
post Jul 1 2014, 08:06 PM
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QUOTE (NWNREADER @ Jul 1 2014, 08:42 PM) *
Speedos are a driving aid? I find them most uncomfortable to drive in.......


...and I don't expect you would want to keep looking at them either!
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Biker1
post Jul 2 2014, 08:27 AM
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This thing cracks me up.
It can't possibly work!
You still have to get the same number of road vehicles and trains over the crossing in the same amount of time app or no app.
The chances of getting your timing right when you check the app as you leave home are very small, and, as we all know, you are not allowed to use laptop, tablet or phone whilst driving.
But anyway, should be an interesting trial and I and many others will be keen to see the result.
Good luck! biggrin.gif
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Andy Capp
post Jul 2 2014, 11:02 AM
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Knowledge is power. In any case, this is as good as it gets; no one else has a better and more practical idea to improve on the issue, so learning the 'safe' times is the best that can be done. The railways are gong to do eff all about it.

At least now when one is held up in the early hours of the morning one can see at a glance if it is going to be a fast train or a bloody chugger (like the Hanson trains which can keep you for what seems like ages) keeping you there twiddling your thumbs when you could have picked a different route.

It will be interesting what the people who will buy those expensive homes being built on the south side will think, they'll soon get peed off with queues outside their road every morning and night.
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Andy Capp
post Jul 14 2014, 11:58 AM
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I've installed the trial app.

It's interesting to see at a glance how often the barriers go down. It is not consistent, but you tend to get between 5 and 10 minute 'up-time' gaps, with trains seemingly taking between 3 and 5 minutes 'down-time', unless there's a multi train crossing. You also have to bear-in-mind how long queues take to disperse.

For me, however, just knowing how long one will be is a step in the right direction. Being sat there not knowing if it is a 'short' delay, or a multi-trian delay is half the frustration.

There's a short article on Meridian here: http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/20...evel-crossings/


I checked this up as well:

The Definition of Driving

"Under existing law a person may be regarded as "driving" a vehicle while the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary. The offence applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, but does not apply to pedal cycles."

http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/mobile_phones_2011.pdf
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Berkshirelad
post Jul 14 2014, 01:49 PM
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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Jul 14 2014, 12:58 PM) *
I checked this up as well:

The Definition of Driving

"Under existing law a person may be regarded as "driving" a vehicle while the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary. The offence applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, but does not apply to pedal cycles."

http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/mobile_phones_2011.pdf



Which is a pain in the proverbial. If I pull into a layby but keep the engine running (to keep the A/C running) I am, technically, in breach of the law.

Also, ROSPA should get an award for the statement of the bleedin' obvious. Of course, it does not apply to pedal cycles - they are not motor vehicles. In fact, the same applies of speed limits and a lot else that applies only to motor vehicles.
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Washwaterman
post Jul 14 2014, 02:18 PM
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6500 Vehicles a day now, how many will that be when Sandleford and the new estate at Thatcham are built?
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JeffG
post Jul 14 2014, 03:27 PM
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QUOTE (Berkshirelad @ Jul 14 2014, 02:49 PM) *
Which is a pain in the proverbial. If I pull into a layby but keep the engine running (to keep the A/C running) I am, technically, in breach of the law.

Also, ROSPA should get an award for the statement of the bleedin' obvious. Of course, it does not apply to pedal cycles - they are not motor vehicles. In fact, the same applies of speed limits and a lot else that applies only to motor vehicles.

I note that ROSPA would also like to see hands-free phones banned because they can cause a distraction. However they don't mention smoking, which involves holding something and potentially dropping a lighted cigarette - even more of a distraction, I would have thought! (I believe smoking in cars is banned in Australia, and probably other countries.)
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spartacus
post Jul 14 2014, 10:06 PM
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The fact that you can get pulled over and ticketed for eating an apple while driving yet a driver who is smoking is free to carry on is ridiculous

When they're lighting up they're taking their eyes off the road momentarily as they make sure they press the lighter up against the fag end rather than pressing it up against their nose and there's always the risk that the lit end drops off into their laps and
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Berkshirelad
post Jul 15 2014, 02:19 PM
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QUOTE (spartacus @ Jul 14 2014, 11:06 PM) *
The fact that you can get pulled over and ticketed for eating an apple while driving yet a driver who is smoking is free to carry on is ridiculous

I sympathise, but since I have full dentures, I need a knife and two hands to eat an apple - so I guess I'm breaking two laws... tongue.gif biggrin.gif
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