VIEW FROM
THE CHAIR
F rom 2022, all new road vehicles made in Europe (including the UK)
will be mechanically limited to 70 mph (110 kph), although there may
be some limited capability to accelerate out of danger, or overtake.
Perhaps, some years later, all older cars will be required to be fitted with
speed limiters. Any that aren’t will be very obvious to traffic enforcement if
they speed. The prime reason is safety, but the reduction in fuel
consumption and noise will have considerable environmental benefits.
All of the ‘sporty’ cars with spoilers, ‘aerodynamic’ styling, big tyres and
noisy exhausts are going to look a little unnecessary. It may be worth
considering how car design is going to change: 2022 is not far away.
Larger engines will be uneconomical, except for
those regularly carrying heavy loads or perhaps
going cross-country. Spoilers and the like will
disappear. They only become really effective at
speeds above 70 mph; below 40 mph they often
just add drag. Cars will cease to be a status
symbol. Safety and the internal design will become
more important than the external appearance.
Students like designing flamboyant cars. They are
going to have to find a new focus for their
imaginations. Car design courses need to consider
fuel economy, comfort, and the passenger
experience. Drivers used to pushing on will become
Slow food
(for thought)
How will passenger car speed limits affect design,
enquires Colin Ledsome CEng FIED
very frustrated, and the driving experience will have to be considered
carefully to regain satisfaction. The drivetrain can be configured for steady
speed cruising and local driving rather than acceleration, and so be lighter
and more efficient. Tyres, brakes and suspension systems will suffer less
wear and tear, so maintenance will be cheaper.
Soon, cars with automatic control systems will become more
commonplace. Vehicles may communicate with each other to reduce
clashes at junctions or form close-spaced convoys for more efficient use of
major roads. Fully automatic driving is still some years away, as long as
there are human controlled vehicles still on the road. Then, with cars
driving at the same speed in close formation, roads effectively become
very like railways!
Get Involved
If you would like to contribute to any discussions, write to:
Colin Ledsome
BEng MEng CEng FIMechE FIED MCMI FBIS MDS, Chair, at:
The Institution of Engineering Designers,
Courtleigh, Westbury Leigh, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3TA.
Or email: chair@ied.org.uk
4 www.ied.org.uk
/www.ied.org.uk
link