How many cars contain one person traveling?
24=one occupant/driver
11=more than one occupant
6=cyclists
Time 1000-1300
Place Portsmouth/Hilsea/NorthEnd
Journey 3 miles
Date 8 September 2010 (Wednesday)
35 cars. More efficient usage could have taken this down to about 18 cars, this level of sole occupant usage is bad news for a congested city such as Portsmouth. Basically single occupancy cars use such a high proportion of the road 'resource'. Its not fair.
15% cycling usage. Well, it is raining, probably explains the low turnout.
Methodology:
Count (1) private cars with one occupant, (2) cars with more than one occupant, (3) cyclists, all in the oncoming lane.
Do not count commercial/working vehicles (vans, taxis, cars with stuff written on them).
Wednesday 8 September 2010
Friday 3 September 2010
Car Sizes
It seems to me much of the problems with have with car transport don't stem just from the numbers of cars on the road, but also from the changes that have taken place in car design, and car usage.
Size of cars
Physically cars have tended to become much wider over the last 5o years, about 18% wider. Other dimensions have not tended to increase as much. Although engine size has tended to increase, engine efficiency is much higher, and fuel consumption has probably decreased. Width however is a problem on UK roads. Increased car ownership and use also means increasing on road parking, further narrowing roads. Wing mirrors (an excellent safety feature) also add to vehicle width.
We have seen that the number of cars operated with one person inside is currently high, 60-70% of vehicles, each of these cars in effect takes up four times more space than a car carrying passengers. Cyclists and other road users become more of a problem for drivers because the increasing width of cars make roads increasingly narrow.
Size of cars
| 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |
| Model | Cortina Mk1a (1200cc) | Vauxhall Viva (1256cc) | Ford Sierra (1242cc) | Ford Mondeo (1796cc) | Ford Focus (1596cc) |
| Width | 62.5" | 64.75" | 67.8" | 76.4" | 72.4" |
| Length | 168.5" | 163" | 155" | 179.4" | 170.7" |
| Wheelbase | 98" | 97" | 98" | 106.5" | 103.9 |
Physically cars have tended to become much wider over the last 5o years, about 18% wider. Other dimensions have not tended to increase as much. Although engine size has tended to increase, engine efficiency is much higher, and fuel consumption has probably decreased. Width however is a problem on UK roads. Increased car ownership and use also means increasing on road parking, further narrowing roads. Wing mirrors (an excellent safety feature) also add to vehicle width.
We have seen that the number of cars operated with one person inside is currently high, 60-70% of vehicles, each of these cars in effect takes up four times more space than a car carrying passengers. Cyclists and other road users become more of a problem for drivers because the increasing width of cars make roads increasingly narrow.
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Private Transport Efficiency
How many cars contain one person traveling?
52=one occupant/driver
25=more than one occupant
24=cyclists
Time 1000-1300
Place Portsmouth/Hilsea/NorthEnd
Journey 5 miles
Date 1 September 2010 (Wednesday)
101 cars. More efficient usage could have taken this down to about 38 cars, this level of sole occupant usage is bad news for a congested city such as Portsmouth. Basically single occupancy cars use such a high proportion of the road 'resource'. Its not fair.
24% cycling usage. Highest for some time.
Methodology:
Count (1) private cars with one occupant, (2) cars with more than one occupant, (3) cyclists, all in the oncoming lane.
Do not count commercial/working vehicles (vans, taxis, cars with stuff written on them).
52=one occupant/driver
25=more than one occupant
24=cyclists
Time 1000-1300
Place Portsmouth/Hilsea/NorthEnd
Journey 5 miles
Date 1 September 2010 (Wednesday)
101 cars. More efficient usage could have taken this down to about 38 cars, this level of sole occupant usage is bad news for a congested city such as Portsmouth. Basically single occupancy cars use such a high proportion of the road 'resource'. Its not fair.
24% cycling usage. Highest for some time.
Methodology:
Count (1) private cars with one occupant, (2) cars with more than one occupant, (3) cyclists, all in the oncoming lane.
Do not count commercial/working vehicles (vans, taxis, cars with stuff written on them).
Private Transport Efficiency
How many cars contain one person traveling?
33=one occupant/driver
09=more than one occupant
05=cyclists
Time 1005
Place Southsea
Journey 2.5 miles
Date 31 August 2010 (Thursday)
47 cars. More efficient usage could have taken this down to about 17 cars, this level of sole occupant usage is bad news for a congested city such as Portsmouth. Basically single occupancy cars use such a high proportion of the road 'resource'. Its not fair.
10% cycling usage. Lowest for ages.
Methodology:
Count (1) private cars with one occupant, (2) cars with more than one occupant, (3) cyclists, all in the oncoming lane.
Do not count commercial/working vehicles (vans, taxis, cars with stuff written on them).
33=one occupant/driver
09=more than one occupant
05=cyclists
Time 1005
Place Southsea
Journey 2.5 miles
Date 31 August 2010 (Thursday)
47 cars. More efficient usage could have taken this down to about 17 cars, this level of sole occupant usage is bad news for a congested city such as Portsmouth. Basically single occupancy cars use such a high proportion of the road 'resource'. Its not fair.
10% cycling usage. Lowest for ages.
Methodology:
Count (1) private cars with one occupant, (2) cars with more than one occupant, (3) cyclists, all in the oncoming lane.
Do not count commercial/working vehicles (vans, taxis, cars with stuff written on them).
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