Coffee in the Square

Road Charging

As insomnia gripped the other night I had the good fortune to catch a very good discussion about road charging on the World Service. World Business Review It took as a starting point that the British government is laying the groundwork for what could be the boldest traffic management scheme ever undertaken. They stated the fact that opposition to road pricing is fierce in Britain as elsewhere, angry motorists seeing themselves as defenseless targets of a government plot to extract a new tax, while making them pay for their own surveillance. There has been a great surge of opposition on the government's website.  However I don't think this translates as opposition.  Its just fear of the new.  Most people I know who live in Central London welcome the congestion zone, and those who live outside welcome the improvement in buses.  if its modal shift we are after - then its clear that the congestion charge is successful.  Bus travel in London has increased by 37% in the last five years and London is the only world city where car transport has not increased; the decrease in the congestion zone being balanced by an increase outside the zone.

It is clear that traffic congestion is s global issue for congestion is a waste of time, money and energy as well as a completely unnecessary contributor to global warming.

In the programme leading international road transport academic, Professor Stephen Glaister of Imperial College, London, and the London transport authority; former British Transport Minister and candidate for mayor of London, Steven Norris; high tech transport expert Jason Barnes, editor of ITS International; and newspaper columnist, traveller and former member of parliament, Matthew Parris discuss the outlook for road pricing.

While I don't agree with what everybody said, I felt this was a sane discussion between people who understood the problem and had spent a considerable amount of time considering the solutions.  Stephen Glasiter has also very kindly offered a link to his own pamphlet National Road Pricing: Is it fair and practical? and if you want to sign the governments petition to support road charging then go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Road-Charging/

Riding the Green Wave

A couple of experiences last week, one exhilarating and one demoralising has got me thinking about queuing theory in urban design.  Today is the start of the road pricing extension, which I hope works, though I am not too pleased about the prospect of seeing a lot more Chelsea Tractors in my part of Westminster.  When the experiment started a few years ago congestion in my part of town - I live within the old C zone - went down by 30% and for a brief an enjoyable moment I considered starting to cycle around town again!  The streets around here (Fitzrovia) became quite quiet and we even sent a petition to Westminster Council asking them to consider making a home-zone around here.  But of course they refused to countenance such a lefty idea. 
However a little known aspect of the congestion charging has been the fact that Transport for London has changed all the traffic lights around the edge - so that traffic flows more easily round the perimeter routes.  Euston Road, which bounds the congestion zone to the North has (I'm sure of it) been converted to a green wave.  On Friday I had the pleasure of riding that wave all the way along to the A40.  I don't know how they do it, but if you go at about 30 miles an hour along the road you are likely to receive green lights all the way along.  Now children, this does not work during times of congestion and even though some people say that it also works at 60 miles an hour I would not risk the ticket or the injury!  But at 30 miles an hour on a relatively clear day it is one of the small pleasures of London life!
The unpleasant experience of queuing theory was waiting in the freezing cold for my 10.00am appointment until 12.30pm outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square.  I got so angry at one point my mind went back to the anti-Vietnam riots in the square in the sixties.  I was sorely tempted to start one - but I was wearing my high heels so thought better of it and just  made polite conversation with my fellow queue members.  How is it that one of the so-called most civilized nations of the world have such trouble administering a queue that happens the same way every day?  If the 10.00am appointments don't really need to get there until 12.30 why not call it a 12.30 appointment? 
So for anyone who has the misfortune to need an American visa here are my top tips.
1. Book an appointment a few days ahead because the prelims take time.  e.g. you will need a 50mm square picture and to receive fill out , print out and return by email a form from the embassy.
2. Take the 8.00am appointment if at all possible and arrive at 7.30 - thus eliminating all queuing (I suppose)
3. Failing that arrive at the appointed time - make sure the man in the yellow jacket has ticked you off his list - and then toodle off to Oxford Street for a bit of shopping, meet your friends for coffee or have your hair done.
4. However resist all temptations to purchase anything as they don't let in mobile phones, liquids and all your metalwork (including belt buckles) has to be visible in a plastic bag.  There were a lot of embarrassed men in the queue with decidedly drooping drawers!
5. Check and double check that you have everything with you, including passport, photo, copy of form, copy of appointment letter, receipt for visa fee, letter from employer saying they want you to come back and any other salient proofs required.  However I didn't have a letter from my employer (me!) but they let me in anyway.
In true British fashion my queue was good humoured and I'm sure that people make friends for life sometimes.  But it sure is a bad reflection on the lack of organisation or the lack of care on the part of such a powerful nation.  if you really don't want to queue take a stick and gray your hair ......... or better still borrow a wheelchair from somewhere! 
However while we are talking about queuing there are times when bunching people up is just the right approach from an urban design point of view! Take for example the shopping street.  In most cases people tend to design these streets too wide but there is nothing more off-putting than a windy street scene.  In my view it is often the narrower the better.  For example St Christopher's Place located just off London's Oxford Street has an opening that must be less than a meter wide, but it is extremely popular and its little square at the back is always packed at all times of the year with people enjoying the quite and sheltered street life that it offers.  Dublin (above) is also a case in point, its narrow side streets, about 2.5m wide at most are far more attractive than its main shopping streets, and the better shops have tended to congregate in these lanes.

The Selfishness of People -Road Pricing

So Downing Street's website is jammed with people complaining about road pricing.  Being a citizen of London and subject to central London's congestion charge - I really can't see what all the bother is about.  True, we in London have excellent public transport and so we are used to leaving our cars at home and using the bus/tube/train.  Also the standard of living in London is high so we can afford public transport which is admittedly costlier than driving.  And here is the nub of the issue.  Drivers currently don't pay the price of their road use or their environmental impact.  Other modes of transport are economically incomparable.  If we want a brighter future we should learn that we all have to make sacrifices in order to achieve it.  This rush to complain of road pricing is just selfishness.
People who live in the countryside should not despair.  These country roads are not overcrowded and the environmental impact of their use is not great.  A short trip to a transport hub should be the order of the day. At the same time the costs associated with smaller, greener cars should be less than the gas guzzlers.  (Benefiting the less well off)
Remember you may have a car now and enjoy its use.  But we will all grow old and at some stage you will be forced to give up driving.  How then will you get around?
I have received a positive response from Westminster Councillor Harvey Marshall, who agrees with me about pedestrians raw deal in Westminster. See my post Feb 9th Westminster's Folly  Unfortunately he tells me he is no longer my councillor and that Cavendish Square is neither in my or his ward - so I suppose we are back to square one.  No news from the New West End Company or the Developers!

Westminster's Folly

Parking in central London can be expensive and a drag.  But I have nothing against small green cars and even these need somewhere to park.  So underground car parks like the one in Cavendish Square just behind John Lewis and Oxford Street should provide a model for other developments.  This was rather miraculously built after the war, managing to maintain the fine Plain trees which now sit on top of the spiral car park.  (There is a similar car park in Russel Square which is one of the oldest squares in London - but that is a double spiral!).  Even on a gloomy day like today Cavendish Square provided a green respite from central London's hustle and bustle.

However the car park itself is gloomy and needs sprucing.  And the square, which is potentially beautiful, is cut off for pedestrians by roads on all sides.  I think that Westminster councillors must hate pedestrians.  They certainly have a fear of pedestrianisation and here the roads and footways have been configured so that there is NO WAY to access the gardens except by taking your life in your hands across traffic lanes.  There are no pedestrian crossing or lights. 
Yet the roads around here are only local distributor roads.  There is no need for traffic around here to go fast!
The New West End Company have obviously recognised the problem and in 2005 they conjured up a scheme with adjoining landowners Marchday Group PLC who are the freeholders of the square.  But since what is reported to have been a positive consultation nothing more has been heard.
It is simple schemes and partnerships like this could progressively improve central London, but Westminster, one of the richest of London Boroughs drags its feet.
What New West End Company realises, and what Westminster Councillors should understand is that Oxford Street is losing out to the dead - but admittedly convenient - hand  of places like Bluewater.  Central London has no God-given right to remain central.  The website gives no credits to the designers of the proposals.  (They probably were not paid anything!)

I'm sending this article to New West End Company and to my councillor - I am a Westminster ratepayer.  So we'll see what response we get.  (If any)

Green Cars 3 The Urban Mover

No I know its not a car - but it can fold into one!

This must be the future for urban travel as we all get a little older and in need of a little bit more puff.  The Urban Mover is a Cheltenham company who have perfected the lightweight battery.  This bike, which works as an ordinary pedal bike has a rechargeable battery which cuts in when you flake out.  It detects the torque or pressure you are expending on the pedals and adds more power as the pressure increases.  Its got a range of about 40miles if you pedal and takes about 4-6 hours to charge up at night.  Its got six speed of gears and it only weighs 22.5KG.  I've found them at £699.00 for sale over the Internet. Go to Urban Movers Website for more info.  There is a very good comparison chart and don't forget to catch the video clips of the Gadget show and an Aussie TV report, both of which really sell the machine.  Now that's a lot cooler than any of the electric cars I've so far reviewed.  I'm off for a test ride!

Green Cars 2 The Chevy Volt

This concept car was launched at the Detriot motor show last week.  Its Chevrolets answer to the increase in petrol prices that have shocked the states.  But in true US style this car may not be the green machine that it seems.  OK it seems that you can go 565 miles per gallon - now that sounds cool, but read the small print and you will find that the batteries can be charged by running the petrol engine while stationary.  Er... I thought we were trying to save fuel - not just convert it. 
However the concepts do sound similar to those of the Toyota Prius, so why do we have to wait until 2010 to see this car on the road and why is its design so vile.  Can a car not be green and beautiful?
However one little problem for people like me who park their cars on the street - no electrical sockets around!

The car uses something vcalled the E-Flex Drive System this is what GM say about it.

Concept Volt utilizes the GM-patented E-Flex Propulsion System to bring you an electric drive vehicle that can run on various sources of energy. It consists of:

• Electric drive system
• Range extender: 53 kW direct engine-mounted generator and 3-cylinder 1.0L Turbocharged, intercooled internal combustion engine
• Dual (left- and right-side) charge ports
• Onboard battery pack
• 12-gallon fuel saddle tank

Running Gas-Free
Concept Volt uses an E-Flex Propulsion System to run gasoline-free. A 16 kW hour lithium ion battery connects to a 53 kW direct engine-mounted generator. This powers the electric Traction System which in turn drives the wheels.

Recharging
There are two charge ports: one on each side between the front door and front wheel. To recharge, simply plug Volt into a 110-volt, 15-amp outlet — the same kind you have in your home. It takes about six to six-and-a-half hours to fully recharge. Then you can drive up to 40-miles on pure electricity.

Charging As You Go
If your battery needs to be charged while driving, the generator will automatically work with the 1.0L Turbocharged gas engine to begin recharging the battery pack when depleted. It all happens seamlessly while you're concentrating on getting to your destination.

Quick Charge
If you don't have the time to leave Concept Volt plugged in to fully recharge or don't have access to an outlet, the vehicle can also begin to charge itself while in PARK with the engine running. The range-extending engine and generator will do all the work.

Using Fuel
An onboard 3-cylinder 1.0L Turbocharged, intercooled internal combustion engine allows you to keep driving when your electric battery needs to be recharged. This range extender can be configured to run on gasoline, E85 or biodiesel. The model shown will use gasoline or E85 interchangeably and can hold up to 12 gallons of fuel.

Additional Benefits

• 120-kW electric motor is equivalent to a 160-hp engine
• Instantaneous torque in electric mode means acceleration faster than traditional torque curve in certain gasoline-powered engines
• 0–60 in 8 to 8.5 seconds
• Battery life is about 10 years

See what Top Gear say

Green Cars 1 The Toyota Prius

This is Max Mosley a very rich man in a car that costs under £20,000 - and why?  Because its a hybrid car working on electrical power and petrol only when required for high speeds.  The Toyota Prius seems to be fast becoming the hybrid car of choice because of its normality.  It doesn't look as funky as a Smart car neither is it as poky as those little electric things which buzz around London.  And of course for London these cars are great because they are exempt from the congestion charge.  The car runs at slow speeds on electricity only gearing into dual power when speeds or acceleration require it.  In fact on the open road its the electrics that gives the extra boost for acceleration.  In towns the quiet engine uses only electrical power. Though some users report that the quietness of the car can be a problem as jaywalkers just don't know you are creeping up behind them!
Surplus power from the petrol engine and from the wheels charge up the batteries - a bit like a bike.

Vital statistics:
PRICE: £17,495 to £19,995
ENGINE: 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine delivering 76bhp, with 50kW electric motor delivering 67bhp, driving front wheels via automatic transmission.
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 10.9sec, top speed 109mph.
ECONOMY: 65.7mpg average, 56.5mpg in town.

Here are a couple of useful links if you want to find out more:

Mr Max as interviewed by the TimesToyota Prius