Carbon emissions and speed bumps
On this island, Kauai, there are many, many, speed bumps all over. Some make sense, like near Wilcox Hospital, and Weke Road in Hanalei.
On the other hand, there are communities that have obnoxious speed bumps in excess. Take Princeville roads, for example.
Two roads stand out as worst speed-bump examples. (1) Lei ‘O Papa Road and (2) Liholiho Rd. These two are most hated by the ambulance drivers. No matter how slow the ambulance goes, the poor patient is jolted. Serious back injuries are further inflamed. I had personal painful experience a few months back in the ambulance.
Carbon footprints
First a vehicle applies the brakes to slow to a crawl, then the suspension is over-flexed on the sharp bump, and finally, the vehicle speeds up again. Brakes have carbon discs, which emit carbon particles into the atmosphere. Accelerating, burns extra fuel that adds carbon to the atmosphere. So between braking and accelerating, each of many thousands of cars, are unwittingly adding to the atmosphere’s carbon footprint.
Main thoroughfares
Still using Princeville main thoroughfares, for examples, the bumps are not as severe as Leo ‘O Papa and Liholiho. However, the cars and trucks travel faster and use more braking and accelerating than slow-moving side roads.
On Kahaku (main) Road, watch the huge buses and diesel trucks decelerate to the speed bumps, and then pour on heavy black exhaust smoke to accelerate. This, on every bump from Kuhio Highway to the St. Regis Hotel.
Add thousands of passenger cars and trucks throughout Princeville. And to what reason? To slow down the speeders? I have watched from the intersection of Liholiho and Kahaku Rd. as very fast speeders “jump” the speed bumps. Fun for them. Mostly tourist rental cars?
In the UK, there are cameras located wherever speeders are expected. Often, they are moved around and are camouflaged. A speeder is photographed, and mailed a speeding ticket fine. Why not here? Cut down carbon emissions and save drivers wear and tear on their brakes and suspensions.
If we can go to the moon, we can surely use our NASA moon technology!
Alan Faye (Retired NASA engineer), Princeville
