[TheForge] OT - The science of driving.

Tue Jan 20 10:22:04 2004

why?

dan tull
georgia
abba, afc, S.C. psba, obg,sofa
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce Freeman" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 8:47 AM
Subject: [TheForge] OT - The science of driving.

I know this is way off topic, but I also know there are folks here who could
contribute to this idea...

On the way to work this AM, I noticed how stupid some drivers seem.  Then I
got to wondering about it and decided that maybe they just don't KNOW any
better.  It occurred to me that drivers are required to learn the laws
before getting a licence, and the manuals they study to do so may discuss
braking distance and so forth, but the manuals never go into the physical
principals involved.

So here's a proposal:  Write a manual of the science of driving.  Include
all topics from physics, etc., that would aid a driver understand why he
should or should not behave in such and such a manner.  Make the science
rigorous, but nonmathematical.  Give some numeric examples, where
appropriate, but let it go at that.  The manual should be easy reading,
along the lines of a Reader's Digest article (but longer).  A child should
be able to understand it * 5th grade reading level.

What I would envision is to put together a little booklet, comparable in
size to a typical state's driver's manual.  Get the thing endorsed by the
National Traffic Safety Council, and other relevant groups.  Get one or more
states to agree at least to pass out the booklet, or, preferably, to add one
or two questions to their drivers test that could be learned from the
material in the booklet.   Find corporate or other sponsors to cover
printing costs for a first (LARGE) run of copies.  Do a test distribution in
one or more states.

Topics I see as relevant:

From physics:
Static versus dynamic friction (relevant to: brakes, braking, tires, skids,
acceleration)
Newton's first law (relevant to: cornering, skids)
Mass, Inertia, kinetic energy, momemtum (relevant to: acceleration, braking,
collisions, driving behavior of large and small vehicles)
Force and impact force (relevant to: seat belts, collisions, injuries from
collisions)

From chemistry and materials sciences:
Deformation of elastomers (relevant to: tires, friction, braking)
Phases of matter (relevant to: water & ice, winter driving, effect of salt
and sand)

From physiology:
Human reaction time (relevant to: braking, following distance)
Human attention and distraction (relevant to: distractions vs. background
entertainment in the car)
Human blind spot (relevant to: blind spots, collision avoidance)
A minimal discussion of human anatomy (relevant to: seat belts, injuries in
collisions with and without seat belts)

Reactions?  Interest?

Bruce
NJ

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