In the next few weeks the Long Leys community is likely to catch its first sights of SID, the Speed Indicator Device that will be used to encourage drivers to reduce their speeds on Long Leys Road and in the West End. SID will also be used to collect traffic speed data, allowing LLRA and WERA to have evidence to support any suggestions on further road improvements and/or police enforcement activity.
SID will be rotated around five locations in Long Leys and potentially three in the West End. The unit is likely to move location every 3-4 weeks. A map at the bottom of this article shows the Long Leys locations. Three of these are existing signage posts, which are in the process of being raised in height to allow SID to be mounted on them. A further two locations (L3 & L4 on map) will require installation of new dedicated mounting posts. Specific mounting points in the West End will be finalised and installed in the next few months but are likely to include West Parade and Hewson Road. Sometimes SID will be used just for collecting speed data, rather than displaying driver speeds, so don’t be surprised if SID sometimes doesn’t respond to your vehicle going past.
Once the system is installed at each location, community volunteers will be trained on how to move the SID and recharge its batteries when needed. LLRA anticipate there will be a learning curve, as LLRA and volunteers gain better familiarity with operating the SID and its software package. We will also be exploring the optimum length of time to keep SID in one location.
The project is being led at LLRA by Jackie Ward who can be contacted at jackie.ward@long-leys.org.
Background: SID is NOT a speed camera and does not collect any information to identify individual drivers. Research shows that SIDs are effective in reducing vehicle speeds, especially amongst those drivers who are well above the speed limit.
A 2015 study for Dorset County Council showed that the number of drivers above 35 mph (the APCOA guideline for penalty enforcement) dropped from around 40% to 20% and that there was a 5mph drop in speed for the fastest 15% of drivers. The conclusion of the report was: “It is clear that by deploying the SID unit on and off over long period maintains a steady reduction in vehicle speeds. The behavior of drivers exposed to this intervention was positively influenced; even during the weeks the SID unit was not deployed, possibly because drivers weren’t sure when to expect the SID unit to return.”
What Others Are Saying: