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From: mart@utcsrgv.UUCP (Mart Molle)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Fast driving... Another way to save fuel
Message-ID: <3170@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 21-Jan-84 14:46:09 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.3170
Posted: Sat Jan 21 14:46:09 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Jan-84 15:45:02 EST
References: <3418@tekecs.UUCP>
Organization: CSRG, University of Toronto
Lines: 47

>
> ***
> * Both my cars (Volvo 122, Saab 99) will get better mileage at a nice steady
> * 80 than a guzzler will ever get at any speed. Change the cars, not the road.
> *
> * --Jim Bray (decvax!bbncca!jbray)
> **
>
> Mr. Bray apparently feels that it's an infringement of his freedom not to
> be able to go 80, but it's not an infringement of his freedom to be
> prevented from buying, say, a Cadillac.
>
> Jeff Winslow (jeffw@tekecs.UUCP)

The real point here is that pro-55 people are unwilling to set any PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS about fuel consumption.  Instead, they are saying `we will enforce
THIS SOLUTION to conserve fuel'.  Notice that this solution creates no incentive
for me, personally, to try harder.  I can feel good about buying a [generic]
Cadillac and driving it at 55 even tho I could have purchased, say, a [generic]
Rabbit turbo-diesel and driven it at, say, 90mph and STILL burned less fuel.
Why should I pay extra for an `equivalent car' (eg. Chevy Celebrity vs. Malibu?)
or settle for `less car' for the same money (eg. Audi 5000 vs. Cadillac?)
just to save some fuel?  Obviously Mr. Winslow would not be impressed.

Now, how about another approach to the problem of reducing fuel consumption.
Why not insert a fuel flow limiter between the gas tank and the engine to
limit the fuel flow to some fixed upper bound, set the speed limit to some
sensible value chosen without regard for its alleged fuel savings, and
let everyone drive at whatever speed they choose in whatever car they choose.
Suddenly the `Cadillac' owner running at 50mph will notice he can go 55 without
the air conditioner on all the time. Perhaps he will also notice all the
`Audi' drivers whizzing by at the speed limit [of say 70mph?] and buy a more
efficient car next time.

Obviously, this would require inspections to make sure the thing isn't defeated
in some way (such as a bipass, or a hidden fuel reservoir between it and the
engine).  To me, the concept seems no more of an infringement than having
to let the electric utility put a seal on the distribution panel in my basement
so I don't change the 100amp main fuse inside.

If you like the idea but feel it is unfair to those who lust after gas
guzzlers and can afford to pay for the privilege, there could always be
some optional flow limiters with higher maximum rates, for which you had
to pay a progressive (as in income tax?) annual tax...

Mart L. Molle
University of Toronto