Subj : Re: So.......
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : Nick
Date : Wed Sep 14 2005 18:00:31

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

weirdwolf wrote:

> Nick <nickSPAMMENOT@snurcher.com> wrote in
> news:Xns96D177FFFF15Andtcm@204.153.244.170: 
> 
>> weirdwolf wrote:
>> 
>>> Nick <nickSPAMMENOT@snurcher.com> wrote in
>>> news:Xns96D17711B9D96ndtcm@204.153.244.170: 
>>> 
>>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Nick wrote:
>>>>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Nick wrote:
>>>>>>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> What road pricing proposals?
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Basically - rather than paying a flat rate road tax each year
>>>>>>>>> we will be charged depending on how much we drive, when, and on
>>>>>>>>> which roads. Busy roads at 8.30 am will cost a lot more per
>>>>>>>>> mile than quiet roads at 2.00 am (these will probably be free.)
>>>>>>>>> In terms of social justice I see this as entirely reasonable.
>>>>>>>>> Unfortunately it is also hellishly complicated and difficult to
>>>>>>>>> implement. The government's plan is to use transponders in
>>>>>>>>> vehicles combined with GPS and software. I think they've got
>>>>>>>>> absolutely no chance of making this work. It's many times more
>>>>>>>>> complicated than IT tasks they've already completely
>>>>>>>>> screwed-up. 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Yeah, that sounds kinda hard.  Personally, I like the road tax
>>>>>>>> being incorporated in the gas tax. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> It's nice and simple and cheap to collect. But our government
>>>>>>> does have a point when they say some roads are in higher demand
>>>>>>> are - therefore - a premium product.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I dunno about that.  The government is the one who made the road.
>>>>>> If they had made attractive alternate routes then it may not be
>>>>>> that way. They could decide that they are going to do a lot of
>>>>>> work on a particularly busy road and neglect all the rest of the
>>>>>> roads making them less desireable to drive upon. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> I guess that's the difference between living in a country the size
>>>>> of a continent and one the size of a postage stamp. In many cases
>>>>> our high demand roads are so because they're the only viable route
>>>>> from A to B - and A to B is a journey many need to make. In many
>>>>> cases alternative routes could be constructed but it would mean
>>>>> losing precious open space and our experience is that building more
>>>>> roads ends up creating more traffic. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> There's also the time factor. If a road is very crowded during rush
>>>>> hour but relatively clear at other times then making it more
>>>>> expensive at rush hour will encourage those who can to change their
>>>>> hours and travel at different times.
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I'm also not too crazy about the idea that the government knows
>>>> where you are at all times.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> Think thats bad, you should see the scheme they have for mandatory ID
>>> cards, the reduction of trial by jury rights and the rise in cameras 
>>> around towns.
>>> Ted
>>> 
>> 
>> Ironically, I am very fond of having the government know where YOU are
>> at all times. 
> 
> Ha, but they don't need any special tracking equipment, I hardly ever 
> leave the house.
>  By the way that naughty sourceress is one tough bitch.
>  Ted
> 

I'll bet she is.  Holler if you need anything smithed.

.