A London magazine has commented on an experiment which apparently involves collateral damage to pedestrians.
On page 22 of Time Out London there is a photograph of a yellow and black road sign reading: "Pedestrian Casualty Reduction Signal Timings Experiment".
The caption: "What in God's name do they mean? And - as implied - are people going to die during this 'experiment'? If anyone can shed light on these cryptic and frankly sinister road signs, please email us at [log in to unmask]".
It begs the obvious question: how is it possible to attribute a reduction in casualties to changes in signal timings, and not behavioural modification, for (presumably) very small sample sizes?
I know there are arcane aspects of accident blackspot analysis, bayesian statistics et.c. that most laypersons would be unable to appreciate - and that the above question could be answered by carefull experimental design - but on such issues, given the contempt in which pedestrians are often held by motorists, perhaps there are many who would be reassured by an intelligible explanation?
If any UTSG list members could expatitate, they could claim at least to have increased the public understanding of science, even if such an undertaking is not in the usual brief.
regards
Michael Nandris
"Mind like parachute - only works when open"
Attributed to Charlie Chan.
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