Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
Hi,
I plan to attend the public hearing, "Quiet Cars Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Comments" ([Docket No. NHTSA–2008–0108]), on Monday, June 23. Government works best when citizens participate and let our voices be known and I'd like to meet our honorable competition. But since I'll be in the DC area, I am inviting hybrid owners and enthusiasts in the Northern Virginia and Maryland area to a couple of 'git togethers.' We'll be driving up from Huntsville experimenting with flat-towing our Prius and I'll bring some Prius stuff I've been working on to share at the meetings:
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Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
Bob, welcome to Washington! Are these events just limited to Prius owners or can we FEH drivers drop in too? I'm a big fan of Sweetwater Tavern so I'd definately be in for coming out to that.
Dave |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
EVERYBODY!!!! Even the non-hybrid folks ... heck even the blind ...
Originally Posted by dcarp
(Post 175384)
Bob, welcome to Washington! Are these events just limited to Prius owners or can we FEH drivers drop in too? I'm a big fan of Sweetwater Tavern so I'd definately be in for coming out to that.
I think hybrid owners have a lot more in common and as we talk and share our knownledge, we help everyone. You know who my best car buddies are at work, the guys with a Corvette and 357 Mustang. We talk car stuff and we're all after performance ... they want to go fast and I want to go cheap but we all have to optimize our rides. GOOD CATCH! Bob Wilson ps. This is open to anyone and other forums too. I only hang out in GreenHybrid, PriusChat and a Yahoogroup, "Prius Technical Stuff." But I see no problem with having a crowd. Heck, let the car dealers who handle hybrids know, they might learn something. |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
HR 5734 doesn't make any sense. I understand the ACB's perspective, but I think this is just a waste of time.
Let them have it Bob! BTW, it makes perfect sense, but there is a certain irony in towing a Prius with a Gas Guzzling Coachman. |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
Originally Posted by doasc
(Post 175407)
...
BTW, it makes perfect sense, but there is a certain irony in towing a Prius with a Gas Guzzling Coachman. If the cops see the hybrid in front, they'll get a little 'suspicious.' But if the hybrid is behind ... <grins> "TOOT TOOT!!!!" Bob Wilson |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
Originally Posted by bwilson4web
(Post 175445)
... If the cops see the hybrid in front, they'll get a little 'suspicious.' But if the hybrid is behind ...
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Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
Or mount a spring version of this robotic arm on Prius behind the coachman:
http://www.cleanducts.com/images/RbtWhips.jpg Meanwhile, the Prius is playing Devo "Whip It Good" in a loop at max volume. <AAAARRRRRUUUUUHHHHHHH!!!!!> Cop: "License and registration please." Bob: "Yes Sir, here they are." Cop: "Mr. Wilson do you know why I stopped you?" Bob: "No sir, I can't even get close to the speed limit and am above the minimum." Cop: "Well sir, your tow vehicle ..." Bob: "I'm sure the fittings, lights and safety chain are good." Cop: "Yes they are fine, it is the mechanical arm and whip and music." Bob: "Huh?" Cop: "There are 16 semi-trailer trucks behind you parked on the side of the road with their drivers doubled over in laughter. Two of them needed road side assistance to handle the cramps in their side. Furthermore, people with CB radios have been coming out to pass you. You have all but shutdown I-81." Bob: "Uh oh. I thought a little fun would help folks pass the time ..." Cop: "Well in this case ..." Bob Wilson |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
My letter to the NHTSA per Docket NHTSA-2008-0108:
June 10, 2008 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0108 Debbie Ascone 202-366-4383 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington DC, 20590 Dear Debbie, As CEO of a small, Alabama corporation, 625k Inc., I have insights to share from an industry perspective and potential solutions for the Quiet Cars hearing. Incorporated in 2007, 625k Inc. supports research and services to extend the operational life of hybrid electric cars to 625,000 miles (1 million kilometers.) We do this by after market engineering and technical services to find cost-effective refurbishment, maintenance, repair and enhancements of hybrid vehicle systems:
One of the stated goals of this hearing is "to bring together government policymakers, stakeholders from the blind community, industry representatives and public interest groups to discuss the safety of blind pedestrians encountering quiet cars including hybrids, ..." For several months I was a member of the Quiet Cars mailing list to make sure I understood the nature of the problem. But when I tried to discuss with the membership some of the facts and data, I found the administrators removed my ability to speak and lately, the list has become quiet. If this hearing opens up their ears so we can have a dialog that would be a good thing. But so far, it appears the blind who administer that e-mail list are deaf to any other points of view and therefore we must go to public forums for debate instead of seeking a consensus. I applaud the pedestrian and cyclists safety goals of these rules but find the solution proposed in HR 5734 to be too narrow in scope with questionable facts and data and marginal implementation. My written statements and backup materials will follow but the principle problems are:
Robert J. Wilson CEO 625k Inc. of Alabama ... Huntsville, AL 35802 256-... (cell) ----- I'm also sending a copy of this note to C-SPAN in the off chance that they may want 'another point of view.' Bob Wilson |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
If you want to help me get in the NHTSA hearing as a presenter or speaker, you need to call or notify:
Debbie Ascone Let her know that you would like Bob Wilson of 625k Inc. from Huntsville AL to present his corporate and solutions ideas at the hearing. Feel free to borrow any of the ideas in the letter I am sending or cite any of my earlier postings (there should be about 2.5 years available) via e-mail with follow-up paper copy.Office of the Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety 202-366-4383 Debbie.Ascone@dot.gov 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington, DC 20590 Thanks, Bob Wilson |
Re: Mr. Wilson goes to Washington
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0108 Debbie Ascone 202-366-4383 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington DC, 20590 Dear Ms. Ascone, As an owner of two hybrid vehicles and part of a large community of such owners that communicate through a common forum, I urge you to consider the request by Mr. Robert J. Wilson, CEO of 625k Inc of Alabama, to speak at the upcoming hearings in Washington DC on Monday, June 23rd at such time as may be convenient to the Committee. He represents views that are common to many of the thousands of hybrid owners, as well as some owner-operators of other electric automotive products. This population, as the stakeholder that will pay much of the cost of any implemented system, should have a voice in this meeting. Mr. Wilson is a leading member of the aforementioned community of hybrid owners; an advocate for environmentally friendly and fuel efficient automobiles; and a valuable resource for the public at large in respect of hybrid, diesel, fuel-cell and electric vehicles. As an engineer, he speaks with a working knowledge of these technologies, their impacts to our group, and to the society as a whole. His corporation has studied this problem in depth, and has ideas that provide a superior solution that may provide greater benefits to all stakeholders. Thank you for your consideration. Robert F. Brooks Director, Special Projects Sagem Avionics, SAFRAN Group General Member www.greenhybrid.com RFB |
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