speed limiter
{{Multiple issues|
{{globalize|date=December 2012}}
{{Update|Information needed on various laws coming into effect in Europe in 2022, specifically which areas of Europe they will apply.|date=January 2022}}
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{{About|speed limitation device|information on the limits of speed|Speed limit}}
{{short description|Governor used to limit the top speed of a vehicle}}
A speed limiter is a governor used to limit the top speed of a vehicle. For some classes of vehicles and in some jurisdictions they are a statutory requirement, for some other vehicles the manufacturer provides a non-statutory system which may be fixed or programmable by the driver.
Statutory (UK)
=Mopeds=
The legal definition of a moped in the United Kingdom was revised in 1977 to include a maximum design speed of 30 mph (48 km/h). This was further revised to 50 km/h (31 mph) in the 1990s, then 45 km/h (28 mph) in the late 2000s to fall in line with unified European Union licensing regulations.Department for Transport (2008), p.179 "Mopeds redefined to 30 mph maximum design speed"{{Better source needed|reason=Following the thread ultimately leads you to a self-published blog-style wiki by a self-professed wikipedia editor, JzG. It'd be interesting to bring him in and see if either his (completely uncited/totally OR and unverifiable) work has been partly ripped off, or if he was the one to add it in under a pseudonym identity. My own knowledge/OR says that the "design speed" was mandated in 77, but actual physical limiters weren't until some later date, if at all. It's entirely possible that, at the time, the idea was simply to cap engine power at a level that would prevent the bike going any faster, and manufacturers themselves implemented governors to allow the bike more accelerative and hill-climbing power... whilst still passing type approval by not quite attaining 46/49/51 km/h...|date=June 2012}}
To comply with this, mopeds typically include some method of onboard speed restriction to prevent the machine exceeding the prescribed speed (on a flat road, in still air, with a rider of standard height and weight). Older models such as the Honda C50 used a simple centrifugal governor as part of the transmission, which progressively and severely advanced the ignition as speed rose past a set point, causing engine power to fall off rapidly at higher rpm and road speed, but maintaining the low- and moderate-speed hill climbing ability of the unrestricted version. Other systems achieved a similar result with simple restrictor flaps in the air intake, much like those used to restrict the power output of full-size motorcycles. Modern mopeds use electronic systems with speed sensors that can cut the ignition spark (and, where fitted, interrupt fuel injection) once measured speed reaches or exceeds the set point, maintaining full power right up to the limited speed.
Early restriction methods could be defeated by simple physical modifications (e.g. cutting out the restriction plate). Modern electronic limiters at the very least require replacing the friction rollers in a scooter's CVT, or even changing wheel size and/or reprogramming the engine management system, all in an effort to fool the sensors into detecting a lower than actual road speed.{{citation needed|date=May 2012|reason=I'm adding this to my OWN material. I know the detailed stuff is almost completely accurate, and have made the early parts where I'm unsure purposefully vague. However I haven't anything I can actually cite at this point; it's out there, but inaccessible and no longer in my history. I hope someone can find relevant links or at least pages from books and manuals... (at least some of it's come from idling browsing a C50 repair book some months back, after all)}}
=Public service vehicles=
Public service vehicles often have a legislated top speed. Scheduled coach services in the United Kingdom (and also bus services) are limited to either 65 mph (105 km/h) or 100 km/h (62 mph) depending on their age (newer coaches have the lower speed version installed, in line with harmonised EU regulations), though for city buses the use of limiters is to satisfy regulatory requirements, as many city buses cannot achieve these speeds even on an open roadway.{{cite web|url=http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/History?OpenDocument|title=History of British road safety|accessdate=2010-01-20|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617064650/http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/History?OpenDocument|archivedate=2010-06-17}}
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"ids": "Q40",
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"description": "70 km/h"
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"ids": "Q36",
"properties": {
"fill": "#23dc60", "title": "70 / 80 km/h",
"description": "In Poland, max speed for trucks is 70 km/h on non-urban roads and 80 km/h on motorways/expressways."
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"text": "Flemish region of Belgium"
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"properties": {
"fill": "#23dc60", "title": "70 / 80 / 100 km/h",
"description": "In Italy,
- on non-urban roads speed is limited to 80 km/h for vehicles up to 12 metric tonnes, and to 70 km/h for vehicles over 12 metric tonnes.
- on Motorways/expressways, speed is limited to 100 km/h for vehicles up to 12 metric tonnes, and to 80 km/h for vehicles over 12 metric tonnes."
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"fill": "#23dc60", "title": "70 / 80 / 90 km/h",
"description": "In Sweden, max speed for trucks is 70 km/h on non-urban roads and 90 km/h on motorways/expressways. The highest speed in Sweden is 80 km/h for vehicles with trailers"
}
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"ids": "Q32",
"properties": {
"fill": "#23dc60", "title": "75 k/ 90 m/h",
"description": "In Luxemburg, Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 t standard speed limits is 75 km/h on non-urban roads, and 90 km/h on motorways/expressways."
}
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"properties": {
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"ids": "Q219",
"properties": {
"fill": "#47c63e", "title": "80 / 90 km/h",
"description": "In Bulgaria,
- on non-urban roads speed is limited to 80 km/h
- on Motorways/expressways, speed is limited to 100 km/h or 90 km/h (with semi- and trailes, or dangerous goods)"
}
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"ids": "Q218",
"properties": {
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"description": "In Romania, speed limit is 80 km/h or 90 km/h for trucks on non urban roads, and 110 km/h for trucks on interurban motorways"
}
},
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"ids": "Q224",
"properties": {
"fill": "#47c63e", "title": "80 / 90 km/h",
"description": "In Croatia, Heavy goods vehicles (over 3.5 t) standard speed limits is set to 80 km/h on non-urban roads and to 90 km/h on motorways/expressways"
}
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"ids": "Q145",
"properties": {
"fill": "#47c63e", "title": "80 / 96 / 112 km/h",
"description": "80 km/h on no-urban roads, 112 km/h (70 mph) for non-articulated goods vehicles under 7.5 tonnes not towing a trailer on a motorway
96 km/h (60 mph) for articulated, towing or over 7.5 tonnes goods vehicles on motorways
96 km/h (60 mph) (80 km/h (50 mph) in Scotland if over 7.5 tonnes) on dual carriageways
80 km/h (50 mph) (64 km/h (40 mph) in Scotland if over 7.5 tonnes) on single carriageways"
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"description": "In metropolitan France and Ireland, speed of trucks is limited to 90 km/h on motorways and express roads, but to only 80 km/h on regular interurban roads"
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"ids": "Q37",
"properties": {
"fill": "#47c63e", "title": "80 km/h",
"description": "In Lithuania, standard speed limits for Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 t is fixed to:
- for non-urban roads
- Roads with asphalt and concrete cover – 80 km/h
- Other roads – 70 km/h
Speed 80 Speed 90
- for motorways/expressways
- Highway: 90 km/h
- Motorway: 80 km/h"
}
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"ids": "Q191,Q214",
"properties": {
"fill": "#d0c038", "title": "90 km/h",
"description": "In Slovakia and Estonia, standard speed limits for HGV (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) is 90 km/h both on non-urban roads and on motorways/expressways."
}
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"title": "90 km/h"
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|text=30px National speed limits for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) (>3.5 tonnes according to Vienna convention) in the European Union and in the United-Kingdom, on all roads including motorways
Legend:
{{legend inline|#00f080|}} = 60 km/h; {{legend inline|#23dc60|}} = 70 km/h, {{legend inline|#47c63e|}} = 80 km/h, {{legend inline|#d0c038|}} = 90 km/h; {{legend inline|#f06020|}} = 100 km/h; {{legend inline|#f00000|}} = 110 km/h; {{legend inline|#808080|}} = 112 km/h (70 mph)
source Europa.eu{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_abroad/search_en.htm |title= European Commission – Road Safety}}
|frame-width=400|frame-height=300
|frame-lat=50|frame-long=20|zoom=3
}}
=Heavy goods vehicles=
HGVs in the UK have been subject to mandatory 60 mph (96 km/h) limiters since the early 1990s, which were subsequently revised to 90 km/h (56 mph) during EU harmonization.
Non-statutory (UK)
Dynamic (ISA)
The newest form of speed limiters currently being deployed feature the ability to dynamically limit a vehicles top speed based upon a vehicles real time location and the road speed limit. The most popular of these systems is one called [https://www.sturdycorp.com/automotive VMS with SpeedIQ] from [https://www.sturdycorp.com/ Sturdy Corporation]. Dynamic speed limiters are being widely adopted by emergency service fleets due to their ability to limit a vehicles top speed during normal operations and then releasing to a higher maximum top speed when en route to an emergency. Additionally, fleets that operate in mixed geographic areas benefit greatly from a limiter that will allow a vehicle to travel at highway speeds as well as limit that vehicle to more commonly traveled residential neighborhoods at significantly lower speeds.
=Programmable=
European Citroën,{{cite web
|url=http://www.citroen.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=405
|title=Overspeed warning, speed limiter and cruise control
|publisher=Ateco
|accessdate=2010-04-28}}
|url=http://www.bmw.com.kh/asia/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/cruise_control.html?source=index&article=cruise_control
|title=BMW Technology
|publisher=Automobiles BMW
|accessdate=2011-04-03}}
|url=http://www2.Benz-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/viano/639/overview/safety.0009.html
|title=Speed limiter
|publisher=Automobiles BENZ BENZ
|accessdate=2011-04-03}}
|url=http://www.peugeot.com/en/innovation/safety/prevent/speed-limiter-cruise-control-and-overspeed-warning.aspx
|title=Speed limiter, cruise control and overspeed warning
|publisher=Automobiles PEUGEOT
|accessdate=2010-04-28}}
Renault,{{cite web|url=http://www.renault.co.uk/Resources//PDF/Brochures/New_Clio.pdf|title=New Clio brochure including mention of Cruise Control/Speed Limiter function|publisher=Automobiles RENAULT|accessdate=2012-05-16}} Tesla[https://electrek.co/2018/06/20/tesla-remotely-limit-speed-mobile-app-update/ Tesla now lets you limit the speed of your car with new update] as well as some Ford{{cite web
|url=http://www.fordfleet.co.uk/AboutFord/News/FordForBusiness/2010/June/SpeedLimiter
|title=Ford Speed Limiter technology
|publisher=Ford
|accessdate=2011-05-13}} and Nissan car and van models have driver-controlled speed limiters fitted or available as an optional accessory which can be set by the driver to any desired speed; the limiter can be overridden if required by pressing hard on the accelerator.
The limiter may be considered as setting the maximum speed (with throttle kickdown to override it) easing the throttle to reduce speed, whereas cruise control sets the minimum speed (with the brake pedal to override it) pressing on the throttle to increase speed. The limiter may shift down through automatic gears to hold the maximum speed.
The Bugatti Chiron also has a programmed speed limiter, although uniquely, it can be (at least partially) lifted by the owner via a key.{{cite web| title = You Can Only Reach the Bugatti Chiron's Top Speed if the Car Lets You | url = https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a20975336/bugatti-chiron-top-speed-mode/ | website = roadandtrack.com | date = 31 May 2018 | access-date = 14 June 2024 }} Once the key is inserted, the car conducts a brief diagnostic before allowing the owner to drive the car up to speeds of 420 km/h, (approx. 261 mph) provided it is deemed by the car's computer that the conditions allow. This is considerably faster than the top speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) that the car is usually restricted to. Top Speed Mode, as Bugatti dubs it, reduces the overall ride height and lowers the rear spoiler to help in the reduction of drag.{{cite web| title = Here's the Key that Helped Bugatti do 407 km/h | url = https://www.topgear.com/car-news/supercars/heres-key-helped-bugatti-do-407kmh | website = topgear.com | date = 27 April 2020 | access-date = 14 June 2024 }}
=Fixed=
In European markets, General Motors Europe sometimes allow certain high-powered Opel or Vauxhall cars to exceed the {{convert|250|km/h|0|abbr=on}} mark, whereas their Cadillacs do not.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} The Chrysler 300C SRT8 is limited to 270 km/h.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
Most Japanese domestic market vehicles are limited to {{convert|180|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. The limit for kei cars is {{convert|140|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web| url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2008/04/13/life/why-japan-finally-got-its-foot-off-the-brake/ | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127033946/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2008/04/13/life/why-japan-finally-got-its-foot-off-the-brake/ | archivedate = 2016-01-27 | title = Why Japan finally got its foot off the brake|work=Japan Times|date=2008-04-13 | last = Lyon | first = Peter }}{{cite web | url = https://www.webcartop.jp/2017/09/156006/ | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109105537/https://www.webcartop.jp/2017/09/156006/ | archivedate = 2020-11-09 | title = 法的な義務はなし！ 軽140km/h・普通車は180km/hのリミッター速度はどう決められたのか | trans-title = No legal obligations! How were the speed limiters of 140km/h for kei cars and 180km/h for ordinary cars selected? | language = ja | author = 藤田竜太 (Ryuta Fujita] | date = 2017-09-25 | publisher = Kotsu Times Sha Co., Ltd. | work = Web Cartop }} These limits are self imposed through the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and is not a legal requirement.
BMW, Benz and others have entered into a gentlemen's agreement to a limit of {{convert|250|km/h|0|abbr=on}},{{cite web|url=http://www.autoevolution.com/news/gentlemens-agreement-not-so-fast-sir-47736.html|title=Gentlemen's Agreement: Not So Fast, Sir!| first = Bogdan | last = Popa|work=autoevolution|date=28 July 2012 }}van Gorp, Anke. "Ethical Issues in Engineering Design; Safety and Sustainability" page 16. Published by 3TU Ethics, 2005. {{ISBN|9090199071}}, 9789090199078 . ISSN 1574-941X but may 'unhook' their speed limited cars in Europe,{{cite web |title=M Driver's Package: BMW M3 F80 and F82 M4 - 280 km/h |url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2014/07/11/m-drivers-package-bmw-m3-f80-f82-m4-280-kmh/ |website=BMW BLOG |accessdate=31 January 2019 |language=en |date=11 July 2014}} and Benz will provide some vehicles in the U.S. without limiters for an additional price.{{cite web|url=http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/so-long-guvnor-Benz-will-unlock-top-speed-on-amg-models-in-the-us-for-a-price-154226.php|title=So Long Guv'nor: Benz Will Unlock Top Speed on AMG Models in the US, for a Price|work=Jalopink| first =Mike | last = Spinelli|date=2006-02-11}} There are also third-party companies who will re-flash vehicle computers with new software which will remove the speed limits and improve overall performance.
Many small and medium-sized commercial vehicles are now routinely fitted with speed limiters as a manufacturer option, with a mind towards reducing fuel bills, maintenance costs and insurance premiums, as well as discouraging employees from abusing company vehicles, in addition to curbing speeding fines and bad publicity.{{Opinion|date=July 2016}} These limiters are often set considerably lower than for passenger cars, typically at {{Convert|56|,|62|,|68|or|70|mph|abbr=on}} in the UK, with options for {{Convert|75|and|81|km/h|abbr=on}} listed in countries where these speeds are legal.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Often the fitting of a limiter is combined with a small warning sticker on the rear of the vehicle, stating its maximum speed, to discourage drivers who may themselves be delayed by having to follow it from tailgating or other aggressive driving intended to intimidate the lead driver into accelerating.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Similarly, most electric cars and vans which are not inherently limited by a low power output or "short" gearing tend to implement a maximum speed cap via their power controllers, to prevent the rapid loss of battery charge and corresponding reduction in range caused by the much greater power demands of high speeds; for example, the Smart ED, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, and the Citroën Berlingo EV. The limits are typically in line with those of other deliberately limited vehicles, for a balance that does not overly compromise either range or travel time; e.g. 90 km/h for the Berlingo, 100~120 km/h for the Smart (depending on version).{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} The Leaf is an unusual case, being instead limited to a much higher 145 km/h (90 mph).{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Also some supercars have speed limiters to prevent instability.
Some small economy cars have limiters, because of stability and other safety concerns (short crumple zones, etc.),{{Opinion|date=July 2016}} and to safeguard their small engines from the prolonged overrevving required to produce the power to achieve higher speeds. The first generation Smart was limited to 135 km/h (84 mph) (later generations were unlimited), and the Mitsubishi i to 130 km/h (81 mph).{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
Some heavy goods vehicle operators (typically big-name retailers, rather than haulage contractors) further reduce their HGV limiters from 90 km/h to a lower speed, typically 85 or 80 km/h (53 or 50 mph), in a claimed bid to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} This is again often highlighted by a warning sticker on the truck's tailgate.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} All Dodge Challenger and Charger models from the 2015 model year and up received a security update in June 2021, that allows you to set a security code that if you type the incorrect code, the RPM is limited idle speed (3 hp, {{convert|2|mph|0|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|66|lb.ft|0|abbr=on}} of torque) to deter thieves.
See also
Notes
{{Reflist|group="n"}}{{failed verification|date=May 2012}}
References
;Documents referenced from 'Notes' section
{{refbegin}}
- {{anchor|Dft2008a}} {{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221549/227755/rrcgb2008.pdf |title=Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2008 Annual Report |author=Department for Transport |year=2008 |accessdate=2010-01-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011130324/http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221549/227755/rrcgb2008.pdf |archivedate=October 11, 2010 }}
{{refend}}
;Other references for article
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Category:Mechanisms (engineering)