Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406210085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
R.H., Roanoke> A: Greyhounds have carried collision-avoidance radar for about 11/2 years.
It gives the driver an extra half-second of warning when a car gets too close in front or on the driver's blind right side.
The notice about activated radar detectors was added when motorists passing the buses started to slam on their brakes, thinking a trooper was on their bumper.
The signal has been adjusted to reduce the excitement it causes in detector-equipped cars.
Greyhound's accident rate has dropped to its lowest point in 25 years, at 4.5 accidents per million miles traveled, spokesman Bill Kula said.
The radar is most helpful when fog, rain, snow or sand obscure a driver's vision, Kula said.
In a few years, this equipment is expected to be available on cars.
Kula said the radar devices cost about $2,000 per unit. The total expense, including product development and research, came to $5 million for the active fleet of 1,500 buses.
The hardware consists of a computer, boxlike antennas on the front and side of the bus and a monitor screen on the dashboard. Most observers notice only the monitor.
What's a 'best boy'?
Q: What do movie credits mean when they refer to "best boy" and "key grip"?
W.L., Roanoke
A: They're movie slang terms.
A best boy is first assistant to the chief electrician, so that job's pretty important.
The title isn't exactly politically correct, because the best boy sometimes is a woman.
The key grip supervises the stagehands and decides who does which tasks in setting up scenery and the like.
U.S. 11-460 project
Q: Why is U.S. 11-460 receiving concrete curb and gutter only in the Dixie Caverns area instead of the entire length of 11-460?
N.N.
A: That milelong stretch of road is getting a safety upgrade.
The Department of Transportation decided it would be cheaper to put in a fifth lane in the median and add curb and gutter, instead of upgrading the guardrail that was due for replacement.
The benefits are improved turning and sight distance, a Transportation Department spokeswoman said.
The road isn't being widened, and the work is not related to citizens' recent requests that the entire stretch of road west of Salem be made into four lanes.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB