ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 TAG: 9512120067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: If I don't have a "smart" car, will the "smart" road still benefit me?
J.C., Christiansburg
A: This five-mile highway of the future would have features for everyone - if the proposed research projects become reality.
Keep in mind that as technology speeds into the future, no one can predict which bumps and opportunities will alter its course on the intelligence highway.
But here, from the project's current director, Ray Pethtel, are some proposed features that would help the driver of, say, a 1975 pickup.
Sensors in the pavement would detect icy spots and call maintenance crews to put down salt or grit.
Other sensors would detect wear and tear on bridges so repairs could be made quicker. New bridge deck materials could be developed.
Communications - perhaps by radio, cellular or electronic signs -would alert drivers to traffic congestion, a feature to be appreciated in those moments when we join a backup just half a mile after passing an exit.
Experts are hoping to develop collision avoidance and obstacle- detection equipment that would help with all kinds of vehicles.
A non-smart car could carry a sign - a $20 chip, Pethtel said - warning other drivers that it's not equipped with automatic controls.
The ultimate smart car, of course, would have receivers and processors to help it follow lanes, avoid collisions, and control speed and headway between vehicles. It might even follow your route and steer automatically.
All this, of course, could work only on a smart highway.|
Presidential powers
Q: How many troops can the U.S. president send to a foreign country on his own initiative?
A.M., Roanoke
A: As many as he wants, apparently.
President Bush sent 230,000 to Saudi Arabia in 1990 in gearing up for the Persian Gulf War, while Congress and constitutional scholars debated the fact that only Congress can declare war.
By the time everyone reached a political accord and action got under way in January of 1991, there were 425,000 U.S. troops on hand, while back home 51,000 reservists had been activated.
Article I, Section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution states it simply: "Congress shall have power to declare war." It was last used in 1941.
That language has not kept the president from committing troops to such places as Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Haiti and Somalia.
In reality, the limitations on the president are political, not legal or constitutional. If a crisis anywhere in the world gets the American people's attention seriously enough, we're usually willing to support the president and our troops.
The War Powers Act of 1973 says an overseas troop deployment can't continue beyond 60 days without congressional approval, but as a practical matter, Congress has little choice but to support the action.|
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.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB