Latest news with #UniversityOfAdelaide
ABC News
6 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Push to reduce ACT school zone speed limit to 30kph
Just like countless young families across the ACT, Veronica Fortune and her children love walking to school most days. But there are dangers. The biggest one is the volume of traffic at pick-up and drop-off times. Parents, public servants, tradies and teenagers all drive, jam and jostle through the bumper-to-bumper snarl. And just like every road, some motorists don't care about the laws. "I've had a near-miss myself … thankfully, I had my sons in a pram at that time and my daughter was standing right next to me," she said. Veronica said the road past her local school is an accident waiting to happen. She's written to members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and submitted a petition about safety improvements that can be made. "Speed bumps are not close enough to the crossing and we may need more of them. A wombat crossing [raised zebra crossing] … would really help because it would force cars to slow down right before they got to where children are." Veronica has also pushed for adjustments to the surrounding roads, but so far, nothing has changed. The key improvement, according to new research focused on the ACT by a University of Adelaide team, would be to change the rules that govern school zones. Dr James Thompson is a road safety expert based at the Centre for Automotive Safety Research who led the research. He said reducing everyone's speed was crucial, and that 30kph was the tipping point. "But if you're hit under 30 kilometres, you have a pretty good chance of surviving." The evidence the team collected points to a clear recommendation — that the speed limit in ACT school zones should be 30kph or less. South Australia is the only state or territory in Australia that has a sub-40kph school zone limit (25kph) with that being standard practice there for decades. He was surprised during the work by his team at just how many motorists sped through school zones across the ACT, especially during "active" school zone times (36 per cent) and when the default road speed limit was 60kph (50 per cent). Along with installing "traffic calming measures" such as speed bumps and narrower lane widths in all school zones, the report recommends extending the school zone time limits in the ACT. This would mean 7am-5pm Monday to Friday (replacing the ACT's existing 8.30am to 4pm) to protect children at pre- and post-school care, lunchtime and other extracurricular activities such as sport. Dr Thompson acknowledged these would be big shifts, but is unequivocal these moves must be made. "You know, when are we going to start taking the safety of school children seriously?" he asked. The ABC has spoken with several school communities, and they all say speeding traffic in and around schools is a constant danger for pedestrians. The risk is exacerbated by many schools being surrounded by 60 and 80kph roads. Earlier this year, the principal of St Clare's College Dr Ann Cleary led a months-long consultation asking families about road and pedestrian risks that surround St Clare's, with over 200 families making a submission. "That's a huge response, which first tells me parents are really taken by the topic" she said. St Clare's is next to St Edmunds College, which faced near-tragedy earlier this year when two students were seriously injured by a speeding driver while they were walking to school. Both colleges are located next to several roads that pose significant risks to pedestrians. The concerns reported in St Clare's survey were numerous, but those that repeatedly came up the surrounding 60kph roads, bus drop-off/pick-up areas and other hazards within the designated school zone. Dr Cleary believes families would support a 30kph school zone speed limit and extended school zone times, but that the 60kph roads immediately around St Clare's need to be reviewed too. Dr Cleary cited the University of Adelaide research that found "the higher the speed limit outside of school zone times or places, the more likely cars are to speed through the school zone". She also highlighted the need for flashing or electronic signs, to stand out from what she described a "white noise" of road markings and symbols in the area. The ACT government wasn't available for an interview to discuss the likelihood of changing school zone speeds and times (as well as other recommendations in the University of Adelaide report). In a statement, a spokesperson said the "ACT government welcomes the outcomes of the research and will consider future actions as part of the current development of the next ACT Road Safety Strategy". Change can't come soon enough for the people who prioritise children's safety. Dr James Thompson is convinced that ACT residents, and those in other jurisdictions, are ready and willing. "If you explain to them what's at risk and what can be gained by improving the safety of school zones, they would absolutely get on board with it. So it's a funny thing … that we haven't had that change in all the other jurisdictions." Veronica Fortune's desire for change is driven by a simple hope.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
When The Sahara Was Green By Martin Williams — Review
The fascinating but little-known history of how the Sahara was transformed from a pleasant green and fertile land into the largest hot desert in the world. Green Sahara. (Collage by Kuat Abeshev. Credits for images used in the collage: Photo by David Clode ... More on Unsplash; Photo by Mark Eder on Unsplash; Photo by David Clode on Unsplash.) It is probably unimaginable to most of us to learn that there was a time only 5,000 years ago, when the Sahara was not a desert at all. Instead, it was a green and fertile woodland and vast grassy savannah that hosted a plethora of lakes and rivers, and home to countless dinosaurs that roamed freely across the land. Later, prehistoric hunters and farmers lived in the Sahara alongside a veritable zoo of iconic African wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, a variety of gazelles, Nile perch, crocodiles, aurochs, Neolithic cattle, turtles, and an enormous collection of large trees and plants. All this, according to earth scientist Martin Williams, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Adelaide and a world authority on climatic and environmental change. In his captivating memoir, When the Sahara Was Green: How Our Greatest Desert Came to Be (Princeton University Press; 2023/2024), Professor Williams shares stories from his lifetime devoted to researching and exploring the Sahara Desert to provide us with a fascinating and readable overview of the surprisingly complex climate and geography of the Sahara. Professor Williams discusses the evidence that supports the answers that scientists know to some very basic questions, including; why was the Sahara previously much wetter than it is now, and will it become wetter again? ('Not for a long time,' p. 180). Did humans contribute to the Sahara's desertification? ('NO!' Pp. 143; 144-145). And where does all that sand come from? (Chapters 5 & 6). Paperback cover: When the Sahara Was Green by Martin Williams (Princeton University Press, ... More 2023/2024). Professor Williams points out that the Sahara Desert isn't actually all sand. Contrary to popular belief, sandy areas comprise only about 20% of the Sahara. Much of the Sahara consists of gravel along with extensive plateaus and – yes – rocky mountains. Divided into three parts, this readable history begins when the supercontinent Gondwana first appeared 7 million years ago, and follows its journey as it broke apart into major land masses: South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Zealandia, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent. Professor Williams also explores and explains ancient glaciations, historic sea level fluctuations, the geological and climatological reasons for why the Green Sahara dried out and became a desert, and how the very old basement rock underlying Africa still influences what happens on the surface today. Compelling writing and profound knowledge are carefully combined with deep history, decades of field work, personal observations and experiences. In this meticulously researched book, Professor Williams explores a wide variety of topics from the geological and climatic changes that influenced human evolution and created the Sahara as we know it, to modern environmental and political issues that confront us today. Throughout the entire book, Professor Williams' fundamental knowledge of the region's geology, archaeology and ecology makes this book rewarding and fascinating reading. The book includes lots of maps, photographs, drawings and diagrams to illustrate the regions and concepts that Professor Williams discusses in the text. One piece of advice I have is to use sticky notes as bookmarkers for maps 1, 2 and 3 because you will be referring to these maps many times as you read the book. I was perhaps most surprised by all the ancient human artifacts, pottery – some packed with fossilized fruits – arrowheads and other stone tools, and even some fossilized bones from ancient humans as well as the animals they interacted with, just lying on the surface of the sand or gravel. Mind-boggling. The anecdotes and first-hand experiences described herein make for tremendously compelling storytelling, and could only come from someone who has spent his life researching and working in the region. Professor Williams exhibits an astonishing depth and breadth of knowledge throughout the entire book, and is generous with his explanations of the scientific evidence to the reader. The Sahara Desert is a powerful warning of what the entire world is facing and the conclusions the author reaches have far-reaching implications beyond north Africa, especially as climate change progresses ever more rapidly. This important book is highly recommended for everyone interested in environmental history or law, or prehistory, and students of any of the sciences will learn a lot from reading it. © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | Socials: Bluesky | CounterSocial | Gab | LinkedIn | Mastodon Science | Spoutible | SubStack | Threads | Tribel | Tumblr | Twitter
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Why ‘dragon teeth' are being added to Aussie roads
They may not be from Smaug, King Ghidorah or Falkor, but Australian drivers may soon be coming across 'dragon teeth' on their morning commutes. Strange-looking three-dimensional road markings have appeared in South Australia as part of a safety trial amid the country's worst road death crisis in decades. The triangular, blue and white markings are a variation of 'dragon teeth' and signal the transition into a lower-speed zone of 40 km/h. The road markings being trialled in Adelaide are part of a study led by the University of Adelaide's Centre for Automotive Safety Research. 'This trial is supported with a grant from the Commonwealth government, the federal government, it's a specific grant for finding new ways to improve road safety.' Senior research associate at the Centre for Automotive Research Dr Mario Mongiardini told The markings, also known as treatments, are designed to play off an optical illusion that makes drivers think they're going faster than they are, based on decreasing triangle size. 'They induce the perception that the lane is reducing. And the main aim of this effect is to induce drivers to slow down.' NSW drivers may be familiar with plain white dragon teeth markings, but the trial added a three-dimensional aspect to the treatment to higheten the desired effect. 'Hopefully the three-dimensional aspect enhances the effect of the standard dragon teeth, so increases that feeling and therefore hopefully make them more effective at creating this channelisation, and therefore inducing them to slow down,' Dr Mongiardini said. 'Its also to make them more aware, give them the sense of warning that there is something changing ahead. And that is the kind of additional thing, I would say, that sometimes the standard dragon teeth, they may not achieve.' The trial concluded last week in sites across South Australia, and experts are now conducting analysis to see the potential for future more widespread implementation. 'Let's start with this trial, see how effective this treatment is in at least achieving the objective that we are aiming to achieve.
You usually start with a small trial. If it's promising, then you may expand the trial, you may expand the application, and then eventually may become a standard treatment.' They have been installed at Magill Road, Magill, and Seaview Road, Henley Beach, areas intentionally selected for their zones of high pedestrian activity. A Facebook post announcing the markings received mixed reception from social media users with some describing it as 'fantastic idea and well over due,' while others slammed it as a 'waste of taxpayers' money' and questioned why the government didn't 'just paint the speed limit on the road.' While painted speed limits are allowed on roads in NSW, they are currently not part of the standard pavement markings allowed in South Australia, Dr Mongiardini said. 'I think it's a good idea to combine both and to have a speed limit sign painted just upstream of the treatment or at the very beginning, and then the three-dimensional dragon teeth to reinforce the meaning that drivers are transiting to an area where the speed limit and the environment is changing ahead,' he said. 'While we can't currently do that in South Australia, it's on the table.' The trial comes as Australia recorded 1318 deaths on Australian roads last year, marking a surging national road toll for the fourth consecutive year – the first time this has occurred in over six decades. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that more than three people died and more than 100 others suffered serious injuries on Australian roads every day in 2024.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Aussie road markings aimed at giving drivers a 'sense of warning'
As authorities grapple with reducing the number of injuries and deaths on Aussie roads, a trial of a new type of three-dimensional road markings has been expanded in Australia's south, prompting a warning to drivers. Known as 'dragon's teeth', the aim of the road markings is to alert drivers to a change in the road, such as a reduction in the speed limit. The road markings are being trialled in Adelaide as part of a study led by the University of Adelaide's Automotive Safety Research, alongside the Department of Transport. Making them appear 3D, the triangular blue and white markings may "attract more attention" from drivers and encourage them to slow down as they enter a lower-speed zone, leading road safety scientist at the University of Adelaide Mario Mongiardini told Yahoo News. They were installed at Magill Road, Magill, and Seaview Road, Henley Beach, in January, and last week two new locations have been added — Beach Road, Christies Beach and Prospect Road, Prospect. If successful, the markings could be used in high-pedestrian areas across the country, because they can be implemented "cheaply and quickly" by authorities. Researcher Mongiardini explained to Yahoo this type of road treatment is called a "perceptual countermeasure" because it aims to change the perception of road users. "The 3D marking is an evolution of an existing treatment which consists of white triangles only," he said. "The idea was to convert them to look 3D to attract more attention, something drivers cannot miss." The goal was to create a "sense of warning" as drivers move from a 60km/h or 50km/h zone to a reduced 40km/h pedestrian zone. Due to its relatively low cost and easy installation, which takes just two hours, it is an attractive measure for authorities. "This treatment, compared to other treatments, is definitely way cheaper and quicker," Mongiardini said. However, he warns that this treatment "is not meant to be installed everywhere", only where it is really needed, where pedestrians could be at risk. "The idea is to use them only in specific situations, like on a straight road where a speed limit changes, but drivers don't realise that the environment ahead is changing," he explained. It's used as a "heads up". ⚠️ Major road rule change from this week with drivers facing $1,600 fines 🐉 Why 'dragon teeth' are appearing on roads 🛑 Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up 'a lot' Results of the trial are due to be collected and analysed later this year, with researchers hoping to see a reduction in speed, even of just four or five kms. "Speed is the key factor in 99 per cent of crashes," Dr Chris Stokes, another researcher at the University of Adelaide, previously told Yahoo. "The faster you hit an object, the harder the impact is going to be." "Even a reduction by four or five km is quite a lot," Mongiardini said. "It means that after the treatment has been installed, drivers start to respect the speed limit and be more aware of the environment. We don't expect dramatic changes in speed." If the trial proves to be "effective at mitigating travel speed", Aussies could see it on a road near them soon. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals why you should NEVER feed your cat milk - even though they love it
Along with purring and hairballs, cats are also well known for their love of milk. But you should never give your cat a bowl of the white stuff, an expert has revealed. Like all mammals, cats begin life drinking from their mother and constantly meowing for more. However once they are past kittenhood, milk is a completely unnecessary part of their diet, experts say. Julia Henning, from the school of animal and veterinary science at the University of Adelaide, explained that the majority of cats are actually lactose intolerant. After they have finished weaning, at around six to 12 weeks of age, kittens stop producing the enzyme lactase – required to digest lactose in milk - she said. If they are then given cow's milk – which contains much higher levels of lactose than the milk of mother cats – they can experience unpleasant symptoms including bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Cats who drink milk or dairy regularly are at increased risk of these health complications. And it could even become deadly, as chronic diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. Previous studies have suggested that cats may initially enjoy cow's milk because of the high levels of protein and fats in it. Cow's milk has also been linked to a calming effect in our feline companions. So, is it okay to give them a bit of milk every now and then? 'The short answer is no,' Ms Henning told The Conversation. 'Dairy is not a natural part of cats' diet. While they may like the taste, milk is likely to cause your furry friend discomfort and health issues, so it's best to avoid entirely. 'And if you're thinking your cat is one of the lucky few that isn't lactose intolerant, think again. 'Cats are very good at hiding discomfort because, in the wild, showing weakness would make them a target for predators. 'If you absolutely must, opt for lactose-free milk or milk formulated specifically for cats, and keep it as a very occasional treat. 'While it won't upset their stomachs in the same way as regular cow's milk, it still won't offer your cat any nutritional benefit.' Milk alternatives such as oat, soy or almond milk are also likely to cause digestive upset, as they are an unusual addition to a cat's diet, she added. 'The bottom line? Don't give your cat milk,' she said. 'They don't need it, they probably can't digest it and it's likely to cause more pain than it's worth.' A previous study, published in 2023, found that some cats like to play fetch in the same way as dogs. A survey of nearly 1,000 owners also suggests cats like to be in control of the game and respond best when they lead the play. While fetching is not typically associated with felines, the researchers believe the behaviour is instinctive – often happening without any formal training. Based on their findings, published in the journal Nature, the academics are urging cat owners to be more attuned to their pets' needs and their preferences for play. They say that playing fetch may be beneficial for the welfare of the cat and may strengthen the bond between the pet and its owner. Cats are often branded aloof and solitary creatures who spend their days plotting their human owner's demise, but such characterisations could not be further from the truth. In fact, our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language. In her eye-opening new book Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat, author Lili Chin - with the help of animal behaviourists - explains how to interpret your pet's movements. Below are some of the most common behaviours and what they could signal.
