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waggawind

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Joined: 17/07/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 18

Posted: 11:49am 04 Jun 2009

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Anyone who has travelled the Hume Hwy between Yass and Goulburn would have noticed the 15 X 2Megawatt wind turbines that have been constructed next to the Hume(within 1000metres or so). What amazed me was the amount of cars veering all over the road as the drivers take a look. Whilst I'm all for wind power(or I wouldn't be in this forum), I must question the choice of location. Would like to see the stats for the next 12 months for vehicle crashes in this area.

Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5119

Posted: 12:44pm 04 Jun 2009

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Thats an interresting point, I wonder if they even consider "driver disstraction" when they look for windmill sites. Watch out, that will be the next big reason why wind farms are no good, they cause road accidents!

Dont know how you would fix the problem. Maybe drop the speed to 80kmh, and put in a rest stop with views of the turbines. I've seen 80kmh speed restrictions near lookouts before, even though the road is good for 100kmh.

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
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Tinker

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Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 02:01pm 04 Jun 2009

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Gizmo said Thats an interresting point, I wonder if they even consider "driver disstraction" when they look for windmill sites. Watch out, that will be the next big reason why wind farms are no good, they cause road accidents!

Dont know how you would fix the problem. Maybe drop the speed to 80kmh, and put in a rest stop with views of the turbines. I've seen 80kmh speed restrictions near lookouts before, even though the road is good for 100kmh.

Glenn

Glenn, a good fix would be putting up lots and lots of wind generators. Then it soon would be 'seen one, seen them all'.
This seemed to work in NE Germany where I saw lots of big wind generators near the autobahn, nobody slows down to gawk there.

Klaus

waggawind

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Joined: 17/07/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 18

Posted: 10:07pm 04 Jun 2009

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Speaking of lots of wind farms Tinker, origin has numerous sites in the area earmarked for more of these 2Megawatt units. Maybe as you said, they will become so familiar that drivers will just ignore them. I must admit they are impressive units with their swept blades.
Also at night it is strange seeing red lights flashing in the sky.

I had a read thru the original development application and visibility of the turbines was taken into account for local property owners. I appears no one considered the dual lane freeway just below the turbines.

Also the best viewing area is on a 110kmph bend. I'm not sure If I would stop in that spot. Maybe some "High accident zone" signs would raise drivers awareness. Also I like Glenn's idea of a viewing area. Have a good look and then get on with the driving.

Only time will tell.

Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee

Robb
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Joined: 01/08/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 221

Posted: 07:09am 05 Jun 2009

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The codrington wind farm as a viewing stop off area and it offeres no better views than from the road but it does get some viewers off the road at least. The one in esperance you can drive to within about 50 metres of the base of one of the towers in their viewing area. Looks amaizing to see tons of blade flying past above you.

You should try driving on the great ocean road. People driving all over the road

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