Topic: Britain from Above

[Simon]

A new BBC series makes use of satellite technology to create stunning images of Britain from above.

Andrew Marr presents the series Britain from Above, the first episode of which will be broadcast on Sunday 10 August at 2100 on BBC One.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7539529.stm

[sam]

big brother is watching you.

[Clive]

Thanks Simon. 

[Clive]

I watched it earlier tonight and have to say it was fascinating to watch how phantom traffic jams are caused by just one person applying his brakes because he finds himself driving too close to the vehicle in front.  That causes the cars behind to brake in sequence until they eventually come to a stop for no reason at all.  Even after the traffic jam has cleared, further jams are formed as the ripple travels for many miles down the motorway.   

[sam]

clive - its fluid dynamics.... I've seen some fascinating analogues over time with this and some of the codes are almost identical.

I too enjoyed the perspective but something seemed odd about it, I don't know maybe because it was a bbc documentary - it had too much of that feeling about it. A bit like panorama.

[Simon]

I watched it earlier tonight and have to say it was fascinating to watch how phantom traffic jams are caused by just one person applying his brakes because he finds himself driving too close to the vehicle in front.  That causes the cars behind to brake in sequence until they eventually come to a stop for no reason at all.  Even after the traffic jam has cleared, further jams are formed as the ripple travels for many miles down the motorway.  

It's like most crashes, well, all crashes are caused by one person's act of stupidity or moment of lost concentration.  You don't get two drivers intent on crashing into each other!

[Reno]

Edit: Hope they don't zoom in too close.