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Go with the flow

Article Abstract:

Figures from the European Community (EC) indicate that traffic inefficiencies cost over 20 million European Currency Units (ECUs) each year in missed revenues, and there are more than one million serious accidents annually among the 12 member countries. The EC is now attempting to work together to find solutions to traffic difficulties. The European automobile industry is backing Programme for a European Traffic with Highest Efficiency and Unprecedented Safety (Prometheus). Costing 600 million ECUs and slated to run until 1996, Prometheus is funding 258 research projects that will alleviate traffic congestion. One project, a convoy system, will: eliminate human error, increase safety; lower fuel consumption; reduce toxic emissions; and make optimal use of highways condensing the amount of space required by a car. Another project Automatic Radiocommunication System for Traffic Emergency situations on Highways and Urban Roads (ARTHUR) will: broadcast information on computer modems and alert cars within a 20-kilometer radius of an accident.

Innovations, Automobiles, Western Europe, Automobile driving, Motor vehicle driving, Traffic, Europe, Western, Transportation Alternatives

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The new heartland

Article Abstract:

Swabia, the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, is booming because it is an attractive location for foreign investment and business innovations. The region has attracted companies such as Daimler-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, and Zeiss, and as a result, has only a 5% unemployment rate. Its gross national product is higher than Sweden's or Switzerland's. Small and medium-sized family-owned businesses support Baden-Wurttemberg's economy because they are able to react quickly to marketplace changes and are maintaining their international competitiveness. The strong economy is attributable to the region's minister president Lothar Spath, as well as the population's strong work ethic, sense of pride, and quality craftsmanship.

Foreign investments, Economic aspects, Germany, Germany, West, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

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1992, a threat to dogmatic labour unions

Article Abstract:

A statement by the Industriegewerkschaft Metall union (West Germany) president at a summit on European cooperation that the European Free Trade Agreement is a hidden way to destroy the political power of trade unions, brought into focus the debate about what will happen to unions once the European Free Trade Agreement goes into effect. Contracts a la carte, where unions negotiate on a company-by-company basis, is one suggested way to adapt to changes in Germany. The idea is to maintain Germany's high wages, productivity, and shorter work week while modernizing industrial structure.

Management, Labor unions, Industriegewerkschaft Metall fur die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, European Community

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