4/08/2008

'Intelligent’ cars and roads move a step nearer with new trials

Cars that warn motorists about crashes before they happen and ‘intelligent’ roads that direct drivers to empty parking spaces are being developed in Britain

Road authorities and vehicle manufacturers are testing new ‘co-operative transport systems’ that allow cars to send and receive up-to-the-minute information about the road ahead and the vehicles around them.

The technology is being tested in six locations around Europe, including a site in London. It is being developed as part of a European Commission project called ERTICO involving car manufacturers, including BMW and Volvo.

The main causes of traffic jams and road crashes are drivers failing to reach to a change in the traffic and over-reacting by braking too hard. Experts hope the project will improve safety and beat traffic jams on the overloaded road network.

Technology similar to that used by wireless commuter networks will allow on-board computers in cars to communicate with each other to get information about hazards and congestion.

In one example, sensors in the wheels of a car detect when it is beginning to skid or braking suddenly, allowing it to send a warning to surrounding motorists that an accident is imminent.

Vehicles will also be able to provide road authorities with information about defects in the road surface. Central traffic management centres can then redirect motorists along alternative routes to avoid jams.

In another system, parking spaces in London’s Camden High Street, ‘announce’ when they are empty and then use GPS to guide drivers to the space.

Scientists at Leeds University are also developing intelligent road systems in a separate project, with phone giants Motorola, O2 and the Welsh Traffic Authority, Traffic Wales.

Using roadside masts incorporated into lampposts, they hope to provide roads with a high-speed network that will allow cars to communicate with each other and with traffic management authorities.

(Sunday Telegraph)


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