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Traffic Studied Using Computer-Linked Cars

Posted by Zonk on from the one-step-closer-to-gridguide dept.

mprindle writes "Yahoo News has an AP article about a system that links individual cars to analyze traffic patterns, which allows the drivers to avoid traffic jams and accidents. This system is part of the 'smart highway' initiatives. The data from the car is sent to a central server and from that data traffic patterns in a 40 mile radius. According to the article this technology is less expensive than using poll mounted antennas or ground sensors."

3 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. Let's think about this for a second... by pummer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If EVERYONE has a computer in their car to help them avoid traffic jams, then it would be absolutely pointless. The traffic would become more widely distributed, sure, but it'd shift away from highways that are designed to hold traffic, and into residential areas that aren't. You're going to have traffic somewhere, so whether it's on the highway or on another road is immaterial. Thus, these computers are pointless for anything more than data-gathering.

    1. Re:Let's think about this for a second... by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If everyone had computers in their cars to analyze traffic, then another computer could do a mapsearch and find the quickest way home. This would speed up everyone's journey home. It'd speed up the user using the computer to get home, and it'd speed up the commuter trying the congested lane too.

      And I'm not even talking the convincing evidence that could be taken to widen roads or make new roads.

      --
      God spoke to me.
  2. Re:But.. by HairyCanary · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What you just described is optimal utilization of all available routes. That means no traffic jams at all, anywhere (unless there just is no more capacity anywhere at all, in which case you have gridlock).