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Peer to Peer Networking for Road Traffic
alecclews writes "The BBC is reporting on some German research to allow the exchange of information between road vehicles about travel conditions using peer to peer networking (I assume some sort of mesh). Cars or bikes experiencing problems would pass data that would ripple down the chain of vehicles behind them. 'For example, cars could spot oil on the road by combining temperature readings with wheel traction information. A wheel slipping on the road even though the temperature was not low enough for frost or ice would suggest oil or another slippery substance was present. Once a car detected this sort of danger, information about it would be generated and passed down the line of vehicles approaching the patch of oil.'"
>>Technology should not be an excuse for people to be stupid and negligent. Especially when it comes to guiding a few thousand pounds of steel in the presence of others.
Here in the USA, the problem is that the DOT gives anyone with an IQ over 50 a license. I see so many stupid, blind, arrogant people driving everyday. I know they are this because every day on my way to and from work I see many accidents. Up to 5 times a week, my trip to or from work takes double or triple the amount of time it should because of the number of accidents slowing traffic down.
Anything to speed up traffic would be welcomed. I think raising the speed limit from 55 to 60 in my area actually lowered the average rate of speed. When it was 55, there were less accidents causing slowdowns.
I think the real fix is for the DOT to not give out a license to absolutely everyone.