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Could Technology Companies Solve Traffic Congestion? (bloomberg.com)

As the Indian city of Bangalore "grapples with inadequate roads, unprecedented growth and overpopulation," can technology companies find a solution? randomErr writes: Tech giants and startups are turning their attention to a common enemy: the Indian city's infernal traffic congestion. Commutes that can take hours have inspired Gridlock Hackathon for technology workers to find solutions to the snarled roads that cost the economy billions of dollars. While the prize totals a mere $5,500, it's attracting teams from global giants Microsoft Corp., Google and Amazon.com. Inc. to local startups including Ola.
Bloomberg reports that the ideas "range from using artificial intelligence and big data on traffic flows to true moonshots, such as flying cars... Other entries suggested including Internet of Things-powered road dividers that change orientation to handle changing situations. There is also a proposal for a reporting system that tracks vehicles that don't conform to the road rules..." And one hackathon official says a team "suggested building smart roads underneath the city and another has sent in detailed drawings of flying cars." Any more bright ideas -- and more importantly, do any of these solutions really have a chance of succeeding?

2 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. These are symptoms: there is only ONE problem ... by swell · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "grapples with inadequate roads, unprecedented growth and overpopulation,"
    And there is more: sewage in the streets, hunger, sickness, pollution of every kind...

    There is only ONE problem really. There is only one solution. Family planning. All of those little 'problems' are simply symptoms of the ONE problem. Without family planning, every one of those symptoms will get worse.

    --
    ...omphaloskepsis often...
  2. can't fix india's traffic.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    until you can figure out how to fix india's drivers