A prototype from the University of Texas’ autonomous vehicles project.
Autonomous vehicles are not science fiction. They may be coming soon to a garage near you.
At the University of Texas at Austin computer science department, a special project known as Autonomous Intersection Management seeks to replace traffic lights with a new computerized framework for guiding autonomous, or self-driven, vehicles safely through intersections.
AIM asks a startling question. "In the future, with computers 'behind the wheel', will it make sense to have intersection control mechanisms that were designed with today's human drivers in mind?"
Its answer: "With all the advantages computerized drivers offer — more precise control, better sensors and quicker reaction times — we believe automobile travel can be made not only safer and easier, but much more efficient."
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute, who are also developing a traffic control system for autonomous vehicles, have come to a similar conclusion.
"If we put a communications device in these vehicles that can talk to our system, then we don't have to use traffic lights anymore," says Hesham Rakha, an engineering professor and director of the institute's Center for Sustainable Mobility.
Its system would receive data on location, speed and acceleration from autonomous and all other vehicles within 600 feet, plus road and weather conditions. It would figure out how to get all the vehicles through safely and efficiently. It would give priority to ambulances, police cars and fire trucks.
Car manufacturers such as Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac and Toyota are testing autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. Google, too, is developing a driverless car. Nevada and California have passed laws allowing autonomous cars on their roads.
When smart cars are linked to one another and to traffic control systems, intersections (and driving) will never be the same again.
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