Smart Intersections: A solution to dumb drivers?
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We've covered the idea of cars talking to each other and to the roadside infrastructure before, back when GM pitched us the idea in February 2006. But those so-called vehicle-to-vehicle networks don't become really useful until thousands of vehicles are equipped with the two-way communicators. Ford reckons that so-called "Smart Intersections" might be able to start whittling away at the accident-related injuries that currently occur in intersections, as well as the estimated three billion gallons of gas we waste in congestion related to intersection accidents.
Research indicates that 40 percent of all traffic accidents and 20 percent of crash-related fatalities occur in intersections today. It's unknown just how many of those are attributable to driver distraction, but whatever that statistic, it's bound to be increasing. Ford and a consortium involving GM, Daimler AG, Honda, and Toyota believe electronics can serve as "a vigilant passenger" to help warn a distracted or generally inattentive driver of impending danger.
The Smart Intersections initiative envisions a black box equipped with a 5.9 GHz (WiFi type) Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) radio transmitter, a GPS unit (many newer intersections already use GPS for signal-timing purposes), a high-definition map of the local area, and a Siemens controller. As a vehicle equipped with this DSRC hardware approaches such an intersection, it downloads the high-res map so the car can interpret exactly which lane it is in (typical nav systems can't do this), and info about what color the light is and when the next change will occur.
If the vehicle is approaching a red light too quickly to stop, or approaching an impending yellow at a speed that might pose a problem stopping, a bright-red warning light on the dash and/or voice command draw the driver's attention to the windshield, thereby (it's hoped) preventing an accident. The map data downloaded also can include high-res maps to enable warning of stop-sign intersections, too (these intersections would generally be "dumb" otherwise).
Cost is said to represent only a modest upgrade from a current state-of-the-art electronically controlled intersection and to represent a savings relative to the installation and maintenance costs of traffic-sensor loops and optical traffic recognition gear, but those may still be needed until a critical mass of cars is equipped. The vehicle only needs another antenna that can likely be integrated with other on-board antennas, and some signal conditioning gear. Ford envisions fully upgradable units that can incorporate future vehicle-to-vehicle warnings that promise to prevent crashes outside of intersections as well. Ford also envisions kits to retrofit some older cars with nav systems to recognize smart intersections as well. We say, the sooner the better!
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