Ford drivers will never need to stop at a red traffic light again
The rumor says that if we drive at the speed limit, then, in theory, we should get only green traffic lights.
hmmm… I am not so sure, but what if it was indeed possible? What if you could head out on your morning commute and never stop at a red traffic light as ever single light would be green for you? Now that would be amazing and Ford is testing a new system that aims to make this a reality.
Ford is testing technology, Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory, which uses information on traffic light timings from a roadside unit to display to the driver the best speed to travel to get a green light. If drivers find hitting a red light unavoidable the system displays how long until the light turns green. Technologies that will be trialed in 2017 will also warn drivers when another vehicle is blocking the junction ahead; when an ambulance, police car or fire truck is approaching; and prioritizes vehicles arriving at intersections without traffic signs or traffic lights.
Ford is trialing the technology as it helps to demonstrate the benefits of connected cars for UK Autodrive – the UK’s largest self-driving and connected car trial. The 16-member, partly publicly funded £20 million project is developing and trialing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle‑to‑infrastructure technologies that could make driving less stressful and time-consuming, and improve fuel efficiency.
“There’s not much worse after a long day than to hit one red light after another on the drive home, and be forced to stop and start again at every junction,” said Christian Ress, supervisor, Driver Assist Technologies, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “Enabling drivers to ‘ride the green wave’ also means a smoother, continuous journey that helps to improve the flow of traffic and provide significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.”
Trials are taking place on both public roads and closed circuits in Milton Keynes and Coventry during the next two years.
Ford is already a world leader in autonomous vehicle technology and this is yet another step to make this a reality for all. Check out my ride with Ford inside one of their self-driving cars:
