Comments
Emulating the way insects like ants communicate in busy colonies, researchers have developed a new virtual traffic-lights system which they claim can reduce commuting time by 40 to 60 per cent.
Ozan Tonguz, a telecommunications researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is looking to nature for an innovative solution to the gridlock.
His team is trying to emulate the way in which ants, termites, and bees communicate right of way in busy colonies and hives, to solve the traffic problems faced by commuters.
An algorithm, which directs traffic at busy junctions, was recently patented by Virtual Traffic Lights, a company owned by Tonguz, the ‘New Scientist’ reported.
As intersections approach, a dedicated short-range communications is used by the cars to quickly exchange information on their number and their direction of travel.
The largest group of vehicles is given an in-car green light, while vehicles in the other group see a red light and wait for their turn.
After the largest cluster of cars pass through the intersection, the next biggest group is given the green light.
Simulations over the past 3 years showed that the new traffic light system can reduce 40 to 60 per cent of commute time for workers during the rush hour.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration and the private groups have given the project $2 million in funding since it began in 2009.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.