Traffic sign which show speed limits in Poland Polski: Znak pokazujący dopuszczalne prędkości na terenie Polski (Photo credit: Wikipedia)The US Department of Transportation is currently working on a plan of research and testing intelligent systems in cars and the infrastructure. The goal is to find out the impact these types of systems can have on traffic control, and to see how they can improve driver safety.
Companies like TraffiCalm Systems that produce these kinds of signs should be naturally interested in the use of technology for traffic control. A number of the concepts being looked at in this research are remarkably similar to the driver feedback signs already available. Though the signs and intelligent cars are different things, the psychological effects that change behavior are generally the same.
One of the research areas is the idea of connecting vehicles and letting them community to better keep a check on things like general traffic flow, speed and other problems. Wireless connectivity between vehicles that can alert drivers to problems, dangers and speed is certainly something that could be implemented to promote safety on the roads. This kind of driver awareness is what feedback-offering signs promote, by showing drivers their speeds in relation to the safe and posted speed limits. These can be put into action now, without the risk of leaving those without the technology behind, or forcing many changes to vehicles.
In addition to speed control, feedback systems are planned to alert drivers of hazards ahead of them. The wireless connection can be used to warn drivers of almost any kind of hazards--sudden flooding ahead, a pile-up, a car fire, even police activity in an area that may may make an area hazardous.
Driver feedback signs offer similar benefits as imagined future systems, as do variable speed signs. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity means that information can be gathered quickly (in the case of the feedback signs) and speed limits can be changed on the fly (for programmable signs). This technology is available today, and will still be useful and effective for decades to come.
Companies like TraffiCalm Systems that produce these kinds of signs should be naturally interested in the use of technology for traffic control. A number of the concepts being looked at in this research are remarkably similar to the driver feedback signs already available. Though the signs and intelligent cars are different things, the psychological effects that change behavior are generally the same.
One of the research areas is the idea of connecting vehicles and letting them community to better keep a check on things like general traffic flow, speed and other problems. Wireless connectivity between vehicles that can alert drivers to problems, dangers and speed is certainly something that could be implemented to promote safety on the roads. This kind of driver awareness is what feedback-offering signs promote, by showing drivers their speeds in relation to the safe and posted speed limits. These can be put into action now, without the risk of leaving those without the technology behind, or forcing many changes to vehicles.
In addition to speed control, feedback systems are planned to alert drivers of hazards ahead of them. The wireless connection can be used to warn drivers of almost any kind of hazards--sudden flooding ahead, a pile-up, a car fire, even police activity in an area that may may make an area hazardous.
Driver feedback signs offer similar benefits as imagined future systems, as do variable speed signs. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity means that information can be gathered quickly (in the case of the feedback signs) and speed limits can be changed on the fly (for programmable signs). This technology is available today, and will still be useful and effective for decades to come.
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Technology used in traffic solutions can help slow traffic down and greatly improve pedestrian safety. Check out trafficalmsystems.com today for more information.
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