Is There Hope for Intelligent Driving Systems? - Revolutionary Systems
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Revolutionary Systems
Throughout this chapter we are going to cover the specific projects that are currently being researched and developed. These projects could bring an exceptional degree of innovation once implemented. And they could alter the way transportation systems work.
Before we begin, let's point out some of the hazardous negative impacts of traffic congestion and jams:
Reduced traveling speeds, lengthened trip times, and increased queuing.
Wasted fuel, which significantly increases air pollution (due to constant idling, and too frequent breaking and acceleration). This is closely linked to high gas prices.
Lost productivity (from wasted time in traffic) and an inability to predict travel time.
Jams interfere with the ability of emergency vehicles to respond to emergencies.
Increased possibility of road rage due to frustration and stress of being late.
In theory, Dynamic Collaborative Driving is able to solve all of the aforementioned issues. Additionally, it would increase transportation safety as well as reduce the number of human casualties. Collaborative driving is based on the concept of communication. It's an excellently decentralized feature because it requires little to no operator intervention.
Its methodology is as follows: vehicles would communicate with each other, perceive the factors of the surrounding environment, and would form specific groups on the road where information would flow on an automatic basis. The system would end up with decision-making abilities regarding speed and direction.
The communication works on de facto standard wireless WAVEs (IEEE 802.11p), which would end up being the protocol of Dedicated Short Range Communication. WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) and 3G networks could stand for long-range communication protocols. Camera- and laser-based sensors would be used, while additional radio beacons would also be required. Then the system is adequate with necessary cooperative algorithms.
Another bonus of this kind of infrastructure is assisted driving, which would significantly reduce the number and possibility of traffic accidents. The functionality of autonomous road-following capability is being investigated by various manufacturers. This would be possible thanks to the telematic infrastructure of the road, using it as a motion detection control. Think of it like cooperative steering, following the road lanes.
Researchers from universities such as Calgary, Waterloo and Saskatchewan are heavily involved in the investigation of dynamic collaborative driving systems. IBM announced its involvement in transportation revolutionizing projects. Their belief is that, thanks to collaborative driving technologies, cars in the future will have lightning fast "reflexes" based on driver-assist complexity controls.
"Transportation researchers and strategists at IBM are concerned that the cure for transportation problems is not building more roads or adding flights. IBM thinks emerging technologies - especially in communications - will make travel safer, more streamlined and able to accommodate ever-increasing growth demands."
-Marty Salfen, general manager, global travel and transportation, IBM
All in all, the bottom line is that once the exchange of information is possible, then groups can be formed dynamically. They would communicate between each other, sending useful data regarding factors such as speed, direction, and angles. Based on this feedback using decision-making algorithms, the vehicles would be able to take corrective action when appropriate.
Couple this with real-time traffic monitoring, which establishes opportunities to make adjustments to traffic lights in real-time, improving the flow of traffic. As a result, this can lead to clearer paths, less traffic jams, and reducing the overall frustration and stress of drivers.
Real-time traffic monitoring is already possible with the help of GPS navigation aid systems. Therefore, drivers can be warned to avoid specific routes to help ease the congestion of traffic. But you simply cannot compare a satellite-based system with another innovative solution that's based on wireless on-surface communication. Undoubtedly the latter has faster updates and more accurate information.
Moreover, once collaborative driving is fully implemented, public transportation becomes reinvented. Routine passengers could be notified regarding the status of their transportation vehicle accompanied by a completely accurate arrival time. And in case of traffic hazards, they could be informed about the incident. In theory, everything should be smooth.
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