{"id":11124,"date":"2015-04-03T20:16:30","date_gmt":"2015-04-03T20:16:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=11124"},"modified":"2015-04-04T18:06:32","modified_gmt":"2015-04-04T18:06:32","slug":"driverless-cars-and-intelligent-traffic-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/driverless-cars-and-intelligent-traffic-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Driverless Cars and Intelligent Traffic Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"driverless2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As new technology <\/em><\/strong>enabling cars to turn traffic lights green is launched we look at the impact on driverless cars writes Geraldine Herbert<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A new technology which allows\u00a0traffic lights\u00a0to ‘talk’ directly to motorists \u00a0is being trialled by the North East Ambulance Service in Newcastle. Through a small device on the windscreen cars can request a green light from a traffic light when it is within 100 metres. For the patients it means a safer and faster way to hospital and for the ambulance service it means reduced fuel bills.<\/p>\n

The plan is to expand the scheme across the city in coming years \u00a0to ease congestion and cut pollution.<\/p>\n

So how does it work?<\/strong>
\n 1<\/strong> The device in the car detects the traffic lights ahead
\n2<\/strong> Sends a request to switch to green
\n3<\/strong> The traffic lights responds to the priority request and tells the driver what \u00a0the optimal speed is to ensure always hitting a green light<\/p>\n

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Can cars talk to each other?<\/strong>
\nGeneral Motors rolled out a vehicle to vehicle project as far back as 2007 which allowed vehicles to communicate with each other. The system used \u00a0satellite\u00a0technology\u00a0to detect other vehicles and triggered an alarm if the car was on a collision. \u00a0Cars could also send info to the driver about a car stopped on the inside of a corner, a car braking hard up ahead, vehicles lurking in your blind spot, road works and inform motorists of emergency vehicles coming your way.<\/p>\n

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What can we expect to see in future cars?<\/strong><\/p>\n