Traffic-Flow Algorithm Can Reduce Fuel Consumption

thecarchik writes "New projects from German automakers Audi and BMW promise to ease congestion simply by looking at traffic signals and driving style, in an effort to smooth the flow of traffic. Through a test course in Munich, vehicles were able to post phenomenal fuel efficiency gains simply by adjusting the timing of traffic lights depending on traffic volume — to whatever speed provides a so-called 'green wave' of four or more synchronized signals."

Re:Too Bad It Won't Happen in US

[Hijacked Public]

Fucking google street view, passively shooting holes in my arguments.

But this isn't first time I've been lied to my a marketing person.

Re:It astounds me

[yotto]

U-Turns aren't legal here, but I frequently turn right, then turn around in a driveway or parking lot, and still get back to the intersection in plenty of time to beat the light change.

However, this is the driving equivalent of a programming kludge and doesn't fix the actual problem that the lights are set up stupidly.

Did I just make a computer analogy to better explain something about cars?

Re:It astounds me

[pcolaman]

So what happened? Did the light ever change?

Re:Poorly designed vehicle detectors

[pcolaman]

What in the fuck does Optimus Prime have to do with vehicle detectors?

Obligatory XKCD

[vidnet]

I'd like to smack the idiot who designed this intersection [xkcd.com].

(Also happens to be my favourite xkcd ever, finally I get to use it)

Re:It astounds me

[Eevee]

Truth is everybody in Australia is a criminal.

...Because iocaine comes from Australia, as everyone knows. And Australia is entirely peopled with criminals. And criminals are used to having people not trust them, as you are not trusted by me...

Re:It astounds me

[cycleflight]

Nah, he's posting from the intersection.