MIT Algorithm Predicts Red Light Runners 348
adeelarshad82 writes "Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that determines which drivers will run a red light, within one to two seconds before a potential collision. The research, based on 15,000 cars at a busy intersection, monitored various factors to determine which cars were were likely to run a red light. They found that their predictions were correct about 85 percent of the time, which is about 15-20 percent better than existing traffic prediction algorithms."
Welcome to the Future Crime unit (Score:5, Funny)
Article summary (Score:5, Funny)
Deep.
I assume it merely selects... (Score:5, Funny)
I assume it simply selects BMWs?
Tuppence Predictor (Score:5, Funny)
Is driver on mobile phone? Add 1
Is driver drinking coffee? Add 1
Is driver putting on makeup/shaving/combing hair? Add 1
Is driver having animated (you can see heads turning and arms waving about) discussion with passenger/children? Add 1
Is driver speeding? Add 1
If your score is 3 or higher then expect them to run the light, hope you are not in a crossing lane.
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Tuppence Predictor (Score:4, Funny)
Is driver is engaging in intercourse? Add 2
Is driver playing Angry Birds? Add 2
Does driver own any Apple products? Revoke license
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:5, Funny)
Ah, so that's why my June ski trip to Whistler ended badly.
Re:Article summary (Score:5, Funny)
I notice that, despite being an MIT team, they analyzed data from an intersection somewhere in Virginia. Probably because their model from a Boston intersection was even simpler:
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:5, Funny)
Haven't you ever heard of the Slippery Slope Conspiracy? It involves a bunch of government agents who scream "Slippery Slope" at the most absurd things so that people will be desensitized to Slippery Slope claims because they will think that the people who make those claims are a bunch of nut-bars! And in another month's time the Slippery Slope Conspirators will have achieved a perfectly zero coefficient of social friction and make the rest of us their true slaves! Not only will we be digging canals with spoons and carrying spoons full of dirt 20 miles up hill both ways and with a 50 lb. steel ball tied to our ankle, but we will be happy for it!
Note to conspiracy-conspiracy theorists: I'm not being serious. Just to be clear, this conspiracy is a figment of my sarcastic imagination and not real.
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:5, Funny)
two and three are all you need.
You can claim you thought you saw a cat/dog/child/buffalo/griffin/whatever.
My solution to tailgating when I was on my way home from a paintball match was to toss a handful of balls out the sunroof.
-nB
Re:Wirelessly (Score:5, Funny)
Old joke:
I was recently riding with a friend of mine.
We were coming to a red light, and he shoots right through it. I ask him, "Why'd you do that?" He tells me this is how his brother drives.
We come to another red light, and again, he shoots right through it. I ask him, "Why'd you do that?" Again, he tells me this is how his brother drives.
We come to a green light, and he slams on the brakes. My heart nearly goes into my throat. I shouted at him, "Why do you do that?!"
He replied, "You never know, my brother could be coming the other way."
Idiotic police (Score:5, Funny)
A friend was pulled over by police for running through an intersection just as it turned from amber to red instead of stopping. She said that because the car behind was tailgating (business as usual), to have stopped would have caused an accident, so in her judgement it was safer to continue. That cut no ice and she was booked. Eventually they let her go and then pulled out behind her and followed. At the next intersection, the lights were on amber so this time she stopped. The police patrol car ploughed straight into her rear. They booked her again (she was naturally livid) but elected to take the matter to court. She was cleared of all charges including the original offence and the police had to pay all costs. Justice.
Sometimes the right thing to do is to press on on amber - I usually stop but only if there's time to do it without the half-asleep moron behind rearranging the back of your car.
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:5, Funny)
How about a ramp that pops up, so the red light runner will just end up flying over the intersection, Dukes of Hazzard style? Even better if the intersection had a PA system to play Dixie when it happens.
It might not be pretty when they land, that's their problem for running the light...