TECH - Will Self-Driving Cars Make Traditional Traffic Lights Obsolete? Researchers Say Brace For Major Changes | Benzinga
In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, researchers are now investigating the possibility of smarter vehicles revolutionizing traditional traffic signals, potentially replacing the conventional red, yellow, and green lights.
What Happened: Modern vehicles equipped with features such as GPS could significantly enhance traffic safety and efficiency, and separate studies on this potential shift are being led by researchers from the University of Michigan and North Carolina State University, as per AP News.
Henry Liu, a civil engineering professor at the University of Michigan, is optimistic about introducing a new traffic signal system. “The pace of artificial intelligence progress is very fast, and I think it's coming,” he said.
A team at North Carolina State University, led by Ali Hajbabaie, an associate engineering professor, suggests adding a fourth light — possibly white — to traffic signals, which would indicate when AVs on the road are sufficient to control the traffic flow.
"When we get to the intersection, we stop if it's red and we go if it's green. But if the white light is active, you just follow the vehicle in front of you,” said ...