An intelligent sat nav system that helps drivers pass through successive green traffic lights in a bid to cut traffic congestion and pollution is to be trialled in Newcastle.
The Compass4D project is being led in the UK by Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council. The aim is to link an in-vehicle communication system directly with the city’s Urban Traffic Management Control centre, helping motorists adjust their driving to keep traffic moving.
It’s the first time such technology has been trialled in the UK. Information will be sent directly to drivers to take them away from areas that are becoming congested, speeding up people’s journeys through the city and easing traffic jams.
Among the systems being implemented is an ‘energy efficient intersection service’, which advises the driver of the best speed in order to pass through a series of traffic lights on green.
Phil Blythe, professor of intelligent transport systems at Newcastle University, explains: “The system might advise a driver that if they travel at 24 miles an hour they will hit the next four sets of traffic lights on green. In more congested areas or particularly busy times of the day, then key roads might be given priority in order to keep the traffic flowing.”
Other features being trialled include:
- A ‘forward collision warning’, which notifies drivers of obstacles on the road such as an accident, broken down vehicle or even just stationary traffic.
- A ‘red light violation warning’, which tells drivers when someone on the road ahead has jumped a red light.
As well as Newcastle, the 10 million Euro Compass4D involves six other European cities: Bordeaux, France; Copenhagen, Denmark; Eindhoven-Helmond, Netherlands; Thessoloniki, Greece; Verona, Italy; and Vigo, Spain. Other key partners include Siemens and Volvo and the project is co-ordinated by the European Road Transport Telematics Implementation Coordination Organisation.