Ford studies a no traffic light world

Imagine a world where negotiating busy junctions does not require you to wait at a red light and the only reason to stop your car is because you have arrived at your destination.

Ford is testing a new way in which connected car technology could set us on that journey. And it takes its lead from how humans negotiate their way through busy crowds, by slowing down or speeding up to avoid collisions, without coming to a standstill.

Intersection Priority Management (IPM) – that was recently demonstrated in U.K., as part of the government-funded UK Autodrive program – aims to keep drivers driving and bring an end to unnecessary stops at junctions, both easing traffic flow and increasing safety and efficiency.

IPM uses vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications to coordinate with other vehicles in the vicinity and suggests optimum speeds that will allow cars to safely pass by each other at intersections without coming to a halt.

For the trial, test cars were equipped with V2V communication systems that broadcast the vehicles’ location, direction of travel and speed.

The onboard IPM systems are designed to identify an upcoming junction and the trajectory of other vehicles approaching it.

It will then suggest an optimum speed for each vehicle as they approach the junction that will allow them pass through safely.

Automating how vehicles negotiate junctions with each other in this way that may mean that, one day, vehicles could pass through safely and efficiently without the need for traffic lights or road signs.

While today’s autonomous vehicles operate independently using the sensor technologies and map data on board, V2V and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications technologies could benefit the driverless cars of the future.