Smart intersection

Ford Motor Company researchers have developed a so-called 'smart intersection' that uses GPS technology and wireless communications to reduce traffic accidents and ease congestion.

The intersection, established near Ford’s Research & Innovation Centre in Dearborn, Michigan, communicates with specially equipped test vehicles to warn drivers of potentially dangerous traffic situations.

The intersection is fitted with technology that can monitor potential hazards, and then transmit that information to vehicles.

Several pieces of data are sent to the vehicle, including a digital map of the intersection, six additional maps of surrounding stop sign intersections and crosswalks, lane-specific GPS location, as well as traffic light status and timing information.

Once the information is received, the vehicle’s collision avoidance system can determine whether the car will safely cross the intersection, or if it needs to stop before reaching it. If the system determines the need to stop and senses that the driver is not decelerating quickly enough, it issues visual and audio warnings to the driver.