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CarsIn the past century, cars have evolved to be perhaps the most dominant and widely-used form of transportation. With the count of passenger cars on the globe at a sky-high 531 million as of 2002, it is evident cars are almost everywhere. In the years to come, it can be assured that cars will continue to evolve into faster, more efficient, and more environmentally-friendly vehicles that will change the way we move, work, and live.
On this page we describe several new and emerging automotive technologies: we have included technologies that are already a work in progress as well as ideas for the future. As one of the most prevalent methods of transportation in our lives today, new and improved models of the car are constantly being developed.
Related interactive activity: Features for the complete smart car and automated highway
What's the idea? With a fully automated street system, drivers with "smart" cars could relax while their cars detected magnets placed along specialized highways. The cars would run automatically as the highway computer system calculates the flow of incoming and exiting traffic, resulting in productive, steady, streamlined transportation.
When could it happen? In short, a system like this could be implemented any time now. Aside from cost barriers, the technology of a smart car is readily available. The topic of automated car and highway systems has sprouted up in study groups and think tanks across the country. Computer simulations, small models, and real-life demonstrations have shown these technologies are not as far away as once thought.
How does it work? There have been several proposals on how to best create such a system, and many options are available. A joint effort from the California Department of Transportation and California University , the "Partners for Advanced Transit and Highway" program, is know as PATH. It is just one research group dedicated to making the world of automobile transportation as safe, efficient, and hi-tech as possible. Their comprehensive project included magnetometers, advanced traffic modeling, and computer simulations among other technologies.
In order for Automated Highway Systems, or AHS, to work, the highway must first have magnetic markers drilled in periodically along the road. The vehicles on the road have magnetometers in place which sense the magnetic field and evaluate their position relative to the road. The smart car compensates accordingly, creating a smooth ride along the highway.
A wide variety of methods could be used for the ideal "smart car" to detect its environment. Magnetometers aside, other sensory options include camera sensors that could detect the yellow-boundary stripes on the road. To learn more about smart car equipment and features, take a look at this comprehensive interactive activity. Also, see the "Sign Detection" and "Radar Scanning" sections below.
On an automatic highway system (AHS), magnetic markers would be drilled at intervals along the road. The person above is holding a magnetic marker used in the San Deigo demonstration of varoius technologies for an AHS. Used with permission from http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Publications/Media/FactSheet/Mini-Demo.pdf
Above: Of the many options available for a smart car to detect its environment, video imaging is just one. Above you see a smart car equipped with special cameras. Used with permission from http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Publications/Media/FactSheet/CTransition.pdf
In an automated highway system, all of the vehicles on the road could be in communication with a main computer. This computer would use traffic modeling to streamline speeds, creating a very even traffic flow. In 1994, the National Automated Highway System Consortium (NAHSC) demonstrated a method called "platooning." Using a California freeway, eight vehicles were equipped with special gear. Using magnetic markers to guide themselves, the eight-car platoon was successful in riding safely, smoothly and quickly. Other technologies were displayed at the demonstration, including adaptive cruise control systems, obstacle detection systems, and laser ranging sensors.
Here you see eight platooning cars cruising down their automatic highway. Photograph taken during a demonstration of the technology in San Diego (Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways, n.d.). Used withpermission from http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Publications/Media/FactSheet/VPlatooning.pdf.
Why do people need it? With a constantly increasing population and need for space, traffic rates are booming. Energy sources run low as more and more cars hit the road every year. Along with safety, automated and intelligent vehicle systems would offer smooth traffic flow, more vehicles per highway, and greater fuel efficiency through consistent non-fluctuating automotive speeds.
What's the idea? A set-up of cameras can detect road signs and make sure the driver has spotted them.
When could it happen? Now - thanks to the National Information and Technology Communications lab in Australia, this Driver Assistance System (DAS) has already been created.
How does it work? The DAS is an arrangement of cameras that reads road signs. With one camera on the rear view and two others on the dashboard, the system can monitor for signs. When it detects a familiar shape, such as the octagon of a stop sign, the built- in computer searches for matches in its lists of recognizable signs. The cameras on the dashboard can detect the faces and calculate where the driver is looking. The computer decides whether the driver has seen the sign and alerts the driver if the car has not slowed down.
Why do people need it? Admit it: we all get distracted every once and a while. A system like this could make sure we spot all the important signs on the road.
What's the idea? Although radar systems are traditionally much larger, recent innovations allow for tiny devices that could help reduce collisions.
When could it happen? This small radar system is ready for use, although the cost of making it is hoped to drop.
How does it work? At the California Institute of Technology, researchers developed a silicon chip radar system that is smaller than a fingernail. Such a system could be used to scan for upcoming barriers in the car's way.
Why do people need it? With radar constantly checking for upcoming objects, more accidents could be prevented along with more lives saved.
U.S. Department of Transportation electronic library of intelligent transportation documents: http://www.its.dot.gov/welcome.htm
California University's "Partner's for Advanced Transit and Highway," or PATH: http://www.path.berkeley.edu/
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