At Massachusetts Institue of Technology, a group of researchers and engineers, have discovered a much more efficient way to minimize commuting times. Traditionally traffic lights are optimized at a set intersection or maybe a few intersections. Researchers at MIT are emphasizing how important it is to not just look at a few intersections but how traffic flows through the entire city. Of course doing this could have its problems such as drivers seeking alternate routes knowing they may have to wait a bit longer at certain traffic rights. Although, in detailed simulation, this new method has cut down the average commute time by 22%. The approach will also take into account weather conditions and time of day. Different goals of the researchers include minimizing fuel consumption and finding optimal locations for vehicle sharing hubs. The project has a long way to go, but it well on its way for cutting commuting times to cities across the United States.
City Traffic Lights
MIT
Sources: MIT News
Massachusets Institute ofTechnologyy
Title: Traffic Lights: There's a better way
Published Date: July 7, 2014
Author: David L. Chandler
Full Article: http://news.mit.edu/2014/traffic-lights-theres-a-better-way-0707
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