New Honda Technology Detects, Prevents Traffic Snarls

Honda Motor Co. says it has developed the first in-vehicle system designed to both detect traffic jams and determine whether people are driving in ways that create congestion. Honda says it found that one vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration behavior influences trailing vehicles’ traffic patterns. The company’s system monitors acceleration and deceleration patterns and, via a color-coded dashboard display, encourages smoother driving patterns. The system alerts users of the appropriate time to activate a car’s cruise control and also synchronizes via the cloud with other drivers. Honda created and tested the system with help from the University of Tokyo and found that it helped increase average vehicle speed by 23 percent and improved trailing vehicles’ fuel efficiency by 8 percent. The technology could prevent emissions resulting from traffic congestion and reduce the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Honda plans to begin testing the system in Italy and Indonesia in the near future to verify its effectiveness. (PhysOrg)(Honda Worldwide)