Smart Cars With Smart Roads Can Help Out Dumb Drivers

from the and-those-dumb-drivers-need-help dept

We were just discussing Honda's new "collision mitigation braking system" to help gently assist drivers in avoiding accidents. However, just having the smarts in the car might not be enough. Researchers are working on "smart roads" filled with sensors that can communicate with "smart cars" to help prevent accidents. The researchers admit that there's not much new in the systems, but they're doing much more analysis of how humans react to these sorts of things - and how to create systems that will create the right response from drivers. They're hoping to have them on the roads within five years (meaning, expect them in ten to twenty years). Now, we just need the system that tells the guy going ten miles below the speed limit in the lefthand lane that it's time to move over and let the normal drivers pass.