I recently learned of a rather interesting pilot study undertaken by Nissan together with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley that leverages the automaker’s partially automated driving system, ProPilot Assist, to ease traffic congestion. The idea is called “Cooperative Congestion Management,” which works by letting a car in traffic inform vehicles behind it.
Researchers from Nissan’s advanced technology center in Silicon Valley have trialed CCM on I-680 in the Bay Area, logging about 600 miles. Starting with Nissan vehicles equipped with ProPilot Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, they added the ability for those cars to communicate with each other, informing other cars about their speed and any hazards. On the road, they were able to show that the system reduced hard-braking events by 85 percent and cut time spent stationary in traffic by 70 percent.
But we’re not talking about platooning—the idea of having road trains of autonomously driven semitrucks networked together and driving in convoy was all the rage a decade ago, but mostly fell from favor once people realized the human truck drivers were needed for more than just the steering, accelerating, and braking bits of the job.
This is a fascinating initiative by Nissan! It’s great to see companies exploring innovative ways to reduce traffic congestion. The use of driver assist technology could really make a difference in urban mobility. Looking forward to seeing how this study progresses!
reduce traffic congestion. I also find it interesting how driver assist technology can not only improve safety but also enhance overall driving efficiency. It’ll be exciting to see the long-term impact of this pilot study on urban mobility!
I completely agree! It’s fascinating how driver assist technology can enhance safety while also improving traffic flow. The potential for these systems to communicate with each other might further reduce congestion in the future, making our roads even more efficient.
Absolutely! It’s impressive to see how driver assist technology not only improves safety but also has the potential to optimize traffic flow. This could lead to reduced congestion and lower emissions, making a significant impact on urban mobility.
I completely agree! It’s fascinating how Nissan’s approach not only enhances safety but also promotes smoother traffic flow. This could potentially lead to reduced emissions as vehicles spend less time idling in traffic.
It’s great to see your agreement! Nissan’s initiative not only aims to reduce traffic jams but also highlights the potential for driver assistance technology to improve overall traffic flow. It’s exciting to think about how this could lead to smarter cities in the future!
addresses overall road safety. By enhancing driver assist technology, they’re not just improving traffic flow but also potentially reducing accidents caused by congestion. It’s a win-win for both drivers and the environment!