MIT working on navigation software that would predict red lights

Don’t like red lights? MIT just might have an app for that. Photo Credit: JD554/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA

No one likes red lights and having to wait for the darn things to change. However, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology might have an app for that, as they are working on a program for satellite navigation that would predict upcoming red lights.

Quest for fuel economy stymied by red lights

Red lights are a pain. Who wants to get stuck in traffic, waiting for the light to change? It’s one of the most frustrating things in motoring, especially when one knows full well the Sunday driver at the front of the line is not going to speed up quickly off the line out of courtesy, cars still stuck in line behind and making it that much more likely one will get stuck twice at the same light.

Not only are they annoying, but red lights also are a major threat to fuel economy. The engine is still running, meaning its still using fuel. Unfortunately, the only cars that offer stop-start technology are German, require much bigger loans on a car and because they’re German, are likely to suffer some sort of electronic failure at least twice per week.

However, according to the Telegraph, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is working on a fix.

MIT has an app for that

Scientists at MIT are working on a program which might help motorists avoid red lights. Trials were conducted in Cambridge, Mass., and in Singapore, testing how well the program worked given different methods for determining red light intervals. Lights in Boston are timed, whereas Singapore uses traffic levels to determine red light intervals.

The way the program works by mounting a smartphone to the dash. An app takes pictures of traffic lights, according to the Daily Mail, which collects data about red light intervals. The data is aggregated and analyzed. Once the system has sufficient data, it starts warning the driver of upcoming red lights by sending a message through the app.

The system will tell a driver how long they have until the light changes and advise if slowing down is appropriate or where using side streets would be more appropriate. It will not, according to AutoBlog UK, advise drivers to speed.

Showing results

The study did show errors occurred, with miscalculations of red lights of one second, according to the Telegraph, up to 2.45 seconds, according to AutoBlog UK.

However, the potential benefits, aside from avoiding being trapped at a red light and thus reducing aggravation among motorists, include increased fuel efficiency. When stuck in traffic, the engine is still running, consuming fuel. Fewer red lights means less gas. It also could cut emissions.

[To Get The Perfect Deal For A New Or Used Car, Van, Truck or SUV Visit Spokane Cars For Sales Here.]

How long it takes before the program is available commercially is unknown, but the university is in contact with some “commercial partners.” Conceivably, it could appear in satellite navigation units in the near future.