Automakers and suppliers of components pay special attention not only to the development of active driver assistance systems, but also to the creation of a modern information infrastructure, which will enable road users to share useful information with each other and key objects of the road network. For example, as reported by Reuters, the Audi brand from the first of June this year equips some models of the A4 and the Q7, intended for sale in the US market, with a system of information on the traffic on the wireless interface.
The idea is simple - the vehicle's computer will receive information about the remaining time before the change of the traffic light. The countdown time will be displayed on the dashboard of a car. This allows the driver to be carefully planned maneuvers in overcoming the controlled intersection. For example, when approaching the traffic light will be clear that the driver did not have time to overcome the intersection on the enable signal, the ramp in front of the stop line can be made smoother. In fact, many traffic lights already have a digital display of time signal to change, but the duplication of these readings on the instrument panel will make intersections travel process more comfortable, because traffic lights may be difficult to read visually due to obstacles, unfavorable angle or illumination.
The last few seconds before the traffic light change "countdown" will disappear from the instrument panel to give the driver the ability to look around and assess the situation at the intersection. In the future, according to representatives of Audi, this information can be used in the navigation system, or a function of "start-stop", which allows to turn off the engine when waiting for a traffic signal allowing the reduction of fuel consumption. In the future, the navigation system will use the information from the traffic signal for advice on choosing the driver speed for the passage of intersections on a "green wave", when standing at the traffic lights are not required.
To provide this function will have to upgrade the traffic lights.