RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that adding a fourth stoplight to traffic lights reduces travel times for both drivers and pedestrians.
As we move closer to a future where self-driving technology becomes more pervasive, a new signal called the “white phase” will allow self-driving cars to communicate with each other and influence traffic patterns in the safest and most efficient way possible. Researchers say it will be possible to do so. .
“When that phase is activated, it will take control of the self-driving car. As a result, it will be able to handle vehicles and pedestrians more efficiently to the intersection,” said Associate Professor Ali Hajibabai.
For drivers who are used to seeing only green, yellow and red lights, the new signals will change the way they approach intersections. “When you see that new color, let's call it white for now, what you have to do as a human driver is stay in your lane and follow the car in front of you,” he explained.
University researchers are looking at ways to improve intersections, especially as self-driving technology is sure to play a big role in future transportation.
“Self-driving cars will work together with each other and with traffic control systems to make intersections better,” Haibabayeh explained.
Haibabaye said past research has mainly focused on the impact of the fourth traffic light on drivers and found that it reduces travel times for both humans and self-driving users. Now, new research has shown that it also has a positive impact on pedestrians.
“What we observed is that the more self-driving cars that have pedestrians in the system, the less pedestrian delays there are,” he said.
Traffic lights aren't likely to be added to roadways anytime soon, but researchers in North Carolina are moving from classroom computer simulations to small self-driving cars.
“We're going to see how useful it is and, more importantly, how safe it is,” he said.
Additional information about their research can be found here.
