Adaptive cruise control can mitigate phantom traffic jams, says Ford

Phantom traffic jams can be minimised through adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology, says Ford. These traffic jams occur when one driver hits the brakes and causes a chain reaction of other drivers tapping their brakes which causes traffic flow to halt. Ford conducted a test alongside Vanderbilt University researchers on a closed test track involving 36 vehicles across three lanes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GYfXxVn2Oc The motor company says the main causes of phantom jams are human fa
July 10, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Phantom traffic jams can be minimised through adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology, says Ford. These traffic jams occur when one driver hits the brakes and causes a chain reaction of other drivers tapping their brakes which causes traffic flow to halt.


Ford conducted a test alongside Vanderbilt University researchers on a closed test track involving 36 vehicles across three lanes.

%$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GYfXxVn2Oc false https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GYfXxVn2Oc false false%>

The motor company says the main causes of phantom jams are human factors such as merging into traffic without signalling, distracted driving, poor driving habits, slow reaction times or unnecessary braking.

Initially, drivers without ACC were tested with lead vehicles in each lane slowing down from 60mph to 40mph to replicate a traffic disturbance. These drivers braked harder than the vehicle ahead – and this led to traffic slowing down to a crawl in some cases.  

The test was repeated with all vehicles using ACC set at 62mph, which outperformed human drivers in nearly every braking situation. The system allows vehicles to slow down automatically and speed up to keep pace with the car in front.

Daniel Work, civil engineering professor, says humans still have an advantage over machines in their ability to see one or more vehicles ahead, which enables them to be more precise in their response to traffic slow-downs.
 
Michael Kane, supervisor, Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology, says: “Give ample space between you and the vehicle ahead, stay alert and that will always help traffic flow more smoothly, and help us all get to our destinations on time.”

The 2019 Ford Edge will be the first SUV to include Ford Co-Pilot360 – a suite of standard driver-assist technologies which include pedestrian detection, blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, rear view camera and auto high-beam headlamps.

Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • Go-Ahead uses Dovu’s blockchain tech to augment customer data
    February 7, 2019
    UK train and bus company Go-Ahead is to use Dovu’s blockchain-driven reward platform to gain more data on its passengers. The scheme will be rolled out initially on Go-Ahead’s Thameslink and Southern Rail train services and offers passengers using the Dovu platform the chance to earn cryptocurrency when they share their travel information. This will be used to help them make changes to their travel behaviour, the companies say. Among other things, Dovu aims to encourage the use and sharing of tran
    Read More
  • Sompo to launch system to assist virtual testing of AVs
    February 19, 2019
    Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance is to develop a system which will allow local governments to carry out virtual tests of autonomous vehicles (AV). A report by The Japan News says the insurance company is hoping to reduce costs associated with real-world testing by providing a virtual environment which will feature road conditions based on 3D maps. This project stems from an agreement with Tier IV, a developer of autonomous driving technologies and measuring technology firm Aisan Technology. The system
    Read More
  • Maven expands peer-to-peer car-share service
    October 30, 2018
    General Motors’ subsidiary Maven is expanding its peer-to-peer car-share option to more US cities. The service – which sees owners renting out their vehicles - is currently available in four urban areas: Ann Arbor, Chicago, Denver and Detroit. But GM says it will now be rolled out in Baltimore, Boston, Jersey City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC by the end of the year. Owners can rent out their GM car, so long as it is registered in 2015 or later, with Maven taking 40% of each rental. Despi
    Read More
  • Wavetronix focuses on SmartSensor HD side-fire radar
    March 19, 2018
     SmartSensor HD is the focus of the Wavetronix stand and visitors will see the power of HD as an alternative to traffic loops. The non-intrusive sensor installs above the road, which can reduce costs and keep road workers safer and out of the way of traffic during installation.
    Read More

Highlighted Content