CNHI News Service
December 20, 2006 03:06 pm
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Almost everyone who commutes to work on an interstate highway has a story about the hellish crush of traffic during peak travel hours.
And a radio report that you’re in gridlock doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
Enter today’s navigational technology wizards. They’re trying to come up with ways for you to avoid the jam-packed freeways and make it to work and home again on time.
The latest devices include:
Global Positioning Systems that mount on a vehicle’s dashboard. They update traffic conditions as you’re driving along, and transmit information on alternative roads to avoid congestion. They have both cellular and Wi-Fi capabilities. Some cars come equipped with similar GPS systems.
Cell phones connected to instant traffic updates sent from cellular towers. They include road maps and turn-by-turn directions to get around the bumper-to-bumper highways.
Sensors in and around cities that collect specific traffic information, then send it to computers for transmission to GPS and other devices that warn motorists about roadblocks, bottlenecks and congestion.
Remote television cameras installed along highways to spot breakdowns and alert traffic controllers to dispatch travel assistance vans or tow trucks.
Mad Max, a huge mobile crane that can lift up to 60 tons and is used to move cars and trucks from the interstate after an accident that’s causing gridlock.
CNHI News Service
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