Observing Insects Could Help to Make Traffic Lights More Efficient
If you’ve ever taken a moment to observe insects at work, it’s clear that they’re onto something. Each insect colony has its own set system with order, signals, and complete organization for any given task. A colony runs like a well-oiled machine with a leader that provides direction to each bug to get a job done efficiently and on time.
While many offices could take a cue from a colony of ants, scientists have decided to dig even deeper to determine how insect behavior can help with a more serious nationwide problem: traffic jams.
How Insect Behavior Can Direct Traffic
To go back to the example of insects working as a team, you’ve probably never noticed bees or ants in a traffic gridlock, have you? That’s because these groups of insects use systematic order when moving from point A to point B, based on pure instinct instead of written direction.
This information has been used to develop Virtual Traffic Lights, which can help to determine which group of cars at a traffic light is larger and in need of priority access. Once the larger group of cars has gone by, the smaller group will be able to pass.
Self-Regulated Traffic Lights Can Improve Daily Commutes
Based on estimations from Carnegie Mellon University, this simple change in traffic flow patterns could reduce commuter times by up to 60%. Even more impressive is the fact that making routine traffic more efficient will reduce overall carbon emissions to benefit the environment.
It’s no wonder that the Virtual Traffic Light initiative has received funding of $2 million. ETH Zürich and Dresden University of Technology are now working together on a new traffic system inspired by Virtual Traffic Lights that will help to improve communication and traffic flow on city streets.
How does it work exactly? The new traffic lights will learn to communicate with one another using sensors to monitor the flow of traffic on the street. The lights can then anticipate and calculate the number of oncoming vehicles to determine how long to keep a light green in order to best manage traffic sources.
The lights can also communicate with other lights on the same street to adjust their timing. This will help to prevent traffic snarls at high-use intersections, especially during rush hour. The intuitive system taking inspiration from smart, efficient insects will not only improve daily traffic, but it will also eliminate drivers waiting for a light to change on an empty street. Win-win!
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