Driverless Cars - Vehicular Communication Systems

Vehicular Communication Systems

Individual vehicles may benefit from information obtained from other vehicles in the vicinity, especially information relating to traffic congestion and safety hazards. Vehicular Communication Systems are an emerging type of networks in which vehicles and roadside units are the communicating nodes, providing each other with information. As a cooperative approach, vehicular communication systems can allow all cooperating vehicles to be more effective.

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicular communication systems could help avoid up to 81 percent of all traffic accidents.

Computer scientists at the University of Texas in Austin are developing intersections designed for the autonomous cars of the future. The intersection will have no traffic lights and no stop signs, just computer programs that will talk directly to each car on the road.