The computer will get rid of traffic jams

In the near future, management of road traffic on city street corners will be carried out without the usual traffic lights and signs, "Stop." At first glance, heavy traffic, controlled by electronic drivers, may appear chaotic and unmanageable. However, in reality, the order will closely monitor the virtual manager.

"The future is knocking at our doors. Not far off the day when we can sit comfortably with the newspaper in the backseat of the car and the car itself will carry us through the city streets and intersections, "- said Professor Peter Stone (Peter Stone) from the University of Texas at Austin. He has long been specialized in the development of artificial intelligence, and some of its systems to help make a reality the dream of "unmanned" driving. Several years ago, the professor and his students built a prototype of an autonomous vehicle named Marvin. The car, developed in close collaboration with engineers from Austin Robot Technology, demonstrated in the DARPA Urban Challenge competition in 2007.

Stone has recently demonstrated its more recent developments at the annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), held last week in the Canadian city of Vancouver.

"Computers have already learned how to manage passenger airliners and make it no less a virtuoso than a live pilot with years of experience. Maybe it's time to trust the smart cars and drive the car - said in a speech professor. - Cars that can do without a driver, already exist, although not too common. However, once they become a daily occurrence, we need systems that can coordinate and harmonize their movements. "

Stone and his colleagues have been developing systems management virtual crossroads, which will make travel by car more rapid and extremely safe. The latest development of scientists suggests the presence of continuous communication between the driver and the so-called "administrator junction» (intersection manager).

The vehicle must be in advance of contact with the dispatcher, tell during his appearance at the crossroads and reserve space for travel. The duties of "administrator" will include the processing of the request and authorization for travel. The coordinated action of AI-drivers and the control system ensures continuous movement and lack of traffic jams.

To date, a "virtual crossing" exists in the form of the model displayed on a computer screen. The only real car, taking part in trials, is Marvin - past development of scientists from Texas. However, Professor Stone is sure that the benefits of the proposed solutions can be evaluated in the foreseeable future, when the streets of big cities will be a lot of cars that can get along without a driver.