Every driver loves sailing through a series of green lights without having to stop and wait at a traffic light. Now, thanks to artificial intelligence, German researchers have found a way to reduce time spent at crossings.

Called the KI4LSA project and funded by the Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the innovation is being tested. Scientists first studied algorithms (算法) taken from a busy crossing to learn about traffic patterns and where improvements were most needed. There is a great necessity to speed up waiting times at crossings as traditional methods are inflexible, according to the Fraunhofer Institute.

The new AI method uses radar sensors and high-resolution cameras to interpret traffic patterns in real-time. They can determine the speed of traffic as well as waiting times and combine this with algorithms. Scientists are currently trying this out at a busy crossing in Lemgo, Germany, with encouraging results.

The intelligent lights are said to improve traffic flow by 10 to 15 percent, which results in money saved; the EU estimates that traffic jams create economic damage that adds up to 100 billion euros a year. Apart from reducing commuting time, these traffic lights will reduce noise and CO₂ emissions from cars idling (空转) at crossings.

Another exciting development in this research is the K14PED project, which studies pedestrians passing crossings. Using AI, researchers can identify how many people are waiting at a pedestrian crossing and whether some of these people will need extra time to cross the street. Using a 3D points cloud, they can tell if someone has disabilities or is elderly without identifying the individual. Because pedestrian buttons that are presently at crossings cannot determine if some people have special needs or are elderly, this is a real win. Such a needs-based system could reduce pedestrian waiting time by 30 percent, which could then decrease jaywalking (乱穿马路) by 25 percent.

Testing will be done until the late summer of 2022 in the German towns of Lemgo and Bielefeld, with researchers optimistic that it will be adopted by many countries. This technology is exciting news for pedestrians and drivers alike. It encourages safety, protects the environment, and may even give you more time to enjoy your morning coffee before heading off to work!

Free energy is everywhere around us. There are many ways to make and collect energy from various sources like sun, wind and water. People also realize that everyday stuff can be a source of energy too. For example, riding a bike, running or just walking, etc. We simply have to change our way of thinking if we want to change the world.

So comes the idea of solar roadways. Are they the road of future? Why use roads just for driving and collecting tolls (过路费)? Why don’t we use them for collecting energy?

The US Department of Transportation recently awarded $100,000 to Solar Roadways to build the first ever Solar Road Panel. So how do these future roads work?

The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded (嵌入的) LEDs which “paint” the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving as well as to give drivers instant instructions such as detour (绕行) ahead. The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to “slow down”. There will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing safer winter driving.

Replacing asphalt (沥青) roads and parking lots with Solar Roadway Panels will be a major step toward stopping climate change. Fully electric vehicles will be able to recharge along the roadway and in parking lots, finally making electric cars practical for long trips.

We just can’t wait to see more of these roads all over the world in the near future.

The next time San Franciscans take a cab, they may step into a driverless car. Last week, the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission gave a permit to Cruise, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary(附带的)of General Motors (GM), which allows Cruise to charge for rides in its autonomous cars.

Though Cruise sees the permit as a big win, its self-driving cars aren’t free to meander(蜿蜒前行)the streets as they please. It can operate just 30 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver and can only charge for rides between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. outside of the busy downtown. No autonomous taxi rides are allowed when there’s heavy rain, fog or snow. And shared rides aren’t allowed.

Cruise’s technology is made up of a series of sensors and cameras built into an electric car made by GM. Cruise has also announced plans for a car of their own, the Cruise Origin. The Origin lacks pedals, mirrors, a steering wheel and consists mostly of a sitting space where passengers can face each other.

Supporters of self-driving vehicles say the technology has the potential to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, save money and lower the environmental impact of cars. But not everyone is convinced that autonomous cars are ready. Many remain concerned about safety.

It remains to be seen how the driverless taxi will play out in San Francisco. But based on the vast number of companies racing to develop autonomous vehicles and the tens of thousands of people on waitlists for robotaxi rides, the Cruise pilot program is sure to be popular.