'Smart' traffic lights could remotely stop vehicle engines

What's next? 'Smart' speed limit signs that won't let you go faster???

 

'Smart' traffic lights could remotely stop vehicle engines -- IBM patent application

 

Speeding through a red light? Not a chance, according to IBM Corp.

 

The technology behemoth, known for its work with computers, is now trying its hand at traffic. The company recently filed a patent application for a system that could remotely stop and start vehicle engines at traffic signals in order to save fuel and prevent crashes.

 

The system would sense vehicles’ positions and send a “stop engine” notification – either by automatically turning off the engine or displaying an alert telling drivers to manually switch off power.

 

At intersections, railway crossings and other locations, the system could use anything from weight sensors to camera and GPS units to track vehicles. The technology could also be used to calculate when cars have been idling for too long and should be shut down.

 

Once the light turns green, the system may be able to time when drivers should crank up the ignition based on where they are in the line.

 

Drivers might also be able to sign up for a sort of service that would use Wi-Fi, cellular networks or satellite communications to tell inform them when to cut their engines.

 

The blogosphere is ablaze over the proposal: What about hackers? What about glitches? What happens when I need to get my pregnant wife to the hospital?

 

The patent application explains the rationale this way:

 

Vehicle fuel consumption is a major component of global energy consumption. With increasing vehicle usage, there may be more traffic and longer wait times at traffic signals (e.g., at a traffic intersection or a railway crossing). Fuel may be wasted when drivers keep their vehicles running while waiting for the traffic signal to turn "green" or waiting for a train to pass at a railway crossing. Most drivers may not switch off their engines in these situations. Drivers who do switch off their engines may do so inefficiently. For example, a driver may switch off the engine, only to start it up a short time later. In such cases, more fuel may be consumed in restarting the engine. Some traffic signals may have clocks that indicate remaining durations before the signals change. However, drivers in vehicles waiting at the back of the queue may not be able to view the clock.

 

Now, if only someone would do something about those stop signs.

 

--Tiffany Hsu

geeks ran out of things to do on the net I guess.

Stupid idea.

did the la times add the part about speeding because the rest of the article is about turning cars off at lights to save gas.

What a great idea! This way the truck that's speeding through right behind you slams into you. Wow, what next? If you smoke pot or do something else illegal, they stop your heart?

God forbid you be in a hurry to get to the emergency room or something.....

Don't know about you guys, but we have to move out of an emergency vehicles way if they are coming through a light.

Don't know about you guys, but we have to move out of an emergency vehicles way if they are coming through a light.

Same here, would be kind of hard to get out of the way with all cars stopped....

God forbid you be in a hurry to get to the emergency room or something.....

 

 

Even the DUI ignition interlock under NO condition is allowed to shut your car off. It even has to allow you up to 2 minutes to re-start it in case of a stall.

 

No way this thing can remotely fly with liability and what not.

What happened to inertia and the laws of physics?

What happened to inertia and the laws of physics?

 

They don't apply in the world of this patent

Don't know about you guys, but we have to move out of an emergency vehicles way if they are coming through a light.

 

Quick someone apply for a patent for an emergency vehicle traffic light control transponder(which would disable, the IBM car disabling feature)!!! Then sell said patent to IBM.....

 

The problem with these traffic control master plans is that you can never think of every contingency, also there are around 200 million vehicles on US roads that would have to be retrofitted, and since computers and central control are involved, a real threat of software glitches or hackers throwing a wrench into it. Patent Fail.

 

 

a real threat of software glitches or hackers throwing a wrench into it

Like this!

If people are concerned about fuel consumption why not focus on something that would actually make a difference. Maybe making a car more efficiant while actually in motion?

why dont they make it so engines rev lower at a stop?

 

or make it so when you start your car the revs dont surge making you wait before you can put it in gear?

 

 

why dont they make it so engines rev lower at a stop?

Because my cam is to big.