In a world that continues to evolve, the traffic light has remained the same for decades. Red, yellow and green: color codes that have become practically universal, deeply rooted in our habits. Will it be like this in the future too?
What if we add a fourth light?
This is the proposal for the near future put forward by a group of scientists from North Carolina State University. The installation of a white light at specific intersections, they say, could improve traffic flow as the expected self-driving vehicles.
In the scenario introduced to explain the concept of “white phase” (I link it here), the researchers imagine a group of autonomous vehicles (AVs) at an intersection. Vehicles coordinate with each other and with the traffic light system to plan the most efficient way to cross.
I summarize brutally: if the cars are the driver, the traffic light is the vigilant. And the white light would tell human drivers when to give way to self-driving vehicles.
The role of the traffic light 2.0
From a "simple" traffic regulator to an intelligent selector between two real "species" of vehicles: if the majority of cars that stop at the intersection are not self-driving, the 2.0 traffic lights will return to the normal colors of green, yellow and red, with white light not visible.
Seems trivial, right? Yet, based on the simulations done, this fourth light could reduce delays by more than 90%. Let's take a look.
The simulations
Simulation studies have shown that regardless, the use of self-driving vehicles will improve traffic flow even in the absence of a white phase. However, the fourth light will help prevent traffic congestion, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
At the conclusion of the tests, the researchers estimate that the higher the percentage of autonomous vehicles in a white-phase intersection, the smoother the flow will be.
Traffic light of the future: why a white light?
In reality, the fourth color of a traffic light should not necessarily be white but should be universally recognizable, and evidently the white light serves the purpose.
In transition years, the technology could be deployed in places with a high volume of commercial vehicle traffic, such as ports or factories. It would be the perfect opportunity to train self-driving systems for the private sector as well.
Given that autonomous commercial vehicles are more likely in the short term, a pilot project could be undertaken on these means of transport.
In the meantime, “hold on” with 3 lights.
