Audi Lowers Your Emissions, Saves You From Traffic Violations
Ever experience hitting a local stretch of highway the same time everyday? You ride it so well that you can pretty much time acceleration to pass every traffic light as it turns green - a pure test of driving patience and road awareness. Audi has taken this idea as the basis of their Travolution project. For two years Travolution has been in development in the auto maker’s home town of Ingolstadt, Germany. Through a communication network between stop lights and vehicles the flow of traffic can be balanced out. This will hopefully result in less stopping time, less braking, minimal idling and down-shifting, which are factors that can cut down fuel efficiency.
The Travolution system, which has already cost Audi R & D over one and a half million dollars, was tested at 46 traffic lights in a municipal area with A5 and A6 test vehicles. Communication devices mounted on the traffic lights contact the car and inform the driver through in-dash monitors at what speed they should travel to drive through the approaching intersection without stopping or slowing down too much.
Travolution is to be expanded by another 20 cars and 50 traffic lights to gather further research. This system can also be used to help commuters stay up-to-date information on congestion and other traffic information.
Photos from Audi & Worldcarfans
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