Among the technologies being looked at by carmakers as a means of reducing emissions and fuel consumption are vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications (telematics). The idea is that real-time traffic information can be passed around among vehicles in the area allowing drivers or navigation systems to adjust and find alternate routes. Electronic signals could provide guidance to drivers about areas to avoid and automatically adjust traffic light timing.

If it works, traffic flow could be greatly improved and people would spend less time sitting in gridlock spewing emissions and wasting fuel. At the Management Briefing Seminars this week in Traverse City MI, the Center for Automotive Research announced that they would be opening a Connected Vehicle Proving Center in Ann Arbor, MI this fall. The facility would be available to car makers and suppliers to test wireless communications systems and make sure that they can interoperate.

[Source: Detroit News]