| Revision as of 13:06, 14 March 2006 editSamfreed (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers909 edits →Potential Benefits← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:28, 26 March 2006 edit undo129.2.74.17 (talk) →Potential BenefitsNext edit → | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
| ]s with ] could automatically join and leave platoons. The ] is a proposal for one such system, where cars organise themselves into platoons of eight to twenty-five. | ]s with ] could automatically join and leave platoons. The ] is a proposal for one such system, where cars organise themselves into platoons of eight to twenty-five. | ||
| == Potential |
== Potential benefits == | ||
| * Greater efficiency due to reduced air resistance. | * Greater efficiency due to reduced air resistance. | ||
| * Reduced ] | * Reduced ] | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| * On longer highway trips, vehicles could be mostly unattended while in following mode. | * On longer highway trips, vehicles could be mostly unattended while in following mode. | ||
| See also |
==See also== | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 15:28, 26 March 2006
- This article is about the traffic system. For other meanings, see Platoon (disambiguation).
Grouping vehicles into platoons is one proposed method to increase road capacity without building additional traffic lanes.
Platoons decrease the distances between cars using electronic, and possibly mechanical, coupling. This capability would allow many cars to accelerate or brake simultaneously. Instead of waiting after a light changes to green for drivers ahead to react, a synchronized platoon would move as one, allowing up to a fivefold increase in traffic throughout.
Platoon capability might require buying new cars, or it may be something that can be retrofitted. Drivers would probably need a special license endorsement on account of the new skills required and the added responsibility when driving in the lead.
Smart cars with artificial intelligence could automatically join and leave platoons. The automated highway system is a proposal for one such system, where cars organise themselves into platoons of eight to twenty-five.
Potential benefits
- Greater efficiency due to reduced air resistance.
- Reduced congestion
- Substantially shorter commutes during peak periods.
- On longer highway trips, vehicles could be mostly unattended while in following mode.