| Revision as of 16:07, 23 January 2003 editMartinHarper (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers24,927 edits moved from future of the car | Revision as of 16:09, 23 January 2003 edit undoMartinHarper (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers24,927 editsm see Future of the car, congestion benefitsNext edit → | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| == Potential Benefits == | == Potential Benefits == | ||
| * Greater efficiency due to reduced wind resistance. | * Greater efficiency due to reduced wind resistance. | ||
| * Reduced ] | |||
| * Substantially shorter commutes during peak periods. | * Substantially shorter commutes during peak periods. | ||
| * 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 16:09, 23 January 2003
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 throughput.
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.
Potential Benefits
- Greater efficiency due to reduced wind resistance.
- Reduced congestion
- Substantially shorter commutes during peak periods.
- On longer highway trips, vehicles could be mostly unattended while in following mode.
See also: Automated highway system, Future of the car