Ford’s Smart Intersection Seeks to Reduce Accidents

Automotive safety is about to reach a new echelon. Though a great deal of research and investment has been made regarding passive safety (physical protection from accidents), the future will be ensuring vehicles do not get into accidents in the first place. We’ve seen radar cruise control systems that are capable of slowing a vehicle to a stop, lane-keeping assist systems, blind spot warning devices and, perhaps the ultimate active system, collision mitigation with braking assist, and the future includes cars that communicate with each other.

But, until the day where vehicle-to-vehicle communication exists, Ford Motor Company, along with Honda, GM, Daimler and Toyota, has developed an interim solution which involves communication between vehicles and stationary objects, in this case, an intersection. Dubbed the “Smart Intersection”, using GPS technology the intersection can send data about light status, the timing of lights, lane data, traffic and pedestrian information, as well as a map. This information is processed by the car, and is tied in with its collision mitigation system.

One instance where the system seeks to improve safety is with regards to encountering a blind or collision-prone intersection; the system is able to determine whether it is safe for the vehicle to proceed. If a safe crossing is not possible due to the potential for a collision, a visual and audible warning will alarm.

Unlike many cutting edge active roadways, the Smart Intersection is part of a public road located by Ford’s Research & Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan.