Traffic system helps drivers in tough climate
lehtikuva / Pekka Sakki The new system is designed to prevent serious or fatal accidentsHelp should soon be at hand for motorists who have to deal with tough weather and road conditions.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, software company Mobisoft specializing in wireless data transfer and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, have developed a communication system aimed at improving traffic safety.
When there is snow or ice on the road, the risk of an accident is increased by a factor of 4.1 compared to normal conditions, according to research conducted at the Tampere University of Technology.
VTT and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, under the international WiSafeCar project and with support from partners, have developed a communication system with Finland’s challenging climate conditions in mind.
The system allows vehicles to transmit traffic and weather observations to a traffic service centre, where the data are analysed and conveyed to other vehicles on the road, together with information on road conditions. The system also alerts drivers in case of imminent danger of an accident due to slippery road.
Co-operative driving, where vehicles and intelligent transport systems communicate and change information with each other, is becoming more common. It is estimated that such systems will become a standard feature between 2014 and 2030.
The system designed by the Finnish organisations differs from others in its holistic approach and in providing drivers with real-time information on weather and road conditions. Its commercialization will be advanced during the next couple of years.
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