For over a century, traffic lights have relied on a simple color scheme—red, yellow (amber), and green—to manage road traffic. However, as autonomous vehicles (AVs) become more prevalent, scientists propose adding a new color to the mix: white.
North Carolina State University engineers are leading this initiative with a proposal to introduce a “white light” at traffic signals. This new phase aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow and better communication between self-driving cars and human drivers. Dr. Ali Hajbabaie, the study lead, explains that the white light would instruct human drivers to follow the car in front of them while AVs coordinate their movements.
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The white light concept builds on the existing traffic signal system, where red means stop, green means go, and yellow signals caution. According to Dr. Hajbabaie, the introduction of a white light would enable AVs to wirelessly communicate with traffic management systems and with each other. When enough autonomous vehicles approach an intersection, the white light would activate, signaling human drivers to simply follow the car ahead while the AVs manage the traffic coordination.
This proposed system, detailed in the Journal of Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, aims to enhance travel time, fuel efficiency, and safety. Simulations conducted by the team suggest that, with widespread adoption of AVs, intersection delays could be reduced by over 25%. Even with a lower percentage of connected AVs on the road, improvements in traffic flow are expected.
Despite these advances, the traditional red, yellow, and green lights will continue to be used for the foreseeable future, maintaining the current traffic management system until autonomous vehicles become more common.
The introduction of a white light could revolutionize how traffic is managed, particularly in mixed environments where both autonomous and human-driven vehicles coexist. This innovation reflects the ongoing evolution of transportation systems as we approach an era where self-driving technology becomes integral to daily commutes.