Until Americans implement more traffic circles in their neighborhoods, red lights will be inevitable here. They're a necessity. Frustrating for those trying to get across the city, especially in rush hour, but definitely needed for safety considerations.
While the signals are so simple that small elementary school children know what they represent, people are always trying to find ways to game the system. Many jurisdictions have implemented red-light cameras to discourage drivers from trying to rush through intersections at the wrong time. And in driving school, beginners are taught how to judge yellows and stopping distance.
Here's another idea, courtesy of high-end car manufacturer BMW. Maybe it's possible to create an app to help drivers figure out when the light is going to turn red. In conjunction with company Connected Signals, there is now a dashboard app available in certain cars called EnLighten, which is hooked into the jurisdiction's traffic light system.
The EnLighten App in use on a BMW. Credit: BMW USA
"The EnLighten app shows the current status of the traffic light in front of the car in real time as well as a countdown to when the signal will change," BMW wrote in a press release.
"Based on the current vehicle position, as well as its speed, the EnLighten app offers a recommendation about whether or not to stop for the traffic light or proceed through. An audio alert notifies the driver about a pending change in the signal they are approaching."
Here's the trouble, though. There are certain drivers who may use the app to try to "game" the system. Like the people who drive faster with high-beam headlights illuminating the road at night, there will be folks who try to use the technology to beat red lights, treating the act as driving as a game rather than a serious responsibility.
The other challenge is the small number of participating jurisdictions; according to this coverage map from Connected Signals, there are only a handful of participating states and a small number of cities in each. It appears the western states are where drivers have the best chance of experiencing the technology.
All the same, this does lead to a serious discussion about the perils of commuting, both in terms of accident rates and also in terms of wear and tear on our bodies and minds. What is the best way to get across a busy city? Let us know by launching a HeroX challenge.
Top image: Wikimedia Commons
