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... eristic approach to this situation shows that the (FHWA) had to actually conduct investigations for themselves not relying on models of the system to gather information to show if this proposal was in fact efficient. (Samuel, Peter 1999). Seeing that it is almost impossible to build a way out of this congestion one of the better alternatives to help counteract woeful traffic congestion is the implementation an integration of Automated Highway Systems (AHS) into society not tomorrow, but now! It's magic! Or so it seems- cars driving themselves. In San Diego on August 7 th to 10 th, 1997.
Bob Bryant rode in a car, a minivan and a bus and said that it was exhilarating to barrel down that 12. 2 km segment of the Interstate 15 high-occupancy-vehicle lanes at 105 km / h with the drivers feet tucked under their seats and their hands in their laps- truly "hands-off"feet-off" driving. Demo ' 97 - Put on by the National Automated Highway System Consortium (NAHSC), an industry-government-academia collaboration- was a congressionally mandated demonstration to prove that it is technically "feasible" to use these (AHS) technologies to significantly alleviate several of the most enduring transportation problems in the United States. For each year in the US more than 40, 000 people are killed and 5 million people are injured in automobile crashes. Because human error is a leading factor in nine out of ten crashes and because AHS promises to significantly reduce the element of human error, AHS offers a great potential for saving lives and avoiding injuries. (Bryant, Bob 1997).
The use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) was also studied to help prevent highway congestion. Some of the devices that automakers are working on include radar systems for avoiding crashes, speed sensitive cruise control, which automatically slows the vehicle if it gets too close to the car in front and a device that prevents a car from starting if it detects that the driver is too sleepy or intoxicated. This in essence has a ripple down effect. Safer cars prevent human errors that prevent vehicular accidents that ultimately prevent highway congestion. While recognizing that (ITS) is no panacea, planners hope that the new technologies will provide quick and less expensive solutions to traffic congestion. (Knapp, Kevin 1999). Another solution to highway congestion although a bit far fetched does have some merit to its conclusions.
They contend that even though the American population is in love with the automobile and its capabilities, its drawbacks are quite glaring. Traffic, high maintainance, gas prices etc. Yet they advocate that more people should drive. Their theory is that the more people there are on the roads, the more cars will be on the roads and hence traffic would reflect accordingly. Eventually these motorists will begin to use public transportation as a means to an end thus reducing traffic congestion. (Zhang, Lee 1997). Collecting tolls without tollbooths is already an idea being implemented in most states of the US.
It requires an automated device in the car purchased by the owner and situated in a specific place in the vehicle which automatically deducts the required toll without insisting the driver bring the vehicle to a complete stop. This system incorporates a bar code on the device and a sensor on the road, which reads and calculates the transaction quickly and efficiently. This system has proven very successful in statistical data gathers by the (FHWA) through the use of transportation models and linear equations of the system. With the flow of traffic going through at a constant rate and speed it but almost completely prevents a disruption in traffic flow and negates highway congestion.
Providing separate lanes for cars and trucks is another proposal being toyed with by the (FHWA). Because cars are much smaller, cars-only lanes can be double-decks, either above the road surface on in tunnels beneath high value real estate. Paris and Los Angeles are developing new urban expressways using these concepts. Special purpose truck lanes would permit larger, heavier trucks than are now legal in most states and would allow trucks to by-pass congested all-purpose lanes, facilitating just-in-time deliveries (JIT) valued by shippers and receivers. (Samuel. Peter 1999). Even though the causes of and some proposals to help prevent highway congestion in urban cities have been concluded they do not arrive without having advantages and disadvantages.
HSR, ITS, AHS and the other proposals made by the (FHWA) have advantages which heavily outweigh the disadvantages. Some of these are an increase in fuel efficiency and road way safety, an increase in the capacity with which the expressways were meant to function optimally, it all but eliminates the stress of driving and even prevents road rage, it allows businesses to flourish due to JIT deliveries and processes, a reduction in air pollution which is always a plus for the eco system and a dream come true for environmentalists and simply stated, allows the working population to get some extra needed rest in the mornings. Alongside these advantages come disadvantages. Some of these are a reduction in revenue acquired through tolls. The fear, if congestion were eased tolls would suffer. Funny the whole idea originally was to relieve congestion.
Spending billions more on public transportation that hardly anyone will use. Forces people into a system which conflicts with the way they live and work. For HOV lanes, it causes transit like constraints such as scheduling and a more circuitous route. Also more than half of carpools now appear to be members of one family most of whom would travel together whether government high occupancy policies existed or not. (Lidley, Jeff 1997). These proposals suggested by the Federal Highway Administration hold allot of promise for the future of the commuting public-fewer accidents, less congested roadways, greater traffic density and speedier travel. Further development of these systems coupled with the findings obtained through model testing will only help to bolster and encourage a society, which is at the breaking point.
With the advancement of technology and assistance from the state and private sectors it will only be a short period of time before unrealistic, wild ideas conjured in one's mind today, is driving parallel to your car tomorrow. References: (1) "Automated highway systems" by: William, Sure. Popular Electronics. , v. 15 no 1 (Dec. 1998) p. 33 - 5. (2) "Traffic congestion: A solvable problem" by: Peter, Samuel. Issues in Science and Technology. , v. 15 no 3 (Spring 1999) p. 49 - 56. (3) "Cruise control: 'Intelligent transportation's ystem's hit the fast lane" by Kevin, Knapp. Crain's Chicago Business. , v 22 no 2 (Jan. 11 ' 99) p. 13. (4) "Moving forward smartly: The role of ITS in the NEXTEA" by: Jeff, Lindley.
Public Roads. , With 1997, v 60 n 3 p 57 (4). (5) "Message in a bottleneck: It's time to start charging rush hour commuters" by: Betsy, Steisand. U. S News and World Report; Dec 30 1996, v 121, n 26, p 47 (2). (6) "Fighting road rage" by: William B. Cassidy. Traffic World, v. 251 (Aug. 11 ' 97) p. 31. (7) "For Florida a second chance" by: William C. Vantuono.
Railway Age. , v. 196 (Apr. ' 95) p. 59 - 60. (8) "Actual hands-off steering- and other wonders of the modern world" by: Bob, Bryant. Public Roads; Nov-Dec 1997, v 61, n 3, p 32 (6). (9) " 91 Express ways do not work well" by: Mackprang, Peter and Harry, Parker. American City and County. , v. 114 no 12 (Oct. 1999) p. 6. (10) "Operational models and traffic control in intelligent vehicle systems" by; Zhang, L. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice; (Jan 1997), v 31, n 1, p 64.
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