Posted on Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 8:16 a.m.
U-M to test crash-avoidance systems on Ann Arbor streets
By Cindy Heflin
The streets of Ann Arbor will host an experiment in crash-avoidance technology next year, the Detroit Free Press reports.
The Department of Transportation is expected to announce the University of Michigan study today, the first of its kind. Starting in August, 3,000 vehicles equipped with systems designed to warn drivers of other drivers’ behavior will travel the streets of Ann Arbor for a year, the Free Press reported.
The Department of Transportation expects the systems could save many lives by warning drivers if, for example, another driver is about to run a stop sign.
Comments
TinyArtist
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
You're still here, Roy?
a2why
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 1:27 a.m.
Good! Maybe now I won't get rearended when I stop at one of those stupid crosswalks.
5c0++ H4d13y
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
I have this system already installed on my motorcycle. The CPU is housed in my skull and takes sensory input from my eyes. A specialized gimbal was installed, New Extension Collision Kontraption (NECK), that allows my head to swivel from side to side to increase the FOV when coming to intersections. When a collision is possible the Wide Area Kinetic Umpire Processor (WAKE UP) system causes my right hand to close on the break and prepare the bike for a stop. The best installation was the two grips that require my hands to be on them while in motion, They disallow cell phone use, talking, txting and apps, while the bike is moving. It's a really high tech system that can dramatically reduce collisions.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.
w0w ... whodda thunk up an invention liek that!! can ya get a patent?
A2Medic
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Love how this precedes "Crash could slow traffic on M-14 east of Ann Arbor ".... Personally, I enjoy the chaos of car accidents, keeps the job interesting..
a2cents
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
will bicycle transponders be made available? (or will riders remain collateral damage)
Major
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
I have some "crash avoidance" technology that will work in Ann Arbor....get the lights timed properly, quit taking high volume streets down to two lanes (parts of Packard, Stadium) and adding seldom used bike lanes..then, those micro sized round abouts...are you kidding me, what...two/three wrecks a day average on those?!?!?! How bout enforcing bike laws...I saw a car/bike collision yesterday on Main near Madison that takes the cake...the guy on the bike was eating an ice cream cone, while holding his dog in the other hand and HE ran into the side of a car, a car waiting for traffic to clear. Got to love this wacky town!!!
Bertha Venation
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
YA. I hear ya, Major! Especially the bicyclists. I have NEVER seen one stop at a 4-way stop. Poor dears. I guess it's to difficult to start peddling from a stop. Gee, and I thought they rode bikes for exercise. Guess I'm wrong again!
free
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
It could not have been the bicyclist's fault. Bicyclists in Ann Arbor always follow all traffic laws (and the laws of common sense), and cower in fear at the sight of automobiles driving on their roadways.
Roy Munson
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.
How about a system to handle parallel parking? That would make the daily bumper car game and the 3-5 traffic controllers on the sidewalk trying to guide the driver out of a state of total confusion both obsolete.
Tom Teague
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
Actually the 3-5 traffic controllers are frequently the biggest problem when they're yelling "Right. No! Your right!" and giving conflicting distance measurements to the bumper behind me.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
Ford already offers parallel park assist.
KJMClark
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
As I suspected, this is communication-between-motor-vehicles to avoid crashes. Ie. the system only knows about what other enhanced motor vehicles are doing. It won't avoid crashes with pedestrians, cyclists, and non-modified motor vehicles, which will be most of the other road users. They should stick with look-ahead crash avoidance systems that prevent crashes with all legal road users. Here's an example: <a href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1063380_volvo-crash-avoidance-system-cuts-accidents-by-about-25" rel='nofollow'>http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1063380_volvo-crash-avoidance-system-cuts-accidents-by-about-25</a>
theodynus
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
This is an important component you could layer atop self-contained crash avoidance systems. Now the system can see some of the dangers lurking around corners. Obviously this research study won't save any lives just yet, but it will provide useful info going forward.
KJMClark
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
I think there was supposed to be a link, but there isn't one.
Cindy Heflin
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
The link's been added. Thank you.
KJMClark
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
Here's the article: <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108190356" rel='nofollow'>http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108190356</a>