BMW advocating for smarter traffic lights abroad and in U.S.

[MetroMPG]

Source: BMW Pushing For Smart Traffic Lights To Aid Fuel Efficiency - The Car Connection

BMW's Traffic Technology and Traffic Management group has been doing some research...

Traffic signals have been one of the initial research subjects for the group. In its initial research, the group studied so-called Green Waves—a minimum of four signals in sequence that can be synchronized for better traffic flow.

Simply by changing the timing of traffic lights on a test stretch of roadway in Munich, the engineers were able to nearly double the fuel efficiency of a BMW 530d test vehicle—from 22 mpg to 42 mpg. [not clear if that's US or Imperial gallons]

That being an idealized situation, the company expects an overall 10 to 15 percent decrease in urban fuel consumption due to smart traffic signaling.

This is good to see an automaker pushing this topic.

Of course, they're absolutely right that better traffic light timing saves fuel... but it doesn't change the vehicle's government fuel economy ratings. Which makes me wonder...

Aside from the PR, what incentive does the company have for pursuing this?

[MetroMPG]

More detail, from BMW:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/press...tem=node__2367

[Frank Lee]

Good on 'em. I've long observed that our lights are timed for maximum inconvenience- making as much traffic stop as often as possible.

[tjts1]

I lived in a town for a long time where almost all the traffic lights were timed for maxium efficiency and traffic flow with traffic sensors built into the road surface. Going to other cities where all the lights are on a simple timer is infuriating. I have to waste a bunch of time idling when there is no cross traffic.

[dan765]

Sounds great. anything that would change the existing system would be wonderful. The one here in las vegas absolutely sucks. At least once a day I get stuck at an intersection waiting for the light to turn green because they gave the turning lane the green arrow without any cars even being there. Then to make it worse, the drivers here are ridiculous...

[Old Tele man]

...simple answer: all roads must consist of 4-lane, oneway traffic in a CIRCLE.

...like this:

A) OUTSIDE highspeed lane for exits to interior (left).

B) center TWO lanes for "through" traffic.

C) INSIDE slowspeed lane for on-ramp entry and exits to exterior (right).

...NO stop lights.


...the "Loop" in Boston, the "201 Loop" around Phoenix, etc.

[darcane]

I would love this! I grew up near Anchorage AK and they have timed lights. There were a couple streets that I could go from one end of the city to the other without stopping. It was one of the best cities I've been in for driving around.

Mike

[CoastRider]

Kudo's to BMW

The lights here are AWFUL! there are many I will avoid completely. I have seen drivers get frustrated and tired of waiting they just go.

[mrk]

Public transport (buses) and cars have different requeriments:
In a car, you would prefer that traffic lights go green as you approach, "green waves" go with the traffic flow and once you are in a "green wave" you don't stop - unless you are too slow and a "red wave" catches you.
In a bus, since it has to stop constantly, you would miss those "waves" all the time... then if you want to favour public transport (better overall FE!!) those "green waves" go against traffic, but it is totally inconvenient for cars...
Maximum overall efficency is not as easy as it seems

-- My brother gave me this explanation once, he is a road engineer --

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...simple answer: all roads must consist of 4-lane, oneway traffic in a CIRCLE.

...like this:

A) OUTSIDE highspeed lane for exits to interior (left).

B) center TWO lanes for "through" traffic.

C) INSIDE slowspeed lane for on-ramp entry and exits to exterior (right).

...NO stop lights.

Thats retarded.