The biggest headache for many people living in a metropolis is traffic. For example, in many Chinese cities, congestion is a common occurrence. Is there a way to break it? Build more roads? Hire more traffic officers? Or auction the license plates?
The solution may lie in smart transportation.
Hands-free autonomous cars
Li Yi / BRILLIANT
Self-driving cars are not prone to human errors such as distractions and reduced driving time. While the system takes control, passengers are free to do whatever they want.
China has taken the lead in the testing and marketing of computer-assisted driving.
Autonomous vehicle startup AutoX, backed by the Alibaba Group, recently announced the completion of its new automated production line of Level 4 fully autonomous vehicles.
AutoX RoboTaxi production line
Level 4 driving automation means vehicles do not require human intervention and are programmed to drive under certain conditions, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. The technology is typically used in public vehicles, such as taxis and driverless buses.
SAE International
Tests with driverless taxis are underway in many Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Tech giants, online ridesharing platforms, and traditional taxi companies all want market share.
Beijing approved the commercial use of the driverless taxi for the first time on November 25. The first user made a short 2.1 kilometer trip and paid 1.24 yuan (19 US cents) after a discount.
Xinhua
Beijing first approved the commercial use of driverless taxis on November 25.
Shanghai has issued road test licenses to 25 automakers and 234 vehicles in total, overtaking all other cities in the country.
The experimental operation of Shanghai’s first autonomous bus line was launched in China’s Lingang Special Zone Pilot Free Trade Zone (Shanghai) in August. The 8.5-kilometer loop line with a total of eight platforms takes a 30- to 40-minute bus.
Pudong Hours
The autonomous vehicle developed by CRRC Electric Vehicle Co Ltd
Shanghai cyclists have been able to hail an autonomous vehicle donated by Baidu’s Apollo Go since September. Free rides are available at about 150 stations in Jiading District, covering residential districts, shopping districts, and office buildings.
Smart traffic lights
Not only are vehicles getting smarter, innovation is also happening on the side of the road. Instead of being just a timer, smart traffic lights can now change color automatically based on traffic flow.
Li Yi / BRILLIANT
An example of its successful implementation can be found in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province. Smart traffic lights were deployed at 35 intersections where green lights would automatically turn to red lights as soon as cars left.
According to local media, the new lights have significantly reduced the green light wait time by around 60%, improved traffic flow, and reduced traffic jams and accidents.
Have you had such an experience? You were so engrossed in checking your cell phone that you didn’t notice you put on a red light. Today, smart traffic lights and illuminated crossing lines will remind you.
Li Yi / BRILLIANT
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Ten Shanghai hubs, such as the Bund and the National Exhibition and Convention Center, were fitted with LED light strips in 2018.
The bands turn red when a red light is on and turn green when the green light is on. If a pedestrian ignores the warning lights and walks over the crossing, a column across the street facing the person will take photos of the offender for police to issue a ticket later.
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