In 20 years, self-driving cars could transform the way we drive, according to an engineer involved in testing the technology. Thomas Tompkin of Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) stated that a “seismic shift in the way roads are laid out” is conceivable, and that traffic lights may become obsolete.
Two years have been spent testing two automobiles manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan on a 2.7-mile (4.3-kilometer) route in south-east London that includes busy A-roads. The government of the United Kingdom has invested $7 million in the project, confirmed Transport Minister Jesse Norman.
The vehicles were equipped with 270 cameras that relayed information about potential problems ahead, such as stopped buses in the left lane. Nissan’s Robert Bateman stated that the United Kingdom’s trial differed from those in the United States and Japan due to the greater number of pedestrian interactions and crossings.
Mr. Tompkin suggested that traffic lights could be eliminated in 20 or 30 years due to technological advancements. However, he added, “there is a great deal of work to be done before that ever occurs.” During testing, the automobiles have travelled over 2,400 kilometres (more than 1,600 miles) without incident, according to the project’s leaders.
The trial in Woolwich has helped answer “practical questions” about integrating self-driving vehicles into cities, putting the United Kingdom at the forefront of autonomous car technology. The project has the potential to revolutionise road networks over the next 20 years, making traffic lights obsolete in the process.
Nissan has been at the forefront of this project, outfitting two vehicles with 270 cameras capable of detecting potential obstacles in the road ahead. The automobiles have completed more than 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometres) of accident-free testing in south-east London.
Thomas Tompkin of Smart Mobility Living Lab believes that self-driving car technology could render traffic lights obsolete within the next 20 to 30 years. This “seismic shift” in road design could transform the way we use roads and make them safer for pedestrians.
The government of the United Kingdom has invested £7 million in this project, which has helped answer questions regarding the integration of autonomous vehicles into cities. Nissan is at the forefront of this technology, having outfitted two vehicles with 270 cameras to detect obstacles ahead. The vehicles have completed more than 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometres) of testing without incident.
Self-driving car technology could revolutionise road networks and render traffic lights obsolete within the next two decades. The Smart Mobility Living Lab’s Thomas Tompkin believes that a “seismic shift” in road design is possible and will make roads safer for pedestrians. The British government has invested £7 million in this project, and two Nissan vehicles have completed more than 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometres) of accident-free testing.
