Granted, there are a number of drivers we could call impatient, the ones that tap their fingers on the steering wheel, rev the engine or ease up as close as they dare while waiting for the light to turn green.
Audi of America, owned by Volkswagen, announced on Monday that select 2017 Q7 and A4 models built after June 1, 2016, will come equipped with vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology. Basically, this on-board nascent technology will be the first of its kind that allows the vehicle to communicate with a component of the transportation system.
Vehicle-to-infrastructure technology is similar to V2V and is based on wireless communication systems. The V2I system has been well researched and is documented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) as part of the Connected Vehicles Program.
The V2I system will enable the wireless exchange of critical safety and operational data between vehicles and highway infrastructure, and is intended primarily to help in reducing accidents, as well as letting drivers be more aware of other critical driving safety situations and information.
The broader goal of the technology, which continues to be tested around the globe, will be to reduce accidents and also reduce congestion on our highways and roads. As far as reducing stress, it would be better to think of the technology as being an upgrade to smarter vehicles, ones that will eventually read road conditions for you.
Right now, V2I technology will communicate with traffic signals and will provide a countdown of exactly when a traffic light will switch from red to green. A few seconds before the light changes, the countdown will stop, giving the driver enough time to drop the cell phone and get back to looking at the road.
Tech Crunch says the V2I system is not free, folks. Drivers of eligible models must have purchased Audi’s Connect Prime infotainment package ($199 for 6 months or $750 for 30 months). The service won’t be available in all cities, either. The car gets its data from Traffic Technology Services, so that means it’s available in those cities that have the service.
Quite honestly, this writer has always felt that drivers are too anxious, especially while waiting at traffic lights, but if the technology will help to curb even a little of the “road rage” seen on our highways, more power to it. Just remember that the technology is limited right now, but Audi does say that being an industry first, there is the opportunity for deeper integration between smart city infrastructure and connected cars.
