Audi to Launch Traffic Light Timer in U.S.

Audi AG will offer a feature on select U.S. models this year that will tell drivers when a traffic light is about to change. The carmaker says the technology will help improve traffic flow and reduce driver stress.

The vehicle-to-infrastructure application, which is billed as an industry first in the U.S., uses an on-board LTE data modem to communicate with the surrounding infrastructure through local data centers managed by Beaverton, Ore.-based Traffic Technology Services.

The data exchange will allow in-vehicle displays to provide drivers stopped at a connected traffic light with a countdown to when the signal is scheduled to turn green. The countdown will stop a few seconds before the light turns green, which Audi says will force drivers to look at the traffic light and intersection to determine when it’s safe to proceed.

Countdowns also can be provided to drivers as a vehicle approaches a traffic light that’s about to change. Other future applications could include integrating the technology with navigation systems to synch a vehicle's speed with traffic lights, and automatic stop/start systems to turn the engine off when coasting to a red light. 

Watch a video of the system here.