Ford Says “Traffic Jam Assist” Could Smooth Traffic Flow

Ford Motor Co. is developing a system that automatically stops and accelerates a car to synchronize it with the flow of other vehicles around it in heavy traffic. The system also automatically steers the car to keep it in its lane.

Called Traffic Jam Assist, the technology taps data from such existing features as adaptive cruise control and automatic lane keeping. Ford says drivers typically spend about 30% of their time in heavy traffic.

Ford's system can bring a vehicle to a stop automatically, restart the vehicle when traffic begins to move again and adjust if another vehicle cuts in ahead. When the traffic jam eases, the system signals the driver to resume full control.

Ford says simulations suggest that equipping one in four vehicles on the road with the assist system could reduce traffic delays by 20% and cut travel time by more than 37%. The system is designed for roadways where there are no pedestrians or cyclists and where lanes are clearly marked.