Honda Develops Traffic Jam Predictor

Honda Motor Co. says it has developed the world's first system able to analyze traffic patterns and predict traffic jams.

The system is based on the fact that a vehicle's braking and acceleration affect the behavior of trailing vehicles, sometimes creating a concertina effect that can cause congestion. The technology advises motorists how to drive more smoothly to avoid creating backups behind them.

In tests conducted with the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Honda's system increased the average speed of trailing vehicles by 23% and improved their fuel efficiency by about 8%, according to Honda. The carmaker says it will test its technology on public roads in Italy in May and Indonesia in July.

Honda notes that equipping cars with its system and linking their data to onboard adaptive cruise controls in vehicles around them could help sync vehicle speeds to maintain smooth traffic flow and prevent cars from bunching up.