Intellidrive – Is it Smart? Is it Green?

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While others on this blog might like a car with muscle and style — as long as they are low emissions, I personally like a car with brains over brawn.  I’m talking about intellidrive.  Smarter than smart cars, intellidrive is an initiative to “enable safe, interoperable networked wireless communications among vehicles, the infrastructure, and passengers’ personal communications devices”.  With cars, “talking” to the pavement, vehicles can start making decisions that improve vehicle operations and safety.  Not to leave the driver out but as my old driving instructor used to say “the most dangerous part of any vehicle is the nut behind the wheel”.  Many Intellidrive applications are being developed to increase safety, letting your car know when pavements are slick or stopping when objects are getting too close.  As intellidrive matures it could result in reduced traffic signal delays when vehicles can communicate programmed pathways, allowing professional vehicles like delivery vehicles to shorten headways (tailgate), and communicating real information to vehicles including alternative routes.  The biggest benefits of intellidrive are expected to be in safety and reduced emissions.  By 2013 USDOT is hoping to have measurable results of intellidrive benefits.

Sparks the imagination doesn’t it? How can you contribute to the Intellidrive transformation?  USDOT is sponsoring three workshops for innovators and inventors open to all.
August 25-26, 2010  – Detroit, MI, USA (9:00-4:30 local time)
September 1-2, 2010 – San Jose, CA, USA (9:00-4:30 local time)
September 29-30, 2010 – Washington, DC (9:00-4:30 local time, Location TBD)

Additionally, USDOT/FHWA is seeking information to assist them in performance measurements and performance based management of intellidrive. They have recently issued a request for information. Intellidrive is sure to lead to reduced crashes and emissions this step will help prove it.  Intellidrive IS Smart AND Green!