Putting a Stop to Stopping: Jaguar Land Rover Testing Green Light Speed Advisory Tech
Jaguar Land Rover has announced it will implement Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) technology on a trial basis. The system utilizes vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) connectivity, allowing cars to “talk” to traffic lights while informing drivers of the speed they should travel to avoid having to stop.
GLOSA isn’t a new concept. In fact, it’s been kicked around for years as a potential way to minimize congestion and improve urban traffic flow. The theory involves creating a network of traffic signals that perpetually communicate with connected automobiles and encourage the vehicles to self-regulate their speed. The system works with timed signals, though implementing adaptive signals is believed to further improve the system’s overall benefits.
It’s not the most revolutionary technology under consideration right now — it still relies on the city’s infrastructure keeping tabs on your vehicle to function properly (something we have moderate concerns about). But, if the industry does pivot this way, GLOSA is one of the most common-sense and least invasive automotive advancements currently on the drawing board.
First of all, it doesn’t force the car to do anything (not yet, anyway). The stop light will continue doing its job while providing the driver with some useful information, via V2X, that they’re welcome to ignore. If you want to slam on the brakes at the last minute, you still can. The goal isn’t to eliminate driver involvement; rather, developers just want to make hectic commutes a little more bearable.
“This cutting-edge technology will radically reduce the time we waste at traffic lights,” explained Oriol Quintana-Morales, JLR’s Connected Technology Research Engineer. “It has the potential to revolutionize driving by creating safe, free-flowing cities that take the stress out of commuting. Our research is motivated by the chance to make future journeys as comfortable and stress-free as possible for all our customers.”
GLOSA is being tested alongside several other advanced driver assistance systems, all aimed at improving commutes and reducing emissions. JLR uses the Jaguar F-Pace as its test platform for the tech as part of a $26 million research project based in the United Kingdom.
[Images: Jaguar Land Rover]
Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Since adding automotive writing to his repertoire, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, discussed the status of the automotive sector on national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone should ever have to. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. Alleged to be contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.
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I believe there is one... stating that single car can not be allowed to sit idle for more than 60 seconds. Do YOU know how long that car was sitting there? What's more infuriating to me is a light cycle during rush hour that stays green a mere 10 seconds, letting only 2-5 cars through on a highway that's backed up more than 20 deep. Have YOU ever had to effectively sit through four light cycles at one light before?
Back to the future. In 80ies, in some Russian cities they had this tech, they called "green lane". At every light they had an electronic speed display and they promised that if you keep that speed, you will catch green light at next intersection.