In the current world, vehicles are no longer just a motor-powered solution
In the past few years, digital connectivity has helped related vehicles to move from the thinking of showroom into real life the place they are now reducing fuel consumption, visitors congestion, road accidents and most importantly emissions. In this case, connected motors denote automobiles which use diverse verbal exchange technologies to converse with the driver and different cars on the motorway, roadside infrastructure, and the internet. These cars are outfitted with the Internet, and this allows them access to each inside and outside automobile devices. Such technology is vital due to the fact it can be used to improve vehicle safety, efficiency and travel times (Thomas, 2012).
The importance of automotive connectivity
The quantity of automobiles globally is increasing at an ever-accelerating degree, making a part of the motorized family warning of crippling congestion that can only be prevented when vehicles start communicating to one another and the road. According to the executive boss of Ford Motors, there is a great danger with the increasing ownership of vehicles without an equivalent growth in automotive connectivity. Bill Ford insists that when nothing is done, the world is likely to face the prospect of global gridlock; a traffic jam that never ends, wastes energy, time, resources as well as compromising the flow of business and healthcare (Ford, 2011).
The need for collaboration between telecommunications and automotive industries
It is, therefore, important for telecommunications and automotive industries to work together, prepare for and manage the future. Bill Ford states that these two sectors have to advance fresh technologies as well as new ways of viewing the world. It is projected that by 2030, 60% of the global population will be staying in town regions and there will be 2 billion vehicles on the motorway (Thomas, 2012). A lot of this growth is expected to occur in China which is the world's biggest marketplace for automotive. Bill Ford states that most car manufacturers are now using connected vehicle technology to manufacture cars that use radar, GPS and wireless technology to reduce congestion, save time and increase safety. In support of this process, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that connected vehicles would help to solve 4.3 million accidents; approximately 80% crashes that do not involve intoxicated drivers (Thomas, 2012).
The role of information technology in solving the gridlock issue
Besides connected cars, information technology has also given manufacturers the urge to build intelligent and fully autonomous vehicles as a device against congestion. The use of Information technology has been embraced by several experts, and they believe it is the better way to solve the problem of global gridlock. In fact, there are already some startups underway including ZipCar and Uber using IT while Apple and Google are also charging into the sector (Thomas, 2012). It is clear that the introduction of self-directed driving, the growth of the connected car and the upcoming vehicle to vehicle communication have all presented the significance of information technology in addressing the global gridlock. Experts suggest that it has reached a point when a person can tell their phone where they want to go and whether they seek to move cheaply or quickly. In the process, the phone will generate a particular ticket which will take an individual through each stage of the suitable way, a mixture of taxi, bus, bicycle, Segway and car. Bill Ford insists that Vehicles need to be viewed as devices of information technology network. Particularly, future vehicles will use 802.11p WLAN that will solely be reserved for the vehicle to vehicle communication (Freeman, 2010). These vehicles will communicate with each other, and the central station of monitoring that can send warnings regarding accidents, construction, and navigation in car navigation systems. Furthermore, information technology through the existing mobile capabilities can help connected vehicles automate their maneuvers by changing lanes, exiting highways and driving slowly (Freeman, 2010). In the long run, vehicles will be their parking valets, allowing the driver to book space for parking and also drop the vehicle to the garage where it will maneuver itself into tight spaces that maximize the density of parking space.
The challenges of solving the gridlock issue and its implications
Nonetheless, there are several challenges in solving the gridlock issue because a lot of funds is required to manufacture connected cars. Furthermore, it is not easy to guarantee the world without traffic jams because sometimes networks fail and this can cause chaos in connected vehicles. But when there is inaction to address the predicted car crowding, there will be several negative implications. For instance, people will always delay reaching their destination. When there is poor planning, there will always be congestion, and this will hinder the movement of people. During morning hours, traveling to work for most people will be a huge problem. Snarl-ups will make individuals late for work. People will spend a lot of time in traffic than at their places work and this will lead to huge losses especially companies and individuals which do business (Freeman, 2010). Also, getting home from work will be a frustrating experience especially when people are heading to relax. Economically, the gridlock will bring down several businesses. Suppliers will not avail their product on time, and customers are more likely to be unsatisfied when their orders are not received on time. Worse off, failing to address the gridlock will make individuals find it problematic to estimate travel times. For most individuals, they will have to guess the amount of time required to reach a particular place depending on the time of day and week. Such cases are bad because they will deny people enough time to do other activities and have their leisure throughout the day (Thomas, 2012).
The negative effects of gridlocks
Gridlocks will also increase fuel consumption and pollution because each time vehicles will be stopping and starting in gridlocks at higher rates than it happens on highways, a lot of fuel will get burnt. In the long run, this will increase the consumption of fuel leading to its increase in price. Therefore, commuters will be required to pay extra money. Global warming will increase because of the burning fuel, and this will negatively affect the lives of people. Road rage will increase in future, and this is primarily for the commuters who are angry. Senseless traffic reactions will be the norm, and it will be experienced in several areas. This is mostly brought by the fact that another person is not driving at a speed that the individual behind feels he should. It is even worse when another individual cuts in front. Road rage will, therefore, manifest itself through retaliatory traffic maneuvers and intentional tailgating.
References
Ford, B, (2011). A future beyond traffic gridlock. TED [Video file].
Freeman, D. H. (2010, December 26). Future Tech: A Car Smart Enough to *Prevent* Traffic Jams. Discover Magazine.
Thomas, D. (2012, February 27). Ford chiefly warns of car ‘global gridlock’. Financial Times.
