Think-tank driving smart cars

By STUART DYE

Cars that tell you about an accident ahead, provide night vision and drive themselves if necessary - it sounds like the stuff of science fiction.

But it's a reality that a new think-tank wants to bring to New Zealand.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSNZ) is being formed by leading figures in the transport and technology industries.

The new group aims to revolutionise all forms of transport by applying advances in information technology and electronics.

Blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, assisted steering, pre-crash safety systems, and stop-and-go control were all the dreams of researchers just 10 years ago.

Today, these systems are available and are being tested in vehicles around the world.

Roger Dunn, director of transportation engineering and associate professor at Auckland University, is one of ITSNZ's drivers.

"In simple terms, the benefits are increased efficiency, increased safety and reduced environmental impact. The goal of ITS is to improve all modes of the transportation system to make the overall system more effective, more efficient and safer."

It is expected that ITS can be applied to air, sea, road and rail.

Examples of present ITS technologies include smart-card systems for public transport and automated traffic light systems.

The project is being led by Mr Dunn, Transit ITS manager Rod James, and Stephen Burnett, a specialist with transport consultants' firm Gabites Porter in Christchurch.