Let's move it!

More inspiring news on transport from across the world. German researchers have found that just five cars in a thousand communicating with one another is all it takes to reduce congestion. German officials prepare to roll out a vehicle-to-vehicle communication to alleviate traffic congestion and a growing number of automakers explore the technology.

This involves a vehicle-to-vehicle telematics system that sends data from in-car sensors to local traffic control centers over 802.11p WLAN, reserved for intelligent transportation networks. Data from the V2V network would be analyzed by local authorities and sent to motorists through navigation systems, text messages and radio traffic reports.

There are multiple disincentives to driving in European cities, including limits on parking, congestion pricing, restrictions on cars in center cities, and decent public transit and bike infrastructure. Europe recognises that globally, emissions from transportation continue a relentless rise, with half of them coming from personal cars, and the EU has committed to cut down its emissions.

Zurich's planners take it a step ahead - to tame traffic, shorten the green-light periods and lengthen the red with the goal that pedestrians wait no more than 20 seconds to cross! Now can you imagine such a move in our Indian cities, and what would ensue? Decibel levels up as horns blare all around! And talk about disincentives to private vehicles, it will take a long long time. the market is booming, with India and China racing close to the US.