Smart Cars Meet Smart Roads

Hughes Aircraft Co. is exploring how to use defense-related technology to help make roads and cars “smarter”. How a futuristic toll-collection system would work: 1. Car passes without stopping. 2. Roadside scanner reads electronic tag on dashboard or license plate that driver purchased in advanced for a set amount. 3. Scanner transmits data to satellite. 4. Satellite relays data to traffic control center; computer charges driver’s account for toll amount; driver is notified when account balance is close to zero.

Toll booth: Out-of-towners, cars without tags would have to stop at toll booth.

Video camera: Monitors vehicle speeds, watches for accidents.

Driving Into the Future

Other smart technology could include:

Driver warnings: If traffic ahead suddenly slows down, a car sensor sounds an alarm to alert the driver.

Buying gas: The same electronic tags used for toll collection are also used for buying gas or other service-station products.

Emergencies: If car breaks down in a remote area, the driver uses a two-way communications system to notify traffic engineers of problem and location. Engineers dispatch nearest emergency aid.

Source: Hughes Aircraft Co.