Decision Support System Optimizer by IBM

New computer technology that can predict traffic patterns could help ease congestion on busy roads, tech giant IBM announced November 14.

The company is wrapping up research on its new “predictive traffic management technology,” developed and tested in Lyons, France.

The technology – IBM calls it a Decision Support System Optimizer (DSSO) – uses real-time traffic data to predict the best way to keep cars moving when a gridlock-sparking incident happens, reports Mashable.

In fact, DSSO can even help cities “anticipate and avoid many traffic jams before they happen, and lessen their impact on citizens,” Lyons mayor Gerard Collomb said in a statement.

While modern transportation centres often have incident response plans and techniques they can employ to prevent bottle-necking, they’re unable to factor past and future traffic patterns into their actions, IBM points out.

Not only does the DSSO’s algorithms use historical traffic data to predict future patterns, it also “learns” from the implementation of successful traffic management plans.

 

Ref: IBM Software Predicts Traffic Jams, Stops Them – Sympatico