Researchers: AI in connected cars eased rush hour congestion

In a study, the cars' cruise control was modified to react to the overall flow of traffic using artificial intelligence. The aim is to influence a phenomenon called a phantom traffic jam - the start-and-stop congestion on crowded roads that has no obvious cause. — AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

NASHVILLE: As millions of people travel the interstates this Thanksgiving, many will encounter patches of traffic at a standstill for no apparent reason – no construction or accident. Researchers say the problem is you.

Human drivers just don't do a good job of navigating dense traffic conditions, but an experiment using artificial intelligence in Nashville last week means help could be on the way. In the experiment, specially equipped cars were able to ease rush hour congestion on Interstate-24, researcher Daniel Work said on Tuesday. In addition to lessening driver frustration, Work said less stop-and-go driving means fuel savings and, by extension, less pollution.