Transport for the Future

Designing Safer Roads

Contents: Standard

Safer Journeys

Easy Version

Listen:

As the population increases the way people travel will change. More public transport will be needed, and the safety of vehicles will improve.

As the population of New Zealand increases traffic on our roads will also increase. To maintain a safe transport system and reduce traffic congestion more people will need to use public transport and the safety of vehicles will need to increase.

Age of vehicles

People are more likely to die in a car crash if the car they are travelling in is old. This is because older vehicles have less safety features such as air bags and automatic braking.

Ongoing research into vehicle safety is leading to the development of safer cars and public transport.

Technology

In the future there will be more in-vehicle technologies to give drivers safety feedback. This technology would also ensure the driver remains alert and follows the road rules.

GPS tracking technology can already be used to monitor vehicles. Satellite-based navigation technology is also helping with the development of self-driving vehicles.

Self-driving vehicles

Self-driving vehicles drive themselves. They detect what is around them and navigate by using technology. They use sensors and software to control, navigate, and drive the vehicle.

Self-driving vehicles are controlled by using tools such as:

radar
laser light (LiDAR)
GPS
automatic emergency braking
odometry
computer vision (cameras)

Self-driving cars can see and understand the world around them, avoiding obstacles to get to where they need to go. There are three things needed to turn a regular car into a self-driving car:

A GPS system - much like the ones found in many cars today.
A system that picks up changes in conditions on the roads.
A way to process and react to this information while driving

There are various levels of automation in vehicles. Currently cars already have levels of automation such as automatic steering and braking. As technology develops vehicles will become more automated which will increase safety and reduce driver errors.

Self-driving vehicles are usually electric so reduce carbon emissions. Self-driving vehicles can be used for public transport. Several of these vehicles can be attached together or drive in convoy to offer more capacity during peak travel times.

Ready for a quiz? Try the interactive 'Transport for the Future' activity .

Audio Māori keywords:

How do you think transport will change in the future?

As New Zealand's population grows to avoid congestion there will need to be more public transport and safer vehicles. Image: LEARNZ.

As New Zealand's population grows to avoid congestion there will need to be more public transport and safer vehicles. Image: LEARNZ.

Ohmio is developing the first New Zealand made driverless car. Image: ohmio.

Ohmio is developing the first New Zealand made driverless car. Image: ohmio.

These self-driving vehicles developed by ohmio are currently being trialled in Christchurch. Image: ohmio.

These self-driving vehicles developed by ohmio are currently being trialled in Christchurch. Image: ohmio.

Most cars have some level of automation. Self-driving cars at level 5 do not even have a steering wheel. Image ERTRAC.

Most cars have some level of automation. Self-driving cars at level 5 do not even have a steering wheel. Image ERTRAC.

The number of electric vehicles available in New Zealand is increasing. These vehicles reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels. Image: LEARNZ.

The number of electric vehicles available in New Zealand is increasing. These vehicles reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels. Image: LEARNZ.

«Previous