Audi is developing a new Travolution project aimed at streamlining urban traffic flow by allowing cars to talk to each other via wireless communication.

The experimental Travolution system developed by Audi with support by traffic management experts in the brand’s German home town of Ingolstadt, aims to improve synchronisation and phasing of traffic light networks to reduce stopping times.

Communications modules built into each traffic light are able to send messages to cars in the vicinity, alerting them to the time remaining until their next green phase. The car’s onboard system is then able to calculate the speed which the driver must maintain in order to pass through the light during this green phase, and displays this via the screen on the dash.

A network of 46 of the ‘intelligent’ traffic lights has been installed in the centre of Ingolstadt. They will communicate with specially modified A5 and A6 Avant models provided by Audi as part of the €1.2 million pilot project. A further 20 cars and 50 light installations are to be incorporated as the project evolves.