Smart Intersections

Ford Motor Company researchers are launching one of the first privately funded
“smart intersections” in North America, a key step toward leveraging GPS technology
and wireless infrastructure-to-vehicle communications to reduce traffic accidents and
ease fuel-wasting congestion. Approximately 40 percent of all traffic accidents and 20
percent of crash-related fatalities occur at intersections.

Real-time Information
Ford research vehicles with “active safety”
technologies download and access
information about the intersection to
determine if drivers should be warned
about possible hazards. Ford’s smart
intersection in Dearborn, Mich., transmits
to test vehicles a detailed digital map of
the signalized intersection, six additional
maps of the surrounding stop sign
intersections or crosswalks,
lane-specific GPS information
and signal status
information.

Active Accident Avoidance

The vehicle’s collision avoidance system uses this real-time
information to help determine whether the car will safely cross the
intersection. If the system determines the need to stop and senses
that the driver is not decelerating quick enough, it issues a visual
warning on the windshield and an audio alarm to the driver via
integrated vehicle electronics.

Consumer-driven Safety Innovation

The research addresses increasing consumer interest in vehicles that help detect and react to dangerous conditions.
According to a 2007 market research study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield, Mich., many drivers want their
vehicles to alert them to potential collisions and help them avoid accidents.

Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs. For more information
please contact Alan Hall at 313-594-3744 or Wes Sherwood at 313-390-5660.