Audi introduces the next step in safety and vehicle automation technology this week with the latest Vehicle To Infrastructure (V2I) traffic light communication system in Las Vegas. Yep, your 2017 Audi A4, Q7, or Allroad built after June 1st, 2016 and equipped with the Audi connect PRIME system will be able to tell you when the traffic light in front of you will be changing.
The system aids the driver with visual icons in the digital center gauge cluster or in the heads-up display (if equipped). If you are sitting at a red light, the system will give you a count down in seconds to when the light will change to green, including turning arrow signals. Will this system turn every traffic light into a potential drag race? No. The system is accurate to within approximately 2-3 seconds and it does not give a countdown all the way to zero. The system stops counting when the light change is within three seconds. It’s still up to the driver to be alert and observe the surrounding intersection to determine whether it’s safe to accelerate. The system is meant to help the driver be more aware of what’s happening at the intersection.
In the future, this V2I communication will also aid semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous vehicles negotiate metropolitan areas. Audi has partnered with Traffic Technology Services (TTS) to facilitate the transfer of traffic light data to the Audi vehicles, and Las Vegas, NV is the first city to be involved in this project.
Audi connect PRIME with the traffic light communication service is being offered free of charge for the first six months.
TFLcar will have a detailed video that describes this Audi system. Please stay tuned. The all-new Audi Q5 is not currently part of this V2I initiative (it’s not on sale yet), but here is our first drive on-road and off-road review of the 2018 Audi Q5.
