Solar Power: Traffic Lights
Solar Power: Traffic Lights
'Green' traffic lights are not a new idea. The move to LED traffic lights is already offering significant savings on both energy consumption and costs. Berlin already derives 100% of their electricity for traffic control from renewable sources. India has combined both these attributes into a single traffic system. South African's first solar powered traffic light intersection was unveiled a few years ago. The main benefit being that traffic flows will be free of disruption when inevitable power failures occur.
Some solar-powered traffic signals have been previously provided by private investors. Sometimes costs were defrayed by allowing limited advertising on the lights. Certainly one way of getting motorists attention, but not likely to improve road safety. But the extensive use of renewable sources to power traffic lights is still very limited.
Navigation System Advertising
Navigation System Advertising
How does a lifetime of free traffic information supported by advertising sound to you? NAVTEQ is working with Nextar to provide just that. Adverts and special promotions will be offered to users based on their location.
With this concept advertising content is provided in a way that is noticeable, but shouldn't interfere with the navigation function of the device, and will hopefully be relevant to the user's desires. If, after being provided with advertising content, the user indicates an interest to travel to a location relevant to the advert, the navigation system will guide him to the location with minimal further user input.
