Tired of Traffic? Quantum Computing Might Help

TYLER and LONGVIEW, Texas. If you, like the rest of us, have checked an online map before leaving home to avoid the routes with the most traffic, only to find yourself stuck in traffic anyway, you may be wondering why online maps haven’t mastered the art of predicting traffic and helping drivers avoid it. If you’ve ever gotten an alert from your map urging you to try another route, you probably understand how inconvenient it can be. In fact, map directions have even sometimes proven to be unsafe. According to the Guardian, in 2010, a pedestrian sued Google after she claimed that the application gave her unsafe directions. The woman’s personal injury lawyers believed that Google has a duty to warn pedestrians that certain routes may not be safe. In fact, Google maps will sometimes alert pedestrians when walking directions pose known hazards.

So, when will computers be able to predict, and maybe even, prevent, traffic?

According to QZ, preventing traffic using computer power is not too easy a problem. The mathematics involved in predicting cars’ arrival at intersections and roads is very difficult. Yet, QZ reports that quantum computers might be able to solve the math. Normal computers work using binary. In binary, a “bit” of information is either switched to a zero or one. Chunks of these zeros and ones are then compiled into computer programs that programmers can manipulate. However, with quantum computers, “bits” can be zeros and ones at the same time. Using the principles of quantum mechanics, information can become entangled. Computer scientists believe that if a quantum computer is used, it might be able to crunch the numbers and solve the traffic problem.

Quantum computers might be able to do more than make your map application better. They might actually be able to help improve city design to help traffic move more smoothly through the city. According to QZ, a supercomputer already controls the timing of traffic lights in Los Angeles, saving a 20-minute commuter, a whopping 2.5 minutes!

Researchers believe that quantum computing might be able to do a better job, reducing traffic, and thus possibly reducing the risk of accidents. City design has already shown to decrease accidents. In New York City, for example, changes to pedestrian crosswalks and to roadways have already shown to reduce accidents.

So, maybe solving the traffic problem in big cities—and the risk they pose—might involve a multi-pronged approach—one that includes computers, but also includes changes to city design, and rules of the road?

The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Tyler and Longview, Texas who work closely with individuals who have been hurt in car accidents. Victims may be entitled to seek damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if their accident was the result of the negligence of another person or party. Visit our firm at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/ to learn more about how we can help protect your rights.

 

Cooper Law Firm

501 N Third St,

Longview, TX 75601

Telephone: (903) 297-0037