Roadbuilders are already benefitting from data provided by car 'brains'.
Heart of the matter - a Nissan Leaf engine Image: Nissan |
Norway's construction engineers have been handed the perfect gift by Japanese car-maker, Nissan, and Scandinavian manufacturer Volvo - data from the 'brains' of their vehicles.
The information is generally a closely guarded secret by automakers, but its release could transform the way roads and the surrounding infrastructure is constructed.
The data comes from the vehicle's' 'brains' - the technology at the heart of the control systems - which gives highly detailed information about all aspects of the vehicle's performance.
This information is, understandably, highly commercially sensitive. However, in 2012, Nissan broke ranks to provide scientists at Norway's SINTEF organisation access to this vital data from its all-electric Leaf Model. Subsequently, Volvo's commercial vehicle division has also added its data.
The result has been some fascinating use of 'big data' which has been incorporated into the current design phase of the E39 highway between Trondheim and Kristiansand. Using vehicles on other European routes of similar terrain, the planners have been able to examine fuel consumption and vehicle performance to create a road that includes tunnels, bends, ascents and descents and even toll booths specifically designed to optimise fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
The hope is that increased access to this type of data will allow national and even continental infrastructure decisions to be made with the very best environmental approaches in mind.