From Guest Blogger Jordan: BMW Introduces Traffic Light-Timing App “Enlighten”

Driver inattention is one of the most common causes of car accidents at intersections. Speeding while trying to cross an intersection before the light turns red increases the risk of crashes, presenting a serious threat to road safety. Improving intersection safety is one of the goals that German car maker BMW is trying to achieve by releasing an app that offers a countdown timer for traffic lights, that can help drivers anticipate traffic light changes, making it easier for them to determine whether there is enough time for them to beat a red light by accelerating or they need to start slowing down and stop.

BMW recently announced that it has integrated a traffic light-timing app into its vehicles, becoming the first automaker to offer such an app, according to the company itself. The app, dubbed EnLighten, was created by Oregon-based software development company Connected Drive, and it can be used by anyone who owns a BMW model equipped with the car maker’s iDrive infotainment system and a compatible iOS phone.

EnLighten connects with the vehicle through the iDrive system, informing the driver of the current status of the traffic light the vehicle is approaching, by showing it on the iDrive screen on the car’s dashboard. It shows a countdown to the next signal change, so that drivers can know how long before the light turns green or red, which will help them decide whether they can make the green light or they should stop.

In addition to the countdown timer, the app makes recommendations on whether the driver should keep going and cross the intersection or slow down, based on the car’s speed and position, information that it retrieves through the driver’s smartphone’s GPS. On top of that, EnLighten issues an audio alert to warn the driver of an upcoming traffic light change, and a visual alert when the signal turns green.

Another useful feature that this app offers is the information that is specific to the car’s turn signal. If a driver activates a turn signal while approaching an intersection with separate left- and right-turn lights, the app will only display the status of the light that is dedicated to a left or a right turn, depending on which turn indicator is used by the driver.

By letting drivers know what the status of the nearest traffic light is, EnLighten helps make them more attentive when crossing an intersection, which is bound to reduce the number of intersection accidents caused by driver error. What’s more, it can help ensure a smoother traffic flow and ease congestion if used by more drivers, which should result in reduced carbon emissions, as well.

Finally, since it helps drivers adjust their speed while approaching traffic lights, the app helps them save gas and increase mileage, by eliminating the need for frequent braking and acceleration, so it offers a financial benefit, as well.

At the moment, EnLighten only works in cities with an integrated network of smart traffic signals, which for now include Portland and Eugene, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah.