A team of researchers has found that robotic vehicles can optimize traffic flow, even when mixed with human-driven cars. According to a study by University of Tennessee Assistant Professor Weizi Li, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and reinforcement learning can manage complex intersections and reduce traffic congestion. The algorithm allows robot vehicles to communicate with each other and prioritize goals such as traffic efficiency or energy consumption.

The study simulated different scenarios and found that even when only 5% of cars are robot-driven, traffic jams are eliminated. Moreover, the approach shows that with a higher percentage of robot vehicles (60%), traffic efficiency is superior to traditional traffic light control.

Source: https://theconversation.com/robocars-promise-to-improve-traffic-even-when-most-of-the-cars-around-them-are-driven-by-people-study-finds-233546