DAIMLER-BENZ scientists are carrying out a study on the autobahn near Frankfurt to investigate the dynamics of traffic flow and congestion. Their goal is to develop a system that can generate reliable predictions of traffic conditions so that on-board computers in cars can choose the fastest route between two points, even if this is not the shortest route.

The study has analysed how even the smallest changes in traffic flow can lead to congestion lasting several hours. According to Daimler-Benz scientists: 'Guidance systems might not be capable of actively preventing traffic jams but an on-board computer can at least recognise, long before a particular stretch of road is reached, that the traffic there will have come to a standstill in just a few minutes.'