Birds and ants may help end traffic jams

A GROUP of researchers at the University of Malaga is developing a ‘bio-inspired’ system to reduce traffic jams and road chaos by following animal patterns.

Project director, Enrique Alba, explained that the scientists studied the way ants and birds move in groups, then put their findings to use to create a tool that may solve problems that have so far proved too complex for mathematical techniques.

Alba said that the system would reduce traffic jams and travelling times thanks to two different parts: a software package to correctly manage traffic lights and a mobile application to create personalised routes for drivers to cut their travel time.