Utilizing biomimicry for traffic safety

Biomimicry is no new concept. Through examining nature's systems and processes, people have been able to develop a number of solutions to human problems. The natural world offers an array of design schemes that can be emulated in our man-made world. Specifically, our car centric transportation network can be reworked to be more efficient and safer.

This is where biomimicry can offer its services. Through observing ants, termites, and bees, we can learn about traffic control, making a more sustainable and harmonious traffic network for cars and bicycles. This article gives the full scoop on some the last innovations using biomimicry. We will focus on one particular design plan.

By 2020, Volvo has vowed to produce an injury proof car; inspiration came from observing locust flight habits. Locusts are able to fly in large groups, up to a million, without colliding into each other. These seemingly simple creatures come standard with neural circuitry that sends visual input to their wings resulting in almost instantaneous flight adjustment. Volvo's version of this is called "sensory input routing methodology." The system's goal is to avoid crashes and hitting pedestrians. If this technology succeeds, the number of car and bicycle crashes would hopefully decline too; the biggest win of them all!

Right now, the lowly locust is outsmarting man. If we can develop an effective system to decrease car crashes (especially cycling-related incidences), maybe more people will feel comfortable riding their bikes. With this technology, the fight for better relations between motorists and people on bikes will move towards a brighter future.