Spain may soon be following the example of Germany’s autobahns as the national traffic authority is currently trialling a 150-kilometre per hour speed limit on some of its motorways with the help of artificial intelligence.
Spain currently has a speed limit of 120km/h on motorways, but the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is now testing a new limit of 150km/h on a certain section of the highway in Catalonia, which will be controlled by artificial intelligence.
Drivers traveling on the AP-7 near El Vendrell will now be able to travel up to 150 km/h; and will not be fined if they exceed 120 km/h, making it the first of its kind in the country.
Speed limits there will now be controlled by AI, meaning that the maximum speed limit could change according to factors like weather conditions, the amount of traffic, time of day, and even road conditions.
However, this also means that at certain times drivers will also be able to go faster than the usual limit.
As speed limits will be adjusted in real time, the system is designed to improve road safety in situations such as adverse weather conditions or near high-risk areas such as roads with dangerous curves, but will also help prevent traffic jams during rush hour.
According to the Spanish government, they want to follow the example of other EU countries such as Germany and France, which also have similar AI speed controls.
In Germany, for example, this system has helped minimise accidents during rush hour, when vehicle density is highest and in France, variable speed limits have been implemented in areas prone to sudden weather changes, preventing accidents caused by adverse conditions.
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The EU has assured its members that this new system of limits controlled by AI will reduce the number of accidents, minimise CO2 emissions, and optimise fuel consumption.
In the Netherlands, studies have shown that intelligent speed control can reduce traffic accidents by up to 30 percent in high-accident areas.
But this system also poses several challenges too. The main concern is that drivers may be confused about how fast or slow they should be driving. It is also essential that the AI technology is accurate and is in constant working order, otherwise it could jeopardise road safety.
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There are also debates surrounding privacy and data use, as these systems require constant monitoring of traffic and driver behaviour. Some organisations have shown concern about how this data is managed and whether it could be used for other purposes, such as automatically imposing speeding fines.
Currently the trial will only take place in this one section in Catalonia, but if successful it could be rolled out across the country.
