VOA慢速英语2016--奥迪新汽车能与交通信号交流

AS IT IS 2016-08-18 New Audi Cars Will Communicate with Traffic Signals 奥迪新汽车能与交通信号交流

German carmaker Audi is equipping some of its 2017 models in the United States with technology that will communicate with traffic signals.

Information from the signals will let drivers know exactly when the light will change color.

The technology is known as vehicle-to-infrastructure¹ (V-to-I). It lets traffic signals and other infrastructure send safety and operations information wirelessly² to vehicles.

The equipment will be included on Audi’s Q7, A4 and A4 “Allroad” models built after June 1, 2016.

The service is set to begin this year in at least five “smart” American cities. These include Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Washington, and Washington D.C.

The information will come from government agencies³ that already collect data to predict and oversee⁴ traffic flow. A private company will partner with government officials to pass along the data to vehicles.

Drivers will see a countdown on the car’s instrument panel⁵ to show when the traffic signal will turn green or red. The message goes away a few seconds before the light changes, so drivers can turn their attention to safely proceeding⁶.

Pom Malhotra is general manager of Audi's connected vehicles division⁷. He said the system was designed to provide drivers with a sense of ease⁸ and convenience, not as a safety feature.

“A better informed driver means a less stressed driver,” an announcer⁹ says in an Audi video explaining the technology.

The company said the idea is to let drivers know exactly how long before a signal changes. It suggested they use the time to make sure other passengers are fine or monitor vehicle operations.

The technology raises the possibility that some drivers may use the vehicle’s downtime to talk on the telephone or send text messages. But Audi said it would never tell drivers to text while driving – an activity that is illegal in almost all 50 states.

Many other automakers are experimenting with the technology.

The goal is to eventually integrate¹⁰ traffic infrastructure with cars on many city roads. This would let traffic signals use the vehicle data to regulate¹¹ traffic, suggest better driving paths, or suggest speeds needed to hit all green lights.

Words in This Story

infrastructure – n. basic systems used to serve society, such as transportation and communication

instrument panel – n. surface in front of a driver that displays all major functions of a vehicle

convenience – n. something that makes life easier

monitor – v. watch, keep track of

integrate – v. combine two or more things to make something more effective

recommend – v. to say something is good and should be chosen

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 wirelessly   

不用电线的，用无线电波传送的

参考例句：

• I heard it on the wireless. 我是从无线电收音机里听到的。
• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio. 收音机里有许多无线电线路。

3 agencies   

n.代理( agency的名词复数 )；服务机构；（政府的）专门机构；代理（或经销）业务（或关系）

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations. 联合国有许多专门机构。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The project is funded by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. 这项计划由世界银行和其他多国机构资助。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。

5 panel   

n.面，板，专门小组，控制板，仪表盘

参考例句：

• The unusual control panel on the walls caught our attention.墙上不同寻常的控制板引起了我们的注意。
• The panel of judges included several well-known writers.评判小组中包括几位知名作家。

6 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

7 division   

n.区分，分开，除法，公司，部门，师(军队里)

参考例句：

• Have you learnt division?你学会除法了吗？
• The division commander ordered that we start the attack before dawn.师长令我们在拂晓前发起攻击。

8 ease   

n. 安乐,安逸,悠闲; v. 使...安乐,使...安心,减轻,放松

参考例句：

• His mind was at ease and he felt confident in the future. 他心情舒畅,对前途很有信心。
• You should ease up on the child and stop scolding her. 你应该对那个孩子宽松些,不要再骂她了。

9 announcer   

n.宣布者；电(视)台播音员，报幕员

参考例句：

• The radio announcer said it was nine o'clock.电台播音员报时9点整。
• The announcer tells the listeners what programme comes next.广播员告诉听众下一个是什么节目。

10 integrate   

v.（使）结合，（使）一体化 adj.完整的，综合的

参考例句：

• A customs union would integrate the economies of these countries.关税联盟会把这些国家的经济紧密结合在一起。
• We must integrate theory with practice.我们必须把理论与实际结合起来。

11 regulate   

vt.管理，控制，调节，调校，调整

参考例句：

• This system can regulate the temperature of the room.这种系统能调节室内温度。
• They regulate the flow of water by the sluice gate.他们用水闸门控制水的流量。