pon yet (84). Possible methods include sensors attached to the vehicles wheels, satellite signals, synthesized voice, or radio and infrared waves (84). Many experts have predicted that if Project Pathfinder was initiated successfully, traffic congestion would drop 20-30% if 40% of the vehicles were equipped (84). The price of the equipment for each automobile is expected to cost $500-$700, and the entire mapping system will probably cost about $35 billion to construct (84). The Traffic Master system, currently in use in England, consists of a pager with a small display in each vehicle (Pennisi 184-186). Sensors in and around London measure speeds and use this data to report traffic information to the pagers (184-186). The Travtek system not only features a color display which indicates the locations of traffic jams, such as the Traffic Master system, but also shows the locations of restaurants, hotels, and other facilities (Pennisi 184-186). This system also boasts a guidance mechanism consisting of magnets which detect when the car begins to drift out of its lane and warn the driver (184-186). In addition to the several major smart highway systems, an abundance of smaller utilities which aid drivers is available. The Roaddirector pager, designed to help drivers avoid traffic, consists of a small pager which is updated every four minutes (Munk 20-21). The cost of the system is $9.95 per month, and for an extra $1.75 per call, alternate routes are provided (20-21). Autotalk, Inc., has recently introduced a system which gives 17 hour-a-day traffic reports to those who purchase special $125 receivers (20-21). Although not instituted yet, Cue Paging Corp. hopes to develop a traffic data system by which traffic information can be picked up by Sharp Wizard personal organizers and laptop computers (20-21). Although many of the smart highways systems that have recently been developed may seem like the answer to traffic congestion, many disadvan...
