Tidal lane robot to improve intersection traffic in Guiyang

A tidal lane installation composed of robots and a 106-meter traffic fence is set up at the intersection of Longquanyuan Street and Qianlingshan Road in Guanshanhu district, Guiyang. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, recently put intelligent tidal lane robots into use at the intersection of Longquanyuan Street and Qianlingshan Road in Guanshanhu district. 

It is the first kind of intelligent tidal lane robot in the province to relieve traffic congestion.

During the morning rush hour from 7 to 9 am, a tidal lane is separated from the opposite lane of Longquanyuan Street by a robot-powered 106-meter reflective rubber fence which vehicles turning left onto Qianlingshan Road must pass by; After the morning rush hour, the tidal lane installation is returned to its original position.

"The solar energy-powered robot can move very accurately, making lane changes safer. It can even function in up to 20 millimeters of water," said Tan Xudong, an official of the Guiyang Public Security and Traffic Administration.

Since the installation began operating on Jan 7, traffic efficiency at the intersection during rush hour has significantly improved, with the morning peak period ending 20 minutes earlier than before.