Motoring Technology

1.2 million road deaths worldwide occur each year, plus a further 50 million injuries. To reduce car crash rate, much research now is focused on safety and new fuels. — though some electric vehicle and biofuel1 research aims at going faster.

Travelling at speed has always been risky. One cutting edge area2 of research in motoring safety is the use of digital in-car assistants3. They can ensure you don’t miss crucial road signs or fall asleep. The use of artificial intelligence software allows these assistants to monitor your driving and makes sure your phone or radio doesn’t distract you at a vital moment. Most crashes result from human and not mechanical faults.

Some safety developments aim to improve your vision. Radar can spot4 obstacles in fog, while other technology “sees through” high-sided5 vehicles blocking your view6. And improvements to seat belts, pedal controls and tyres are making driving smoother and safer. The colour of a car has been found to be linked with safety, as have, less surprisingly, size and shape7.

And alternatives to fossil-fuel8 based petrol, such as plant oils, are a hot area of research. Fuel cells9 based on hydrogen burn cleanly, and are the subject of a serious research effort.

But whatever is in the fuel tank, you don’t want a thief in the driving seat and there have been many innovations, some using satellite tracking and remote communications10, to fight against car theft. These communication systems can also come into play11 if you crash, automatically calling for help.

Accidents cause many traffic jams, but there are more subtle interplays between vehicles that can cause jams even on a clear but busy road. Such jams can be analysed using statistical tools. Robotic drivers could be programmed to make traffic flow smoothly and will perhaps one day be everyone’s personal chauffeur, but their latest efforts suggest that won’t be soon.

1. What are researchers interested in doing as the road accidents worldwide increase to a shocking rate?

A They are developing faster electric vehicles.

B They are analyzing road deaths occurring worldwide every year.

C They focus their research on safety and new fuels.

D They are designing fully automatic cars.

2. According to the second paragraph, most road accidents happen

A because drivers fall asleep.

B because drivers make mistakes.

C because of engine failure.

D because of speeding.

3. Which of the safety developments is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A Radars that can help drivers to see obstacles in fog.

B Devices that can help drivers to see through big vehicles.

C Improvements in seat belts, pedal controls and tyres.

D Windscreens that can help drivers to improve their vision.

4. What is NOT the purpose of innovations that use satellite tracking and remote communications?

A To prevent car thieves from getting into your car.

B To call for help when one’s car crashes.

C To call for help when the car gets jammed in the traffic.

D To track the car down when it is being stolen.

5. What is true of robotic drivers?

A It will take some time before robotic drivers can be put to practical use.

B Robotic drivers are not allowed to drive on busy roads.

C Robotic drivers can never replace human drivers.

D Robotic drivers are too expensive to use.

答案：CBDCA

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