Ford Adaptive Cruise Control Can Help to Prevent Phantom Traffic Jams!

Benefits of Adaptive Cruise Control Technology in Ford models 

Here in the Edmonton metro area, we’re no stranger to traffic jams, and one of the most annoying components of them is that they can often start without prompting. To help combat this, Ford has partnered with Vanderbilt University to research the positive and beneficial effects of its vehicles’ Adaptive Cruise Control technology during highway driving. What they found was quite interesting, so today, we want to show you some of the benefits of Adaptive Cruise Control Technology in Ford models, as well as how it can be used to prevent a phantom traffic jam from happening!  

What is a Phantom Traffic Jam?  

Usually, when you picture a traffic jam, it’s usually caused by any one of several natural factors, usually involving an accident or upcoming construction that forces many drivers to merge lanes in a short amount of time. While unfortunate, these kinds of situations are largely unavoidable, but phantom traffic jams can certainly be prevented.  

A phantom traffic jam is just that – a backup of traffic that begins generally with an erratic motion from a driver at the front of the pack that creates a chain reaction of braking and accelerating from the motorists that trail. The good news, however, is that Ford found a way to remedy this problem; on one of its test tracks, 36 drivers simulated a normal traffic scenario using Adaptive Cruise Control. What they found was that the technology really does help to ease the impact of braking events if needed!

How does Adaptive Cruise Control Work?  

Adaptive Cruise Control can be considered a continuation of the standard cruise control technology that has been present in many vehicles for decades. It uses sensors located throughout your Ford vehicle to manually apply the gas and brake pedals to keep a safe, uniform distance from the vehicle in front of you. As of the time of posting, 71 percent of Ford vehicles in the United States were outfitted with the technology.  

Another key benefit of Adaptive Cruise Control is that it largely eliminates some of the most human elements of driving, especially in traffic jams – this can include distracted driving, unnecessary braking, and swerving between lanes. It’s clear that ACC is a key component in a consistent traffic flow during any situation!

More Ford Tech Info: What driver assistance features are included with Ford CoPilot360?

Test drive a new Ford vehicle near Edmonton AB 

Since its introduction to the market in the 2006 model year, Adaptive Cruise Control has been a trusted feature on many Ford models. We have a healthy selection of vehicles in our inventory today that include the technology, so be sure to visit us at your earliest convenience and schedule a test drive of any model that catches your eye!