Driverless cars, intelligent traffic signals, road signs that speak to cars and cars that speak to drivers… These are not the dreams of mad scientists working in a remote region of the country. These are not part of an upcoming episode of a new series on the Sci-Fi channel either. But, these technologies might help save 21,000 of the 43,000 deaths annually recorded on America’s highways.

Such cars and road infrastructure were showcased on the streets of New York City in November 2008 for the world’s largest Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems. Blueprint America was there and brought back this report.

For more on the future of car technology, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s Intelligent Transportation Systems website.