Created: 07/20/2009 8:44 AM KSTP.com | Print Story

Traffic Game Gives Students a Look at Engineering

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The University of Minnesota has developed an online traffic control game that gives high school students a chance to try their hand at working in the engineering and transportation fields.

The game is called "Gridlock Buster." It was developed by the university's Institute of Transportation Studies and Web Courseworks and incorporates tools and ideas that traffic control engineers use every day.

In one example, a player might need to manage a high volume of traffic at an intersection, where long lines form if there's not enough green-light time.

As the delay increases, the game's "frustration meter" increases - complete with honking horns and motorists shaking fists.

On Monday, 11th and 12th-graders from around the Twin Cities area will be part of a demonstration of the game with ITS researchers.

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To play "Gridlock Buster," go to http://www.its.umn.edu/trafficcontrolgame

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)