Vehicular external control communication system

A distributed traffic information and control system comprising:

• a traffic control module that interoperates with traffic control devices such as traffic lights, smart lanes, traffic routing systems, and/or emergency vehicles and which includes:
• a traffic control interface unit that is communicatively linked to one or more traffic control devices,
• a vehicle communication interface that communicates with one or more vehicles,
• a processor for operation of the traffic control module, and
• a memory that is encoded with instructions for instructing the processor to communicate with traffic control devices and with vehicles.
• a vehicle control unit that includes:
• a processor for operation of the vehicle control unit,
• a memory that is encoded with instructions for instructing the processor to communicate with vehicles and with traffic control devices,
• a vehicle communication unit that communicates with computer systems of the vehicle, receives vehicle operating information therefrom, and sends vehicle operating information thereto, and
• an external communication unit that is communicatively linked to one or more traffic control modules.