Traffic control device

Abstract

A traffic control device is provided with a control unit that recognizes vehicles one by one and acquires vehicle information for each vehicle, the vehicle information indicating a safety-related function mounted on the recognized vehicles, and the control unit selects a vehicle that restricts entry into a specific road from among the recognized vehicles on the basis of the acquired vehicle information. And notifies the user of the selected vehicle of the information related to the restriction as restriction information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic control device. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-053432, a congestion avoidance support system is disclosed. The congestion avoidance support system receives a request for congestion avoidance from an operator terminal. The congestion avoidance support system determines a reward based on the road to be avoided from congestion in the request and the congestion status of the road. The congestion avoidance support system distributes information on the reward to each mobile terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Even if the number of cars entering the road to be avoided from congestion can be reduced, congestion may occur due to accidents.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to reduce congestion by reducing accidents.

[0005] The traffic control device according to the present invention includes a control unit that sequentially identifies vehicles, acquires vehicle information for each vehicle, the vehicle information indicating safety-related functions mounted on the identified vehicles, and the control unit selects, from the identified vehicles, vehicles whose entry into a specific road is restricted based on the acquired vehicle information, and notifies information related to the restriction as restriction information to the users of the selected vehicles.

[0006] According to the present invention, accidents are reduced and congestion is less likely to occur. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and:

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a traffic control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of a traffic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of a traffic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are marked with the same reference signs. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts is appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0013] Reference Figure 1 The structure of the traffic control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0014] The traffic control system 10 includes a traffic control device 20 and roadside devices 30. The traffic control device 20 can communicate with the roadside devices 30 via a network 40.

[0015] The traffic control device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system provided in a facility such as a data center. The traffic control device 20 can be operated by a government agency or can also be operated by a private operator.

[0016] The roadside devices 30 are provided at the entrance of a specific road Rd or its vicinity, or at the vicinity of another road connected to the road Rd. The road Rd is, for example, a congested road such as a highway having a depression when going from a downhill to an uphill.

[0017] The network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. The network 40 can include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0018] Reference Figure 1 An overview of the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] The traffic control device 20 individually identifies vehicles 11 via the roadside devices 30. The traffic control device 20 acquires vehicle information indicating safety-related functions mounted on the identified vehicles 11 for each vehicle. The traffic control device 20 selects, from the identified vehicles 11, vehicles 12 whose entry into the road Rd is restricted based on the acquired vehicle information. The traffic control device 20 notifies, via the roadside devices 30, information related to the restriction as restriction information to the users 13 of the selected vehicles 12.

[0020] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine for each vehicle whether to impose a restriction on entry into the road Rd according to which safety-related functions are mounted in each vehicle 11. By imposing a restriction on entry into the road Rd according to the determination, it is possible to reduce the number of accident-prone vehicles entering the road Rd. As a result, accidents are reduced and congestion is less likely to occur.

[0021] Each vehicle 11 is, for example, an automobile of any type such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. In the present embodiment, each vehicle 11 is driven by a user, but the driving may also be automated at any level. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Each vehicle 11 may also be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS. "Maas" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0022] Instead of identifying each vehicle 11 via the roadside device 30 one by one, the traffic control device 20 may also identify each vehicle 11 via other devices such as a road camera. Instead of notifying the user 13 of the selected vehicle 12 of the restriction information via the roadside device 30, the traffic control device 20 may also directly communicate with the vehicle 12 via the network 40 to notify the user 13 of the restriction information. Alternatively, the traffic control device 20 may communicate with a mobile device such as the user 13's mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet via the network 40 to notify the user 13 of the restriction information.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the traffic control device 20 selects, as the vehicle 12 to which the restriction is to be imposed, the vehicle 11 among the identified vehicles 11 that does not indicate, according to the vehicle information, that it is equipped with a function for automatically avoiding collisions. For example, a vehicle 11 equipped with AEB or "Pre-Collision Safety" may not be selected as the vehicle 12 to which the restriction is to be imposed. "AEB" is an abbreviation for autonomous emergency braking.

[0024] The vehicle 11 that does not indicate, according to vehicle information, that it is equipped with a lane departure prevention function can be selected as the vehicle 12 to which restrictions are imposed. For example, the vehicle 11 equipped with LDW or "lane departure warning", "lane keeping assist", or "lane trace assist" may not be selected as the vehicle 12 to which restrictions are imposed. "LDW" is an abbreviation for lane departure warning.

[0025] The vehicle 11 that does not indicate, according to vehicle information, that it is equipped with a function for automatically adjusting the inter-vehicle distance can be selected as the vehicle 12 to which restrictions are imposed. For example, the vehicle 11 equipped with ACC may not be selected as the vehicle 12 to which restrictions are imposed. "ACC" is an abbreviation for adaptive cruise control.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the traffic control device 20 notifies the user 13 of the selected vehicle 12 of the penalty given when entering the road Rd as restriction information. Giving a penalty is equivalent to psychologically restricting entry into the road Rd. The penalty includes, for example, the levy or increase of a toll, the increase of an insurance premium, or the increase of a tax.

[0027] Instead of psychologically restricting entry into the road Rd, it is also possible to physically restrict entry into the road Rd. For example, the traffic control device 20 can prevent entry into the road Rd by closing the gate provided at the entrance of the road Rd, so that the selected vehicle 12 travels on a road different from the road Rd.

[0028] The traffic control device 20 can notify the user 15 of the vehicle 14 that is not selected as the vehicle 12 to which restrictions are imposed among the identified vehicles 11 of the reward given when entering the road Rd. The reward includes, for example, the exemption or reduction of a toll, the reduction of an insurance premium, the reduction of a tax, reward points, or the change of a Japanese driver's license to a gold driver's license.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The structure of the traffic control device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0030] The traffic control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0031] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the traffic control device 20 while executing processing related to the operation of the traffic control device 20.

[0032] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. The flash memory is, for example, an SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. The magnetic memory is, for example, an HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. Information for the operation of the traffic control device 20 and information obtained through the operation of the traffic control device 20 are stored in the storage unit 22.

[0033] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, an interface corresponding to a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or an interface corresponding to a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 communicates with the roadside device 30. The communication unit 23 can communicate with other devices such as a road camera. The communication unit 23 can communicate with each vehicle 11. The communication unit 23 can communicate with the mobile device of the user 13 of the vehicle 12. The communication unit 23 receives information for the operation of the traffic control device 20 and transmits the information obtained through the operation of the traffic control device 20.

[0034] The functions of the traffic control device 20 are implemented by the processor serving as the control unit 21 executing the program according to the present embodiment. That is, the functions of the traffic control device 20 are implemented by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the traffic control device 20, causing the computer to function as the traffic control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the traffic control device 20 by executing the operations of the traffic control device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0035] The program can be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium. The non-temporary computer-readable medium is, for example, a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The distribution of the program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, a DVD, or a CD-ROM storing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation of Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation of digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation of compact disc read only memory. The program can also be stored in the memory of a server and transmitted from the server to other computers, thereby distributing the program. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0036] A computer temporarily stores, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transmitted from a server in a main storage device. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device through a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program through the processor. The computer can directly read the program from the portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer can execute processing in accordance with the received program sequentially each time a program is transmitted from the server to the computer. It is also possible to execute processing using a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only through execution instructions and result acquisition without transmitting the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program includes information for processing by an electronic computer and information that follows the program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of prescribing the processing of the computer is equivalent to "information that follows the program".

[0037] Part or all of the functions of the traffic control device 20 can be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. That is, part or all of the functions of the traffic control device 20 can be implemented by hardware.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 The operation of the traffic control device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operations described below correspond to the traffic control method according to the present embodiment. That is, the traffic control method according to the present embodiment includes Figure 2 the steps of S1 to S4 shown. The steps of S1 to S4 are executed individually for each vehicle 11.

[0039] In S1, the control unit 21 identifies the vehicle 11. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the roadside device 30 via the communication unit 23 and acquires an identifier such as the registration number of the vehicle 11 received by the roadside device 30 from the vehicle 11 from the roadside device 30, thereby identifying the vehicle 11. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can communicate with the road camera via the communication unit 23 and acquire an image of the license plate of the vehicle 11 captured by the road camera, thereby identifying the vehicle 11.

[0040] In S2, the control unit 21 acquires vehicle information indicating safety-related functions mounted on the vehicle 11 identified in S1. Specifically, the control unit 21 searches a database constructed in the storage unit 22 and storing, for each vehicle or vehicle model, what safety-related functions are mounted, and acquires the vehicle information from the database. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may search an external database storing, for each vehicle or vehicle model, what safety-related functions are mounted via the communication unit 23, and acquire the vehicle information from the external database. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may communicate directly with the vehicle 11 via the communication unit 23 and acquire the vehicle information from the vehicle 11.

[0041] In S3, the control unit 21 determines whether to impose a restriction on the vehicle 11 identified in S1 regarding entry into the road Rd based on the vehicle information acquired in S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines to impose a restriction when the vehicle information does not indicate that the automatic collision avoidance function is mounted. That is, the control unit 21 selects the vehicle 11 as the vehicle 12 on which the restriction is imposed. On the other hand, when the vehicle information indicates that the automatic collision avoidance function is mounted, the control unit 21 determines not to impose a restriction. That is, the control unit 21 does not select the vehicle 11 as the vehicle 12 on which the restriction is imposed.

[0042] When it is determined in S3 to impose a restriction, that is, when the vehicle 12 on which the restriction is imposed is selected, the steps of S4 are executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S3 not to impose a restriction, Figure 2 the shown process ends.

[0043] In S4, the control unit 21 notifies the user 13 of the vehicle 12 selected in S3 of the information related to the restriction as restriction information. Specifically, the control unit 21 communicates with the roadside device 30 via the communication unit 23, and notifies the user 13 of the penalty given when entering the road Rd as the restriction information from the roadside device 30. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may communicate directly with the vehicle 12 via the communication unit 23 and notify the user 13 of the penalty as the restriction information. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may communicate with the mobile device of the user 13 via the communication unit 23 and notify the user 13 of the penalty as the restriction information.

[0044] When it is determined in S3 not to impose a restriction, the control unit 21 can notify the user 15 of the vehicle 14 that has not been selected as the vehicle 12 to which the restriction is to be imposed of the reward given when entering the road Rd. Specifically, the control unit 21 can communicate with the roadside device 30 via the communication unit 23 and notify the user 15 of the reward from the roadside device 30. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can also communicate directly with the vehicle 14 via the communication unit 23 and notify the user 15 of the reward. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can communicate with a mobile device such as the mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet of the user 15 via the communication unit 23 and notify the user 15 of the reward.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 For Figure 2 a modified example of the actions shown will be described. Regarding the steps of S1 and S4, they are the same as the Figure 2 steps shown, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0046] After S1, in S2A, in the same manner as the Figure 2 steps of S2 shown, the control unit 21 acquires vehicle information indicating safety-related functions mounted on the vehicle 11 identified in S1. The control unit 21 further acquires driving information indicating the driving record of the vehicle 11 identified in S1. Specifically, the control unit 21 searches the database constructed in the storage unit 22 and storing driving records by vehicle, and acquires the driving information from the database. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can search an external database storing driving records by vehicle via the communication unit 23 and acquire the driving information from the external database. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can communicate directly with the vehicle 11 via the communication unit 23 and acquire the driving information from the vehicle 11.

[0047] After S2A, in S3A, the control unit 21 determines whether to impose a restriction on the vehicle 11 identified in S1 regarding entry into the road Rd based on the vehicle information and driving information acquired in S2A. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines to impose a restriction when the vehicle information does not indicate that an automatic collision avoidance function is mounted or when the driving information shows a poor driving habit of the user. For example, when the driving information indicates frequent activation of AEB or "Pre-Collision Safety", it can be inferred that the user has a poor driving habit. On the other hand, the control unit 21 determines not to impose a restriction when the vehicle information indicates that an automatic collision avoidance function is mounted and the driving information does not show a poor driving habit of the user.

[0048] When it is determined in S3A to impose a restriction, that is, when the vehicle 12 selected to impose the restriction is selected, the steps of S4 are executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S3A not to impose a restriction, Figure 3 the process shown ends.

[0049] According to this modification example, it is possible to determine whether to impose a restriction on entry into the road Rd for each vehicle according to whether the driving habit of the user of each vehicle 11 is poor. By making this determination and restricting entry into the road Rd, it is possible to reduce the number of vehicles driven by drivers with poor habits that enter the road Rd. As a result, accidents are reduced and congestion is less likely to occur.

[0050] In S3A, it is determined not to impose a restriction. However, when the driving information indicates that the user has little driving experience, the control unit 21 can notify the user 15 of the vehicle 14 that is not selected to have a restriction imposed with advice related to safe driving. Advice related to safe driving includes, for example, the driving method at the depression when going from a downhill to an uphill on a highway. Specifically, the control unit 21 can communicate with the roadside device 30 via the communication unit 23 and notify the advice from the roadside device 30 to the user 15. Alternatively, the control unit 21 can also communicate directly with the vehicle 14 via the communication unit 23 and notify the advice to the user 15. Or, the control unit 21 can communicate with the mobile device of the user 15 via the communication unit 23 and notify the advice to the user 15.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram can be combined into one, or one block can be divided. It is also possible to execute two or more steps described in the flowchart not in the order described but in a time series, or to execute them in parallel or in a different order according to the processing ability of the device that executes each step or as needed. In addition, changes can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A traffic control device, characterized in that: Equipped with a control unit, The control unit identifies vehicles one by one and obtains vehicle information for each vehicle, wherein the vehicle information indicates safety-related functions installed in the identified vehicles. Based on the obtained vehicle information, the control unit selects a vehicle from the identified vehicles on which entry to a specific road is restricted, and notifies a user of the selected vehicle of information related to the restriction as restriction information.

2. The traffic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit selects a vehicle, among the recognized vehicles, for which the vehicle information does not indicate that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic collision avoidance function, as a vehicle to which the restriction is imposed.

3. The traffic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit further acquires driving information indicating a driving record of the recognized vehicle for each vehicle, and selects a vehicle to which the restriction is to be imposed based on the acquired vehicle information and driving information.

4. The traffic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit notifies a user of the selected vehicle of a penalty imposed when the vehicle enters the specific road as the restriction information.

5. The traffic control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit notifies a user of a vehicle that is not selected as a vehicle to which the restriction is imposed, among the identified vehicles, of a reward that is given when the vehicle enters the specific road.

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