Intelligent transportation system and method for improving road safety
By enabling direct communication and information uploading between roadside units and vehicle electronic devices in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), the problem of insufficient information sharing in V2X communication systems is solved, achieving more comprehensive road safety management and reducing the risk of traffic accidents.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VOLKSWAGEN AG
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
In existing V2X communication systems, direct communication only shares event information within a limited range, and external events are discarded. In contrast, network-based systems only consider events detected by the vehicles themselves, resulting in insufficient improvement in road safety.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) utilize roadside units (RSUs) and electronic devices on vehicles to communicate directly, detect and broadcast road safety threat information, and upload the relevant information to a backend server for other vehicles to download and process, thereby achieving more comprehensive road safety management.
It has increased road users' knowledge of their surroundings, reduced the number of collisions and fatalities, and enhanced road safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN122224005A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to intelligent transportation systems and methods for improving road safety. Furthermore, it relates to methods and electronic devices for road users. Additionally, it relates to computer programs. Background Technology
[0002] Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication has been established as one of the key pillars for improving the safety and efficiency of road transport. Various technologies are available for V2X communication, particularly for exchanging hazard information.
[0003] An example of V2X communication is the concept of direct communication (or ad-hoc communication), where information is transmitted between vehicles only within a very close proximity of the transmitter of the communication signal (e.g., a radius of up to 1 km). If these communication signals and their associated data support direct communication technology, they can only be received by vehicles within that radius, and if the received data is deemed irrelevant to the receiving vehicle, it is discarded by the vehicle.
[0004] Another example of inter-vehicle communication is network communication. In a network-based implementation, vehicles are connected to, for example, a cloud network and exchange data with it. A vehicle that detects an event uploads the event to the cloud network. Other vehicles can then download the event to receive an alert.
[0005] Document FR3100203A1 relates to a method and apparatus for warning vehicles, wherein information representing road conditions in a defined area of road environment is received and compared with historical information representing road conditions associated with the defined area. An alarm is output based on the comparison result.
[0006] Document EP4307269A1 proposes a cooperative intelligent transportation system (C-ITS). In response to the detection of a situation involving an object detected within an area monitored by the ITS, a collective perception message (CPM) is generated and transmitted. The CPM includes a reference to the object and an indication of the object's involvement in the situation.
[0007] Document WO2015 / 133181A1 relates to communication equipment, communication control methods, and procedures. A receiving unit receives messages transmitted from a transmitting source device, indicating information and identifiers of the corresponding transmitting source device. A control unit performs a transmission operation based on the type of message received by the receiving unit, transmitting representational messages indicating the same information as representations of specific messages received from different transmitting source devices identified by different identifiers.
[0008] Document US2013 / 325940A1 discloses a geomessaging server and geomessaging client for use in a collaborative intelligent transportation system. The server sends an event notification message via an infrastructure-based wireless communication network to geomessaging clients associated with vehicles located within a target area situated in a plurality of defined geographic regions. This message indicates the occurrence of an event related to travel conditions within the target area. The server also generates a message relay request, which requests the geomessaging client to relay the message to any other vehicles near the vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle point-to-point wireless communication network. The server then sends the generated request to the client via the infrastructure-based network. In at least some embodiments, the geomessaging client relays the message accordingly in response to receiving the request. Thus, other vehicles will advantageously receive the event notification message, even if they are not connected to the server. Summary of the Invention
[0009] In direct communication applications, events are shared with everyone via local broadcast, but only within a limited range, such as the immediate vicinity of the broadcaster. While this means that external events can often be collected by receiving vehicles, these vehicles will discard any events deemed irrelevant to the corresponding receiving vehicle. In web-based applications, the focus is on downloading events, and only events detected by the vehicle itself are considered in the upload path. However, there is a general need to further improve road safety.
[0010] This problem is addressed by intelligent transportation systems and methods for improving road safety, electronic devices and methods for road users, and computer programs according to the independent claims. Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.
[0011] According to an aspect of the invention, an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is provided for improving road safety. ITSs may typically use a range of technologies to monitor, evaluate, and manage transportation systems to improve safety and efficiency, such as traffic flow. For example, they use information and communication technologies, computers, electronic devices, and sensors to link transportation infrastructure and vehicles.
[0012] ITS includes backend servers, road infrastructure, and / or first, second, and third road users. Each road user includes electronic devices. The backend server includes at least one remotely located server accessible at any time from any location via a secure and protected internet connection. In other words, the backend server represents a cloud storage location outside the user's location, where data, applications, and computing power can be moved and processed.
[0013] Road infrastructure can be a roadside unit (RSU). A roadside unit (RSU) is a device that can be used in the ITS and the connected vehicle environment. RSUs can be located alongside roads or highways to facilitate communication between vehicles and transport infrastructure, for example, to enable vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and V2X communication. RSUs include communication modules configured to exchange information with vehicles in the vicinity of the RSU. For example, the communication modules can be configured to provide communication such as Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) or Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) communication.
[0014] The (first) electronic device of a first road user and / or road infrastructure (each) is configured to detect events in their environment that pose a threat to road safety and broadcast (first) road user-to-everything (R2X) and / or infrastructure-to-road user (I2R) direct communication signals, including information associated with the detected events. More specifically, the first electronic device may include an R2X communication module, a sensor unit (such as, for example, at least one camera or panoramic camera system) configured to at least partially scan the environment of the electronic device in response to events that pose a threat to road safety, and a processor configured to detect events in their environment that pose a threat to road safety using the sensor unit (and process the corresponding sensor data) and to broadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals including information associated with the detected events using the R2X communication module. The R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals may include event type, event location, event time when the event was detected, and / or the type of detection component used to detect the event, such as a (front and / or rear) camera or panoramic camera system. Direct communication enables road users and / or road infrastructure and other road users to communicate directly between them. In other words, communication between road users and / or road infrastructure is not conducted via external communication servers or nodes. For example, some or every road user may be a vehicle equipped with electronic devices, such as being part of the vehicle's control unit and various sensors. In this context, reference is made to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) communication. V2X communication has enabled information exchange between vehicles and other nodes, and / or may include, for example, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-network (V2N), and / or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P).
[0015] The second road user's (second) electronic device is configured to receive R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals (broadcast by the first road user and / or road infrastructure) and upload at least a portion (e.g., all) of the information associated with detected events to a backend server. In other words, the second electronic device is configured to connect to the backend server for data exchange. The electronic device provides the backend server with the received information about the detected events, thereby enriching its database, rather than discarding information about the detected events due to (spatial and / or temporal) irrelevance to the second electronic device. The uploaded data may be relevant to other road users. Therefore, the uploading of data received from the environment via direct communication signals can contribute to increased road safety through the existence of a more comprehensive database with more accurate knowledge of the surrounding environment of road users and / or road infrastructure. Advantageously, the number of road user collisions and associated fatalities can be significantly reduced.
[0016] The third road user's (third) electronic device is configured to download at least a portion of information associated with a detected event from a backend server and determine the (current and / or future) relevance of the detected event to the third road user based on the information associated with the detected event. The third electronic device is also configured to output the determined relevance and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event. For example, the downloaded portion of the information may include at least one of the event type, event location, event time when the event was detected, type of detection component used to detect the event, and warnings associated with the detected event. Some or each of the listed information may be used to determine the relevance of the detected event to the third road user. Based on the determined relevance, for example, if the determined relevance exceeds a predetermined threshold, a warning may be output to the third road user. Thus, the third road user may be warned and, in response to the warning, may be appropriately reacted to the event, or the prepared countermeasures may mitigate or substantially eliminate the risk associated with the detected event for the third road user. Therefore, the risk of collisions to the third road user due to the event may be reduced, and road safety for the third road user (and surrounding road users) may be advantageously improved.
[0017] According to embodiments, threats to road safety may be related to road hazards, driving conditions, and / or traffic conditions within the environment of road infrastructure and / or the first electronic device. In particular, threats to road safety may be related to abnormal traffic conditions. "Abnormal" may mean that traffic conditions deviate (significantly) from average or expected traffic conditions. Average or expected traffic conditions can be calculated based on historical traffic condition data. Examples of road hazards are slow-moving vehicles, drivers making incorrect movements, people, animals, and / or obstacles on the road or stationary vehicles (e.g., due to malfunction or (illegal) parking). Examples of driving conditions are weather conditions such as snow, rain, glaring sunlight, icy roads, etc. Examples of traffic conditions are traffic congestion, road construction, accidents, or the passage of special emergency vehicles. For example, a specific threat to road safety can be used to determine the type of event. The determined event type can be included in R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals. Therefore, other road users can be aware of the event type to appropriately determine the relevance of the event to the respective road user and / or prepare appropriate countermeasures.
[0018] According to another embodiment, the first electronic device and / or road infrastructure of the first road user may not be connected to the backend server or may not support communication with the backend server. In other words, the first electronic device and / or road infrastructure itself cannot upload detected events to the backend server. Advantageously, since the detected events are uploaded via the second electronic device, information about the detected events is not lost (e.g., due to lack of connectivity or lack of relevance given to a particular electronic device), and can be used to warn other road users about the detected events.
[0019] Furthermore, the second electronic device is configured to determine the relevance of the detected event to the second road user based on information associated with the detected event, and to output the determined relevance and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event before uploading the information associated with the detected event to the backend server. In other words, the receiving electronic device evaluates the relevance of information about the detected received event before uploading the information to the backend server. Advantageously, the electronic device can prepare and execute countermeasures earlier to mitigate the risks associated with the detected event to the second road user.
[0020] According to another embodiment, the second electronic device can be configured to upload information associated with a detected event to a backend server, regardless of the determined relevance of the detected event to a second road user. In other words, the second electronic device can be configured to upload information associated with a detected event to the backend server based on both low and high relevance to the second electronic device. Therefore, even if the received information may have low relevance to the second electronic device, the information associated with the detected event is not discarded but uploaded to the backend server, making it accessible to other road users for download. Thus, the backend server's database can be enriched with valuable information, providing a more accurate understanding of the surrounding environment of road users and / or road infrastructure. Advantageously, the number of road user collisions and associated fatalities can be significantly reduced.
[0021] According to another embodiment, the second electronic device can be configured to automatically upload information associated with the detected event to a backend server. In other words, the second electronic device uploads received information associated with the detected event to the backend server without any user interaction. Compared to manual cloud input of third-party events (where manually entered location information in the cloud may be inaccurate, such as due to time delays), the automatically uploaded information has a high level of confidence. Due to the high quality of the information, such events do not require additional confirmation from the backend server, thereby significantly reducing the computational load on the database used to populate the backend server.
[0022] According to another embodiment, the second electronic device can be configured to delete the information associated with the detected event if the information associated with the detected event has been successfully uploaded to the backend server, or if a predetermined time has elapsed since the event was detected or R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals were received. Otherwise, the information associated with the detected event may not be deleted. Since the information associated with the event is deleted after it has been uploaded to the backend server, the information is stored or preserved in the backend server, reducing the required memory storage space of the electronic device. Furthermore, the required memory storage space of the electronic device can also be reduced if the event's end can be anticipated and the information associated with the event is deleted based on a predetermined time. The predetermined time can depend on the type of event detected. For example, some event types can be short-duration events, such as weather conditions or a driver making a wrong turn, people, animals, and / or obstacles on the road, and / or very short-duration events (e.g., emergency braking or intervention of a vehicle's safety system), while other event types can be long-duration events, such as road construction or stationary vehicles.
[0023] According to another embodiment, the broadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals may include or consist of distributed environmental notification messages (DENMs) associated with detected events. In other words, road infrastructure and / or the first electronic device may be configured to broadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals that include or consist of DENMs associated with detected events. A DENM is a message exchanged between road users regarding location and traffic data, as well as traffic conditions and hazards, as defined in ETSI standard EN 302 637-3 V1.2.2 (2014-11). A DENM includes information about the road user being sent and events (e.g., hazardous areas) to warn other road users. A DENM can be transmitted as a standalone message. Using standalone messages for DENMs allows for the use of well-established and standardized protocols, thereby reducing communication effort and increasing the opportunity for other road users receiving the DENM to also process or extract its information accordingly.
[0024] According to another embodiment, the second electronic device may be further configured to broadcast a second R2X direct communication signal, which includes a cooperative awareness message (CAM) for informing surrounding road users and / or road infrastructure of the presence of a second road user. The road infrastructure and / or the first electronic device may be further configured to receive the second R2X direct communication signal and, in response to the received second R2X direct communication signal, broadcast or rebroadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals including information associated with detected events. The CAM is a message that is periodically generated at a frequency controlled by the originating electronic device of the road user, and the message may include the speed, position, and turning or direction of the road user's (e.g., vehicle's) own electronics, and optionally the speed, position, and turning or direction of surrounding road users (e.g., vehicles), as defined in ETSI standard EN 302 637-2 V1.4.1 (2019-04). Since the transmitter of the direct communication signal does not receive any response to confirm receipt of the communication signal, the transmission or retransmission of the direct communication signal in response to the second road user's received CAM message provides a high chance that the second road user will remain within the range of the direct communication signal in order to receive the transmitted direct communication signal from the first road user and / or road infrastructure. Therefore, it is highly likely that information associated with the detected event will be received by the second road user and uploaded to the backend server.
[0025] According to another embodiment, the first R2X and / or I2R direct communication signal and / or the second R2X direct communication signal can be based on connectionless communication, and uploads from the second road user to the backend server and / or downloads from the third road user to the backend server can be based on connection-oriented communication. Advantageously, information about detected events can be exchanged by using or combining different communication technologies, such as connectionless and connection-oriented communication, as well as direct and cloud communication.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving road safety is provided. This method can be used with the aforementioned ITS. The features and advantages of ITS can be similarly applied to the method for improving road safety.
[0027] According to the steps of the method, events involving threats to road safety are detected by road infrastructure and / or the first road user (e.g., by the first road user's first electronic device and / or the road infrastructure of the ITS) in their and / or his environment.
[0028] According to another step of the method, the road infrastructure and / or the first road user broadcasts a road user-to-everything R2X and / or infrastructure-to-road user I2R direct communication signal including information associated with the detected event.
[0029] According to another step of the method, the R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals are received by a second road user.
[0030] Furthermore, based on information associated with the detected events, the second road user determines the relevance of the detected events to the second road user.
[0031] Furthermore, before uploading information associated with detected events to the backend server, the second-way user outputs the determined correlations and / or prepares countermeasures based on the determined correlations of the detected events.
[0032] According to another step, at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event is uploaded from the second road user to the backend server.
[0033] According to another step of the method, a third road user downloads at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event from the backend server.
[0034] According to another step of the method, the relevance of the detected event to the third road user (e.g., by the third road user) is determined based on the information associated with the detected event.
[0035] According to another step of the method, the determined relevance of the detected event is output and / or countermeasures are prepared based on the determined relevance of the detected event (e.g., by the third road user).
[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for road users is provided. The features and advantages of the above-described method for improving road safety can be similarly applied to the method for road users.
[0037] According to the steps of the method for road users, including road user-to-everything R2X and / or infrastructure-to-road user I2R direct communication with information associated with events detected by another road user and / or road infrastructure, the road user receives the information.
[0038] Furthermore, based on information associated with the detected events, the second road user determines the relevance of the detected events to the second road user.
[0039] Furthermore, before uploading information associated with detected events to the backend server, the second-way user outputs the determined correlations and / or prepares countermeasures based on the determined correlations of the detected events.
[0040] According to another step of the method for road users, at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event is uploaded from the road user to a backend server.
[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided, configured to perform the above-described method for a road user. This electronic device can be implemented as part of a control unit of a vehicle. The control unit can be configured to perform the above-described method for a road user. The features and advantages of the above-described method for a road user can be similarly applied to the electronic device and the control unit.
[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, a road user is provided wholly equipped with the aforementioned electronic device, the electronic device being configured to perform the aforementioned method for the road user. The road user may be a vehicle including a V2X communication module and the aforementioned control unit. The features and advantages of the aforementioned electronic device can be similarly applied to the road user.
[0043] Each of the aforementioned electronic devices and / or control units can be implemented using electrical or electronic parts or components (hardware) or firmware (ASIC). Additionally or alternatively, the functionality of the electronic devices and / or control units can be realized when a suitable program (software) is executed. Furthermore, the electronic devices and / or control units can be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, individual components of the electronic devices and / or control units used to provide individual functionality can be designed as separate integrated circuits or can be arranged on a common integrated circuit.
[0044] Individual components of an electronic device and / or control unit may be designed to run one or more processes on one or more processors in one or more electronic computing devices, and generated during the execution of one or more computer programs. The computing device may be configured to cooperate with other components to achieve the functionality described herein. Instructions for the computer program may be stored in memory, such as RAM elements. However, the computer program may also be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, such as a CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.
[0045] It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that the functionality of multiple computing units (data processing devices) can be combined or integrated into a single device, or the functionality of a particular data processing device can be distributed across multiple devices to realize the functionality of electronic devices and / or control units.
[0046] Another aspect relates to a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer such as an electronic device and / or a control unit, cause the computer to perform any method according to the invention, particularly methods for improving road safety and / or for road users.
[0047] Further preferred embodiments of the invention arise from the additional features mentioned in the dependent claims.
[0048] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned herein can be advantageously combined with each other, unless otherwise stated in individual cases. Attached Figure Description
[0049] Various objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is shown that: Figure 1 An intelligent transportation system under exemplary traffic conditions according to the present invention is illustrated schematically; Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for improving road safety according to the present invention is shown schematically; and Figure 3An electronic device for road users according to the present invention is illustrated schematically.
[0050] In the following text, repeated and similar features are provided with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of them are omitted. Detailed Implementation
[0051] Figure 1 An intelligent transportation system (ITS) 10 for improving road safety under exemplary traffic conditions according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. (Refer to...) Figure 2 Methods for improving road safety and methods for road users 20 are explained. Figure 1 The traffic conditions shown are to be understood as merely representative examples of a large number of potential traffic conditions, and the invention is not limited thereto.
[0052] ITS 10 includes a backend server 12, road infrastructure 14, a first road user 16, a second road user 20, and a third road user 22. However, the ITS 10 disclosed herein is not limited thereto. For example, road infrastructure 14 or first road user 16 may be omitted. Each of road users 16, 20, and 22 includes an electronic device 24, which will be considered in light of... Figure 3 This will be explained in more detail. In the embodiments, such as... Figure 1 As shown, road users 16, 20, and 22 are implemented as vehicles. However, at least one, some, or each of road users 16, 20, and 22 may also be, for example, pedestrians or bicycles carrying electronic devices 24 or any other type of road user.
[0053] Backend server 12 in Figure 1 The cloud is referred to as the cloud to indicate that backend server 12 provides cloud-based applications. For example, backend server 12 includes multiple remotely located servers that are accessible from any location at any time via a secure and protected internet connection. That is, backend server 12 represents a cloud storage location other than the user's location (e.g., road users 16, 20, 22), where data, applications, and computing power can be moved and processed.
[0054] Road infrastructure 14 is implemented as a roadside unit (RSU). Road infrastructure 14 is set along a road or highway (e.g., Figure 1As shown in the diagram, this facilitates communication between road users and any transportation infrastructure, such as enabling vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. For example, the transportation infrastructure may include sensors configured to detect traffic and / or the status of traffic lights on the street. Road infrastructure 14 includes a communication module configured to exchange information with its nearby road users 16, 20, 22 via direct communication.
[0055] First road user 16 refers to vehicles entering the end of a traffic congestion, where the congestion is... Figure 1 The traffic jam is indicated by a queue of three vehicles ahead of the first road user 16. This situation requires the first road user 16 to slow down to avoid accidents, such as rear-end collisions with the vehicles in front. However, when a road user (e.g., a third road user 22 traveling in the same lane as the first road user 16 with a long gap between them) is unaware of the end of the traffic jam and is not paying sufficient attention to traffic, the road user may have to perform emergency braking to avoid an accident. However, emergency braking may catch road users behind off guard, resulting in a significant risk of potential accidents.
[0056] exist Figure 1 In the example, road infrastructure 14 and the first road user 16 are not connected to the backend server 12 (e.g., due to a (temporary) lack of connection to the backend server 12, or due to a lack of communication components for communicating with the backend server 12), while the second road user 20 and the third road user 22 are connected to the backend server 12. Therefore, events detected by road infrastructure 14 and the first road user 16 cannot be directly uploaded to the backend server 12, for example, to enable the third road user 22 to download the detected events to become aware of the associated risks.
[0057] However, road infrastructure 14 is configured to detect events 18 in its environment that involve threats to road safety (e.g., such as...). Figure 1 (As shown in the traffic congestion illustration), and broadcasts an infrastructure-to-road-user (I2R) direct communication signal, which includes information associated with the detected event 18. Furthermore, the electronic device 24 of the first road user 16 is also configured to detect event 18 and broadcast a road user-to-everything (R2X) direct communication signal, which includes information associated with the detected event 18. The broadcast direct communication signal is limited in its range, and only road users adjacent to (e.g., within a radius of up to 1 km) of the road infrastructure 14 and the electronic device 24 of the first road user 16 can receive the direct communication signal. Figure 1As shown in the example, a second road user 20 traveling in the opposite lane to the first road user 16 is within range of the direct communication signal. A third road user 22 is too far away to receive the direct communication signal. Because the second road user 20's electronics 24 are configured to receive R2X and I2R direct communication signals from the road infrastructure 14 and the first road user 16, the second road user 20 is able to receive and process information about the detected event 18. Instead of discarding the received information about the detected event 18 because it is irrelevant to the second road user 20, the second road user 20's electronics 24 uploads the received information about the detected event 18 to the backend server 12, thereby enriching its database. Figure 1 As shown, the uploaded data regarding the detected event 18 is related to other road users (e.g., third road user 22). Therefore, the uploading of data received from the environment via direct communication signals can contribute to increased road safety through the existence of a more comprehensive database with more accurate knowledge of the surrounding environment of road user 16 and road infrastructure 14. Advantageously, the number of road user collisions and associated fatalities can be significantly reduced.
[0058] The electronic device 24 of the third road user 22 is configured to download information associated with the detected event 18 from the backend server 12 and determine the relevance of the detected event 18 to the third road user 22 based on the information associated with the detected event 18. The electronic device 24 of the third road user 22 may output the determined relevance to the driver of the vehicle and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event 18. The electronic device 24 of the third road user 22 may determine that it is necessary to smoothly decelerate the vehicle to reduce the risk of a rear-end collision with the first road user 16 and may present an alert to the driver of the vehicle representing the third road user 22. Therefore, the risk of the third road user 22 being struck by the event 18 can be reduced, and road safety for the third road user 22 (and subsequent road users) can be advantageously improved.
[0059] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for improving road safety according to the present invention is shown schematically. This method can be used for... Figure 1 ITS 10.
[0060] According to the first step 50 of the method, an event 18 involving a threat to road safety is detected by the road infrastructure 14 and / or the first road user 16 (e.g., by the electronic device 24 of the first road user 16 and / or the road infrastructure 14 of the ITS 10) in its and / or his environment.
[0061] According to the second step 52, the road infrastructure 14 and / or the first road user 16 broadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals including information associated with the detected event 18.
[0062] According to the third step 54, the second road user 20 receives the R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals.
[0063] According to step 56, at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event 18 is uploaded from the second road user 20 to the backend server 12.
[0064] According to the fifth step 58 of the method, the third road user 22 downloads at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event 18 from the backend server 12.
[0065] According to step 60, the relevance of the detected event to the third road user 22 is determined based on the information associated with the detected event 18.
[0066] According to step 7, 62, the determined correlation of the detected event 18 is output and / or countermeasures are prepared based on the determined correlation of the detected event 18 (e.g., by the electronic device of the third road user 22).
[0067] In particular, the method steps related to the second road user 20 can be considered as another method according to the invention. That is, Figure 2 A flowchart of the method for a road user (i.e., the second road user 20) is also schematically shown. The method for road user 20 includes third and fourth steps 54 and 56.
[0068] Figure 3 An electronic device 24 for a road user according to the present invention is schematically shown. The electronic device 24 may correspond to the electronic device 24 of a first road user 16. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and as... Figure 1 Some or each of the road users 16, 20, 22 shown may each include, as Figure 3 The electronic device 24 shown.
[0069] Electronic device 24 includes an R2X communication module 26, a sensor unit 28, a processor 30, and a memory 32. The sensor unit 28 is configured to scan the environment of the electronic device 24, at least in part, in response to an event 18 relating to a threat to road safety. The sensor unit 28 may include at least one camera or a camera system including multiple cameras (e.g., a panoramic camera system). The processor 30 is configured to detect the event 18 relating to a threat to road safety in its environment using the sensor unit 28 (and process the corresponding sensor data), and to broadcast and / or receive R2X direct communication signals using the R2X communication module 26, which include information associated with the detected event. The R2X direct communication signals may include the event type, event location, the event time when the event was detected, and / or the type of detection component used to detect the event.
[0070] Direct communication and / or communication with the backend server 12, as well as communication between road users 16, 20, 22 and / or road infrastructure 14, may be based on exchanged radio frequency (RF) signals, such as Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, wireless LAN, 4G and / or 5G mobile telecommunications technologies. However, the invention is not limited thereto.
[0071] Reference symbol 10 Intelligent Transportation Systems 12 Backend Servers 14 Road infrastructure 16 First Road Users 18. Incidents involving threats to road safety 20 Second Road Users 22 Third-party road users 24 Electronic devices 26 Communication Module 28 sensor units 30 processors 32 Memory 50 First Method Step - Event Detection 52 Second Method Step - Broadcasting Direct Communication Signals 54 Third Method Step - Receiving Direct Communication Signals 56. Fourth Method Step - Upload Detected Events 58 Fifth Method Step - Download Detected Events 60. Sixth Method Step - Determining the Relevance of Events 62. Seventh Method Step - Output the Determined Correlation
Claims
1. An intelligent transportation system (ITS) for improving road safety, comprising: - Backend server (12). - Road infrastructure (14) and / or a first road user (16) including a first electronic device, said road infrastructure (14) and / or the first electronic device being configured to: Detecting events in its environment that involve threats to road safety (18), and The broadcast includes information associated with the detected event (18) via road user-to-everything R2X and / or infrastructure-to-road-user I2R direct communication signals. - Second road user (20), including second electronic device (24), the second electronic device (24) being configured to: Receive the R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals. Based on the information associated with the detected event (18), the relevance of the detected event (18) to the second road user (20) is determined. Before uploading the information associated with the detected event (18) to the backend server (12), output the determined relevance and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event (18), and At least a portion of the information associated with the detected event (18) is uploaded to the backend server (12). - A third road user (22), including a third electronic device, said third electronic device being configured to: Download at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event (18) from the backend server (12). The relevance of the detected event (18) to the third road user (22) is determined based on the information associated with the detected event (18), and Output the determined correlation and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined correlation of the detected event (18).
2. The ITS (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The threat to road safety is related to road hazards, driving conditions and / or traffic conditions in the environment of the road infrastructure (14) and / or the first electronic device.
3. The ITS (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first electronic device of the first road user (16) and / or the road infrastructure (14) are not connected to the backend server (12) or do not support communication with the backend server (12).
4. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second electronic device (24) is configured to upload the information associated with the detected event (18) to the backend server (12), regardless of the determined relevance of the detected event (18) to the second road user (20).
5. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second electronic device (24) is configured to automatically upload the information associated with the detected event (18) to the backend server (12).
6. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second electronic device (24) is configured to delete the information associated with the detected event (18) if the information associated with the detected event (18) has been successfully uploaded to the backend server (12), or if a predetermined time has elapsed since the event (18) was detected or the R2X and / or I2R direct communication signal was received.
7. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The broadcast R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals include or consist of distributed environment notification messages (DENMs) associated with the detected event (18).
8. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second electronic device (24) is also configured to: The broadcast includes a second R2X direct communication signal from the Collaborative Awareness Message (CAM) for informing surrounding road users and / or road infrastructure (14) of the presence of the second road user (20), and The road infrastructure (14) and / or the first electronic device are further configured to: Receive the second R2X direct communication signal, and In response to the received second R2X direct communication signal, the R2X and / or I2R direct communication signal including the information associated with the detected event (18) is broadcast or rebroadcast.
9. The ITS (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first R2X and / or I2R direct communication signal and / or the second R2X direct communication signal are based on connectionless communication, and the upload from the second road user (20) to the backend server (12) and / or the download from the third road user (22) to the backend server (12) are based on connection-oriented communication.
10. A method for improving road safety, comprising the following steps: - An event (18) involving a threat to road safety is detected (50) by the road infrastructure (14) and / or the first road user (16) in his and / or his environment. - Road user-to-all R2X and / or infrastructure-to-road-user I2R direct communication signals broadcast (52) by road infrastructure (14) and / or first road users (16), including information associated with the detected event (18). - The R2X and / or I2R direct communication signals described in (54) are received by the second road user (20). - The relevance of the detected event (18) to the second road user (20) is determined by the second road user (20) based on the information associated with the detected event (18). - Before uploading the information associated with the detected event (18) to the backend server (12), the second road user (20) outputs the determined relevance and / or prepares countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event (18). - Upload (56) at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event (18) from the second road user (20) to the backend server (12). - At least a portion of the information associated with the detected event (18) is downloaded (58) from the backend server (12) by the third road user (22). - Determine (60) the relevance of the detected event (18) to the third road user (22) based on the information associated with the detected event (18), and - Output (62) the determined correlation of the detected event (18) and / or prepare countermeasures based on the determined correlation of the detected event (18).
11. A method for a road user (20), comprising the following steps: - The road user (20) receives (54) information including information associated with an event (18) detected by another road user (16) and / or road infrastructure (14) in direct communication with all R2X and / or infrastructure to road user I2R. - The relevance of the detected event (18) to the second road user (20) is determined by the second road user (20) based on the information associated with the detected event (18). - Before uploading the information associated with the detected event (18) to the backend server (12), the second road user (20) outputs the determined relevance and / or prepares countermeasures based on the determined relevance of the detected event (18), and - Upload (56) at least a portion of the information associated with the detected event (18) from the road user (20) to the backend server (12).
12. An electronic device (24) configured to perform the method according to the preceding claims.
13. A road user (20) including the electronic device (24) according to the preceding claims.
14. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to claim 10 and / or 11.