Road-bound vehicle and route planning method for a road-bound vehicle

Abstract

Road-bound vehicle (1), wherein the road-bound vehicle (1) has an interface (2) configured to receive an appointment request from a user of the vehicle (1), the appointment request including at least a destination, a time and a date, wherein the vehicle (1) has a route planning module (3) configured to automatically calculate a route to the destination, wherein the route planning module (3) is further configured to automatically send a request to a road-guided traffic system (20) to reserve a lane (FS3) at a predetermined time for a predetermined speed, wherein the vehicle (1) is configured to receive control commands from the traffic system (20) by means of which the speed of the vehicle (1) is regulated to the predetermined speed or another speed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a road-bound vehicle and a method for route planning of a road-bound vehicle.

[0002] Road-bound vehicles come in a wide variety of forms, such as passenger cars, trucks, and buses. These road-bound vehicles can, in turn, have various drive sources, such as internal combustion engines, electric drives, or hybrid drives.

[0003] Furthermore, there are known road-bound vehicles that are designed as automated driving vehicles.

[0004] US Patent 2019 / 0265703A1 discloses a system and procedure for an on-demand shuttle, bus, or taxi service capable of operating on private and public roads, offering situational awareness and trust indicators. The shuttle can incorporate ISO 26262 Level 4 or Level 5 functionalities and dynamically vary its route on demand and / or follow a predefined route or virtual rail. The shuttle can stop at any designated stop along the route. The system allows passengers to request rides and interact with the system through various interfaces, including mobile devices, desktop computers, or kiosks. Each shuttle preferably has an in-vehicle controller, ideally an AI supercomputer designed and optimized for autonomous vehicle functions, featuring computer vision, deep learning, and real-time ray tracing accelerators.An AI dispatcher performs AI simulations to optimize system performance according to the system parameters defined by the operator.

[0005] DE 10 2014 000 843 A1 relates to a method and a driver assistance system for performing a lane change by a vehicle driving autonomously in a current lane to an adjacent target lane. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the lane change is initiated automatically by the vehicle or by an input in the vehicle, the existence of a suitable gap in traffic for the lane change is determined based on first location and movement data of the vehicle and second location and movement data of other vehicles driving in the target lane, and if a suitable gap in traffic exists, the lane change is carried out autonomously by the vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2016 211 859 A1 describes a method for optimizing the traffic flow of a multi-lane road, wherein target trajectories are determined for at least some of the vehicles using the road to optimize the traffic flow. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a central processing unit determines a target trajectory for at least some of the vehicles based on vehicle movement data, which includes at least the lane used by each vehicle, and transmits this target trajectory to each vehicle.

[0007] In the following, an automated driving vehicle is understood to mean a fully automated vehicle, i.e., a vehicle that independently follows a route without user activity.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of creating a road-bound vehicle that offers greater user comfort when a user has appointments, as well as providing a corresponding method for route planning of a road-bound vehicle.

[0009] The solution to the technical problem is achieved by a road-bound vehicle with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 9. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0010] For this purpose, the road-bound vehicle has an interface designed to receive a user's appointment request, which includes at least a destination, a time, and a date. Furthermore, the vehicle has a route planning module designed to automatically calculate a route to the destination and automatically send a request to a road-guided traffic system to reserve a lane at a predetermined time and speed. The vehicle is also designed to receive control commands from the traffic system, which regulate the vehicle's speed to the predetermined speed or another speed.This allows the vehicle to significantly improve the punctuality of reaching the destination, as at least on the portion of the route containing the reserved lane, no unforeseen traffic disruptions need to be factored in. The desired appointment time can either be transmitted from the user to the vehicle, or the vehicle can synchronize with the user's calendar.

[0011] Furthermore, this allows for the optimization of traffic flow on the road. For example, if a vehicle is traveling slower or faster than the predetermined speed that other vehicles in the lane are also traveling at, this leads to problems with maintaining safe distances, which can then result in numerous speed limit reductions. If, for instance, the traffic system detects that a vehicle is only traveling at 95 km / h instead of the predetermined 100 km / h, the system will increase the speed. The same applies if the detected speed is higher, in which case the traffic system will reduce the speed. It may also be possible to inform the vehicle occupant beforehand or simultaneously that they are traveling too fast or too slow.

[0012] In one embodiment, the route planning module includes at least one neural network.

[0013] In another embodiment, the route planning module is designed such that user confirmation is requested before a lane is reserved, as such reservations may incur costs. However, it is also possible for the user to grant such approval in advance.

[0014] In another embodiment, the route planning module is designed to determine a desired speed and transmit it to the traffic system. If necessary, the vehicle can also be configured to request confirmation of the desired speed from the user.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle is configured to request a predetermined speed from the user, and is further configured to receive a selected predetermined speed from the user and transmit it to the traffic system. The request can be a selection of discrete values ​​(e.g., 100 km / h, 110 km / h, 120 km / h, 130 km / h, 140 km / h, 150 km / h) or a continuous range (e.g., 100 km / h - 150 km / h).

[0016] The transmission to the traffic system can be direct as C2I communication or indirect, by the vehicle placing the reservation in a cloud from which the traffic system can then retrieve it.

[0017] The traffic system then checks whether the desired speed can be guaranteed. Legal regulations may play a role in this, as does whether the lane is already reserved for other vehicles at the desired time. Since several vehicles traveling in the same lane should ideally be traveling at the same speed, this can lead to the desired speed not being guaranteed.

[0018] Preferably, the traffic system collects at least the reservations of all vehicles up to a certain point before the predetermined time and then determines the permitted speed based on at least one criterion. For example, the speed for which the most reservations exist is chosen. Other criteria can be applied alternatively or cumulatively (such as accident risk, emissions). Alternatively, the first reservation can also determine the speed.

[0019] Once the traffic system has set the speed, the vehicles are informed, either by confirming the reservation or by stating that the desired predetermined speed is not possible, but rather a different one.

[0020] In this case, the route planning module must either calculate an alternative route or accept the speed limits of the traffic system and, if necessary, compensate for any resulting time losses at other points along the route or adjust the departure time.

[0021] Alternatively, it may also be provided that the speed on the lane is fixed by the traffic system.

[0022] In one embodiment, the vehicle is configured to receive lane-changing requests from the traffic system. This communication can be indirect, via a cloud, or direct, via C2I communication from monitoring sensors or a server. For example, a vehicle can be instructed to leave its lane and potentially penalized if it is not authorized to use that lane, is driving too fast or too slowly, or fails to adjust its speed to the posted limit. Similarly, a vehicle can be instructed to change lanes if, for instance, it has not merged into the correct, reserved lane.

[0023] In one embodiment, the road-bound vehicle is designed as an automated driving vehicle. This vehicle could, for example, be an electric vehicle. Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the lane to be reserved is exclusively for automated driving vehicles. Particularly with automated driving vehicles, the control commands of the traffic system can be implemented more easily without confusing the user.

[0024] Regarding the procedural details, full reference is made to the preceding statements.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic block diagram and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of driving on a reserved lane.

[0026] In the Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a road-bound vehicle 1 with an interface 2 for wireless communication, which is designed, for example, as an automated driving vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 has a route planning module 3, wherein the route planning module 3 includes a neural network 4 for route planning. Further details are shown in Fig. 1 a central server 10 of a road-guided traffic system 20 and an end device 30 of a user of the vehicle 1 are shown.

[0027] Vehicle 1 receives a user's appointment request, for example, that the user wants to be at a client's location at 11:00 the next day. This appointment request includes a destination, a time, and a date. The request is then received via interface 2 and forwarded to route planning module 3. Route planning module 3 then calculates a route to the destination using road data, which can be onboard or offboard. Weather data and / or swarm data from a backend can also be considered during the planning process. The goal is to ensure that the planned route is as reliable as possible in terms of timing and as efficient as possible in terms of travel time.

[0028] The road-guided traffic system controls road segments 21 with at least one lane FS3, whereby the traffic system 20 is configured to reserve at least one lane FS3 for vehicles 1 for a predetermined time and speed. Vehicle 1 can then request from server 10 whether lane FS3 is available for reservation at the desired time and speed. This procedure may have been previously confirmed by the user. Server 10 then checks the request and transmits the result to vehicle 1. If the result is negative (e.g., too many other vehicles have already reserved lane FS3 or the desired speed cannot be maintained), route planning module 3 must calculate an alternative route or adjust the calculated route. If the result is positive, the reservation (booking) is confirmed.For example, a data record is generated containing information such as: license plate number, time, date, speed, lane description, cost, payment location, and the route traveled on lane FS3. This data is stored on both server 10 and vehicle 1.

[0029] The next day, vehicle 1 can then automatically drive the planned route, using the reserved lane FS3.

[0030] This situation is schematically represented in Fig.Figure 2 shows, for example, road segment 21, which is a motorway with three lanes FS1-FS3 in each direction, where only the left lane FS3 is reservable. Monitoring sensors 22 are arranged along lane FS3. These sensors check which vehicles are on lane FS3 and how fast they are traveling. In addition to vehicle 1, other vehicles 40 are also shown.

[0031] If a monitoring sensor 22 detects that a vehicle 40 is in lane FS3 without authorization, it transmits a message to vehicle 40 instructing it to leave lane FS3. If vehicle 40 ignores this request, a penalty may be imposed. Authorization can be verified, for example, by capturing license plate numbers and comparing them with reservations. However, other methods are also conceivable, such as querying authorization codes.

[0032] Furthermore, the monitoring sensors 22 check whether the vehicles 1 on lane FS3 are adhering to the predetermined speed. If a vehicle 1 is traveling too slowly or too fast, it can be informed and requested to adjust to the predetermined speed. If it fails to do so, its permission to use lane FS3 is revoked, and the vehicle 1 is requested to leave lane FS3; failure to comply will result in a penalty.

[0033] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the server 10 or the monitoring sensors 22 generate control commands for the, for example, automated driving vehicles 1 in order to regulate the speed to the predetermined speed. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Interface 3 Route planning module 4 neural network 10 servers 20 Transport system 21 Road section 22 Monitoring sensors 30 terminals 40 vehicles FS1-FS3 lane

Claims

Road-bound vehicle (1), wherein the road-bound vehicle (1) has an interface (2) configured to receive an appointment request from a user of the vehicle (1), the appointment request including at least a destination, a time and a date, wherein the vehicle (1) has a route planning module (3) configured to automatically calculate a route to the destination, wherein the route planning module (3) is further configured to automatically send a request to a road-guided traffic system (20) to reserve a lane (FS3) at a predetermined time for a predetermined speed, wherein the vehicle (1) is configured to receive control commands from the traffic system (20) by means of which the speed of the vehicle (1) is regulated to the predetermined speed or another speed. Road-bound vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the route planning module (3) has at least one neural network (4). Road-bound vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the route planning module (3) is designed such that a user confirmation is requested before a lane (FS3) is reserved. Road-bound vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the route planning module (3) is designed to determine a desired speed and transmit it to the traffic system (20). Road-bound vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vehicle (1) is designed to make a request to the user for a predetermined speed, wherein the vehicle (1) is further designed to receive a selected predetermined speed from the user and to transmit it to the traffic system (20). Road-bound vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (1) is designed to receive confirmation of the predetermined speed from the traffic system (20) or to receive a possible predetermined speed changed by the traffic system (20). Road-bound vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle (1) is designed to receive requests from the traffic system (20) to change lanes (FS1-FS3). Road-bound vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the road-bound vehicle (1) is designed as an automated driving motor vehicle. Method for route planning of a road-bound vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) receives a date request from a user of the vehicle (1), the date request having at least a destination, a time and a date, wherein a route to the destination is automatically calculated in a route planning module (3) of the vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) automatically makes a request to a road-guided traffic system (20) to reserve a lane (FS3) at a predetermined time for a predetermined speed, wherein the vehicle (1) receives control commands from the traffic system (20) that regulate the speed of the vehicle (1) to the predetermined speed or another speed.

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