Co2 emission reduction system, method and program thereof

Abstract

To provide a system capable of contributing to the reduction of CO2 in the whole society accompanied by profits and consciousness improvement to users themselves.SOLUTION: The present invention is a system comprising a single or a plurality of computers, information terminals of users, and devices installed in mobility vehicles that the users board, wherein information about the surroundings is acquired by the devices installed in the mobility vehicles, the computers create information for controlling traffic signals based on that information, and the system reduces emissions of CO2 by alleviating congestion in the mobility vehicles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a program therefor for reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by easing mobility congestion. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, society as a whole has been called upon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2, in order to curb global warming. In particular, CO2 emissions from automobiles account for approximately 15% of Japan's total CO2 emissions, so reducing CO2 emissions from automobiles is an urgent issue.

[0003] Reducing CO2 emissions from automobiles requires major changes to the structure of society as a whole, and careful judgment is required. Therefore, carbon offsetting is gaining attention as an alternative to carbon neutrality. Carbon offsetting refers to an effort to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets for society as a whole by offsetting unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions with greenhouse gas reductions and recovery in other locations.

[0004] The carbon offsetting process consists of three steps: first, identify greenhouse gas emissions and make efforts to reduce them; and then identify emissions that are difficult to reduce and compensate for them. One way to offset this is to convert greenhouse gas emissions reduced elsewhere into credits and then purchase those credits to offset the reductions.

[0005] As a technology related to carbon offset, Patent Document 1 discloses the installation of a device that captures CO2 emitted from automobiles based on road traffic volume information. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses that the individual greenhouse gas emissions generated when a user uses a means of transportation are calculated for each such use, and that users who wish to participate in carbon offsetting are charged a carbon offset promotion system management fee according to the user's individual emissions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2023-090525 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2023-158453 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the method of Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a large number of CO2 capture devices, which poses a problem of high cost for society as a whole to implement. Furthermore, the method described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that the psychological hurdle of the user himself being financially harmed is high, which may prevent an increase in applicants, and it may be difficult to raise awareness among users themselves about reducing their emissions. There are also various other services and initiatives related to carbon offsets and carbon credits, but at present, none of them are particularly well-suited to encouraging users to use them.

[0008] The inventor therefore focused on the importance of alleviating traffic congestion in reducing CO2 emissions. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has pointed out that in large cities, approximately 40% of public roads are congested during peak hours, and approximately 40% of travel time is wasted due to congestion. In addition, it is known that being caught in traffic congestion increases CO2 emissions from automobiles by approximately 50%. In relation to this, research has also been published on AI control of traffic lights with the aim of alleviating congestion.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to reduce CO2 emissions by collecting information about the surroundings using devices such as AI cameras and sensors installed on mobility vehicles (e.g., automobiles, commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, freight cars), mopeds, motorcycles, electric bicycles, electric kick scooters, etc.), and using this information to create data to control traffic lights, thereby easing congestion in mobility vehicles. In the present invention, the purpose of reducing CO2 emissions by alleviating congestion in mobility is to provide mobility, and examples of mobility include automobiles and commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, and freight trucks) that emit a large amount of CO2, and automobiles are more preferred. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides a system for reducing CO2 emissions by controlling traffic lights to alleviate congestion in mobility vehicles, and converting the reduced emissions into a specified credit, which system is composed of one or more computers, a user's information terminal, and a device installed in a mobility vehicle such as an automobile.The system includes: a device collected data acquisition unit that acquires device collected data collected by the device via the user's information terminal; an analysis unit that analyzes congestion information based on the device collected data and creates analytical data; a control data generation unit that generates control data for traffic lights that the mobility vehicle is scheduled to pass through based on the analytical data; a control data transmission unit that transmits the control data to the terminal that controls the traffic lights; and a calculation unit that compares the CO2 emissions generated by the mobility vehicle passing through the traffic lights controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated by the mobility vehicle passing through the traffic lights if the traffic lights had not been controlled by the control data, and calculates the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic lights using the control data.

[0011] The present invention also provides a system comprising one or more computers and devices mounted on mobility such as automobiles and / or traffic lights, the system comprising: a device collected data acquisition unit that acquires device collected data collected by the devices; an analysis unit that analyzes congestion information based on the device collected data and creates analytical data; a control data generation unit that generates control data for traffic lights that the mobility is scheduled to pass through based on the analytical data; a control data transmission unit that transmits the control data to a terminal that controls the traffic lights; and a calculation unit that compares the amount of CO2 emissions generated by the mobility passing through the traffic light controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated by the mobility passing through the traffic light if the traffic light had not been controlled by the control data, and calculates the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic light using the control data.

[0012] In addition, the system of the present invention may further include a route data generation unit that generates route data based on the analysis data to guide the mobility's driving route so as to alleviate congestion, and a route data transmission unit that transmits the route data to the information terminal.

[0013] In addition, the system of the present invention may further include a route data generation unit that generates route data based on the analysis data to guide the mobility's driving route so as to alleviate congestion, and a route data transmission unit that transmits the route data to the device.

[0014] The information terminal of the present invention may further include an acquisition unit that acquires the route data, and a display unit that displays the acquired route data.

[0015] The device according to the present invention may further include an acquisition unit that acquires the course data, and a display unit that displays the acquired course data.

[0016] Although the present invention falls into the category of a system, the same functions and effects can be achieved even when it comes to a method and a program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in society as a whole, while benefiting users and raising their awareness. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a system 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a system 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by a computer 2 in the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the information terminal 3 according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the device 4 in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will be specifically described below using preferred embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferred effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] First, an overview of the system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The system 1 consists of one or more computers 2, a user's information terminal 3, and a device 4 installed in the user's car. The device 4 acquires information about the surrounding area, and based on that information, the computer 2 creates data to control traffic signals, thereby reducing mobility congestion and reducing CO2 emissions. The system also converts the calculated CO2 reduction amount into a specified credit.

[0021] Computer 2 has server functionality and may be implemented, for example, by a single computer, or by multiple computers, such as a cloud computer. Note that the cloud computer in this specification may refer to either a computer that uses any computer in a scalable manner to perform a specific function, or a computer that includes multiple functional modules to implement a system and uses the functions in any combination. Computer 2 includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory), and a communication unit such as a device that enables communication with other terminals and devices.

[0022] The information terminal 3 is a terminal used by a user of the system, and is an information processing terminal capable of communication such as a smartphone. Like the computer 2, the information terminal 3 is equipped with a CPU, GPU, RAM, ROM, etc. It also has devices for enabling communication with other terminals and devices, input / output devices for inputting and outputting data, and a data storage unit such as a hard disk, semiconductor memory, recording medium, memory card, etc. Furthermore, there may be a single information terminal 3 or multiple information terminals 3.

[0023] Device 4 is a device that is loaded onto a mobility such as an automobile and records and senses the external situation, and may be, for example, a drive recorder, an AI-controlled camera or other photographic equipment, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor that uses laser light, a RADAR sensor that uses radio waves, an acceleration sensor, an infrared sensor, a CO2 sensor, or other various sensors, with AI-controlled cameras or other photographic equipment, LiDAR sensors that use laser light, and RADAR sensors that use radio waves being more preferred. If the device 4 is equipped with a communication-capable information terminal, the information terminal 3 may be used as needed.

[0024] In addition to the terminals described above, system 1 may also include other terminals and devices (e.g., specified servers), the number, types, and functions of which are not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate.

[0025] Next, the functional configuration of the system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer 2 is connected to the information terminal 3 and an external terminal 5 that controls traffic signals via at least a wireless communication interface (referred to as network 6 in the figure), and performs short-range communication via, for example, mobile communication systems such as 4G / LTE and cellular, or WiFi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and BLE. Note that the connection method used by the computer 2 to the information terminal 3 and the external terminal 5 may be the same or different. The computer 2 includes a device collected data acquisition unit 21, an analysis unit 22, a control data generation unit 23, a control data transmission unit 24, a calculation unit 25, and a conversion unit 26. The computer 2 may further include a route data generation unit 27 and a route data transmission unit 28. The information terminal 3 may include an acquisition unit 31 and a display unit 32 .

[0026] The processing executed by the computer 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In this specification, each processing may be executed as a function that the computer itself possesses, or may be executed via a predetermined application. Alternatively, each processing may be executed by loading a predetermined program that includes the processing.

[0027] The computer 2 acquires the data collected by the device 4 via the information terminal 3 (step S21). Information acquisition may be performed continuously or at any timing depending on an external event such as an accident. The acquired information may also be updated as appropriate. This data may be image and video data captured by a camera, or data sensed by various sensors, and the form of the data does not matter. Using this data, information about the surroundings of a moving vehicle, including, for example, the degree of traffic congestion among surrounding vehicles and traffic accidents, is acquired. The computer 2 may be configured to directly acquire data collected by the device 4 without going through the information terminal 3. In this case, the device 4 may be connected to the computer 2 so as to be able to directly communicate data with the computer 2. Based on the acquired device-collected data, computer 2 analyzes congestion information around the vehicle while it is moving or in the planned direction of travel, and creates analysis data (step S22). This analysis may use AI technology, big data, etc. The analysis may include, for example, observing the number and speed of surrounding vehicles through device 4 and comparing it with road information including road elevation changes and changes in surrounding traffic signals, or quickly obtaining information about the scale of an accident and surrounding conditions through device 4, and predicting the extent of congestion and on which route it will occur. Based on the analysis data, the computer 2 generates control data for the traffic signals through which the vehicle is scheduled to pass (step S23-1). This control data is used by the external terminal 5 to adjust the traffic signals so that the vehicle does not get caught in a traffic jam and so that the traffic jam can be alleviated appropriately. The computer 2 transmits the control data to the external terminal 5 that controls the traffic signal (step S24-1). The external terminal 5 is a terminal that has the function of controlling the traffic signal, and the actual form of the external terminal 5 is not important. The external terminal 5 may also use technology such as AI to control the traffic signal. So far, we have explained in detail about device 4 installed in a mobility vehicle, using an automobile as a representative example, but device 4 can also be installed in a traffic signal as needed. By installing device 4 in a traffic signal, data from the traffic signal can be acquired in addition to data from the mobility vehicle, which increases the amount of data that can be acquired by computer 2 and allows for the creation of detailed analysis data. Furthermore, installing device 4 in a traffic signal is preferable because it allows data from mobility vehicles that are not equipped with device 4 to be acquired as well. Furthermore, the device 4 may not be mounted on a mobility vehicle but may be mounted only on a traffic signal. Even in this case, data from the traffic signal can be acquired, so even if the device 4 is not mounted on a mobility vehicle but is mounted only on a traffic signal, sufficient data can be acquired, and there will be no problem in creating analysis data. The computer 2 compares the CO2 emissions when the system 1 is operating with the predicted CO2 emissions when the system 1 is not operating, and calculates the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by the system 1 (step S25). For example, this comparison is a comparison of the CO2 emissions resulting from the vehicle passing through the controlled traffic signal with the CO2 emissions that would have been produced if the vehicle had passed through the traffic signal without being controlled. The resulting CO2 emissions are calculated, for example, by calculating the fuel consumed based on information on the vehicle's speed, distance traveled, and travel time, and then calculating the amount of CO2 emitted by the vehicle that traveled accordingly. The CO2 emissions that would have been produced are calculated, for example, by estimating the time the vehicle would have taken to travel if the traffic signal had not been controlled, and using this as a new parameter through the same calculation as the resulting CO2 emissions. The CO2 reduction achieved by the system 1 is calculated by comparing these emissions and taking the difference. The computer 2 converts the calculated CO2 reduction amount into predetermined credits (step S26). At this time, the conversion into the predetermined credits is performed according to a predetermined conversion rate. The predetermined credits may be those based on mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). Alternatively, they may be J-Credits, credits established by local governments, or company-specific credits.

[0028] These processes make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions by easing traffic congestion.Furthermore, by paying users for providing information to achieve these goals and converting the actual CO2 emissions reductions into specified credits and returning them to them, users are encouraged to actively use System 1, and many users are given the opportunity to participate in carbon offsetting.

[0029] Furthermore, the computer 2 may further perform the following processing. Based on the analysis data, the computer 2 generates route data that guides the vehicle's driving route so as to alleviate congestion (step S23-2). The created route data clearly indicates the route the user should take, including map information, arrow symbols, and numbers indicating distances. The computer 2 transmits the congestion relief driving data to the information terminal 3 and / or device 4 (step S24-2).

[0030] The processes executed by the information terminal 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In this specification, each process may be executed as a function that the information terminal 3 has, or may be executed via a predetermined application. Alternatively, each process may be executed by loading a predetermined program that includes the process.

[0031] The information terminal 3 acquires the route data created by the computer 2 (step S31). This acquisition may be performed using an application or the like as an interface. The information terminal 3 displays the acquired route data on the screen (step S32). This display may be performed using an application or the like as an interface. The screen displayed at this time may be designed appropriately as long as it clearly shows the route the user will be traveling.

[0032] Through these processes, even in cases where traffic signal control is not very effective in alleviating congestion, the system can present flexible plans to reduce CO2 emissions while taking into account the surrounding conditions, and the user can also earn the specified credits by driving this proposed alternative route.

[0033] The processes executed by the device 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In this specification, each process may be executed as a function that the device itself possesses, or may be executed via a predetermined application. Alternatively, each process may be executed by loading a predetermined program that includes the process.

[0034] The device 4 acquires the route data created by the computer 2 (step S41). This acquisition may be performed using an app or the like as an interface. The device 4 displays the acquired route data on a screen (step S42). If the device 4 is mounted on a mobility, this display may be performed using a screen such as a liquid crystal display of the mobility as an interface, and if the device 4 is mounted on a traffic signal, this display may be performed using a screen such as a liquid crystal display of the traffic signal as an interface. The screen displayed at this time may be any screen that clearly shows the route the user will be traveling on, and may be designed as appropriate.

[0035] Through these processes, even in cases where traffic signal control is not very effective in alleviating congestion, the system can present flexible plans to reduce CO2 emissions while taking into account the surrounding conditions, and the user can also earn the specified credits by driving this proposed alternative route.

[0036] The above-described means and functions are realized by a computer (including a CPU, an information processing device, various terminals, etc.) incorporating and executing a predetermined program. This program may be provided, for example, from the computer via a network or by a cloud service. The program may also be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. In this case, the computer reads the program from the recording medium, transfers it to an internal or external recording device, records it, and executes it. The program may also be pre-recorded on a recording device and provided to the computer from the recording device via a communication line. The system of the present invention, which analyzes congestion information based on device data, controls traffic signals, alleviates congestion for mobility vehicles, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, and converts the reduced emissions into predetermined credits, can be implemented for multiple mobility vehicles within a predetermined area. By analyzing congestion information based on device data installed in multiple mobility vehicles and / or multiple traffic signals and controlling multiple traffic signals within a predetermined area, congestion for multiple mobility vehicles can be alleviated, thereby increasing the reduction in CO2 emissions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1: System 2: Computer 21: Device collection data acquisition unit 22:Analysis Department 23: Control data generation unit 24: Control data transmission unit 25: Calculation section 26: Conversion section 27: Course data generation unit 28: Route data transmission unit 3: Information terminal 31: Acquisition part 32: Display section 4: Device 5: External terminal 6: Network

Claims

1. A system consisting of one or more computers and a device mounted on a mobility and / or traffic signal, a device collected data acquisition unit that acquires device collected data collected by the device; an analysis unit that analyzes traffic congestion information based on the device-collected data and creates analysis data; a control data generation unit that generates control data for a traffic signal that the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; a control data transmitting unit that transmits the control data to a terminal that controls the traffic signal; a calculation unit that compares the amount of CO2 emissions generated when the mobility passes through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated when the mobility passes through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculates the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A system comprising:

2. A system comprising one or more computers, a user's information terminal, and a device mounted on a mobility device, a device collected data acquisition unit that acquires device collected data collected by the device via a user's information terminal; an analysis unit that analyzes traffic congestion information based on the device-collected data and creates analysis data; a control data generation unit that generates control data for a traffic signal that the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; a control data transmitting unit that transmits the control data to a terminal that controls the traffic signal; a calculation unit that compares the amount of CO2 emissions generated when the mobility passes through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated when the mobility passes through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculates the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A system comprising:

3. A conversion unit that converts the calculated CO2 reduction amount into a predetermined credit; The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The computer includes a route data generation unit that generates route data for guiding the mobility's travel route so as to alleviate congestion based on the analysis data; a route data transmission unit that transmits the route data to the device; The system of claim 1 further comprising:

5. The device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the route data; a display unit that displays the acquired route data; The system of claim 4 further comprising:

6. The computer includes a route data generation unit that generates route data for guiding the mobility's travel route so as to alleviate congestion based on the analysis data; a route data transmission unit that transmits the route data to the information terminal; The system of claim 2 further comprising:

7. The information terminal includes an acquisition unit that acquires the route data; a display unit that displays the acquired route data; The system of claim 6 further comprising:

8. A method executed by a system comprising one or more computers and a device mounted on a mobility and / or traffic signal, acquiring device collected data collected by the device; A step of analyzing traffic congestion information based on the device collected data and creating analysis data; generating control data for a traffic signal through which the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; transmitting the control data to a terminal that controls the traffic signal; a step of comparing the amount of CO2 emissions resulting from the mobility passing through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated by the mobility passing through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculating the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A method comprising:

9. A method executed by a system comprising one or more computers, a user's information terminal, and a device mounted on a mobility device, comprising: acquiring data collected by a device installed in the mobility vehicle via a user's information terminal; A step of analyzing traffic congestion information based on the device collected data and creating analysis data; generating control data for a traffic signal through which the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; transmitting the control data to a computer that controls the traffic signal; a step of comparing the amount of CO2 emissions resulting from the mobility passing through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been generated by the mobility passing through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculating the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A method comprising:

10. A system consisting of one or more computers and devices mounted on mobility and / or traffic signals, acquiring device collected data collected by the device; A step of analyzing traffic congestion information based on the device collected data and creating analysis data; generating control data for a traffic signal through which the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; transmitting the control data to a terminal that controls the traffic signal; a step of comparing the CO2 emissions resulting from the mobility passing through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been produced by the mobility passing through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculating the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A computer-readable program for executing the program.

11. A system consisting of one or more computers, a user's information terminal, and a device installed in a mobility device, acquiring data collected by the device installed in the mobility via a user's information terminal; A step of analyzing traffic congestion information based on the device collected data and creating analysis data; generating control data for a traffic signal through which the mobility is scheduled to pass based on the analysis data; transmitting the control data to a computer that controls the traffic signal; a step of comparing the CO2 emissions resulting from the mobility passing through the traffic signal controlled by the control data with the predicted CO2 emissions that would have been produced by the mobility passing through the traffic signal if the traffic signal had not been controlled by the control data, and calculating the amount of CO2 reduction achieved by controlling the traffic signal according to the control data; A computer-readable program for executing the program.

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