One-way alternating traffic management system and one-way alternating traffic management method

Abstract

We provide a one-way alternating traffic management system that can manage one-way alternating traffic without the need for traffic controllers or traffic signals. [Solution] A one-way alternating traffic management system, wherein the control device 10 has a selection unit 14 that selects a first traffic state in which a first vehicle V1 can enter the no-passing area A3, and a second traffic state in which a second vehicle V2 can enter the no-passing area A3. The selection unit 14 selects either the first traffic state or the second traffic state based on the presence of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 in the first monitoring area A1, the second monitoring area A2, and the no-passing area A3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a one - way alternating traffic management system and a one - way alternating traffic management method.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for managing one - way alternating traffic in which vehicles traveling in both directions pass alternately, there is a method in which traffic guides arranged on both sides of the no - overtaking area communicate with each other to manage vehicle passage. Also, there is a method of switching the traffic direction of the no - overtaking area at predetermined intervals by traffic signals installed on both sides of the no - overtaking area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is difficult to secure traffic guides in a situation of manpower shortage. Also, when installing traffic signals, it is necessary to secure the installation space and power supply of the traffic signals.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above - described problems and provide a one - way alternating traffic management system and a one - way alternating traffic management method that can manage one - way alternating traffic without installing traffic guides or traffic signals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the first invention is a one-way alternating traffic management system that manages one-way alternating traffic between a first vehicle traveling from a first monitoring area through a no-passing area to a second monitoring area and a second vehicle traveling from the second monitoring area through the no-passing area to the first monitoring area, and comprises a control device capable of communicating with the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The control device includes a vehicle information acquisition unit that detects the driving status of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, and a selection unit that selects a first traffic state in which the first vehicle can enter the no-passing area and the second vehicle cannot enter the no-passing area, and a second traffic state in which the second vehicle can enter the no-passing area and the first vehicle cannot enter the no-passing area. The selection unit selects the first traffic state from the time the first vehicle is present in the first monitoring area and the second vehicle is not present in the second monitoring area and the no-passing area, until at least the first vehicle is no longer present in the no-passing area. The selection unit also selects the second traffic state from the time the second vehicle is present in the second monitoring area and the first vehicle is not present in the first monitoring area and the no-passing area, until at least the second vehicle is no longer present in the no-passing area.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the second invention is a method for managing alternating one-way traffic using the aforementioned alternating one-way traffic management system, comprising: an area setting step of setting the first monitoring area, the second monitoring area, and the no-passing area; a selection step of the selection unit selecting the first traffic state or the second traffic state; and a transmission step of transmitting the first traffic state or the second traffic state selected by the selection unit to the first vehicle and the second vehicle. In the transmission step, when the first vehicle enters the first monitoring area, if the second vehicle is not in the second monitoring area or the no-passing area, the first traffic state is transmitted to the first vehicle and the second vehicle, making it possible to pass from the first monitoring area to the second monitoring area, but not from the second monitoring area to the first monitoring area. Furthermore, during the transmission stage, when the second vehicle enters the second monitoring area, if the first vehicle is not present in the first monitoring area or the no-passing area, the second passage status is transmitted to the first vehicle and the second vehicle, allowing passage from the second monitoring area to the first monitoring area, and preventing passage from the first monitoring area to the second monitoring area.

[0008] In this invention, the presence and driving status of vehicles within the first and second monitoring areas are grasped, and based on this information, the control device manages alternating one-way traffic, eliminating the need to install traffic controllers or traffic lights in areas where passing is prohibited. Furthermore, this invention allows for the efficient implementation of alternating one-way traffic by accurately understanding the vehicle traffic conditions in each area and managing it accordingly.

[0009] In the aforementioned alternating one-way traffic management system, if the selection unit selects the first traffic state, the first traffic state is maintained until there are no other vehicles following the first vehicle within the first monitoring area and the no-passing area. If the selection unit selects the second traffic state, the second traffic state is maintained until there are no other vehicles following the second vehicle within the second monitoring area and the no-passing area. With this configuration, alternating one-way traffic can be implemented efficiently by prioritizing and sequentially directing multiple vehicles through the alternating one-way traffic area.

[0010] In the aforementioned alternating one-way traffic management system, the first traffic state and the second traffic state may be configured to notify the driver from terminal devices installed in the first vehicle and the second vehicle, respectively.

[0011] In the aforementioned alternating one-way traffic management system, the automatic driving systems of the first vehicle and the second vehicle may be controlled based on the first traffic state or the second traffic state selected by the selection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the alternating one-way traffic management system and method of the present invention, the control device accurately grasps the driving conditions of vehicles and manages alternating one-way traffic, so that alternating one-way traffic can be efficiently implemented without the need to install traffic controllers or traffic signals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing a one-way alternating traffic management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the first traffic state in a one-way alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation of the first traffic state in the alternating one-way traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram showing a second traffic state in a one - side alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation time of the second traffic state in a one - side alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the selection stage of a one - side alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the selection stage of a one - side alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a one - side alternating traffic management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the one - side alternating traffic management system 1 and the one - side alternating traffic management method of the present embodiment manage the one - side alternating traffic of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 that travel in both directions.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the one - side alternating traffic in the no - overtaking prohibited area A3 set on a road under construction or a construction site will be described. The no - overtaking prohibited area A3 is arranged between the first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2. The first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2 are sections where the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 can travel in both directions (opposite - direction travel is possible). The no - overtaking prohibited area A3 is a section with a narrower width than the first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2, and the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 cannot travel in both directions.

[0016] The first vehicle V1 is a vehicle traveling from the first monitoring area A1 through the no - overtaking prohibited area A3 towards the second monitoring area A2. The second vehicle V2 is a vehicle traveling from the second monitoring area A2 through the no - overtaking prohibited area A3 towards the first monitoring area A1.

[0017] The first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 are equipped with a terminal device 50 such as a smartphone or a tablet. The terminal device 50 is capable of communicating with the control device 10 of the one-way alternating traffic management system 1 described later. In addition, the terminal device 50 includes a receiver for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and detects position information based on the satellite signals received by the terminal device 50. In addition, the terminal device 50 includes a monitor and a speaker, and has a notification function of indicating the traffic state received from the control device 10 by voice or image.

[0018] The one-way alternating traffic management system 1 includes a control device 10. The control device 10 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a monitor, and the like. Each process of the control device 10 is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the like. The control device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an area setting unit 12, a vehicle information acquisition unit 13, and a selection unit 14. The communication unit 11 can transmit and receive various data to and from the terminal devices 50 mounted on the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2.

[0019] The area setting unit 12 sets a no-overtaking area A3 on the map data of a predetermined area (road), and sets a first monitoring area A1 and a second monitoring area A2 on both sides of the no-overtaking area A3. For example, on the map data displayed on the screen of the control device 10, the first monitoring area A1, the second monitoring area A2, and the no-overtaking area A3 are set by inputting coordinates so as to surround a predetermined area. The data of the first monitoring area A1, the second monitoring area A2, and the no-overtaking area A3 set by the area setting unit 12 are transmitted from the communication unit 11 to the terminal device 50 and can be displayed on the terminal device 50.

[0020] The vehicle information acquisition unit 13 acquires location information of the terminal device 50 mounted on the first vehicle V1 and the terminal device 50 mounted on the second vehicle V2 via the communication unit 11, and detects the driving status (driving position and driving direction) of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 based on that location information.

[0021] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first traffic state in the alternating one-way traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the second traffic state in the alternating one-way traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The selection unit 14 selects either the first or second traffic state for the no-passing area A3 based on the driving conditions of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2. The first traffic condition is as shown in Figure 2, where the first vehicle V1 can enter the no-passing area A3, but the second vehicle V2 cannot enter the no-passing area A3. The second normal state is a condition in which the second vehicle V2 can enter the no-passing area A3, as shown in Figure 4, but the first vehicle V1 cannot enter the no-passing area A3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the selection unit 14 selects the first traffic state from the time when the first vehicle V1 is in the first monitoring area A1 and the second vehicle V2 is not in the second monitoring area A2 or the no-passing area A3, until the first vehicle V1 is no longer in the no-passing area A3.

[0023] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation of the first traffic state in the one-way alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, when the selection unit 14 selects the first traffic state, if there are other first vehicles V1 following the first vehicle V1, it will select the first traffic state until there are no other first vehicles V1 in the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the selection unit 14 selects the second traffic state from the time the second vehicle V2 is present in the second monitoring area A2 and the first vehicle V1 is not present in the first monitoring area A1 or the no-passing area A3 until the second vehicle V2 is no longer present in the no-passing area A3.

[0025] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation of the second traffic state in the one-way alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the selection unit 14 selects the second traffic state, if there are other second vehicles V2 following the second vehicle V2, it will select the second traffic state until there are no other second vehicles V2 in the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3.

[0026] The selection unit 14 does not select the passing restriction area A3 if there is no first vehicle V1 in the first monitoring area A1 and no second vehicle V2 in the second monitoring area A2.

[0027] The traffic condition selected by the selection unit 14 is transmitted from the communication unit 11 to the terminal device 50, and the terminal device 50 notifies the driver of the traffic condition in the no-passing area A3 via voice and images.

[0028] The selection unit 14 may also be configured to notify the terminal device 50 of information permitting entry into the no-passing area A3, or to notify it of information prohibiting entry into the no-passing area A3 (warning), based on the selected traffic information.

[0029] Next, the method for selecting the traffic state by the selection unit 14 of the aforementioned one-way alternating traffic management system 1 will be explained in detail. Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the selection steps for a one-way alternating traffic management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the flowcharts in Figures 6 and 7 will be referred to as appropriate in the following description. First, based on the driving status of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 13 shown in Figure 1, it is determined whether or not vehicles are present in the first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2 (step S1). If neither the first vehicle V1 nor the second vehicle V2 are present in the first monitoring area A1 or the second monitoring area A2 (NO in step S1), the vehicle access status for the no-passing area A3 is not selected. In other words, the vehicle is in a neutral state (initial state), which is neither the first access status nor the second access status.

[0030] If the first vehicle V1 is located within the first monitoring area A1, it is determined whether or not the second vehicle V2 is located within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (step S11). If the second vehicle V2 is not present in the second monitoring area A2 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S11), the first traffic state is selected (step S12).

[0031] If the first traffic condition is selected, it is determined whether or not there is another first vehicle V1 following the first vehicle V1 within the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (step S13). If no other first vehicle V1 exists within the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S13), then it is determined whether or not the first vehicle V1 exists within the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (step S15). If the first vehicle V1 is not present in the first monitoring area A1 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S15), the first traffic state is canceled (step S16), and the system returns to its initial state where neither the first traffic state nor the second traffic state is selected.

[0032] If another first vehicle V1 is present within the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (YES in step S13), the first vehicle continues to pass (step S14). Furthermore, while maintaining the first traffic condition, it is determined whether the first vehicle V1 and other first vehicles V1 are present within the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (step S15). If the first vehicle V1 is not present in the first monitoring area A1 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S15), the first traffic state is canceled (step S16), and the system returns to its initial state where neither the first traffic state nor the second traffic state is selected.

[0033] When it is determined whether or not a vehicle is present in the first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2 (step S1), if the second vehicle V2 is present in the second monitoring area A2, it is determined whether or not the first vehicle V1 is present in the first monitoring area A1 and the no-passing area A3 (step S21). If the first vehicle V1 is not present in the first monitoring area A1 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S21), the second traffic condition is selected (step S22).

[0034] If the second traffic state is selected, it is determined whether there is another second vehicle V2 following the second vehicle V2 within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (step S23). If no other second vehicle V2 exists within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S23), then it is determined whether or not a second vehicle V2 exists within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (step S25). If the second vehicle V2 is not present in the second monitoring area A2 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S25), the second traffic state is canceled (step S26), and the system returns to its initial state where neither the first traffic state nor the second traffic state is selected.

[0035] If another second vehicle V2 is present within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (YES in step S23), the second traffic condition continues (step S24). Furthermore, while maintaining the first traffic condition, it is determined whether the second vehicle V2 and other second vehicles V2 are present within the second monitoring area A2 and the no-passing area A3 (step S25). If neither the second vehicle V2 nor any other second vehicle V2 exists within the second monitoring area A2 or the no-passing area A3 (NO in step S25), the second traffic state is canceled (step S26), and the system returns to its initial state where neither the first traffic state nor the second traffic state is selected.

[0036] In the alternating one-way traffic management method using the aforementioned alternating one-way traffic management system 1, first, the area setting unit 12 of the control device 10 shown in Figure 1 sets the first monitoring area A1, the second monitoring area A2, and the no-passing area A3 on the map data (area setting stage). Next, the selection unit 14 selects either the first or second traffic state for the no-passing area A3 based on the driving conditions (position information) of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 (selection stage). Then, the selection unit 14 transmits the first or second traffic condition it selected to the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 (transmission stage).

[0037] During the transmission phase, as shown in Figure 2, if the first traffic condition is transmitted to the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2, the terminal devices 50 of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 will notify the drivers via voice and images that the no-passing area A3 is in the first traffic condition. As a result, the driver of the first vehicle V1 is notified that they are permitted to pass through the no-passing zone A3, and they are able to travel from the first monitoring area A1 through the no-passing zone A3 to the second monitoring area A2. Furthermore, the driver of the second vehicle V2 will be notified that they are not permitted to pass through the no-passing zone A3, and will not be able to travel from the second monitoring area A2 through the no-passing zone A3 to the first monitoring area A1.

[0038] For example, if the first vehicle V1 enters the first monitoring area A1 before the second vehicle V2 enters the second monitoring area A2, the first normal state is selected, and the first vehicle V1 is allowed to enter the no-passing area A3. On the other hand, the second vehicle V2 is not allowed to enter the no-passing area A3 and will remain stopped in the second monitoring area A2 until the first vehicle V1 leaves the no-passing area A3.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, if, after the second vehicle V2 enters the second monitoring area A2, another first vehicle V1 following the first vehicle V1 enters the first monitoring area A1, the first normal state continues, and the other first vehicle V1 will have priority over the second vehicle V2 to pass through the no-passing area A3. Also, the second vehicle V2 will remain stopped within the second monitoring area A2 until the first vehicle V1 and the other first vehicle V1 leave the no-passing area A3.

[0040] During the transmission phase, as shown in Figure 4, if the second traffic condition is transmitted to the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2, the terminal devices 50 of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 will notify the drivers via voice and image that the no-passing area A3 is in the second traffic condition. As a result, the driver of the second vehicle V2 will be notified that they are permitted to pass through the no-passing zone A3, and will be able to travel from the second monitoring area A2 through the no-passing zone A3 to the first monitoring area A1. Furthermore, the driver of the first vehicle V1 will be notified that they are not permitted to pass through the no-passing zone A3, and will not be able to travel from the first monitoring area A1 through the no-passing zone A3 to the second monitoring area A2.

[0041] For example, if the second vehicle V2 enters the second monitoring area A2 before the first vehicle V1 enters the first monitoring area A1, the second normal state is selected, and the second vehicle V2 is allowed to enter the no-passing area A3. On the other hand, the first vehicle V1 is unable to enter the no-passing area A3 and will stop within the first monitoring area A1.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, if, after the first vehicle V1 enters the first monitoring area A1, another second vehicle V2 following the second vehicle V2 enters the second monitoring area A2, the second normal state continues, and the other second vehicle V2 will have priority over the first vehicle V1 to pass through the no-passing area A3. Also, the first vehicle V1 will remain stopped within the first monitoring area A1 until the second vehicle V2 and the other second vehicle V2 leave the no-passing area A3.

[0043] In the alternating one-way traffic management system 1 and the alternating one-way traffic management method of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the presence and driving status of vehicles in the first monitoring area A1 and the second monitoring area A2 are grasped, and based on this information, the control device 10 manages alternating one-way traffic, eliminating the need to install traffic controllers or traffic signals in areas where passing is prohibited.

[0044] Furthermore, the alternating one-way traffic management system 1 and the alternating one-way traffic management method of this embodiment accurately grasp the driving conditions of vehicles in the first monitoring area A1, the second monitoring area A2, and the no-passing area A3, and manage alternating one-way traffic, thereby enabling efficient implementation of alternating one-way traffic.

[0045] Furthermore, in the alternating one-way traffic management system 1 and the alternating one-way traffic management method of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, if there are vehicles following a vehicle that is passing through the no-passing area A3, multiple vehicles are given priority to pass through the alternating one-way traffic area in succession, thus enabling efficient implementation of alternating one-way traffic.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, when the selection unit 14 selects the first traffic state, the first traffic state is maintained until the first vehicle V1 leaves the no-passing area A3. However, the first traffic state may also be maintained until the first vehicle V1 leaves the second monitoring area A2. Similarly, as shown in Figure 4, when the selection unit 14 selects the second traffic state, the second traffic state may be continued until the second vehicle V2 leaves the first monitoring area A1.

[0047] Furthermore, the automatic driving systems of the first vehicle V1 and the second vehicle V2 may be configured to control (control the brakes and accelerator) based on the first or second traffic state selected by the selection unit 14 shown in Figure 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1. One-way alternating traffic management system 10 Control device 11 Communications Department 12 Area setting section 13. Vehicle Information Acquisition Unit 14 Selection Section 50 Terminal devices A1 First Monitoring Area A2 Second Surveillance Area A3 No passing zone V1 First Car V2 Second Vehicle

Claims

1. A one-way alternating traffic management system that manages one-way alternating traffic between a first vehicle going from the first monitoring area through the no-passing area to the second monitoring area, and a second vehicle going from the second monitoring area through the no-passing area to the first monitoring area, The vehicle is equipped with a control device capable of communicating with the first vehicle and the second vehicle, The control device is A vehicle information acquisition unit that detects the driving status of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, The system includes a selection unit that selects a first traffic state in which the first vehicle can enter the no-passing area and the second vehicle cannot enter the no-passing area, and a second traffic state in which the second vehicle can enter the no-passing area and the first vehicle cannot enter the no-passing area. The aforementioned selection unit is From the moment when the first vehicle is present in the first monitoring area and the second vehicle is not present in the second monitoring area and the no-passing area, the first traffic state is selected until at least the first vehicle is no longer present in the no-passing area. A one-way alternating traffic management system characterized by selecting the second traffic state from the time when the second vehicle is present in the second monitoring area and the first vehicle is not present in the first monitoring area and the no-passing area, until the second vehicle is no longer present in the no-passing area.

2. The aforementioned selection unit is If the first traffic state is selected, the first traffic state will be continued until there are no other vehicles following the first vehicle within the first monitoring area and the no-passing area. The alternating one-way traffic management system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second traffic state is selected, the second traffic state is continued until there are no other second vehicles following the second vehicle within the second monitoring area and the no-passing area.

3. The alternating one-way traffic management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first traffic condition and the second traffic condition are notified to the driver from terminal devices installed in the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

4. The alternating one-way traffic management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic driving systems of the first vehicle and the second vehicle are controlled based on the first traffic state or the second traffic state selected by the selection unit.

5. A method for managing alternating one-way traffic using the alternating one-way traffic management system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, Area setting stage, which sets the first monitoring area, the second monitoring area, and the passing-prohibition area, A selection step in which the selection unit selects the first traffic state or the second traffic state, The system includes a transmission step of transmitting the first traffic state or the second traffic state selected by the selection unit to the first vehicle and the second vehicle, In the aforementioned transmission stage, When the first vehicle enters the first monitoring area, and the second vehicle is not present in the second monitoring area or the no-passing area, the first passage status is transmitted to the first vehicle and the second vehicle, allowing passage from the first monitoring area to the second monitoring area, and preventing passage from the second monitoring area to the first monitoring area. A method for managing alternating one-way traffic, characterized in that when the second vehicle enters the second monitoring area, and the first vehicle is not present in the first monitoring area or the no-passing area, the second traffic status is transmitted to the first vehicle and the second vehicle, allowing passage from the second monitoring area to the first monitoring area and prohibiting passage from the first monitoring area to the second monitoring area.

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