Autonomous Vehicle Curb Access Using Real-Time Transit Zone Availability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in finding suitable curb spaces for picking up and dropping off passengers due to limited availability, often resulting in longer routes or double parking, which can block traffic and be inconvenient for passengers with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing real-time public transportation data to determine the availability of reserved zones for pullover, allowing autonomous vehicles to plan routes and select appropriate locations based on the expected arrival times of public transportation vehicles, thereby optimizing curb usage and minimizing interference with public transportation flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous vehicles search for open curb spaces in crowded locations, then passenger pickup and drop-off can be completed, but the route becomes longer and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future curb space availability based on public transportation schedules before the autonomous vehicle arrives. The computing system determines expected occupancy times of reserved zones by public transportation vehicles and identifies suitable pullover locations in advance, allowing the autonomous vehicle to take the most direct route without searching for available spaces along the way.
2Ease of operation
If autonomous vehicles double park to access passengers, then pickup and drop-off can be completed, but traffic flow is blocked and other road users are inconvenienced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from public transportation data about reserved zone occupancy to dynamically determine appropriate pullover locations. By continuously monitoring when public transportation vehicles are expected to occupy reserved zones, the computing system can identify windows of opportunity where double parking would not block traffic, allowing autonomous vehicles to complete pickups and drop-offs without obstructing the flow of other road users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reserved zones are used for autonomous vehicle pullover, then curb space availability increases, but public transportation vehicle flow may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the usage of reserved zones time-dependent rather than static. The computing system determines expected occupancy times of reserved zones by public transportation vehicles and allows autonomous vehicle pullover only during periods when the reserved zone is not occupied by public transportation vehicles. This dynamic approach enables the same curb space to serve both public transportation and autonomous vehicle needs at different times, increasing overall curb space flexibility while maintaining reliable public transportation flow.
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies described herein pertain to autonomous vehicle consumption of real-time public transportation data to guide curb access and usage. An autonomous vehicle receives a trip request for a ride specifying a requested pullover location. The autonomous vehicle receives public transportation data specifying an expected arrival time of a public transportation vehicle at a reserved zone within proximity of the requested pullover location. The autonomous vehicle evaluates availability of the reserved zone during an expected occupancy time of the reserved zone by the autonomous vehicle based on the expected arrival time of the public transportation vehicle at the reserved zone. The autonomous vehicle selects an actual pullover location for the ride in the autonomous vehicle based on the availability of the reserved zone during the expected occupancy time. The autonomous vehicle stops at the actual pullover location for the ride in the autonomous vehicle.