Autonomous Vehicle Route Selection for Congested Intersection Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating autonomous vehicles through busy intersections poses a technically challenging problem due to unresolved space-time conflicts and traffic congestion issues, which current central arbiter modules struggle to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in autonomous vehicles determines current location and traffic density, predicts traffic on alternate routes, and selects a safe navigation route based on predefined vehicle parameters and infrastructure data, using Vehicle-to-Infrastructure communication to prioritize routes and manage traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central arbiter module is used to resolve space-time conflicts at intersections, then collision avoidance is improved, but device complexity and operational reliability deteriorate due to maintenance and operation issues of computationally complex arbiter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conflict resolution function from a centralized arbiter module and distributes it to individual autonomous vehicles. Each vehicle independently determines its own navigation path and resolves conflicts with other vehicles through decentralized communication, eliminating the need for a complex central arbiter while maintaining collision avoidance capability
Solution Approach 2:
Each autonomous vehicle performs self-service by independently calculating its navigation route, assessing traffic conditions, and making routing decisions without relying on a central control system. The vehicles use their own onboard processors to determine safe navigation paths based on received traffic density information from other vehicles and infrastructure
2Reliability
If traffic is stopped at busy intersections to allow flow in another direction, then collision avoidance is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to traffic congestion and occupancy frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing where autonomous vehicles continuously assess real-time traffic density conditions and adapt their navigation paths accordingly. Instead of static stop-and-go traffic control, vehicles dynamically select routes based on current traffic conditions, enabling continuous movement and improving overall traffic flow efficiency while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of traffic density on current and alternate routes before vehicles reach intersections. By predicting traffic conditions in advance and selecting optimal paths proactively, vehicles avoid congestion and maintain steady flow, preventing the need for stopping and reducing occupancy frustration
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses method and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of an autonomous vehicle for determining safe navigation. The ECU determines current location of vehicle based on orientation and location information of vehicle. One or more pre-defined vehicle parameters and surrounding infrastructure data is determined. Traffic density at current route of vehicle is determined based on surrounding infrastructure data and current location of vehicle. The ECU predicts traffic density at one or more alternate routes for predefined time and distance from current location of vehicle, based on traffic information received from surrounding infrastructure data for one or more alternate routes. Thereafter, route is selected based on one or more pre-defined vehicle parameters, traffic density at current route and traffic density at one or more alternate routes for safely navigating vehicle. The present disclosure provides safe navigation route for vehicle based on predicted traffic and accurate location of vehicle.