Bicycle Route Cost Model Using Hill and Turn Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mapping systems do not provide customizable maps and directions tailored for bicyclists, failing to account for bike trail data, road suitability, and conditions that affect bicycling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A mapping system that uses a cost model incorporating a turn model, hill model, and penalty/bonus model to determine the suitability of routes for bicycling, adjusting travel time estimates based on road grade, traffic, and road conditions, and generates recommended routes using a shortest path algorithm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mapping systems use standard routing algorithms for driving directions, then route calculation is efficient and simple, but the routes are not optimized for bicycling conditions such as hills, bike lanes, and traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the routing problem by changing the cost parameters from standard driving metrics to bicycling-specific metrics. The cost model incorporates hill grade, bike lane presence, traffic volume, and intersection complexity to calculate adjusted travel costs for each road segment, enabling the algorithm to optimize routes specifically for bicyclists while maintaining computational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the road network into categories based on bicycling suitability (e.g., bike lanes, shared roads, arterial roads, highways) and applies different cost models to each segment type. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate each road segment according to its specific characteristics and apply appropriate penalties or bonuses to the routing calculation
2Measurement precision
If mapping systems incorporate detailed bike trail data, road suitability, and bicycling conditions, then route recommendations become more accurate for bicyclists, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of road segments into bicycling suitability categories and pre-calculates base costs for each segment type. By organizing the road network data in advance with predefined cost parameters for different road types, the system reduces the complexity of real-time routing calculations while maintaining high accuracy in route recommendations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cost model that can evaluate multiple bicycling conditions (hills, traffic, bike lanes, intersections) through a single integrated framework. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle various road conditions and bicycling preferences using one cohesive algorithm rather than separate specialized algorithms for each condition
3Reliability
If mapping systems apply penalties and bonuses for road conditions like arterial roads and steep hills, then bicyclist safety and comfort improve, but route calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial penalties and bonuses selectively to specific road segments rather than uniformly across the entire network. By applying cost adjustments only to segments with significant bicycling conditions (steep hills, high-traffic arterial roads, intersections with complex geometry), the system improves safety and comfort without substantially increasing overall calculation time
Data Source
AI summary
A mapping system tailors maps and directions for bicyclists. The mapping system stores map data including data about the suitability for biking along roads in a road network. A cost model, including a turn model, a hill model, and a penalty/bonus model is applied to the road network. The turn model models how long it takes to traverse an intersection. The hill model models a bicyclist's speed based on the road grade. The penalty/bonus model adjusts the calculated cost of a road segment under the turn model and hill model to take account of steep hills and other unfavorable or favorable conditions along the road segment for bicycling. The mapping system generates one or more routes between an origin and destination. The generated route that has the lowest adjusted cost is determined to be a recommended route. The mapping system formats maps and/or directions to display recommended routes.