Boarding Zone Trajectory Deconfliction for Autonomous Vehicle Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle control systems are susceptible to causing traffic jams, collisions, and other adverse encounters, and may be inflexible or inefficient, negatively impacting system operation and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A transportation system that employs multiple vehicle trajectory control schemes, including spacetime trajectories and trajectory comparison deconfliction techniques, to ensure safe, efficient, and flexible vehicle operations by determining non-intersecting paths and trajectories for autonomous vehicles using a control system that includes a dispatch system with trunk and boarding zone routers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single vehicle control system is used, then the system structure is simple, but traffic jams and collisions occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two independent but coordinated components: a dispatch system that manages high-level routing and a trajectory control system that executes low-level path following. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, improving overall safety while keeping individual components manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A trajectory deconfliction system acts as an intermediary between the dispatch system and the vehicle control system. It receives trajectory requests, checks for conflicts with other vehicles, and only approves trajectories that are safe, thereby preventing collisions without requiring direct complex interaction between all vehicles.
2Productivity
If traditional trajectory control is used, then the control logic is simple, but traffic jams and adverse encounters occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary trajectory deconfliction before vehicles execute their paths. By checking for conflicts in advance and adjusting trajectories proactively, the system prevents traffic jams and adverse encounters rather than reacting to them after they occur, improving overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The trajectory control system continuously monitors vehicle positions and adjusts trajectories based on real-time feedback about other vehicles' locations and planned paths. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically resolve conflicts and maintain efficient traffic flow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed routing is used, then the control system is simple, but the system is inflexible and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system transitions from static fixed routes to dynamic trajectories that can be adjusted in real-time. Vehicles receive trajectory instructions that can be modified based on current traffic conditions, other vehicles' positions, and changing operational requirements, providing flexibility while maintaining systematic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes trajectory parameters (position, speed, timing) dynamically based on real-time conditions. Instead of fixed routes, the control system adjusts multiple parameters of vehicle paths to optimize for safety and efficiency while adapting to changing circumstances.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include receiving a trip request specifying an origin boarding zone and a destination boarding zone, selecting a vehicle for the trip request, determining a path for the trip request, the path extending from the origin boarding zone, along at least a portion of a trunk lane of a roadway system, to the destination boarding zone, receiving an indication that the vehicle is prepared to depart from a parking spot at the origin boarding zone, and in response to receiving the indication, determining a proposed trajectory segment from a parking spot at the origin boarding zone to the trunk lane of the roadway system, determining whether the proposed trajectory segment will cause the vehicle to contact other respective vehicles traversing other respective trajectory segments in the origin boarding zone, and causing the vehicle to depart the parking spot and travel along the proposed trajectory segment.