Dynamic Geofencing for Crowd-Based Vehicle Movement Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedestrian safety is compromised in crowded areas due to the risk of collisions with motor vehicles, especially in confined spaces where drivers may lose control or intentionally drive into crowds, leading to injuries and fatalities.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic geofences are created using radio device tracking to estimate crowd density and restrict vehicle movements by setting boundaries that can grow, shrink, and change shape in real-time, with varying intensity based on crowd density, to prevent vehicles from operating in a way that could harm pedestrians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle operation is unrestricted in crowded areas, then vehicle mobility and operational freedom are maintained, but pedestrian safety is compromised due to collision risks
Solution Approach 1:
The geofence system dynamically adjusts vehicle operational restrictions based on real-time crowd density measurements. The system transitions from static, fixed restrictions to dynamic, adaptive restrictions that change according to environmental conditions (crowd density), allowing unrestricted operation when safe and imposing restrictions only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of vehicle operational freedom based on crowd density thresholds. When crowd density exceeds predefined thresholds, the system modifies operational parameters (speed limits, route restrictions, stop requirements) to ensure pedestrian safety while maintaining operational freedom below threshold levels
2Reliability
If fixed geofence boundaries are used to restrict vehicles, then pedestrian protection is established, but the system cannot adapt to changing crowd conditions or events
Solution Approach 1:
The geofence boundaries transition from fixed, static definitions to dynamic, moving boundaries that expand, contract, or shift based on real-time crowd density measurements and detected events. This allows the protection zone to adapt automatically to changing conditions without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where crowd density sensors provide real-time data to the control system, which then adjusts geofence boundaries and vehicle restrictions accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds appropriately to changing crowd conditions and maintains optimal pedestrian protection
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform vehicle restrictions are applied within geofences, then implementation is simple, but the system cannot account for varying crowd densities or event types
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different restriction levels to different spatial zones within and around geofences based on local crowd density conditions. Instead of uniform restrictions across the entire geofence, the system creates gradient-based restrictions where areas with higher crowd density receive stricter controls, while areas with lower density maintain more permissive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies operational parameters (speed, acceleration, routing) based on local crowd density measurements rather than applying fixed uniform restrictions. This allows tailored restrictions that match the actual risk level in each specific location and condition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using geofences to restrict vehicle operation. Aspects of the invention include creating dynamic geofences and limiting vehicle movements (e.g., speed, acceleration, steering, etc.) within and in the vicinity of the dynamic geofences to protect pedestrians from physical harm. In general, radio devices track people in an area by counting the number of devices and calculating the number of people based on average number of devices per person. Using count and location data, a geofence is created when population or population density within an area exceeds a threshold. The geofence can be sent to vehicles to restrict vehicle operation, for example, slowing down or stopping the vehicle, within and around the geofence.