Dynamic Speed Limit Calculation for Weather-Adaptive Safety

Solution Overview

Problem

Current speed limits are often set independently of weather conditions, leading to suboptimal safety and efficiency on roads, as they do not account for the increased accident risk associated with varying weather factors.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic speed limit system that calculates a safety speed for vehicles based on an incident probability threshold and weather conditions, using a computing device to determine a weather condition indicator and apply it to a function that adjusts speed limits in real-time, considering factors like precipitation, temperature, and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If speed limits are set independently of weather conditions, then speed limit enforcement is simple and consistent, but road safety is suboptimal during adverse weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad safetyVSAvoidspeed limit system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed limits that automatically adjust based on real-time weather conditions and historical incident data. The system transitions from static, fixed speed limits to dynamic, adaptive speed limits that change with environmental conditions, directly resolving the contradiction between safety and system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor weather conditions, historical incident data, and current traffic patterns to adjust speed limits in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining automated control, addressing both safety improvements and system complexity concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If higher speed limits are set, then travel efficiency and time are improved, but accident rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel efficiencyVSAvoidaccident rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the speed limit parameter based on weather conditions and incident probability. During favorable conditions, higher speed limits improve travel efficiency, while during adverse conditions, lower speed limits reduce accident risk. This resolves the contradiction by making speed limits adaptive rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic speed limits that automatically adjust based on real-time weather conditions and historical incident data. The system transitions from static, fixed speed limits to dynamic, adaptive speed limits that change with environmental conditions, directly resolving the contradiction between safety and system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If lower speed limits are set during adverse weather, then accident probability is reduced, but travel time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincident probabilityVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the speed limit parameter based on weather conditions and incident probability. During favorable conditions, higher speed limits improve travel efficiency, while during adverse conditions, lower speed limits reduce accident risk. This resolves the contradiction by making speed limits adaptive rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9666072B2Dynamic speed limit

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

A variable speed limit is calculated based on weather. A computing device identifies an incident probability threshold indicative of an acceptable rate of incident for vehicular transportation. A weather condition indicator is determined for a road segment. The weather condition indicator describes current or future weather conditions at the road segment. The computing device calculates the variable speed limit, or a safety speed, for a vehicle traveling on the road segment based on a function of the incident probability threshold and the weather condition indicator.