Geo-Fenced Vehicle Control for Bottleneck Traffic Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control methods, particularly at traffic bottlenecks, lack flexibility and global control capabilities, leading to inefficiencies and safety issues such as traffic congestion, rear-end collisions, and unfair right-of-way decisions, especially when emergency vehicles need to pass quickly.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses geo-fencing regions to determine vehicle weights based on type and waiting duration, estimating waiting times in lanes and generating control instructions for vehicles, including state and target speed instructions, to optimize traffic flow through integrated communication between On Board Units (OBU), Road Side Units (RSU), and Mobile Edge Computing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional traffic light control is used, then traffic flow is regulated by fixed signals, but traffic congestion occurs and emergency vehicles cannot pass quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by calculating real-time weights for each vehicle based on multiple factors including vehicle type, waiting duration, and position in lane. This dynamic weight-based control replaces fixed traffic light signals, allowing the system to adapt to changing traffic conditions and prioritize emergency vehicles when they approach, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining regular traffic flow and providing flexibility for priority vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed time-based traffic light signals to dynamic weight-based control. By continuously calculating vehicle weights using factors such as vehicle type (emergency vs. ordinary), waiting duration, and lane position, the system can adjust control decisions in real-time. This parameter change enables the system to maintain efficiency for regular traffic while providing adaptability for emergency vehicles needing quick passage.
2Ease of operation
If vehicles are controlled individually without global coordination, then each vehicle can operate independently, but traffic congestion and rear-end collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual vehicle control with global coordination by having the roadside unit collect information from multiple vehicles in the detection area and perform centralized weight calculations. The system combines data from various vehicles, determines optimal control decisions globally, then sends coordinated control instructions to each vehicle. This merging approach maintains ease of operation for individual vehicles while significantly improving traffic safety through global coordination, preventing congestion and collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle positions, speeds, and detection area information, then using this feedback to recalculate vehicle weights and adjust control instructions in real-time. The roadside unit receives ongoing data from vehicles and the detection system, processes this feedback information, and sends updated control instructions to maintain safe spacing and prevent collisions, thereby improving reliability while preserving independent vehicle operation.
3Device complexity
If traffic control is centralized without considering vehicle priorities, then control decisions are simple, but emergency vehicles experience delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different weights to different vehicles based on their specific characteristics. Emergency vehicles receive higher weight coefficients in the calculation formula, while ordinary vehicles receive lower weights. The system also considers local conditions such as waiting duration and lane position when calculating weights. This localized differentiation in control quality allows the system to maintain relatively simple centralized control architecture while significantly reducing waiting time for priority emergency vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining weight coefficients for different vehicle types and pre-establishing the control framework. When an emergency vehicle enters the detection area, the system can quickly calculate its weight and determine priority control decisions without complex real-time negotiations. The pre-established weight system and control framework enable rapid response to priority vehicles while maintaining simple overall control complexity.
4Productivity
If traffic lights are used at bottlenecks, then traffic flow is regulated, but the system lacks flexibility and global control capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical traffic light system with an information-based weight calculation and control instruction system. Instead of using fixed mechanical traffic lights that regulate traffic flow, the system uses the detection unit to gather information about vehicles and their environments, calculates dynamic weights based on multiple factors, and sends wireless control instructions to vehicles. This substitution maintains traffic flow regulation capability while adding global control capability and flexibility to prioritize emergency vehicles and adapt to changing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control method and apparatus, a device and a computer storage medium are disclosed, which relates to the technical fields of autonomous driving and intelligent transportation. A specific implementation solution involves: determining vehicles in a preset geo-fencing region; determining a vehicle weight of each said vehicles according to a vehicle type and a waiting duration of each said vehicles; estimating, according to the vehicle weights of the vehicles in each of lanes in the geo-fencing region and positions of the vehicles in each said lanes, a duration to be waited in each said lanes; and generating a control instruction for each said vehicles according to the respective durations to be waited in each said lanes and the respective positions of the vehicles in each said lanes, the control instruction including a state instruction and/or a target speed instruction.