Greenhouse Gas Estimation via Cellular Network Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle traffic are costly and require extensive sensor networks, particularly in urban and suburban areas, making them inefficient for real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the radio access network (RAN) to detect and estimate the number of vehicles in a particular area by analyzing user equipment (UE) data, including velocity and location information, to determine CO2 emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive sensor networks are deployed to estimate greenhouse gas emissions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cellular network infrastructure (base stations, user equipment) as an intermediary to indirectly measure vehicle emissions. Instead of deploying dedicated emission sensors, the system leverages existing telecommunications networks to detect vehicle presence and characteristics through signal data, thereby avoiding the complexity of extensive sensor deployment while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repurposes existing cellular network infrastructure for a dual function: maintaining telecommunications service and simultaneously estimating greenhouse gas emissions. The same base stations and user equipment that provide mobile phone service are used to detect vehicle presence, count occupants, and estimate emissions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensor networks
2Productivity
If real-time vehicle detection is implemented using existing RAN, then productivity and response time are improved, but measurement precision may worsen due to data quality constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model of vehicle emissions by copying and processing existing cellular network data. Instead of directly measuring emissions with sensors, the system reconstructs emission estimates from indirect data sources (signal strength, cell tower handoffs, user equipment metadata), enabling real-time monitoring while working within the constraints of available data quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms cellular network parameters (signal strength, cell identification, handoff timing) into emission estimation parameters. By changing the interpretation and mathematical transformation of existing telecommunications data, the system extracts meaningful emission information without requiring dedicated measurement instruments, thus achieving real-time monitoring with available infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for using a telecommunications network to estimate a total number of vehicles in a predetermined place at a predetermined time. Based on the total number of vehicles, the network can estimate greenhouse gas emissions for a particular area in real-time.