Roadway Intersection Capacity Visualization With Dequeue Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for representing traffic capacity at intersections lack clarity and require a deep understanding of traffic engineering principles, making it difficult for non-experts to visualize and manage traffic flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that calculates dequeue zone sizes based on phase time duration data and displays a visual representation of these zones, along with queue sizes, at a roadway intersection, allowing users to intuitively understand and adjust traffic dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional numerical tables or bar charts are used to represent traffic capacity, then the representation is simple and easy to generate, but the visual understanding for non-experts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of physical queue spaces at intersections by displaying graphical representations that mirror the actual spatial layout. These visual copies allow users to intuitively understand traffic capacity without needing to interpret numerical data or traditional diagrams, directly addressing the contradiction between simplicity and visual comprehension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional bar charts to three-dimensional visual representations that depict actual queue lengths and intersection geometries. This dimensional enhancement provides non-experts with intuitive spatial understanding while maintaining system simplicity through standardized visualization templates.
2Measurement precision
If detailed phase time duration data is used to calculate dequeue zone sizes, then the traffic capacity representation is more precise, but the complexity of data processing and display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential phase time duration data needed for dequeue zone calculations from the complete traffic signal dataset. By selectively using only the relevant timing parameters rather than processing all available traffic data, the system achieves precise queue length representations while minimizing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex phase time duration data into simplified dequeue zone size parameters that directly correspond to visual display elements. This parameter transformation converts detailed temporal data into spatial representations that are both precise and computationally efficient to render.
3Loss of information
If visual representations of dequeue zones and queue sizes are displayed, then traffic dynamics are more intuitive to understand, but the information display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traffic parameters (phase timing, queue length, intersection geometry) into unified visual representations that display dequeue zones and queue sizes simultaneously. This integration provides comprehensive traffic information in a single coherent view rather than requiring separate displays for each parameter, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding to represent different traffic states and queue conditions in the visual display. By encoding information through color variations rather than requiring complex graphical details, the system maintains high information clarity while minimizing display complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displaying a supply of traffic capacity and optionally a level of traffic demand at a roadway intersection may receive a time-duration dataset comprising a duration of active time allocated to each of one or more traffic phases assigned to movements at the roadway intersection. Additionally, the system may receive a traffic-demand dataset comprising turn move counts for each movement and optionally overflow counts for each lane at the roadway intersection. Based upon the time-duration dataset, the system may calculate one or more dequeue zone sizes. Based upon the traffic-demand dataset, the system may also calculate one or more queue sizes. Additionally, the system may display, at a computer interface, a visual representation of the one or more dequeue zone sizes for one or more approaches.