Autonomous Intersection Control via Synchronized Time Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
High traffic intersections pose challenges for autonomous vehicle control, leading to potential collisions and congestion due to unresolved space-time conflicts, which existing central arbiter modules struggle to manage efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that broadcasts synchronization signals and intersection flow times to vehicles, allowing them to enter and traverse intersections in synchronized and staggered time slots, preventing collisions by controlling speed and direction based on predefined traffic patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central arbiter module is used to resolve space-time conflicts at intersections, then collision prevention is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conflict resolution function from a complex central arbiter module and distributes it to individual vehicles through onboard computers. Each vehicle independently calculates its own space-time reservation and receives authorization signals, eliminating the need for a computationally complex central arbitration system while maintaining collision prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles perform self-service by autonomously calculating their own space-time reservations and conflict resolutions using onboard computers. The system allows vehicles to independently determine their authorization to enter the intersection based on pre-calculated space-time reservations, reducing reliance on complex external arbitration infrastructure.
2Reliability
If vehicles stop at busy intersections to allow cross traffic, then collision prevention is improved, but traffic congestion and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating space-time reservations for multiple vehicles before they reach the intersection. Vehicles receive authorization signals in advance that allow them to proceed through the intersection without stopping, as long as their pre-calculated reservations ensure no conflicts with other authorized vehicles. This eliminates the need for vehicles to stop and wait at the intersection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action through time-synchronized authorization signals that coordinate vehicle movements in regular time slots. By assigning specific time windows for vehicle entry and using periodic synchronization signals, the system enables continuous traffic flow through the intersection without vehicles stopping, while maintaining collision prevention through temporal separation of conflicting movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently and continuously allowing vehicles to travel through an intersection. The method includes broadcasting a synchronization signal to all vehicles that will be entering the intersection and broadcasting an intersection flow time to all of the vehicles that will be entering the intersection that identifies which travel lanes travel in what direction. The method also includes identifying an arrival synchronization pattern for all of the vehicles that will be entering the intersection and controlling a speed of the vehicles traveling through the intersection and a time for the vehicles entering the intersection so that vehicles traveling in perpendicular or cross directions to the intersection will simultaneously travel through the intersection without colliding with each other.