Intersection Crossing Probability Control for Heavy Traffic Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Urban road intersections face significant traffic congestion and safety issues due to the mismatch between traffic supply and demand, exacerbated by vehicles and pedestrians competing for space, leading to delays and increased fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a control module to determine real-time traffic conditions, detect vehicle movement towards intersections, calculate the time taken for traffic light cycles, and compute the probability of a vehicle crossing the intersection before a red signal, enabling vehicles to optimize their passage and communicate with nearby vehicles to enhance traffic flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vehicles continue to move towards intersection during green signal, then traffic flow is maintained, but vehicles may obstruct the intersection when signal changes to red

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic flowVSAvoidintersection obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the probability parameter before the traffic signal changes to red. By computing whether the vehicle can cross the intersection before the red signal based on current speed, distance to intersection, and signal timing, the system enables the vehicle to take appropriate action in advance - either continue through or stop before the intersection to avoid obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If vehicles stop before intersection to avoid obstruction, then intersection safety is improved, but traffic delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintersection safetyVSAvoidtraffic delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically evaluates the probability parameter by changing key variables such as vehicle speed, distance to intersection, and remaining green signal time. By continuously updating these parameters and recalculating the probability, the system determines the optimal moment to stop or proceed, minimizing unnecessary delays while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If vehicles maintain current speed towards intersection, then fuel consumption is reduced, but probability of obstructing intersection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidintersection obstruction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the vehicle by calculating and communicating the probability of obstructing the intersection based on current speed, distance, and signal timing. This feedback enables the driver or autonomous system to adjust speed appropriately - maintaining speed when safe, or decelerating when the probability of obstruction is high, thus balancing fuel efficiency with intersection safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4478329A1Method to handle intersections with heavy traffic in autonomous vehicles
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4478329A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4478329A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4478329A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In an aspect, a method is described. The method comprises: determining, by a control module, a traffic condition surrounding a vehicle in real-time (202); detecting, by the control module, movement of the vehicle towards a traffic light and an intersection area (204); determining, by the control module, a time taken for a traffic light cycle (206); determining, by the control module, an average distance travelled by the vehicle during the traffic light cycle (208); and computing, by the control module, a probability of the vehicle crossing the intersection area prior to a red signal of the traffic light cycle, based on the average distance travelled by the vehicle, intersection area information, and a length of the vehicle (210). The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle (self-driven vehicle), a semi- autonomous vehicle, or a manual driven vehicle.