Intersection Traffic Control via Multi-Radar Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic management systems at intersections struggle to efficiently control traffic flows, especially when traffic volumes are uneven, as they rely on light conditions and visibility, making demand-oriented control challenging, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple radar sensors with overlapping detection regions to combine sensor data for accurate detection and tracking of road users, independent of light conditions, allowing for improved traffic flow management by determining position, radial velocity, and traffic volume, and incorporating data into the control system for efficient traffic signal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If demand-oriented control is implemented at intersections with uneven traffic volumes, then fuel consumption is minimized, but detection reliability deteriorates when traffic volumes are similar across routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensor data from multiple radar sensors with overlapping detection regions to reliably detect road users on all traffic routes. By merging the detection capabilities of multiple sensors, the system achieves reliable detection even when traffic volumes are similar across routes, enabling demand-oriented control to function effectively in all traffic scenarios.
2Reliability
If radar sensors with overlapping detection regions are deployed, then detection reliability improves for all traffic routes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensors are designed with multi-functional capability, serving both as detection devices for their primary traffic routes and as supplementary detection devices for adjacent routes through their overlapping detection regions. This universal design allows the system to achieve reliable detection across all routes without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each sensor contributes to multiple detection functions.
3Reliability
If multiple radar sensors are used to detect road users independently of light conditions, then detection capability improves in all weather conditions, but sensor data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges sensor data from multiple radar sensors to create a unified view of road users across all traffic routes. By combining the detection results and coordinating the control signals, the system processes sensor data efficiently while maintaining reliable detection capability in all weather and light conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances road safety and fuel efficiency by providing accurate and reliable detection of all road users, including vulnerable ones, and optimizing traffic signal control based on combined sensor data, reducing accidents and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first radar sensor, which has a first detection region, for detecting road users on a first traffic route
Data Source
AI summary
Examples include a system for controlling traffic signalling devices at an intersection, including a first radar sensor that detects road users in a first detection region on a first traffic route, outputting first radar sensor data indicating first sensor detected positions and a first sensor detected radial velocities, and a second radar sensor that detects road users in a second detection region on a second traffic route, outputting second sensor data indicating second sensor detected positions and a second sensor detected velocities. The first radar sensor and second radar sensor are at different locations, or different orientations, or both, and configured such that the first and second detection region have an overlap. An electronic data processing device combines the first radar sensor data and second radar sensor data into combination signals, and controls the traffic signalling devices based at least partially on the combination signals.