Intersection Vehicle Sequencing for Continuous Queue Crossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles in a queue at an intersection face inefficiencies in traffic flow due to the need to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, leading to delayed progression through intersections, increased fuel consumption, and brake wear, as they wait for the lead vehicle to enter the intersection before they can proceed.
Innovation Solution
A system that designates a lead vehicle and instructs following vehicles to accelerate based on the lead vehicle's acceleration, using wireless signals and transceivers to determine vehicle positions and distances, allowing for efficient progression through intersections by designating new lead vehicles once the previous one has entered the intersection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If following vehicles maintain a safe distance from the lead vehicle, then safety is improved, but traffic flow efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-designates a second vehicle to follow the lead vehicle and prepares for seamless lead vehicle transition. When the lead vehicle enters the intersection, the second vehicle immediately becomes the new lead vehicle, eliminating the need for following vehicles to wait for the previous lead vehicle to fully clear the intersection. This preliminary arrangement maintains safe distances while improving traffic flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions the lead vehicle designation from the first vehicle to the second vehicle once the first vehicle enters the intersection. This dynamic adjustment allows following vehicles to maintain safe distances during the transition while enabling continuous traffic flow without unnecessary delays, resolving the contradiction between safety maintenance and efficiency improvement.
2Reliability
If following vehicles wait for the lead vehicle to enter the intersection, then safety is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-arranges a second vehicle to follow the lead vehicle and prepares for immediate transition. When the lead vehicle enters the intersection, the second vehicle is already positioned and authorized to proceed, eliminating unnecessary waiting time while maintaining safety protocols through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the lead vehicle's position and automatically triggers the transition to the second vehicle when the lead vehicle enters the intersection. This feedback mechanism ensures safety by maintaining appropriate following distances while minimizing time consumption through automated, real-time decision-making.
3Productivity
If vehicles proceed through intersections quickly, then productivity is improved, but brake wear and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-coordinates the second vehicle's movement to follow the lead vehicle's acceleration pattern. This allows the second vehicle to move smoothly without unnecessary braking and acceleration cycles, reducing energy loss while maintaining high traffic flow efficiency through the intersection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous movement through the intersection by having the second vehicle immediately assume the lead vehicle role. This continuity eliminates idle stopping and repeated acceleration/braking cycles, improving productivity while reducing fuel consumption and brake wear through sustained motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and/or method includes comprising designating, from a plurality of vehicles at an intersection, a first vehicle as a lead vehicle, actuating a second vehicle to follow the lead vehicle, and after determining that the lead vehicle has entered the intersection, designating the second vehicle as the lead vehicle.