Inter-Vehicle Route Negotiation for Smooth Traffic Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in ensuring smooth traffic flow, particularly during lane changes and right-turning maneuvers, as they rely on predetermined threshold values and standby mechanisms that can lead to inefficiencies in traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a target setting unit, a planned route creating unit, a transmission unit, and a response receiving unit, which allows self-driving vehicles to communicate and agree on planned routes and non-traveling areas, enabling dynamic adjustments to maintain smooth traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a predetermined threshold value is used to determine lane change permission, then the control logic is simple, but smooth traffic flow cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static threshold-based permission system to a dynamic negotiation-based system. Vehicles continuously exchange information and negotiate route agreements in real-time, allowing the control system to adapt to changing traffic conditions rather than relying on fixed threshold values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through continuous inter-vehicle communication where vehicles transmit their planned routes and receive responses from other vehicles. This feedback loop allows vehicles to adjust their routes based on agreements reached with surrounding vehicles, enabling smooth traffic flow while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
2Reliability
If a standby mechanism is used for right-turning vehicles, then passage permission can be controlled, but traffic flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having vehicles determine their planned routes and transmit this information to other vehicles before reaching the intersection or maneuver point. This allows surrounding vehicles to anticipate and plan accordingly, eliminating the need for standby mechanisms while maintaining reliable passage permission control through pre-negotiated route agreements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling vehicles to maintain their motion and continuously negotiate routes rather than stopping or standing by. The inter-vehicle communication and agreement process occurs continuously, allowing traffic to flow smoothly through intersections and maneuver points without interruption.
3Productivity
If vehicles negotiate planned routes with each other, then smooth traffic flow is achieved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized inter-vehicle communication protocol that serves multiple functions: transmitting planned routes, receiving responses from other vehicles, negotiating agreements, and coordinating maneuvers. This multi-functional communication approach achieves smooth traffic flow without proportionally increasing communication system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The target setting unit 7 sets a target state of the self-driving vehicle 10. The planned route creating unit 3 creates a planned route of the self-driving vehicle 10 for realizing the target state. The transmission unit 6 transmits the planned route to another vehicle. The response receiving unit 9 receives, from another vehicle, a notification indicating agreement with the planned route or disagreement with the planned route as a response to the planned route. The traveling control unit 8 controls the self-driving vehicle 10 so as to cause the self-driving vehicle 10 to travel along the planned route when the response receiving unit 9 has received the notification indicating agreement with the planned route.