Lane-Level Congestion Splitting via Probe Data Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic reporting systems, such as Traffic Message Channel (TMC), often provide averaged traffic conditions across multiple lanes, which can be inaccurate as conditions can vary significantly between lanes due to incidents or congestion, leading to incomplete and misleading information.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses probe data from vehicles to identify specific lanes and calculate individual traffic values based on real-time and historical data, allowing for lane-level congestion splitting and accurate traffic condition reporting by assigning different graphical indicators to each lane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traffic conditions are averaged across multiple lanes, then the reporting system covers all lanes, but the accuracy of traffic condition representation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-lane roadway into individual lanes and creates separate traffic condition reports for each lane. The controller identifies specific lanes from probe data and calculates distinct traffic values for each lane, allowing accurate representation of varying conditions without requiring a completely new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated traffic information for different lanes based on their specific conditions. Each lane receives tailored traffic values calculated from probe data relevant to that lane, rather than applying a uniform averaged value across all lanes, thus improving local accuracy.
2Loss of information
If lane-level traffic reporting is implemented, then traffic condition accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe data processing is segmented by lane identification. The controller separates probe data according to which lane the vehicles are traveling in, then processes and calculates traffic values for each lane independently. This segmentation enables complete information capture while managing processing complexity through organized separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of traffic reporting from aggregated multi-lane averages to lane-specific values. By calculating separate traffic values for each lane based on lane-identified probe data, the system transforms incomplete averaged information into complete lane-level information without requiring proportional increases in processing complexity.
3Reliability
If averaged traffic data is used, then the reporting system remains simple, but the reliability of traffic information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments traffic reporting into lane-specific reports rather than using single averaged values. This segmentation increases reliability by reflecting actual lane conditions while maintaining system simplicity through the use of existing probe data infrastructure and standard processing techniques applied to separated datasets.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller receives probe data from a vehicle traveling on a path segment. The probe data may be collected by a mobile device. The path segment may be a multilane roadway. The controller identifies a first lane of the path segment from the probe data. The controller associated a forked route with the first lane of the path segment. The controller calculates different traffic values for the lanes of the path segment. One traffic value may be calculated directly from speeds derived from the path data. Another traffic value may be calculated by the probe data and a historical relationship.