Mobile App Travel Data Collection for Continuous Traffic Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting traffic data are expensive and provide limited, non-continuous views of traffic patterns, as they typically involve snapshot data collection from devices on roadways or traveler surveys, which are costly and outdated.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a mobile application on computing devices to monitor and log travel data, transmitting it to a networked server for analysis, which identifies modes of travel and activities, and provides a graphical user interface for verification, enabling continuous data collection and profile creation of traffic patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional traffic survey methods (devices on roadways, traveler surveys) are used, then traffic data can be collected, but the cost is high and the data becomes outdated quickly due to snapshot collection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data collection through mobile applications that continuously monitor and transmit travel data from users' devices. This replaces the traditional snapshot method with ongoing, real-time data gathering, ensuring the traffic information remains current and up-to-date without requiring frequent repeated surveys.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages users' own mobile devices to collect traffic data automatically as they travel. The mobile applications run on users' personal devices, utilizing their existing sensors and connectivity to self-report location and travel information, eliminating the need for expensive deployed survey devices and reducing the time lag between data collection events.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional traffic survey methods are used, then some traffic data is obtained, but the cost of implementation and maintenance is high
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying physical survey devices on roadways, the system creates virtual copies of traffic monitoring capabilities through mobile applications on users' devices. Each mobile device becomes a distributed sensor node, replicating the data collection function without requiring expensive hardware installation and maintenance infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile applications utilize the multi-functional nature of smartphones and tablets, which already contain GPS, accelerometers, and network connectivity. These devices serve multiple purposes including communication, entertainment, and now traffic data collection, eliminating the need for dedicated single-purpose survey equipment and reducing overall system cost.
3Loss of time
If mobile applications are used for continuous data collection, then data currency is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile application operates autonomously in the background, automatically collecting location data, determining travel modes, and transmitting information without requiring active user engagement. The system self-manages the data collection process, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining continuous monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple data collection functions into a single integrated mobile application that handles location tracking, travel mode detection, and data transmission. By merging these functions into one unified interface rather than separate systems, the overall user burden and perceived complexity are reduced while maintaining comprehensive data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for collecting travel data include a mobile application capable of being executed on a mobile computing device and configured to monitor and log travel data related to travel of the mobile computing device, and to communicate the travel data over a network. A networked data processing device may be coupled to receive the travel-related data from the network and analyze the travel-related data to identify a mode of travel of the mobile computing device. A graphical user interface allows a user of the mobile computing device to verify accuracy of the identified means of travel.