Networked Traffic Metering System for Vehicle Entry Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic metering systems, reliant on on-site signals, often cause delays as vehicles wait to enter heavily traveled routes, and do not effectively utilize networked or autonomous vehicle technologies to optimize traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a networked metering system that authorizes vehicle access to routes in advance through a central coordinator, considering destination, travel time, and traffic patterns, allowing for early departure scheduling and fee schemes, and utilizing wireless connections for authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If on-site traffic lights are used to control vehicle entry, then traffic flow on heavily travelled routes is improved, but vehicles experience delays at the entrance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization of vehicles before they reach the metered segment. The coordinator receives vehicle requests, determines authorization status, and communicates approval or denial in advance, allowing vehicles to prepare for entry without stopping at the entrance signal.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication intermediary (transceiver system) is introduced between the vehicle and the metering system. This intermediary enables advance communication of authorization status to vehicles, eliminating the need for vehicles to physically wait at the entrance while maintaining control over entry timing.
2Loss of time
If early authorization is implemented through networked systems, then vehicle delays are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical on-site traffic light system with a networked authorization system using wireless communications. The coordinator and transceiver system communicate vehicle authorization status electronically, eliminating the need for physical traffic lights at the entrance and reducing mechanical complexity while enabling advance authorization.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic metering system for metering access to at least one metered segment, configured to receive requests from one or more vehicles announcing a destination and a requested arrival time, and to authorize the vehicles to enter a metered segment based on a schedule for the at least one metered segment. Vehicles configured for use in the metering network announce a request for destination and arrival time to the metering network and the metering network authorizes the vehicle to enter the metered segment based on a schedule for the at least one metered segment.