Peer-to-Peer Traffic Data Exchange Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic information systems face challenges in efficiently communicating traffic data between a large number of vehicles and a central server without requiring a specialized radio network with many repeaters, and in avoiding communication network jamming.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer communications network is established among vehicles, allowing them to transmit and receive traffic data directly, including average speed data, using a traffic information client and database within each vehicle, and a virtual server environment for data processing and dissemination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a specialized radio network with many repeaters is built to cover large regions, then communication coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Vehicles equipped with traffic information systems serve themselves and others by transmitting and receiving traffic data directly through peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for a specialized radio network infrastructure with repeaters. Each vehicle acts as both a client and a relay node, providing communication services to the network without requiring dedicated infrastructure.
2Loss of information
If traffic data is transmitted frequently among many vehicles and a central server, then information freshness is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments traffic information transmission into two parts: real-time data exchange between nearby vehicles through direct peer-to-peer communication, and periodic updates from a virtual server. This segmentation allows frequent local updates without overloading the central network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual server acts as an intermediary that periodically updates traffic information based on aggregated data from vehicles, rather than requiring continuous direct communication between all vehicles and the central server. This intermediary approach reduces network traffic while maintaining information freshness.
3Measurement precision
If a central server processes all traffic data from all vehicles, then data accuracy is improved, but server processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the central server's processing function with the vehicles' onboard processors. Each vehicle independently processes its own traffic data and that of nearby vehicles through peer-to-peer exchange, while the virtual server periodically aggregates and validates data. This distribution of processing burden maintains data accuracy without overwhelming the central server.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sharing and processing traffic information includes a number of traffic information computer systems within individual vehicles or devices and a virtual traffic information server on a mobile network. The traffic information computer systems are each connected through a peer-to-peer radio, cellular, Wi-Fi, or other similar types of communications network, and which each operate with a database for displaying road maps, with a database storing average speed data for directions of travel along roadways, and with a location sensor used to determine the location and average speed of the vehicle or device, which are transmitted to other vehicles. The virtual server returns average speed data for road segments, which is displayed on the road maps. The system includes sharing average speed data calculated as well average speed data received from the plurality of vehicles to other vehicles, thereby enhancing the real-time communication of traffic data.