Pedestrian Navigation System Optimizing Routes via Traffic Signal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems do not effectively help pedestrians reach their destinations in the minimum amount of time, especially due to delays at pedestrian crossings without signal lights or real-time traffic information.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian navigation system that receives information on a destination, identifies a starting location, and calculates a preferred pathway based on time delay criteria, providing real-time directions to a user device, which can adjust routes based on traffic signal timings and user preferences, using communication with traffic control systems or alternative data sources like drones or third-party video streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional navigation systems are used for pedestrians, then basic route guidance is provided, but pedestrians cannot reach destinations in minimum time due to lack of real-time traffic information and signal timing data
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives real-time traffic signal timing data from municipal traffic control systems and feedback from other user devices, dynamically updating route recommendations to minimize pedestrian travel time by adjusting for current traffic conditions and signal phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pedestrian navigation system that mediates between pedestrians and traffic control systems, translating real-time signal timing data into optimized pedestrian routes and providing this information to users through mobile devices
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pedestrian crossings with signal lights are installed, then pedestrian safety is improved, but travel time increases due to waiting at crossings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of optimal crossing times based on predicted traffic signal phases and current traffic conditions, providing pedestrians with advance information about the best moments to cross, thereby reducing actual waiting time while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system dynamically adjusts recommended crossing times and routes based on real-time traffic signal data and changing traffic conditions, optimizing the balance between safety and travel time by adapting to current rather than static conditions
3Productivity
If real-time traffic monitoring is implemented at all pedestrian crossings, then route optimization is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves wide coverage by interfacing with existing municipal traffic control systems that manage multiple intersections, allowing a single system deployment to provide real-time data for numerous pedestrian crossings without requiring separate monitoring infrastructure at each location
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing traffic control infrastructure and open data sources to provide real-time traffic information, avoiding the need for dedicated monitoring equipment at pedestrian crossings and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining route optimization accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for providing directions to user devices that belong to pedestrians or to individuals traveling on pedestrian pathways. Pedestrians or other users of user devices wishing to travel along pedestrian pathways toward a destination may be provided instructions according to a criterion, a basic assumption, or a rule. While commonly such criteria may relate to providing individuals with directions to walk from a current location to a specified destination in a minimal time, methods and apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may also allow for a user to specify other rules or criteria that are consistent with one or more objectives or parameters specified by that user. To accomplish this, information may be received from user devices and instructions may be sent to those user devices as users of those user devices progress toward respective destinations.