Probe Vehicle Traffic Flow Estimation via Driving Habit Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic flow estimation methods, such as infrastructure-based solutions, are inadequate for providing localized traffic conditions, often missing specific traffic situations on a small scale.
Innovation Solution
The use of probe vehicles equipped with sensors and computing devices to determine driving habits, current location, and driving conditions, predicting desired conditions and comparing them to actual conditions to estimate traffic congestion levels, which are then communicated to other vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrastructure-based solutions (magnetic induction loops, radars, cameras) are used to estimate traffic flow, then macro-level traffic flow can be determined, but localized traffic conditions (hundreds of yards/meters of roadway) cannot be accurately captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roadway into multiple localized zones and uses multiple probe vehicles to measure traffic conditions in each zone independently. This allows macro and micro-level measurements to be conducted simultaneously without requiring a single oversized measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probe vehicles as intermediary measurement devices that travel along the roadway to collect traffic data. These vehicles serve as mobile sensors that can access localized conditions without requiring fixed infrastructure at every measurement point.
2Measurement precision
If probe vehicles are used to determine driving habits and traffic conditions, then localized traffic flow estimation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the probe vehicle multi-functional by having it perform various tasks: determining driving habits from historical data, tracking current location, monitoring driving conditions, predicting desired conditions, and communicating with other vehicles. This consolidates multiple functions into a single mobile platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe vehicle uses its own onboard sensors and computing devices to autonomously determine driving habits and traffic conditions without requiring external infrastructure support. The vehicle serves itself by using its existing capabilities to perform measurement and communication functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for estimating local traffic flow are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a driving habit of a user from historical data, determining a current location of a vehicle that the user is driving, and determining a current driving condition for the vehicle. Some embodiments include predicting a desired driving condition from the driving habit and the current location, comparing the desired driving condition with the current driving condition to determine a traffic congestion level, and sending a signal that indicates the traffic congestion level.