Ramp Closure Verification Using Vehicle Probe Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately reporting ramp closures is challenging due to location ambiguity, especially in complex ramp networks, where journalistic reports often fail to specify which side of a fork or section is closed, leading to inaccurate or ambiguous information.
Innovation Solution
A system processes ramp closure reports by constructing a ramp network, collecting probe data from vehicles, identifying driving patterns, and verifying closure status based on these patterns to provide accurate verification of ramp closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ramp closure reports are processed using traditional methods, then the reporting process is simple, but the location accuracy and reliability of closure information deteriorates due to ambiguity in complex ramp networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probe data from third-party vehicles as an intermediary element to verify ramp closure status. This mediator provides objective evidence about actual traffic flow conditions, resolving the ambiguity between reported closures and real-world conditions without requiring direct intervention at the ramp location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring probe data and comparing it against reported closure information. When probe data indicates vehicles are still traversing a reported closed ramp, the system generates verification results that feedback to correct or update the closure status, improving location accuracy through iterative validation.
2Reliability
If probe data collection is expanded to cover more vehicles in the ramp network, then the verification accuracy improves, but the data processing complexity and computational requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification signal from probe data - specifically whether vehicles are successfully traversing the ramp network segment in question. Rather than processing all vehicle data comprehensively, the system extracts the critical binary indicator of ramp accessibility, reducing processing complexity while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses probe data from vehicles that are already traversing the ramp network for their own navigation purposes. These vehicles inadvertently provide verification data as part of their normal operation, eliminating the need for dedicated verification vehicles or additional active sensing infrastructure.
3Loss of time
If real-time verification is implemented continuously, then the timeliness of closure information improves, but the computational energy consumption and processing load worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic verification by checking probe data at regular intervals rather than continuously analyzing every data point in real-time. This periodic sampling approach maintains information timeliness by providing updates at sufficient frequency while dramatically reducing computational energy consumption compared to continuous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by focusing verification efforts only on specific ramp network segments where closures have been reported, rather than continuously monitoring the entire network. This selective approach provides timely information where needed while avoiding unnecessary computational expenditure in areas without reported issues.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for verifying reported ramp closures. The approach involves, for example, processing a ramp closure report to determine reported ramp link(s) associated with the ramp closure report. The approach also involves constructing a ramp network comprising the reported ramp link(s) and other ramp link(s) connected to the reported ramp link(s). The approach further involves collecting probe data collected from one or more sensors of one or more vehicles traveling within the ramp network. The approach further involves identifying one or more driving patterns based on one or more vehicle paths determined from the probe data. The approach further involves performing a verification of a closure status of the reported ramp link(s) based on the one or more driving patterns. The approach further involves providing the verification of the closure status as an output.