Road Bend Characterization Using Precomputed Curvature Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for characterizing road section curvature are costly in computational resources, require continuous vehicle location data, and do not effectively characterize bends independently of vehicle journeys, leading to inefficient bend detection and warning systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that selects points marking curvature in a road section using the Douglas-Peucker algorithm, computes an indicator of curvature, identifies bends, and records data in a database, allowing for robust characterization and warning of bends with variable sampling frequencies, and includes a device for geolocating vehicles and communicating with a remote database to provide real-time bend warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curvature is computed in real time based on GPS data and map data, then the driver receives timely bend information, but the computational cost increases and vehicle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-processes map data to identify and store bend characteristics (location, curvature radius, length) in a dedicated bend database before vehicle operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time curvature computations during vehicle travel, as the system only needs to query pre-computed bend data based on vehicle position, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified representation of bend information by storing key characteristics (curvature radius, length, location) in a database rather than processing complete GPS trajectory data in real time. This copying approach allows the system to work with compact pre-computed data structures instead of complex raw sensor data, reducing computational load while maintaining detection accuracy
2Speed
If continuous GPS location data is processed to estimate curvature, then real-time bend information is obtained, but data access requirements increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Bend characteristics are pre-computed and stored in the database before vehicle operation. When the vehicle approaches a bend, the system quickly retrieves pre-stored bend information based on vehicle position matching, avoiding time-consuming real-time curvature calculations and reducing both data access requirements and computation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential bend characteristics (curvature radius, length, location) from the complete GPS trajectory data and stores them in a simplified format. This extraction eliminates the need to continuously process and access extensive raw GPS location data, reducing data access requirements and enabling faster information delivery
3Adaptability or versatility
If curvature computation is performed for each vehicle journey, then individual vehicle data is utilized, but the same computations are repeated unnecessarily reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal bend database that stores bend characteristics independent of any specific vehicle or journey. This database serves all vehicles and all routes, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle positions and routes by querying the same pre-computed bend information, thereby eliminating repeated computations while maintaining route-specific customization capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of recomputing bend characteristics for each vehicle journey, the system creates copies of bend information from the universal database tailored to the specific vehicle's current route and position. This copying approach provides route-specific customization without the computational overhead of recalculating bend parameters, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity
4Ease of manufacture
If three points are selected to estimate curvature, then the method is simple to implement, but it requires constant access to exact vehicle location and repeats computations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes bend characteristics using multiple points along the road section during map data processing, storing the results in a database. This preliminary action eliminates the need for simple but continuous three-point curvature calculations during vehicle operation, reducing data access requirements while maintaining implementation simplicity through straightforward database queries
Data Source
AI summary
A method for characterizing the curvature of a road section, including: selecting, from among the points of the section, the points marking a curvature of the section; computing, for each selected point of the section contained between the second and the penultimate one, an indicator of curvature of the section at this point; identifying each bend contained in the road section, each bend including a set of successive selected points of the section; and for each bend contained in the road section, comparing the indicator of curvature of at least one of the points of the bend with a predetermined threshold. If the indicator of curvature computed for at least one of the selected points of the bend exceeds the predetermined threshold, recording, in a database, a data record including at least the set of points of the bend, and an item of data characterizing the curvature of the bend.