Road Curvature Calculation Using Vehicle Trace Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for calculating road curvature, such as spline fitting, face challenges in accurately determining curvature at intersections and complex road junctions due to errors in map geometry and difficulty in fitting splines for tight curves, leading to missing or inaccurate curvature data.
Innovation Solution
A system that calculates road curvature using location trace data from vehicles, employing curve fitting and multi-point curvature analysis to determine curvatures for road segments and transitions at intersections, providing accurate curvature data for improved navigation and mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional spline fitting methods are used to calculate road curvature, then the calculation process is simple, but the accuracy of curvature data at intersections and complex junctions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the road network into multiple road segments and further divides each segment into multiple slices. By processing each slice independently and aggregating results, the system achieves accurate curvature calculation at intersections while maintaining computational feasibility. This segmentation approach transforms the complex intersection curvature problem into manageable slice-level calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D map geometry-based curvature calculation to a 3D approach by incorporating elevation data and creating three-dimensional road representations. This dimensional enhancement allows accurate curvature calculation at intersections by considering vertical profiles and spatial relationships that were previously unavailable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If map geometry data is used for curvature calculation, then the data source is readily available, but the reliability of curvature data at complex road junctions deteriorates due to geometry errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location trace data from vehicles as an intermediary measurement source. Instead of relying directly on potentially erroneous map geometry, the system uses actual vehicle position data to infer road curvature. This intermediary data source provides independent verification and correction of curvature values at intersections where map geometry is unreliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing curvature values derived from location trace data with those from map geometry. Discrepancies trigger iterative refinement of curvature calculations, allowing the system to self-correct errors and improve reliability. The feedback loop ensures that final curvature data accounts for both geometric constraints and actual vehicle behavior.
3Device complexity
If curvature data is not provided for complex intersections, then the calculation complexity is reduced, but the completeness of navigation information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting intersections into multiple road segments and further into slices, the patent makes curvature calculation at complex junctions computationally feasible. Each slice can be processed independently using standardized algorithms, transforming an intractable whole-intersection problem into manageable pieces that can be aggregated to produce complete curvature data for the entire intersection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of location trace data and road segment segmentation before curvature calculation. By pre-organizing data into slices and pre-processing vehicle trajectory information, the system reduces the computational burden during actual curvature derivation, enabling complete intersection coverage without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for road curvature data. The approach, for example, involves segmenting a road segment or plurality of road segments into a plurality of slices. The approach also involves retrieving location trace data for the plurality of slice. The location trace data, for instance, is collected from one or more location sensors of a plurality of vehicles traversing the plurality of slices. The approach further involves computing respective curvatures for the plurality of slices based on the location trace data. The approach further involves providing the road curvature data for the road segment of plurality of road segments (e.g., comprising an intersection) based on the respective curvatures of the plurality of slices.