Road Strand Aggregation for Traffic Data Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic reporting systems face inefficiencies due to low penetration rates of tracking devices and sensors, leading to insufficient traffic data representation, resulting in visible omissions and increased bandwidth requirements for data distribution.
Innovation Solution
The concept of road strands, where a sequence of similarly situated road segments is defined, allowing a single traffic value to represent multiple segments, reducing bandwidth needs and filling data gaps by using server analysis of speed data and historical traffic patterns to assign aggregate speed values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tracking device is used per road segment, then traffic data collection is simplified, but data coverage and representation accuracy deteriorate due to low penetration rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple adjacent road segments into a single aggregate road segment, combining their traffic data representation into one unified entity. This reduces the total number of tracking devices needed while maintaining overall traffic coverage through data aggregation and interpolation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional traffic data collection system where a single tracking device can represent multiple road segments through the aggregate segment concept. The system serves both as a direct measurement tool for monitored segments and as an interpolation source for adjacent segments, enhancing data coverage without proportional increases in device deployment.
2Reliability
If tracking devices are deployed on all road segments, then traffic data coverage improves, but bandwidth requirements and system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple road segments into aggregate segments, reducing the total number of data transmission units. Instead of transmitting separate traffic data for each individual segment, the system transmits aggregated data that represents multiple segments, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial monitoring where only certain representative road segments within an aggregate group are directly monitored with tracking devices. The traffic data from these monitored segments is then used to infer and represent the traffic conditions of adjacent unmonitored segments through interpolation and aggregation, reducing the quantity of direct measurement actions needed.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple road segments are represented by a single traffic value, then bandwidth usage reduces, but measurement precision for individual segments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the road network into hierarchical levels: individual road segments, aggregate road segments grouping multiple segments, and larger regional zones. This multi-level segmentation allows traffic data to be aggregated for broader patterns while preserving the ability to analyze and report on individual segments when needed, balancing bandwidth efficiency with measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different levels of data aggregation and precision for different geographic regions and road types. High-traffic or critical corridors maintain higher measurement precision with direct monitoring, while lower-priority segments use aggregated data from neighboring monitored segments. This differentiated approach optimizes bandwidth usage while maintaining necessary accuracy where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are described for referencing road strands. Speed data for a set of adjoining road segments is identified. Using at least one of the adjoining road segments, a strand database for is accessed to retrieve a predetermined strand of road segments. An aggregate speed value for the predetermined strand of road segments is calculated based on the speed data for the set of adjoining road segments represented by the predetermined strand of road segments. The aggregate speed value is provided as a representative of traffic on the set of adjoining road segments represented by the predetermined strand of road segments.