Road Traffic Estimation Using Filtered Spot Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining road traffic conditions, such as human-supplied observations and traffic sensors, are limited in accuracy and detail, and fail to effectively predict future traffic conditions, leading to inefficiencies in traffic management and increased congestion.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a central server and mobile/fixed communication units that collect and process location and time data from vehicles to estimate road traffic conditions, including average speed and travel time, using spot values filtered to ensure accuracy and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If human-supplied observations are used to estimate traffic conditions, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the accuracy and detail of traffic information are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including human-supplied observations, GPS data from vehicles, and fixed communication unit detections into a unified traffic estimation system. This merging allows the system to maintain simplicity while significantly improving accuracy through data fusion from diverse sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to accept and process multiple types of input data (human observations, GPS coordinates, detection records) through a universal processing framework. This multi-functionality enables the same system to handle various data formats and sources, improving accuracy without requiring separate specialized systems.
2Measurement precision
If traffic sensors are deployed to measure traffic conditions, then the accuracy of current traffic information improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fixed communication units as intermediary devices that detect wireless enabled objects in vehicles. These units act as mediators between the vehicles and the central server, providing accurate traffic data without requiring complex sensor installations in the road infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical traffic sensors embedded in road pavement with wireless detection methods. Fixed communication units use wireless signals to detect vehicles, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensor installations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If GPS data from vehicles is collected continuously, then real-time traffic estimation accuracy improves, but the data processing load and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic data collection and processing intervals rather than continuous monitoring. Vehicles send GPS data at regular intervals, and the central server processes this periodic data stream, maintaining real-time estimation accuracy while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous data transmission and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes only the necessary portion of GPS data required for traffic estimation rather than analyzing all possible vehicle parameters continuously. By focusing on essential data elements (position, time, speed) and processing them at optimized intervals, the system achieves accurate real-time estimation with reduced computational energy expenditure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for estimating road traffic in a road segment at a given time. The system comprising: a central server; and at least one of one or more mobile communication units installed in a vehicle passing the road segment at the given time, wherein each of the mobile communication unit is capable of sending a plurality of mobile spot values to the central server, and one or more fixed communication units installed for detecting wireless enabled objects in vehicles passing the road segment at the given time, wherein each of the fixed communication unit is capable of sending a plurality of detected spot values to the central server. The central server is capable of processing the at least one of the plurality of mobile spot values and the plurality of detected spot values to estimate road traffic in the road segment at the given time.