Road Traffic Estimation Using Mobile Terminal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating, monitoring, and managing road traffic using cellular PLMNs are inflexible and lack adaptability to different types of information sources, leading to inaccuracies and high costs, especially in large urban areas and suburban regions.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates information from cellular PLMNs and conventional vehicle counting systems, including GPS receivers, to select the most appropriate information processing method based on predefined criteria such as accuracy, computational burden, and cost, ensuring flexibility and accuracy across various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automatic vehicle counting methods using detectors are deployed on the road network, then measurement precision of traffic flow is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile terminals (smartphones) as intermediaries that carry identification information and location data. Instead of deploying detectors throughout the road network, the system uses existing mobile devices to provide traffic information, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through centralized processing of mobile terminal data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical detector system (rubber pipes, metal coils, cameras) with an information-based system using mobile terminals and cellular network infrastructure. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive physical detector deployment while achieving comparable or superior measurement capabilities through software-based identification and location tracking
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS-equipped floating cars are used for traffic estimation, then adaptability to different road sections is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile terminals universal by utilizing their existing identification information and location capabilities for traffic estimation purposes. Instead of requiring specialized GPS equipment in specific vehicles, the system leverages the universal presence of mobile terminals across all road sections, achieving broad adaptability without additional device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables mobile terminals to self-serve the traffic estimation function by using their built-in identification and location systems. The mobile terminals automatically provide the necessary data without requiring external GPS equipment or manual intervention, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to any road section where mobile terminals are present
3Device complexity
If manual vehicle counting is performed by operators, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual counting operations with an automated information processing system that utilizes mobile terminal data. The system automatically collects, processes, and analyzes identification information and location data from mobile terminals, eliminating the need for manual counting while significantly improving productivity and measurement precision through computational processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized processing system as an intermediary that automatically handles traffic data collection and analysis. This intermediary system processes mobile terminal information without requiring human operators, thereby reducing device complexity at the road level while improving overall productivity through efficient automated processing
4Device complexity
If cellular PLMN information is used for traffic estimation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and adaptability to different information types deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic information processing approach that adapts to different types of mobile terminal information (identification data, location coordinates, cell identifiers). The system dynamically selects and processes the most appropriate information type based on availability and accuracy requirements, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity through flexible, adaptive processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of information processing by utilizing multiple types of mobile terminal data (identification information, geographic coordinates, cell tower identifiers). By varying the information parameters based on what is available from different mobile terminals and network conditions, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex specialized equipment
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of estimating road traffic on a roads network, comprising: receiving information from at least one information source, wherein the information received from the at least one information source is one among a first information type and a second information type; defining at least two different information processing methods, each one associated with a respective one of said information type; selecting the information processing method based on the available information type and onpredefined criteria; and processing with the selected information processing method the corresponding available information type; and providing an estimation of the road traffic based on the result of said processing.