Roundtrip Range Projection via Link Cost Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining a vehicle's roundtrip range are inaccurate due to oversimplification and lack of consideration for various factors such as geographic features and road conditions, and they fail to provide a user-friendly map-based interface.
Innovation Solution
A system that evaluates a set of links surrounding a vehicle's current position to determine roundtrip paths with summed costs less than a target cost, taking into account factors like fuel level, allowed directions, traffic conditions, and driver preferences, using a geographic area represented as a set of links with associated costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional range estimation methods are used (multiplying remaining fuel by average mileage), then the calculation is simple and quick, but the accuracy of range prediction deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The geographic area is segmented into a network of links representing road segments, intersections, and geographic features. Each link is assigned cost values based on attributes like fuel consumption, travel time, and distance. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate specific path characteristics rather than using a single average mileage figure, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency through structured data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter basis from a single average mileage value to multiple dynamic parameters including link-specific fuel costs, traffic conditions, vehicle attributes, and environmental factors. By evaluating summed costs across selected paths using these varied parameters, the system achieves more accurate roundtrip range predictions that adapt to specific route conditions rather than relying on static averages.
2Ease of operation
If simple distance presentation is used, then the interface is straightforward, but the information is insufficient for driver decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from presenting range as a one-dimensional distance value to a two-dimensional map-based visualization. The selected path is displayed on a map showing geographic features, roadways, and spatial relationships. This dimensional enhancement provides drivers with contextual information about the route while maintaining visual intuitiveness, allowing them to understand not just how far they can travel but also where they can go within their range.
3Device complexity
If roundtrip range is calculated assuming equal fuel consumption in each direction, then the calculation is simplified, but the accuracy deteriorates due to ignoring path attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The roundtrip journey is segmented into distinct outbound and return paths, each evaluated separately using link-based cost accumulation. The system identifies that outbound and return paths may differ due to one-way streets, traffic patterns, and geographic constraints. By calculating and summing the costs of both directions independently rather than assuming symmetry, the system achieves accurate roundtrip range predictions while managing complexity through modular path evaluation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple factors are considered in path evaluation, then the accuracy of range determination is improved, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the evaluation process into discrete link-level assessments, where each link's cost is calculated based on its specific attributes. This segmentation allows for systematic incorporation of multiple factors (fuel consumption, traffic, distance, elevation) without overwhelming computational complexity, as each factor is applied locally to individual links rather than requiring global optimization across the entire route.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing link cost values based on geographic data, road attributes, and vehicle characteristics. This preliminary processing enables rapid evaluation of multiple paths during actual use, as the computationally intensive tasks of data integration and cost formulation have already been completed in advance, reducing real-time computational burden while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated method that determines a roundtrip range of a vehicle includes: retrieving a set of parameters associated with the vehicle; retrieving map information regarding a geographic area including multiple links associated with available roadways in the geographic area and each link includes a cost value; determining a set of roundtrip range projection links by evaluating the links to identify multiple roundtrip paths extending radially outward from the vehicle by: determining a total cost of an outbound path and a return path, where the paths meet at a common node; and including the common node in a range projection polygon if a summed cost for a set of links included in the outbound path and the return path is less than a target cost; and generating and displaying a map of at least a portion of the geographic area and a set of range projection polygons overlaid onto the map.