Vehicle Traffic Flow Advisor Using V2V Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in determining optimal lanes for traffic flow due to obstructed views, leading to potential safety issues when making lane changes, especially during situations like exit ramps where speed differences are obscured by other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-to-vehicle communication system using GPS and remote vehicle data (speed, braking status, and steering activity) to provide lane-level traffic flow awareness, advising drivers on which lane to travel in and speed adjustments through a processor and human-machine interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drivers rely on visual observation to determine lane traffic flow, then the driver can maintain simple operation, but the driver cannot obtain accurate traffic flow information when the view is blocked by other vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication devices and processors as intermediaries to transmit and process traffic flow data from remote vehicles. Instead of directly observing lanes, drivers receive processed traffic flow information through the system, which acts as a mediator between the actual traffic conditions and the driver's decision-making process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual observation system with an electronic information system. Rather than relying on human eyes and brain to process visual information, the system uses wireless communication devices, processors, and display devices to automatically collect, process, and present traffic flow data, substituting electronic processing for human visual processing.
2Reliability
If drivers switch lanes based on limited visual information, then the driver can respond quickly to traffic conditions, but the driver may make unsafe lane changes leading to collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of traffic flow conditions in adjacent lanes before the driver makes a lane change decision. The processor continuously calculates traffic flow rates and prepares safety recommendations in advance, so when the driver needs to change lanes, the information is already ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-the-spot assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the driver about traffic flow conditions and lane change safety through the display device. This feedback loop allows the driver to make informed decisions by receiving real-time information about whether adjacent lanes are safe to enter, based on processed data from wireless communication devices and the processor.
3Loss of information
If drivers manually monitor each lane visually to determine optimal traffic flow, then the driver can maintain simple device operation, but the driver cannot obtain comprehensive traffic flow data across multiple lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication device and processor serve multiple functions: collecting position data, calculating traffic flow rates, determining lane associations, and generating safety recommendations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity while comprehensively gathering traffic flow information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically collects and processes traffic flow information without requiring driver intervention. The wireless communication device autonomously receives data from remote vehicles, the processor automatically calculates traffic flow rates and determines lane associations, and the display device presents the information - all without the driver needing to manually monitor or input data, making the complex information gathering process transparent to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic flow advisory system includes a locating device for identifying a position of a driven vehicle. A communication device exchanges vehicle position data, speed data, and heading data with remote vehicles. A processor constructs a traffic flow rate in a plurality of road lanes based on the position data and speed data. A human machine interface indicates to a driver of the driven vehicle the traffic flow rate of each of the road lanes.