Traffic Flow Data Collection via Radio Beacon Triggering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining traffic flow data face challenges due to the high volume of data and limited transmission capacities, leading to inefficient data collection and high resource requirements, especially in dense traffic conditions and fair weather scenarios, where data from only a limited number of specially equipped vehicles is used.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing on-board units equipped with DSRC technology, which receive location-specific requests from radio beacons to record and transmit measurement data within predetermined ranges, allowing for location-specific data collection and reducing communication channel load, enabling comprehensive traffic flow data acquisition with minimal storage and communication requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If measurement data from all vehicles is transmitted to a central analysis unit, then comprehensive traffic flow data can be obtained, but the data transmission volume becomes unmanageably large and exceeds the capacity of wireless communication channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-specific data collection by equipping road segments with radio beacons that send requests to vehicles within a predetermined range. Only vehicles passing through or near specific road segments are asked to transmit their measurement data, rather than all vehicles in the network. This localizes the data collection effort to only those vehicles relevant to current traffic analysis needs, dramatically reducing overall transmission volume while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the road network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the road network into discrete segments, each monitored by radio beacons. Data collection is segmented by geographic location rather than being a network-wide simultaneous operation. This segmentation allows the system to manage data transmission in manageable chunks corresponding to specific road segments, preventing channel overload while ensuring comprehensive traffic flow data is collected across the entire network over time.
2Loss of information
If a permanent data link from specially equipped vehicles to the analysis center is established, then continuous traffic flow data can be collected, but the resource requirements and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of establishing permanent data links from all equipped vehicles to the analysis center, the patent implements periodic, on-demand data transmission triggered by radio beacons at specific road segments. Vehicles transmit data only when requested by a beacon, creating a periodic rather than continuous transmission pattern. This reduces the complexity of permanent infrastructure while maintaining continuous traffic flow data collection across the network through coordinated periodic requests.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles equipped with measurement devices serve themselves by autonomously determining when they are within range of a radio beacon and automatically transmitting their data in response to beacon requests. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex permanent dedicated data links from each vehicle to the analysis center, as vehicles independently manage their own data transmission based on local beacon signals, significantly reducing infrastructure complexity.
3Device complexity
If data collection is limited to specially equipped vehicles only, then resource requirements are reduced, but the representativeness and comprehensiveness of traffic flow data decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radio beacon infrastructure universal by deploying beacons throughout the road network that can serve multiple functions: they monitor traffic flow, trigger data collection from any passing vehicle regardless of special equipment, and coordinate with the central analysis unit. This universal beacon network enables comprehensive data collection from diverse vehicle types without requiring each vehicle to have complex special equipment, maintaining data representativeness while controlling infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Radio beacons serve as intermediaries between the central analysis unit and vehicles in the road network. Instead of requiring direct permanent links between all vehicles and the analysis center, beacons mediate by receiving requests from the analysis unit and soliciting data from passing vehicles. This intermediary layer enables comprehensive data collection from many vehicles without requiring complex direct infrastructure to each vehicle, maintaining both data comprehensiveness and infrastructure simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Determining traffic flow data in a road network comprising passing a first radio beacon and receiving a request message that at least includes a start location and a stop location; determining if an on-board unit position is within a predetermined range of the start location, and responsively starting a recording of measurement data; determining if the on-board unit position is within a predetermined range of the stop location, and responsively stopping the recording of the measurement data; and transmitting the recorded measurement data to a next radio beacon that is passed by the on-board unit.