Vehicle Traffic Flow Determination Using Acceleration and Inter-Vehicle Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assist systems for preventing traffic congestion have limited accuracy in predicting traffic congestion based on vehicle density, leading to ineffective drive control measures.
Innovation Solution
A driving assist apparatus that determines the state of traffic flow using the acceleration of a vehicle and inter-vehicle distances, switching drive control when transitioning from a free-flow to a mixed-flow state, and includes adaptive cruise control and notification systems to prevent traffic congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive control is switched based on vehicle density alone, then traffic congestion prediction can be implemented, but determination accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for traffic state determination from solely vehicle density to a combination of acceleration and inter-vehicle distance. This parameter transformation enables more accurate identification of critical regions and transition periods, thereby improving determination accuracy without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional vehicle density-based determination mechanism with an acceleration and inter-vehicle distance-based mechanism. This substitution allows for more sensitive detection of traffic flow changes and critical transitions, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.
2Reliability
If adaptive cruise control is continuously active, then drive control can prevent traffic congestion, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching of adaptive cruise control based on detected traffic flow states. The system activates ACC during critical regions and transition periods when congestion risk is high, and deactivates it during free-flow states, creating a periodic on-off pattern that maintains reliability while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary detection of critical regions and transition periods to proactively activate adaptive cruise control before congestion occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to prevent congestion through timely control switching while avoiding continuous operation, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
3Reliability
If drive control switches during free-flow state, then traffic congestion can be prevented, but driver awareness and cooperation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates notification output that provides feedback to the driver about the detected traffic flow state and the reason for drive control switching. This feedback mechanism enhances driver awareness and understanding of the system's actions, thereby improving acceptance and cooperation while maintaining the reliability of congestion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary notification to the driver before drive control switching occurs during critical regions. By informing the driver in advance of the detected traffic state and upcoming control changes, the system maintains driver awareness and cooperation while ensuring effective control switching for congestion prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a determination unit that determines a state of a traffic flow in a lane in which a ego-vehicle is driving, on the basis of acceleration of the ego-vehicle and inter-vehicle distances to other vehicles around the ego-vehicle. The apparatus also includes a drive control unit that controls a motion of the ego-vehicle and is capable of switching drive control according to a determination result by the determination unit. The drive control unit switches the drive control when the determination result indicates that the state of the traffic flow is a state of a critical region which is present in a transition period from a free-flow state to a mixed-flow state. Here, the free-flow state is a state in which the probability of occurrence of traffic congestion is low, and the mixed-flow state is a state in which a braking state and an acceleration state of a vehicle are mixed.