Traffic Flow Control via Virtual Area Token Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic flow control systems require high computer performance and high-speed, large-capacity communication to manage detailed vehicle information, posing technical difficulties in controlling traffic flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A traffic flow control system that divides roads into virtual areas, using an entering right control unit to manage tokens for each area, allowing vehicles to enter only when a token is granted, reducing the need for high-performance calculations and frequent communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detailed vehicle information is acquired and calculated using traditional methods, then traffic flow control precision is improved, but communication load and computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for control decisions (vehicle presence in virtual areas) from the complete set of vehicle data, eliminating unnecessary communication of detailed vehicle information while maintaining sufficient control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The road is divided into virtual areas, and vehicle information is processed at the area level rather than individual vehicle level, segmenting the control problem to reduce overall communication load while maintaining local precision
2Speed
If high-speed communication systems are used to transmit vehicle data, then real-time control capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only critical control information (token possession status) rather than continuous detailed vehicle data, enabling real-time control decisions with simplified communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple token objects that are easily created, transmitted, and discarded, replacing complex continuous data streams with lightweight discrete control signals that achieve real-time responsiveness without high-cost communication systems
3Measurement precision
If high computer performance is deployed for calculating entering timings, then control accuracy is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential control variable (token possession) from complex vehicle state information, enabling accurate entering timing calculations with minimal computational resources and low power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous detailed vehicle states to discrete token possession states, simplifying the computational problem while maintaining control accuracy and reducing processing power requirements
Data Source
AI summary
In a traffic flow control system, communication is performed with a travel control device of a moving body passing through a transportation route and the traffic flow of the transportation route is controlled. The traffic control system includes an entry authority management unit and a communication unit. In a transportation route divided into virtual areas, the entry authority management unit manages entry authority for each area, managing tokens in a number that corresponds to the area, and guiding entry of the moving body to the area by attaching entry authority to a token and delivering the resulting token to the travel control device. The communication unit communicates the entry authority and tokens to the travel control device.