Traffic Information Processing System for Vehicle Count Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic information processing systems struggle to accurately determine the number of vehicles in a zone, as they only account for vehicles equipped with on-board units, neglecting those without, which leads to inaccurate congestion assessments.
Innovation Solution
A traffic information processing system that includes an on-board unit to detect equipped vehicles, a total vehicle number-detecting unit to count all vehicles, and a vehicle ratio operation unit to calculate the ratio of equipped to total vehicles, allowing for accurate estimation of all vehicles in a zone using sample areas and image analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only vehicles equipped with on-board units are detected, then the detection system is simpler and requires fewer resources, but the accuracy of vehicle number detection deteriorates because vehicles without on-board units are not counted
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is divided into multiple sample areas, and the vehicle detection process is segmented into two independent parts: (1) detecting vehicles with on-board units using existing communication infrastructure, and (2) detecting all vehicles using camera systems in sample areas. The results are then combined through ratio calculation to estimate total vehicle numbers in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Sample areas serve as intermediary zones where both detection methods operate. The camera systems in sample areas capture images of all vehicles, while on-board units in the same areas provide data about equipped vehicles. This intermediary structure enables comparison and ratio calculation without requiring comprehensive coverage of the entire detection area.
2Measurement precision
If camera systems are installed in all zones to detect all vehicles, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Camera systems are installed only in specific sample areas rather than all zones. The sample areas are strategically selected to represent different traffic conditions and locations. By localizing camera installation to these representative areas, the system achieves sufficient detection accuracy while minimizing installation costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a representative sample of vehicle detection data from sample areas and uses this sample to infer the total vehicle population across all zones. Instead of directly counting all vehicles throughout the entire area, the system copies the detection methodology to sample areas and mathematically extrapolates the results, reducing the physical footprint of detection infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the ratio of equipped to total vehicles is calculated using sample area data, then the system can estimate total vehicle numbers without extensive detection infrastructure, but the reliability of the estimation depends on the representativeness of sample areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection in only a partial set of areas (sample areas) rather than all areas. By selecting sample areas that adequately represent the overall traffic distribution, the system achieves sufficient estimation reliability without the excessive action of deploying detection infrastructure throughout the entire region. The ratio calculation method allows for reliable estimation even with partial coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic information processing system includes on-board unit configured to be installed in a vehicle, an on-board unit-equipped vehicle number-detecting unit configured to detect the number of vehicles equipped with on-board unit entering a sample area based on information received from the on-board unit, a total vehicle number-detecting unit configured to detect the number of all vehicles entering the sample area, a vehicle ratio operation unit configured to calculate a value related to a ratio based on the number of vehicles equipped with the on-board unit detected by the on-board unit-equipped vehicle number-detecting unit and the number of all vehicles detected by the total vehicle number-detecting unit, and a total vehicle number-estimating operation unit configured to calculate a total number of vehicles in the zone.