Hierarchical Traffic Services for Reliable Autonomous Vehicle Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for vehicle prioritization in intelligent transportation systems are unreliable, particularly for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, as they rely on visual and audio cues that are difficult for these vehicles to process, and human drivers often fail to respond appropriately, leading to inefficient and unsafe traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A centralized and vehicle-to-vehicle solution for dynamic vehicle prioritization is implemented, where vehicles can request and receive priority changes based on predefined policies, with a traffic management system assigning and adjusting operational parameters such as speed and lane position, using a hierarchical network of local and master traffic services to manage priority distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual and audio cues are used for vehicle prioritization, then human drivers can be alerted, but autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles cannot reliably process these cues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and audio signaling systems with electronic communication systems. Traffic management services send electronic priority indicators directly to vehicles via network communications, which autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles can process through their onboard computing systems. This substitution of mechanical/sensory signaling with electronic data exchange resolves the incompatibility between traditional prioritization methods and autonomous vehicle technology.
2Reliability
If a centralized traffic management system is implemented, then priority distribution can be coordinated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traffic management system into hierarchical segments: master traffic services that oversee multiple regions and local traffic services that manage individual regions. This segmentation allows coordinated priority distribution across broad areas while keeping local system complexity manageable. Each level handles appropriate functions, with master services providing high-level coordination and local services handling region-specific operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces master traffic services as intermediary components between multiple local traffic services. These master services act as mediators that receive priority requests from local services, apply coordination rules, and distribute priorities across region boundaries. This intermediary layer enables systematic coordination without requiring direct complex interactions between all local services.
3Productivity
If vehicles transition between regions controlled by different traffic services, then local management can be optimized, but priority information continuity may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles report their priority status and location to traffic management services, and services continuously update priority information as vehicles move between regions. This feedback loop ensures that priority information remains current and continuous across region boundaries, with the system automatically adjusting priorities based on vehicle position and traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal priority information structures that can be recognized and processed by any traffic management service in the network. Priority indicators are designed with standardized formats and protocols that allow seamless transfer of priority information between different regional services, enabling vehicles to maintain their priority status when transitioning across region boundaries while still allowing local services to apply region-specific management rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A method at a first computing device providing a local traffic service, the method including detecting a vehicle is transitioning to a region of control of a second local traffic service; and providing, to a second traffic management service, priority information for the vehicle.