Traffic Volume Estimation Using Probe Probability and Road Attributes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating traffic volume are expensive, limited in scope, and provide spotty and inconsistent data due to reliance on roadside sensors, which are costly and require frequent updates to account for changing traffic patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method using probe reports from vehicles to estimate traffic volume by calculating a probe probability value based on positional data, which is then used to generate a traffic volume model adjusted with ground truth data and roadway attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If roadside sensors are deployed to collect traffic volume data, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses probe vehicles as mobile copies of fixed sensors, collecting traffic data as they traverse the road network. Each probe vehicle replicates the sensing function without requiring permanent installation, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining measurement capability across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor installation system with an information-based probe reporting system. Instead of physically deploying sensors at every location, the system uses vehicles already in motion to collect and transmit traffic data, substituting physical infrastructure with a computational approach.
2Reliability
If permanent sensor sites are established for continuous monitoring, then data reliability is improved, but cost and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes probe vehicles universal data collection units that can serve multiple locations and time periods simultaneously. A single probe vehicle contributes to traffic volume estimates across numerous road segments during its route, replacing the need for dedicated permanent sensors at each location while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the self-service capability of probe vehicles that are already in operation for their primary purpose. These vehicles independently collect and transmit traffic data without requiring external deployment infrastructure, making the system easier to implement while maintaining reliable data collection across the network.
3Ease of manufacture
If probe reports from vehicles are used to estimate traffic volume, then cost and ease of deployment are improved, but measurement precision and data completeness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple probe reports from different vehicles, time periods, and routes to create a composite traffic volume estimate. By combining data from numerous independent sources, the system compensates for the limited perspective of individual probes, improving overall measurement precision through aggregation and statistical analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds temporal and spatial dimensions to probe data analysis by incorporating probe reports from multiple time periods and locations. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to infer traffic patterns and volumes on road segments where direct observation is unavailable, improving estimation accuracy through dimensional expansion of the data set.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using a plurality of probe reports to augment a geographic database with traffic volume data. The plurality of probe reports are identified for a road segment for a time period. A probe value is determined for the road segment for the time period based on the plurality of probe reports. A probe probability value is calculated for the road segment for the time period based on the probe value. The probe probability value is adjusted using road attributes. The adjusted probe probability value is used to estimate traffic volume. The geographic database is augmented with the estimated traffic volume.