V2X and Sensor Fusion for Mixed Road User Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current V2X communication technologies face challenges in providing safety and efficiency due to non-linear adoption rates, inability to account for non-connected road users, and vulnerabilities in traffic signal preemption systems, leading to incomplete coverage and potential misuse.

Innovation Solution

A system that combines sensors and V2X communication modules to detect and identify both connected and non-connected road users, creating a virtual map to emulate full connectivity, enabling traffic control and safety features for all users, even in scenarios with partial adoption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If V2X communication is used to detect connected road users, then communication between road users is enabled, but non-connected road users cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidcompatibility with non-connected users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary infrastructure component (road side unit or traffic management system) that receives V2X data from connected vehicles and supplements it with sensor data from fixed infrastructure. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between connected and non-connected road users, enabling comprehensive detection without requiring all users to have V2X capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal detection mechanism that works for both connected and non-connected road users by combining multiple data sources (V2X communication modules in vehicles with fixed sensors at infrastructure locations). This multi-functional approach ensures the system can handle diverse road user scenarios regardless of their connectivity status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traffic signal preemption is based on authorized vehicle lists, then preemption control is simplified, but hacking or malfunction can cause malicious use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreemption control simplicityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors preemption requests against verified vehicle data and sensor-detected vehicle positions. This feedback loop detects anomalies such as unauthorized preemption requests or mismatched vehicle locations, enabling the system to reject malicious attempts while maintaining operational simplicity for authorized vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares defensive measures in advance by establishing multiple verification layers before preemption is executed. Vehicle authentication, location verification, and real-time status checks are performed beforehand to prevent hacking or malfunction from causing malicious use, cushioning against security vulnerabilities before they can affect the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If only connected road users are considered in V2X systems, then system complexity is reduced, but complete road user coverage is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architectureVSAvoidroad user detection completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the road user detection function into two independent parts: V2X-based detection for connected vehicles and sensor-based detection for non-connected vehicles/infrastructure. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate with appropriate complexity while the combined system achieves complete coverage, managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges V2X communication data with fixed infrastructure sensor data to create a unified road user detection capability. By combining these two data sources, the system achieves complete road user coverage including non-connected users, while the integration layer manages complexity through standardized data fusion protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If V2X adoption rate is estimated to deduce total road users, then partial adoption can be accounted for, but estimation accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling partial adoptionVSAvoidadoption rate estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces statistical estimation methods with direct measurement through sensor data from fixed infrastructure. Instead of inferring total road users from V2X adoption rates, the system uses sensors to directly detect all road users including non-connected ones, providing precise measurement of actual road user numbers regardless of V2X adoption rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12579886B2System and method for using V2X and sensor data

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 NOTRAFFIC LTD

AI summary

A method and system for traffic control includes receiving at a processing unit sensor data of a site on a road network and receiving at the processing unit a V2X communication. Locations of road users are calculated from the sensor data and the V2X communication enabling the detection of connected and non-connected road users. Once connected and non-connected road users are detected at a site, this information can be used to control traffic.