Variable Lane Control via Saturation Imbalance Coefficients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current traffic management systems struggle to dynamically adjust traffic light signals in real-time based on current traffic conditions, leading to traffic imbalances and inefficiencies, especially during peak hours.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling a variable lane that calculates saturation levels and imbalance coefficients between adjacent lanes, allowing for real-time adjustments in lane direction to optimize traffic flow and alleviate pressure by dynamically changing lane indications based on traffic data and attribute information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-stored signal control schemes are used in traffic lights, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adjust in real-time based on current traffic conditions, leading to traffic imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system reliabilityVSAvoidreal-time traffic adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic lane control by calculating saturation degrees and imbalance coefficients in real-time based on current traffic data, then dynamically adjusting variable lane directions. The system transitions from static pre-stored schemes to dynamic real-time adjustment, where lane configurations adapt continuously to changing traffic conditions through automated calculation and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop by continuously monitoring traffic data, calculating saturation degrees for each lane, determining imbalance coefficients between adjacent lanes, and using this feedback information to adjust variable lane directions. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds to actual traffic conditions and maintains optimal traffic flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If variable lane directions are adjusted frequently to balance traffic, then traffic capacity improves, but the control complexity and decision-making difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic capacityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by calculating quantitative metrics (saturation degree and imbalance coefficient) to guide lane direction adjustments. Instead of complex multi-factor decision-making, the system transforms the control problem into parameter optimization, where lane adjustments are made based on clear numerical thresholds and mathematical relationships between saturation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service control by automatically calculating saturation degrees and imbalance coefficients, then autonomously determining optimal lane configurations without human intervention. The control system serves itself by using its own calculated data to make adjustment decisions, reducing the need for external manual control while maintaining high traffic capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If saturation calculation is performed for all lanes, then accurate traffic balance assessment is achieved, but the computational load and data processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic balance assessment accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for control decisions by calculating saturation degrees specifically for variable lanes and their adjacent lanes, rather than processing all lane data comprehensively. This selective extraction of critical data points maintains assessment accuracy while significantly reducing computational load and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the traffic control problem by focusing calculations on specific lane pairs (variable lane and its adjacent lane) rather than treating all lanes uniformly. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise balance assessment for critical lanes while avoiding unnecessary computation for lanes that do not require adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4083958B1Method and apparatus for controlling variable lane, device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 APOLLO INTELLIGENT CONNECTIVITY (BEIJING) TECH CO LTD
  • EP4083958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4083958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for controlling a variable lane, a device and a storage medium, which relates to a field of data processing technologies. The method includes: acquiring first traffic data for a first driving direction corresponding to the variable lane and second traffic data for a second driving direction of a lane adjacent to the variable lane; determining a first saturation in the first driving direction based on the first traffic data and determining a second saturation in the second driving direction based on the second traffic data; determining an imbalance coefficient between the first driving direction and the second driving direction based on the first saturation and the second saturation; and controlling a driving direction of the variable lane based on the imbalance coefficient. The invention may provide reliable control of the variable lane, improve the traffic capacity in all directions as much as possible and plan a road network effectively.