Vehicle Priority Request System for Road Infrastructure Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current road usage systems are inefficient as they apply common rules to all users regardless of individual travel needs, leading to suboptimal use of road infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows vehicles to request and grant priority based on urgent travel needs, using sensors and communication interfaces to detect impeding vehicles and offer remuneration for priority access, enabling vehicles with more urgent needs to bypass those with less urgent needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If common rules are applied to all road users, then road usage is regulated uniformly, but road infrastructure utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad infrastructure utilization efficiencyVSAvoidindividual travel needs accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments road users into different priority categories based on their travel needs and urgency. Vehicles are divided into priority groups (e.g., emergency vehicles, public transport, private vehicles) and each group receives differentiated road access rights. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate individual travel needs while maintaining overall road infrastructure efficiency through targeted priority management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic priority assignment where vehicles can change their priority level based on real-time conditions, travel needs, and remuneration offers. The system allows flexible adjustment of road usage rights during operation, enabling vehicles with urgent needs to request and potentially receive priority access by offering compensation to other road users. This dynamic approach improves adaptability without compromising overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If vehicles with urgent travel needs are prioritized, then travel time delays are reduced, but system complexity increases due to priority negotiation and remuneration exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel time delayVSAvoidpriority negotiation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service priority negotiation system where vehicles autonomously evaluate their own travel needs, calculate appropriate remuneration offers, and initiate priority requests without continuous human intervention. The system automatically processes priority negotiations between vehicles, matching requests with suitable candidates and handling remuneration exchanges. This self-service approach reduces travel time delays while managing system complexity through automation rather than manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where vehicles receive information about priority request status, remuneration offers, and system decisions in real-time. The system continuously monitors road conditions, vehicle positions, and priority assignments, adjusting allocations based on feedback from the environment and participating vehicles. This feedback loop enables efficient travel time reduction while maintaining manageable system complexity through adaptive control rather than rigid predetermined rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If priority access is granted through remuneration exchange, then road usage optimization improves, but transaction overhead and system operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad usage optimizationVSAvoidtransaction processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal remuneration system that can handle multiple types of transactions and priority arrangements through a single standardized framework. The same system infrastructure supports various vehicle types, priority levels, and compensation methods (monetary, service exchanges, etc.). This universal approach improves road usage optimization by providing consistent priority management while reducing transaction overhead through standardized processes rather than multiple specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables expedited priority transactions for time-critical situations where vehicles with urgent needs can quickly request and receive priority access by offering remuneration, skipping through the normal road usage sequence. The system allows fast-track priority negotiations that bypass lengthy conventional processes, improving overall road usage optimization by efficiently handling time-sensitive transactions while the standardized framework keeps operational complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS10762788B2Method and system for requesting and granting priority between vehicles
Publication Date: 2020.09.01 SWOPPZ LLC
  • US10762788B2 patent drawing
  • US10762788B2 patent drawing
  • US10762788B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for requesting and granting priority between a host vehicle and other vehicles, and to a system which implements the method. The host vehicle, through the use of on-board vehicle sensors, detects and identifies an impeding vehicle which interferes with the host vehicle's path. The host vehicle transmits a priority request to the impeding vehicle. The priority request includes a remuneration offer. The impeding vehicle evaluates the priority request, including the sufficiency of the host vehicle's remuneration offer, and grants or denies the host vehicle's priority request. If granted, the impeding vehicle modifies its path to be less impeding to the host vehicle, for example by assuming a cooperative path that lets the host vehicle pass the impeding vehicle.