Vehicle Rainfall Sensor Data Aggregation for Precipitation Index Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately estimating precipitation intensity due to unstable atmospheric conditions, leading to a need for improved methods to estimate current precipitation amounts for disaster reduction and other applications.
Innovation Solution
A precipitation index estimation apparatus that collects rainfall amount data from vehicles equipped with sensors and uses this data to estimate precipitation intensity on specific road links, incorporating operation mode data from windshield wipers and rainfall amount sensors, with statistical processing to derive accurate indices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rainfall amount data is collected from multiple vehicles to estimate precipitation index, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the precipitation measurement task into multiple segments by collecting data from multiple vehicles traveling on the same road link. Each vehicle's rainfall sensor provides independent measurements, and the estimation apparatus aggregates these segmented data points to produce a comprehensive precipitation index, thereby improving measurement precision through spatial distribution of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The rainfall amount sensors originally designed for individual vehicle use are repurposed for collective precipitation monitoring. The same sensor hardware serves dual functions: protecting the individual vehicle's windshield and contributing to regional precipitation estimation when data from multiple vehicles is aggregated, reducing the need for dedicated infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If data from vehicles with insufficient rainfall amount data is excluded, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the evaluation parameters for data adequacy by considering both the quantity of data points and the temporal distribution within the measurement period. Instead of using a fixed threshold, the determination unit evaluates whether the collected data sufficiently represents the precipitation event characteristics, allowing flexible inclusion or exclusion based on data quality rather than simple quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the determination unit continuously assesses the adequacy of collected rainfall data and adjusts the estimation process accordingly. When sufficient data is available from vehicles on a road link, the estimation proceeds; when data is insufficient, the system identifies this through feedback and either requests additional data or adjusts the estimation methodology to account for data limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
A precipitation index estimation apparatus includes a data collection unit and an estimation processing unit. The data collection unit is configured to collect rainfall amount data detected by a rainfall amount sensor in one or more vehicles positioned on a predetermined road link within a predetermined period. The estimation processing unit is configured to estimate a precipitation index indicating an intensity of precipitation on the predetermined road link within the predetermined period, based on the collected rainfall amount data.