Virtual Managed Lane System Using V2X Dynamic Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toll roads and carpool lanes require physical infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, as well as treating all vehicles equally in traffic flow, failing to meet the diverse needs of passengers with varying levels of urgency.
Innovation Solution
A virtual managed lane system that uses V2X communication to dynamically designate any lane as a managed lane based on traffic conditions, allowing vehicles to request and pay for priority lanes, while incentivizing non-urgent vehicles to stay in regular lanes with rewards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical toll roads or HOV lanes are built, then traffic flow management capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical toll road infrastructure and HOV lane markings with a virtual system using V2X communication. Roadside units transmit managed lane designation messages to vehicles, eliminating the need for physical toll booths, lane markings, and associated infrastructure while maintaining traffic flow management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of managed lane functionality through digital communication rather than physical infrastructure. The roadside units broadcast messages that replicate the function of physical toll lane signage and control, allowing vehicles to receive and process lane designation information wirelessly.
2Reliability
If toll booths with operators are used, then toll collection is achieved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic toll collection through V2X communication between roadside units and vehicles. Vehicles receive managed lane designation messages and automatically process toll payments without human intervention, eliminating the need for toll booth operators and reducing operational costs while maintaining reliable toll collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual toll collection at physical booths with automated wireless communication. The roadside units transmit toll information and payment status digitally, substituting the mechanical interaction between toll operators and drivers with an automated electronic system that reduces operational overhead.
3Ease of operation
If fixed physical lanes are designated, then traffic organization is improved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically designates managed lanes through real-time V2X communication messages from roadside units. Lane designations can change based on traffic conditions, time of day, and demand, allowing the system to adapt flexibly while maintaining clear organizational structure for vehicles through wireless information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual message-based system can designate any lane as a managed lane without physical reconfiguration. The same roadside unit infrastructure can serve multiple functions by transmitting different lane designation messages to different vehicles or at different times, providing universal adaptability across the roadway.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If all vehicles are treated equally in traffic flow, then fairness is maintained, but efficiency for urgent vehicles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies differential treatment to different vehicles based on their needs. Vehicles that request and pay for managed lane access receive priority lane designation messages from roadside units, while other vehicles continue in regular lanes. This local differentiation allows urgent vehicles to travel faster while maintaining overall system fairness through optional participation.
Solution Approach 2:
The roadway is segmented into managed lanes and regular lanes through virtual designation. The system divides traffic flow into different groups based on vehicle requests and payments, creating separate channels for urgent and non-urgent vehicles while maintaining overall traffic organization and reducing congestion through differential routing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic traffic lane management. Example methods may include receiving traffic information associated with vehicles travelling on a portion of a multilane road; designating at least one lane of the multilane road as a managed lane based on the traffic information; transmitting, via a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications protocol, a message to the vehicles, the message indicative of the designation of the lane as the managed lane; and receiving a confirmation message from a vehicle, the confirmation message indicative of the vehicle's acceptance of travelling on the managed lane.