DE102017207538A1 - Driver assistance system and method for assisting a driver of a rail vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is proposed for assisting a vehicle driver of a rail vehicle (10), in which a current driving style of the vehicle driver is compared with previous journeys and these comparison results (V) are then evaluated. The comparison results (V) and the evaluation result (G) are then displayed to the vehicle driver by a driver assistance system (12) of the rail vehicle (10), so that the driver can adjust or improve his driving style accordingly, if necessary.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a rail vehicle and to a driver assistance system for carrying out such a method.

The vehicle operation in a route network of one or more operators is a complex, dependent on many conditions and current conditions networked system. Both infrastructure managers and operators of a train or a fleet of trains are interested in optimizing the operation of rail vehicles in this system in terms of different target sizes. These target values to be optimized can be, for example, energy consumption, the highest possible speed, a maximum throughput of trains or punctuality. While in demarcated networks (such as metro networks) a purely centralized optimization of operation is possible, in complex networks isolated or networked driver assistance systems can be used for operational optimization.

Conventional driver assistance systems provide guidance to the driver of the rail vehicle, which enables him to optimize or optimize his driving strategy. So reveal, for example DE 10 2011 013 010 A1 . DE 10 2011 103 679 A1 and DE 10 2012 108 395 A1 Various methods for calculating a driving recommendation (eg speed recommendation) for the driver to optimize one or more target variables. Such driver assistance systems work well in scheduled traffic in the network, but have their limitations in rapidly changing conditions or in the case of incomplete information about the entire system.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for supporting a leader of a rail vehicle and a corresponding improved driver assistance system that can enable the driver even in large or complex networks in a position to find the best possible or optimized driving strategy.

This object is achieved by the teaching of the independent claims. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The method of supporting a vehicle operator of a rail vehicle according to the invention includes the steps of storing previous trip datasets each containing target size values, operating parameter data, and state parameter data of an earlier trip; detecting current operating parameter data and current state parameter data of a current drive of a vehicle driver by a driver assistance system of a rail vehicle; determining the current target size values achieved with the driver's current drive based on the acquired operating parameter data and condition parameter data by the driver assistance system; determining comparison runs from the records of previous trips based on the acquired current operating parameter data and condition parameter data; comparing the current target size values with target size values from the data records of previous trips of the determined comparison runs and generating comparison results; evaluating the comparison based on the comparison results of the target size values and generating an evaluation result; and displaying the comparison results and / or the evaluation result by the driver assistance system.

With this method, the driver is given a feedback about the quality of his driving style compared to previous trips. In this way, the driver is assisted in finding the best possible or optimized driving for the further trip or future trips. Since the driver in contrast to the conventional driver assistance system instead of a concrete driving recommendation feedback on the quality of his driving is given, the driver can also understand or understand how well his current driving style compared to previous trips, so that he knows his driving style if necessary, can improve.

The inventive method can in principle be combined with conventional methods. That In addition to feedback on the quality of the current journey, concrete driving recommendations and other information can also be generated and displayed to the vehicle driver.

In this context, the target values include, in particular, the energy consumption, the highest speed or the maximum throughput of the trains, the punctuality and the like. Preferably, several different target variables are taken into account in the method.

The operating parameters include in particular timetables, route profiles, previous energy consumption and the like in this context. The operating parameter data of the current journey are provided, for example, in a memory of a driver assistance system or transmitted by a central control center of the network. Preferably, operating parameter data is taken into account for one or more different operating parameters. Preferably be in regular Time intervals recorded operating parameter data taken into account. The operating parameter data should in this context include individual parameter values at individual times and / or time profiles of the parameter values.

In this context, the state parameters include in particular the time of day, the position of the rail vehicle, the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, the traveling speed of the rail vehicle, the weather conditions (eg temperature, humidity, wind, etc.), the physical properties of the rail vehicle (eg vehicle weight, load , available braking forces, etc.) and the like. The current state parameter data are provided, for example, by a navigation satellite system or determined by corresponding sensors in / on the rail vehicle. Preferably, state parameter data for one or more state parameter data is taken into account. Preferably, state parameter data acquired at regular time intervals are taken into account. In this context, the state parameter data should include individual parameter values at individual times and / or time profiles of the parameter values.

The journey, based on the current journey or on earlier journeys, in this context shall comprise a journey over a predetermined total distance of a rail vehicle network and a journey over one or more subsections of the entire route.

When storing records of previous trips and determining comparison data from these records, preferably earlier trips of the vehicle driver and / or other drivers, on the same route and / or on other routes, with the same rail vehicle and / or with other rail vehicles, among the same framework and / or other conditions.

In determining comparative trips, data techniques such as pattern recognition, clustering (clustering of similar conditions in similar ranges of values), and similarity analyzes are preferably used to determine which previous trips are similar to the current trip being evaluated.

The comparison results in this context include, in particular, absolute comparison values (e.g., -10 km / h) and relative comparison values (e.g., -2%) each with respect to the respective target values.

The evaluation result in this context includes, in particular, absolute rating values (e.g., rating 2), relative rating values (e.g., + 15%) relative to the average of previous trips or best previous trip, and the like.

The display of the comparison results and the evaluation result in this context includes a visual display, for example on a screen and / or an acoustic display, for example via speakers. The visual display of the results can take place, for example, in the form of numerical values and / or diagrams.

The steps of storing data records of previous journeys, determining current target value values, determining comparative journeys, comparing the target size values and evaluating the comparison are each preferably carried out in the driver assistance system and / or in a central control center of the rail network communicating with the driver assistance system.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the step of determining comparative runs includes determining a degree of similarity with the current trip based on the respective operating parameter data and state parameter data. The various operating parameters and state parameters are preferably weighted with weighting factors. These weighting factors indicate which operating parameters and which state parameters should have which influence in the assessment of the similarity of journeys. For example, an earlier trip should be similar to the current trip, especially if it is a similar route profile and a similar rail vehicle, while the weather conditions and the person of the driver should have less importance.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the various target variables are weighted with weighting factors in the step of evaluating the comparison and generating an evaluation result. These weighting factors indicate which target variables should be of particular relevance for the assessment of the quality of the journey. For example, a quality of the ride should be assessed in particular on the basis of energy consumption and punctuality, while the top speed should be less significant.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises a step of analyzing the evaluation. In this embodiment, then preferably the step of determining comparative trips and / or the Step of evaluating the comparison adjusted based on the obtained analysis result.

With such a learning process, which is preferably carried out automatically and continuously, the determination of suitable comparison data or the evaluation of the comparison results over time can be further improved. As a result, the feedback to the driver can also be improved over time.

In this embodiment, the method preferably further includes a step of adjusting the weighting factors of the various operating parameters and state parameters and / or the weighting factors of the various target values based on the obtained analysis result.

The steps of analyzing the evaluation and adjusting the weighting factors are each preferably carried out in the driver assistance system and / or in the central control center communicating with the driver assistance system.

The subject matter of the invention is also a driver assistance system of a rail vehicle which has a computing device and a display device which are designed to carry out the above-described method of the invention.

Preferably, the computing device and the display device are also configured to perform the analysis and adaptation steps of the method explained above. The driver assistance system can be further improved in this way continuously.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the driver assistance system also has a memory for storing records of previous trips.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the driver assistance system further comprises a memory for storing current operating parameter data and / or an interface for receiving current operating parameter data from a central control center of a rail vehicle network.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the driver assistance system further comprises at least one interface for receiving current state parameter data of the rail vehicle. These interfaces may in particular be connected or coupled to a receiver of a navigation satellite system, one or more sensors in / on the rail vehicle.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also a rail vehicle with such a driver assistance system according to the present invention.

• 1 eine stark vereinfachte Darstellung eines Schienenfahrzeugs mit einem Fahrerassistenzsystem;
• 2 einen stark vereinfachten Aufbau eines Fahrerassistenzsystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung; und
• 3 ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Unterstützen eines Führers eines Schienenfahrzeugs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung und einer optionalen Variante davon.

The above and other advantages, features and applications of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In it show, mostly schematically:

• 1 a greatly simplified representation of a rail vehicle with a driver assistance system;
• 2 a greatly simplified structure of a driver assistance system according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• 3 a flowchart of a method for supporting a leader of a rail vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention and an optional variant thereof.

1 and 2 First, greatly simplified show a rail vehicle in which a driver assistance system and a driver assistance method according to the invention can be used, or a driver assistance system according to the invention.

The rail vehicle 10 has a driver assistance system 12 on. This driver assistance system 12 again has a computing device 14 , a display device 16, for example in the form of a screen and a memory 18 on. Via a (data) interface 20 is the driver assistance system 12 with a receiver 22 a navigation satellite system 24 (eg GPS) connected. Via another (communication) interface 26 is the driver assistance system 12 with a communication device 28 for communication with a central control center 30 connected to the rail vehicle network. Via this communication interface 26 can the driver assistance system 12 from the central control center 30 for example, records D previous trips, new operating parameter data A , the results V and G the comparisons and reviews described later, new program versions for the computing device 14 and the like. About another interface 32 is the driver assistance system 12 with one or more sensors (not shown) in / on the rail vehicle 10 connected.

With the display device 16 of the driver assistance system 12 The driver is visually and acoustically displayed feedback on his driving style. This feedback contains comparison results V the current trip with similar previous trips and / or an evaluation result G the current trip.

The comparison results are displayed as absolute and / or relative values of a difference between a target size value obtained with the current trip (e.g., energy consumption, punctuality, top speed, etc.) and an average and / or optimal target size value of similar previous trips. The evaluation result is displayed as an absolute value of the quality of the current trip and / or relative value of the quality of the current trip in relation to the average of previous trips and / or an optimal previous trip.

In addition to this feedback, the driver can optionally also make concrete driving recommendations (eg speed recommendation), current operating parameter data (eg route profile, timetable) and / or current state parameter data (eg time, position, speed) on the display device 16 are displayed.

The generation of the comparison results and the evaluation result can optionally be done by the computing device 14 of the driver assistance system 12 or through the central control center 30 network or through cooperation between the two components.

The goal of this special driver assistance system 12 It is not to give the driver concrete driving recommendations (eg target speed 80 km / h), but to assist the driver by providing appropriate feedback on his driving style so that he understands himself or understands whether he will change his driving style in the future or should improve.

3 illustrates a method according to the invention for supporting the vehicle driver of a rail vehicle with the aid of such a driver assistance system.

First, in one step 100 Records from previous trips D in a memory (eg memory 18 of the driver assistance system 12 or memory of the central control center 30 ) filed. These records D each contain operating parameter data a for several operating parameters (timetable, route profile, previous energy consumption, etc.), state parameter data b for several state parameters (time, direction of travel of the rail vehicle at different positions, travel speed of the rail vehicle at different positions, weather conditions, physical properties of the rail vehicle, etc. ) and target size values c for several target variables (energy consumption, highest speed, maximum throughput of trains, punctuality, etc.). The records D preferably contain individual values as well as temporal profiles of the values for the various state parameters. Such records D are stored for several previous trips by the driver and other drivers, on the same route and on other routes, and with the same rail vehicle and with other rail vehicles.

In step 101 be from the computing device 14 one or more current operating parameter data A for various operating parameters (timetable, route profile, previous energy consumption, etc.) recorded, ie for example from the memory 18 read. The operating parameter data A are for example in memory 18 of the driver assistance system 12 can be stored and if required via the communication interface 26 from the central control center 30 to be updated.

In addition, in step 101 from the computing device 14 one or more current state parameter data B for various state parameters (time, position of the rail vehicle, direction of travel of the rail vehicle, driving speed of the rail vehicle, weather conditions, physical properties of the rail vehicle, etc.) detected, ie for example via the data interface 20 from the navigation satellite system 24 or via the interface 32 of sensors in / on the rail vehicle 10 receive. The step 101 is preferably repeated continuously in order to also time behavior of the state parameter data B capture. Optionally, further information (eg route messages) can be sent from the central control center 30 be recorded.

With regard to the operating parameter data a or A and the state parameter data b and B, respectively, it should be noted that these may be provided with assumptions / estimates, i. have a certain fault tolerance. In the driving according to the invention, however, preferably also those operating and state parameters can be taken into account, which can not be detected exactly or are only partially known.

In a next step 102 are based on the acquired operating parameter data A and the acquired state parameter data B current target size values C for different target values (energy consumption, maximum speed, punctuality, etc.), which are achieved with the driver's current drive. This can be done by the computing device 14 of the driver assistance system 12 or the central control center 30 respectively.

In step 103 are then based on the records of previous trips D determines appropriate comparative trips that are similar or very similar to the driver's current ride. For this purpose, in particular the conditions of the trips, ie their operating parameter data a, A and their state parameter data b, B are compared with data processing methods such as pattern recognition, cluster recognition and / or similarity analysis. Such a comparison assigns each record of previous trips a degree of similarity to the current trip. If this degree of similarity reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the previous trip at that set is considered similar to or very similar to the current trip and then used as a comparison trip. Basically, in step 103 determined several such comparative trips.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in this step 103 provide the various operating parameters and state parameters with weighting factors. These weighting factors indicate which operating parameters and which state parameters should have which influence in the assessment of the similarity of journeys. For example, an earlier trip should be similar to the current trip, especially if it is a similar route profile and a similar rail vehicle, while the weather conditions and the person of the driver should have less importance.

In the next step 104 will be in step 102 determined target size values C the current trip with the target values c in step 103 compared to comparative journeys. The comparison results thus obtained V may contain absolute values and / or relative values with respect to the respective target variables.

After that, in step 105 these comparison results V rated. This evaluation is based on the calculated comparison results V For the various target variables, a quality of the driver's current journey compared to previous comparison journeys (eg compared to an average quality of the earlier comparison journeys or to the quality of an optimal journey of the earlier comparison journeys). The evaluation result obtained in this way can contain absolute evaluation values and / or relative evaluation values.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in this step 105 the different target values weighted with weighting factors. These weighting factors indicate which target variables should be of particular relevance for the assessment of the quality of the journey. For example, a quality of the ride should be assessed in particular on the basis of energy consumption and punctuality, while the top speed should be less significant.

Subsequently, those in the steps 104 and 105 obtained comparison and evaluation results V . G the driver on the display device 16 of the driver assistance system 12 displayed (step 106 ). The driver receives in this way feedback on how well his driving style compared to previous trips or other drivers has been. For example, the driver is shown whether he was better or worse than the average with the current ride and possibly also how much he was better or worse. So the driver can understand or understand how he can achieve the best possible driving style.

In addition, these results V . G preferably also the central control center 30 transmitted.

Finally, in step 107 a record is stored for the driver's current trip so that it is used as a record of previous trips on future trips by the driver or other driver D can be used.

The process steps 102 to 107 are optionally carried out after completion of the current trip of the driver to assess the entire journey and / or several times during the current trip of the driver for the evaluation of individual sections.

3 also shows a modification of this method with additional steps 108 and 109 ,

After evaluating the driving style of the driver in step 105 can optionally be a learning process for the driver assistance system 12 be carried out, which is the additional process step 108 and preferably also the additional process step 109 having. The two steps 108 and 109 are each preferably in the driver assistance system 12 and / or in the central control center communicating with the driver assistance system 30 executed.

In step 108 In the learning process, the result of the evaluation is analyzed. In step 109 In the learning process, the weighting factors of the various operating parameters and state parameters and / or the weighting factors of the various target variables are then adjusted. As in 3 illustrates, the weighting factors thus adjusted are then at the next execution of the step 103 for determining comparison runs or at the next execution of the step 105 to evaluate the current trip.

For example, in this learning process, which compares the quality of the driver's current journey with previous trips, which factors (e.g., route profile, driver's person, weather conditions, etc.) have a greater or lesser impact on the quality of a ride. Over time, the determination of comparative trips and rating trips can be further enhanced by more accurately determining the influence of various factors on the quality of a ride. As a result, the driver receives ever better feedback on the quality of his driving style.

By repeatedly performing the optimization steps 108 and 109 can the driver assistance system 12 or the feedback for the driver are continuously improved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

track vehicle

12

Driver assistance system

14

computing device

16

display device

18

Storage

20

Interface, esp. Data interface

22

receiver

24

Navigation Satellite System

26

Interface, esp. Communication interface

28

communicator

30

Central control center

32

Interface, esp. Sensor interface

100

Save records of past trips

101

Acquire current operating parameter data and condition parameter data

102

Determine current target size values

103

Determining comparative trips

104

Comparing the target size values

105

Rate the comparison

106

Display the comparison results and the evaluation result

107

Save a current record

108

Analyze the rating

109

Adjusting weighting factors

A

current operating parameter data

B

current state parameter data

C

current target size values

D

Data records of previous trips (with operating parameter data a, condition parameter data b, target value values c)

G

Rating Score

V

Comparative results

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011013010 A1 [0003]
• DE 102011103679 A1 [0003]
• DE 102012108395 A1 [0003]

Claims (12)

A method of assisting a driver of a rail vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: - storing (100) past trip records (D) each containing target size values (c), operating parameter data (a) and state parameter data (b) of an earlier trip; - Detecting (101) current operating parameter data (A) and current state parameter data (B) of a current driving a driver by a driver assistance system (12) of a rail vehicle (10); Determining (102) current target magnitude values (C) achieved with the driver's current travel based on the acquired operating parameter data (A) and condition parameter data (B) by the driver assistance system (12); - determining (103) comparison runs from the previous trip records (D) based on the acquired current operating parameter data (A) and condition parameter data (B); - comparing (104) the current target values (C) with target values (c) from the data sets of previous trips (D) of the determined comparisons and generating comparison results (V); - evaluating (105) the comparison based on the comparison results (V) of the target size values (C) and generating an evaluation result (G); and - Displaying (106) of the comparison results (V) and / or the evaluation result (G) by the driver assistance system (12). Method according to Claim 1 in which the steps of storing previous trip records (100), determining current target size values (102), determining comparative trips (103), comparing the target size values (104), and evaluating the comparison (105) are respectively in the Driver assistance system (12) and / or in one with the driver assistance system (12) communicating central control center (30) of a rail vehicle network are executed. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step (103) of determining comparison trips includes determining a degree of similarity with the current trip based on the respective operating parameter data (a) and condition parameter data (b), the different operating parameters and state parameters weighted with weighting factors become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (105) of evaluating the comparison and generating an evaluation result, the different target variables are weighted with weighting factors. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step (108) of analyzing the evaluation, wherein the step (103) of determining comparison runs and / or the step (105) of the evaluation of the comparison are adjusted based on the analysis result. Method according to Claim 5 , further comprising a step (109) of adapting the weighting factors of the various operating parameters and state parameters and / or the weighting factors of the various target variables based on the analysis result. Method according to Claim 5 or 6 in which the steps of analyzing the score (108) and adjusting the weighting factors (109) are each performed in the driver assistance system (12) and / or in the central control center (30) communicating with the driver assistance system (12). Driver assistance system (12) of a rail vehicle (10), comprising a computing device (14) and a display device (16), which are designed to carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , Driver assistance system after Claim 8 , further comprising a memory (18) for storing records of previous trips (D). Driver assistance system after Claim 8 or 9 , further comprising a memory (18) for storing current operating parameter data (A) and / or an interface (26) for receiving current operating parameter data (A) from a central control center (30) of a rail vehicle network. Driver assistance system according to one of Claims 8 to 10 , further comprising at least one interface (20, 32) for receiving current state parameter data (B) of the rail vehicle (10). Rail vehicle (10) with a driver assistance system (12) according to one of Claims 8 to 11 ,

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