EP3518204A1 - Method of monitoring traffic and traffic monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for monitoring traffic in which the passage of vehicles (2, 3, 4) in a monitored area (12) by means of a traffic monitoring system (7, 8) is detected, and the traffic density in the monitored area (12) is determined, wherein the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) and assigned to each detected vehicle (2, 3, 4) on the basis of the classification, a vehicle model, which includes the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a method for traffic monitoring in which the passage of vehicles in a monitored area is detected by means of a traffic monitoring system, and the traffic density in the monitored area is determined. Furthermore, the invention relates to a traffic monitoring system for carrying out such a method.

Such a method is from the WO 2016/027244 A1 known. WO 2016/027244 A1 describes a station that is placed at an area to be monitored. The station is equipped with units for measuring the concentration of pollutants in the air, monitoring traffic flow and gathering weather data. The data is analyzed and evaluated in a processing unit. In addition, traffic and air quality information is generated and output from the evaluated data.

The US 2008/0024323 A1 describes a system having at least one vehicle with a device for detecting the air quality and the vehicle position. A controller receives the acquired air quality data and sends it to a central computer for further analysis. The central computer broadcasts the data in real time.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for traffic monitoring and a traffic monitoring system, in which the air quality can be assessed on the basis of the currently prevailing traffic, in order to be able to create a dynamic traffic management.

The problem is solved by a traffic monitoring procedure in which the Passing of vehicles in a monitored area by means of a traffic monitoring system is detected, and the traffic density in the monitored area is determined. Further, the detected vehicles are classified and assigned to each detected vehicle based on the classification, a vehicle model that includes the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle.

The traffic monitoring system is placed on an area to be monitored, for example a road or a road, in order to be able to detect the vehicles traveling on the roadway. The detected vehicles are classified in order to be able to assign a vehicle model to them via the expected pollutant emission. The classification may be that the vehicle type, whether it is a passenger car, a truck or a motorcycle, is detected and assigned. Further, a classification may be derived based on the identification of the make and model of the vehicle. It is also possible to detect a badge of the vehicle emission class, for example using imaging techniques.

In this case, the classification of the detected vehicles can be based on at least one external feature from the group of axles, length, width, height and identification badge. Based on the number of axles, length, width and height can be closed, for example, on the vehicle type. Identification badges may be the representation of the make of the vehicle and the model. The model can also be estimated from the longitudinal axes, length, width and height as appropriate. Identification marks can also be a badge of the pollutant class of the vehicle, for example on the windshield, a dangerous goods sign or the license plate number.

In addition to the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle, the vehicle model may also include the expected noise emission of the detected vehicle. Thus, on the vehicle model on the one hand on the local air quality can be concluded on the basis of the expected pollutant emission, but also on the expected or prevailing noise emissions.

In order to determine the traffic density in the monitored area, it is possible to make use of existing data provided via traffic information services. In order to obtain a timely and accurate information about the traffic density in the monitored area, it can be provided that the traffic density is detected in the monitored area by means of the traffic monitoring system.

The traffic density in the monitored area can be ascertained on the basis of at least one of the measured variables from the group of detected vehicles in a specific time span, speed of the detected vehicles and distance of consecutive detected vehicles.

For example, it is possible to determine whether a traffic congestion has arisen or is about to occur or how high the likelihood of a traffic jam will be.

It can also be provided that the pollutant content in the ambient air in the monitored area is determined. This can be done using existing data provided by information services. In order to obtain a timely and locally accurate determination of the concentration of pollutants, it can be provided that the pollutant content detected in the ambient air through the traffic monitoring system, that is measured. In addition or as an alternative to detecting the pollutant content, noise emissions can also be measured.

For this purpose, the concentration of at least one pollutant from the group of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and fine dust can be detected by means of the traffic monitoring system as pollutant content in the ambient air in the monitored area.

To represent the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle can be made of data of the exhaust emissions of the vehicle type, which were determined by the manufacturer or by third institutions. On the other hand, this can serve the pollutant class of the vehicle. In addition, if the speed of the vehicles is recorded, the expected pollutant emission also be determined as a function of the speed of the detected vehicle or the average speed of the traffic.

It can be provided that meteorological data for the monitored area are determined. For this purpose, it is possible to fall back on already available meteorological data from weather information providers. Alternatively or additionally, the traffic monitoring system can also be configured such that the meteorological data are detected by means of the traffic monitoring system.

As meteorological data in the monitored area at least one value from the group air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, air pressure, humidity and rainfall can be detected. Thus, by analyzing the meteorological data, among other things, a statement can be made as to how the pollutant content, for example due to a prevailing wind, will develop in the future. In this case, such a statement can be made both for the monitored area and for adjacent areas. In this case, the pollutant content of the ambient air in the monitored area is calculated on the basis of the vehicle model.

In one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the calculated pollutant content is compared with the determined pollutant content of the ambient air. Thus, for example, a plausibility check can be made. In this case, the determined pollutant content can be present on the basis of data already available from information providers or on the basis of measurements by the traffic monitoring system.

In one refinement of the method, the determined data or the data acquired by the traffic monitoring system can be sent to a central station or to user terminals (eg mobile telephones). The central station can serve to generate a current position of the monitored area.

The method can also be used to predict the traffic situation, ie the traffic density in the monitored area, on the basis of the determined data and the data collected by the traffic monitoring system, wherein preferably the predicted traffic situation is used for traffic control. Thus, among other things, congestion situations can be predicted and avoided by suitable measures for traffic control or traffic management. In the case of several traffic surveillance systems, an overall situation of a larger area can also be analyzed and, if necessary, controlled.

The invention is further achieved by a traffic monitoring system for carrying out the method as described above, wherein the traffic monitoring system comprises sensors for detecting and classifying vehicles, sensors for detecting the pollutant content of the environment, and a processing unit for assigning a vehicle model to the detected vehicles having.

The sensors of the traffic monitoring system can be installed laterally from a roadway or on a bridge or a gantry above the roadway. The traffic monitoring system can be provided as a stationary unit or designed to be mobile, so that it can be used at various areas to be monitored. Alternatively, the sensors can also be arranged in a device for monitoring red light. In addition, it is also conceivable that the traffic monitoring system is part of a vehicle. The sensors may include 3D scanners (Lidar), radars and cameras.

By the method described above and the traffic monitoring system described above, it is possible to provide an intelligent infrastructure for dynamic traffic management in order to use the distribution of information about the current traffic situation and environmental pollution to direct traffic flows, possibly also with the aid of controllable traffic guidance devices, that excessive traffic and environmental pollution in certain places are reduced. Advantage of the present invention is that the data can be made available at short notice and specific monitoring areas. Furthermore, the environmental impact can be predicted for the near future due to the vehicle model and the expected pollutant emissions. Furthermore, existing data can be used in order to be able to make the prognosis for a longer period of time in the future.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Verkehrsüberwachungsanlage an einer Fahrbahn mit zwei Fahrspuren,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Verkehrsüberwachungsanlage an einer Fahrbahn mit zwei Fahrspuren, und

Figur 3

schematische Datensätze mit ermittelten Daten und von einer der Verkehrsüberwachungsanlage gemäß Figur 1 erfassten Daten.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. Show here

FIG. 1

a top view of a first embodiment of a traffic monitoring system on a lane with two lanes,

FIG. 2

a plan view of a second embodiment of a traffic monitoring system on a lane with two lanes, and

FIG. 3

schematic data records with determined data and from a traffic monitoring system according to FIG. 1 collected data.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a lane 1 with a first vehicle 2, a second vehicle 3 and a third vehicle 4, which move in a direction F in each case in one of two lanes, a right lane 5 and a left lane 6.

A traffic monitoring system with a traffic measuring station 7 and an environmental measuring station 8 are placed on the lane 1. The traffic measurement station 7 with sensors for detecting and classifying vehicles detects vehicles 2, 3, 4 passing through the traffic measurement station 7 and detects, for example, their speed and lane affiliation. The traffic measuring station 7 may be a stationary column or box-shaped device on the side of the lane 1 with a sensor in the form of a laser scanner or light detection and ranging system, radar system and / or with cameras. Alternatively, the traffic measuring station 7 may be a mobile device or vehicle trailer.

The traffic measuring station 7 detects, for example, the height, width and length of the vehicle as well as the number of axles in order to classify the detected vehicles 2, 3, 4 on the basis of this data. After the vehicle type is recognized by the classification, an assignment of a mathematical vehicle model with the pollutant class or the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle can take place.

The detected measured values of the traffic measuring station 7 are for each vehicle in FIG. 3 shown in the upper boxes. Here the results in the left box show that the vehicle 2 was assigned the following vehicle model: Vehicle 2 is a car, drives 45 km / h, is on the left lane 6, has the emission class Euro 5 and comes from the district of Darmstadt and transported no dangerous goods. A vehicle model assignment was also made for the vehicle 3 (car) and vehicle 4 (truck) with the in FIG. 3 performed values.

By this classification can now be an estimate of the pollutant concentration in the ambient air in the in FIG. 1 shown monitored area 12 are made.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, meteorological data (eg, rainfall, wind force, wind direction, and air temperature) and air quality data (e.g., pollutant concentrations of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter) are recorded with the environmental measurement station 8, for which the environmental measurement station 8 includes sensors for detecting pollutant content is designed in the ambient air. The ambient air quality data obtained in this way can be compared with the estimated data and checked for plausibility.

The recorded measured values (environmental measurement data) of the environmental measuring station 8 are in FIG. 3 shown in the lower boxes. The left box shows the meteorological data. On the lane 1, a temperature of 15 ° C was measured, 0% precipitation detected and a wind with a wind force of 2 Beaufort from south-east direction determined.

The air quality data shown in the right box also refer to local measurements in this example. Here, sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ = 2.0 μg / m ³ ), carbon monoxide (CO = 0.3 mg / m ³ ) and particulate matter (PM ₁₀ = 16.6 μg / m ³ ) were measured, whereby the daily mean value for particulate matter at maximum 50 μg / m ³ may be. For carbon monoxide the daily limit value is 10 mg / m ³ and for sulfur dioxide the maximum limit is 20 μg / m ^{3 of} the annual mean value.

All measured and estimated data were collected in the central station 10 and are compared in a data processing unit 11 and tested and / or further processed.

All evaluated data can be sent to a user, for example to a navigation device or to a traffic control center. This purpose is served by a central station which optionally processes the data and distributes it to users (not shown here).

In FIG. 2 are also a first vehicle 2, a second vehicle 3 and a third vehicle 4 are shown, which move in the direction of travel F on a two-lane roadway 1. The difference from the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is that the traffic measuring station 7 is located above the lane 1 on a bridge 9 or a gantry. Alternatively, the traffic measuring station 7 can also be attached to a mast.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

roadway

2

first vehicle

3

second vehicle

4

third vehicle

5

right lane

6

left lane

7

traffic monitoring station

8th

environmental monitoring station

9

bridge

10

Central station

11

Data processing unit

12

monitored area

F

direction of travel

Claims (15)

Method of traffic monitoring in the
the passage of vehicles (2, 3, 4) in a monitored area (12) by means of a traffic monitoring system (7, 8) is detected, and
the traffic density in the monitored area (12) is determined,
characterized,
in that the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) are further classified and each vehicle (2, 3, 4) detected is assigned, on the basis of the classification, a vehicle model which contains the expected pollutant emissions of the detected vehicle. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the classification of the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) is based on at least one external feature from the group number of axles, length, width, height and identification badge. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the vehicle model includes the expected noise emissions of the detected vehicle. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the pollutant content in the ambient air in the monitored area (12) is determined. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized,
that the traffic density and / or the pollutant content of the ambient air in the monitored area (12) by means of the traffic monitoring system (7) is detected. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that the traffic density in the monitored area (12) by means of the traffic monitoring system (7) based on at least one of the measured variables from the group number of detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) in a certain period of time, speed of the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) and distance of consecutive detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) is detected. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized,
that noise emissions and / or as pollutant content of the ambient air in the monitored area (12) the concentration of at least one pollutant from the group carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter detected by the traffic monitoring system (8) becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
that meteorological data for the monitored area (12) are determined. Method according to claim 8,
characterized,
that at least one value from the group of air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, air pressure, humidity, and precipitation by means of the traffic monitoring system (8) is detected as meteorological data in the monitored area (12). Method according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized,
that based on the vehicle model, the pollutant content of the ambient air in the monitored area (12) is calculated. Method according to claim 10,
characterized,
that the calculated pollutant content is compared with the determined pollutant content of the ambient air. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized,
that the future pollutant content in the ambient air in the monitored area (12) and / or in adjacent regions based on the vehicle models of the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4) and the data to the traffic density and / or contaminant content found on the basis is expected in the ambient air , Method according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized,
and that the determined data of the traffic monitoring system (7, 8) collected data to a central station (10) or to user terminals are transmitted. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13,
characterized,
that the traffic situation is predicted on the basis of the determined data and the data recorded by the traffic monitoring system (7, 8), wherein preferably the predicted traffic situation is used for traffic control. A traffic monitoring system for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the traffic monitoring system comprises: Sensors (7) for detecting and classifying vehicles, Sensors (8) for detecting the pollutant content of the ambient air, and a data processing unit for assigning a vehicle model to the detected vehicles (2, 3, 4).

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