JP2004013199A - Traffic control method, control center and on-board communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce wait congestion at a traffic signal by obtaining the travel direction of vehicles in an intersection in real time in real circumstances. <P>SOLUTION: The traffic control center 100 can obtain direction indicator information from an on-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle approaching an intersection in real time in real circumstances. In addition, the traffic control center 100 controls the lengths of read and blue signals of traffic signals 120 and 122 according to the received direction indicator information and position information, so wait congestion of vehicles corresponding to the traffic signals 120 and 122 is reducible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a traffic control method, a traffic control center, and a vehicle-mounted communication device that alleviate traffic congestion of road traffic, particularly, congestion of traffic lights at intersections.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when traveling history data of a vehicle traveling on a road is collected by a vehicle-mounted communication device, a traffic control center transmits the traveling history data via wireless communication between the vehicle-mounted communication device and a roadside device installed on the roadside. There has been proposed a technique for optimizing offset adjustment of a traffic light system based on acquired travel history data (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-31286).
[0003]
In addition, the traffic control center obtains the traveling history data of the vehicle from all the target vehicles by communication using a mobile phone, analyzes the traveling history data, and controls a traffic light based on the analysis result, and transmits traffic information to the vehicle side as traffic information. There has been proposed a technology for monitoring traffic volume and reducing traffic congestion by broadcasting (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-128677).
[0004]
Furthermore, while monitoring traffic conditions using a camera, etc., the planned route from the vehicle is collected by a road management computer using a mobile phone, etc., and congestion prediction is performed in advance to guide the avoidance route to each vehicle. Has been proposed (JP-A-9-22497).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described technology, the travel history data is analyzed, or traffic congestion is predicted based on a planned travel route. However, there is a limit to increase the accuracy.
[0006]
In particular, in the case of a right-turn signal of a traffic signal (for example, a right-turn arrow signal that permits a right-turn of a vehicle at an intersection), even if the right-turn signal is controlled for a traffic signal based on predicted traffic congestion, real-time traffic fluctuations Cannot be buffered, and signal congestion occurs as follows.
[0007]
For example, in a case where the lane is one lane and there is no right turn lane, if there is a right turn vehicle that wants to turn right at the head, even if the traffic light turns green, the subsequent vehicle that wants to go straight on cannot follow. , Local congestion occurs. Alternatively, if there are many right-turn vehicles on a road that has a right-turn lane in addition to the straight-ahead lane, and the right-turn vehicle on the rear side protrudes into the straight-ahead lane, even if the traffic light turns green, the vehicle on the rear side will advance. And traffic jams may occur.
[0008]
In addition, as the dynamic control of the right turn signal, in the United States, a waiting vehicle is detected by a vehicle detection sensor embedded under the left turn lane (because the traffic rules are opposite) and a left turn arrow signal (equivalent to a right turn arrow signal in Japan) There is a device that controls the length, but it cannot be implemented in Japan because facilities (infrastructure) such as vehicle detection sensors are not provided.
[0009]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic control method, a traffic control center, and a vehicle-mounted communication device that acquire the traveling direction of a vehicle at an intersection in real time in real time to mitigate a traffic jam. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an on-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle, a control center for controlling a traffic light installed at an intersection, and an intersection control device are arranged in front of the intersection. A traffic control method for performing traffic control using a roadside device that wirelessly communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication device, wherein the roadside device transmits on-vehicle direction indication information output from a direction indication device operated by a vehicle to give a direction indication. The in-vehicle communication device has an instruction step of transmitting an instruction signal instructing transmission from the communication device, and the instruction signal is received in the instruction reception step of receiving the instruction signal transmitted from the road device, and the instruction signal is received in the instruction reception step. Then, a determining step of determining whether or not an operation for giving a direction instruction to the direction indicating device has been performed, and a determining step of determining whether or not an operation for giving a direction instruction to the direction indicating device has been performed. A transmission step of transmitting the direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and the vehicle position information indicating the position information of the vehicle when the determination is made by the control unit, and the control center is transmitted from the vehicle-mounted communication device. The method includes an information receiving step of receiving the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information, and a control step of controlling a traffic signal based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information received in the information reception step.
[0011]
In this way, the control center can obtain, in the information receiving step, the direction indication information transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device as the traveling direction of the vehicle in real time in a real situation. In addition, since the control center controls the traffic light based on the received direction indication information and the vehicle position information in the control step, the traffic jam of the traffic light can be reduced.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is a traffic control method for performing traffic control using a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle and a traffic control center installed at an intersection, wherein the vehicle-mounted communication device includes: The direction instruction determining step determines whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction with the direction instruction device, and is output from the direction instruction device when it is determined by the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction is being performed by the direction instruction device. A transmitting step of transmitting direction instruction information and vehicle position information indicating vehicle position information, wherein the control center receives the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle-mounted communication device; Direction instruction determination based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information received in the information receiving step to determine whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction at the intersection with the direction instruction device. And a control step of controlling a traffic signal based on the vehicle direction information and the vehicle position information determined in the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction device is performing the direction instruction at the intersection at the intersection. Features.
[0013]
Thus, when it is determined that the vehicle is giving a direction instruction using the direction instruction device, the direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and the vehicle position information acquired by the vehicle are transmitted to the control center. Then, the traffic control center controls the traffic signal based on the vehicle direction information and the vehicle position information determined in the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction device is performing the direction instruction at the intersection. Therefore, similarly to the invention of the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the traffic congestion without using the on-road device according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0014]
According to the invention described in claim 3, the on-vehicle communication device has an intersection determining step of determining whether or not the vehicle is approaching the intersection based on the vehicle position information and the map information including the intersection. When it is determined by the intersection determination step that the vehicle is approaching, and when it is determined by the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction is being performed by the direction instruction device, the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information are transmitted by the transmission step. It is characterized by doing.
[0015]
Thus, the onboard communication device can transmit the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information only when the vehicle is approaching the intersection and the direction is indicated by the direction indicating device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the direction instruction information from the vehicle located at a place unrelated to the intersection from being transmitted to the control center. As a result, the control center does not need to receive unnecessary information.
[0016]
Specifically, as in the invention described in claim 4, it is preferable that the control center is configured to control a right / left turn signal for permitting the vehicle to turn right / left in the control step.
[0017]
Here, the right / left turn signal indicates one of a signal that permits a right turn (for example, a right turn arrow signal) and a signal that allows a left turn (for example, a left turn arrow signal).
[0018]
Specifically, the following inventions of claims 9 to 12 may be applied.
[0019]
That is, in the invention according to claim 9, in the control step, the control center counts the number of vehicles that have transmitted the direction instruction information and performs time control of the right / left turn signal according to the counted number. And
[0020]
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the control center counts, in the control step, the number of vehicles that have transmitted the direction instruction information with respect to the same signal of the traffic light, and generates a right-turn signal that permits the right-turn of the vehicle according to the counted number. It is characterized by performing time control.
[0021]
In particular, in the invention according to claim 10, the control center determines whether or not there is a vehicle that has transmitted the direction instruction information from a place that is at least a predetermined distance from the intersection in the control step. It is determined whether there is a vehicle protruding from the right turn lane, and there is a vehicle that has transmitted direction indication information from a place that is at least a predetermined distance from the intersection, and there is a vehicle protruding from the right turn lane. When it is determined that this is the case, time control of a right turn signal for permitting a right turn of the vehicle to the traffic signal is performed.
[0022]
With this, when there is a vehicle protruding from the right-turn lane, a right-turn signal that allows the vehicle to make a right-turn is controlled for the traffic light.For example, it is possible to preferentially right-turn a vehicle located in the right-turn lane, It is possible to alleviate that the vehicle goes straight from the right turn lane to the straight lane and hinders the straight traveling of the vehicle.
[0023]
According to the invention described in claim 11, the control center counts, in the control step, the vehicles that have transmitted the information indicating the right direction as the direction instruction information, and the counted number exceeds the number of vehicles accommodated in the right turn lane. It is characterized in that when it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in the right turn lane, the time control of the right turn signal for permitting the vehicle to make a right turn is performed on the traffic light when it is determined that the counted number exceeds the number of vehicles accommodated in the right turn lane.
[0024]
In this case, the number of vehicles that indicate the right direction is counted, and it is determined that the counted number exceeds the number of vehicles accommodated in the right turn lane. It can be determined that a vehicle is present. Therefore, the same effect as that of the tenth aspect can be obtained.
[0025]
In the invention according to claim 5, the control center turns right or left in the control step based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information when the traffic light is illuminated with a red signal prohibiting the vehicle from traveling. It is characterized by controlling a signal.
[0026]
For example, when a red signal of a traffic light is lit on a one-lane road, and a right-turning vehicle that wants to turn right (or a left-turning vehicle that wants to turn left) is present at the head, the vehicle turns right before switching from a red signal to a green signal. By lighting the right turn signal to permit (or the left turn signal to permit the vehicle to turn left), it is possible to prevent the right turn vehicle from blocking the lane.
[0027]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control center is illuminating the traffic light with a blue signal that permits the vehicle to proceed, in the control step, based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information, the traffic control center transmits the traffic light. , A time control of a straight traveling signal for permitting the straight traveling of the vehicle is performed.
[0028]
For example, when there are many right-turning vehicles that want to turn right (or left-turning vehicles that want to turn left), by controlling the straight ahead signal to be short, many right-turning vehicles (or many left-turning vehicles) turn right at the intersection (or , Turn left).
[0029]
Here, the "straight signal" includes a signal (for example, a straight arrow signal) that permits only straight traveling, in addition to a green signal that permits the vehicle to proceed.
[0030]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle communication device transmits the traveling direction signal indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle in the transmitting step. In this case, the control center can determine whether the signal to be controlled is, for example, a right turn signal or a left turn signal based on the traveling direction signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted communication device. When making such a determination, it is preferable to use not only the traveling direction signal transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device but also the direction instruction information.
[0031]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle communication device performs the transmission by the DSRC method in the transmission step.
[0032]
For example, if a DSRC receiver that receives direction indication information from a vehicle-mounted communication device and vehicle position information in a DSRC system is disposed for each traveling direction on a road, the control center can use any of the DSRC receivers to provide direction indication information and vehicle information. Only by determining whether the position information has been received, it is possible to determine from which direction the vehicle that has transmitted the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information has traveled. Therefore, it is not necessary to specifically receive the vehicle traveling information from the onboard communication device.
[0033]
Here, it is preferable to apply the in-vehicle communication device according to the thirteenth aspect to the traffic control method using the on-road unit arranged in front of the intersection as in the first aspect of the invention.
[0034]
Specifically, in the invention according to claim 13, a communication unit that communicates with a traffic control center that controls a traffic light installed at an intersection and communicates with a road machine arranged before the intersection, and the vehicle position information An in-vehicle communication device having position information acquisition means for acquiring, a receiving means for receiving, from a road device, a request signal for requesting direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device for instructing a direction in a vehicle; Means for determining whether or not an operation for giving a direction instruction to the direction indicating device has been performed after the request signal from the on-road device has been received, and an operation for giving a direction instruction to the direction indicating device. And transmitting means for transmitting the direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and the acquired vehicle position information when it is determined by the determining means that the determination has been made.
[0035]
In this case, it is preferable to apply the control center described in claim 15. That is, in the invention according to claim 15, the control center communicates with the on-board communication device mounted on the vehicle and controls a traffic light installed at the intersection, and vehicle position information acquired by the vehicle; An information receiving means for receiving from the in-vehicle communication device direction information output from a direction indicating device which is operated by a vehicle to indicate a direction, and a traffic signal based on the direction information and the vehicle position information received by the information receiving means. And control means for controlling
[0036]
Further, it is preferable to apply the on-vehicle communication device according to claim 14 to a traffic control method that does not use the on-road device disposed in front of the intersection as in the invention according to claim 2.
[0037]
In other words, according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle communication system having a communication unit for communicating with a control center for controlling a traffic light installed at an intersection, and a position information acquiring unit for acquiring vehicle position information indicating vehicle position information. Output from the direction indicating device when it is determined by the determining unit whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction using the direction indicating device, and when the determining unit determines that the direction is being indicated by the direction indicating device. Transmission means for transmitting the obtained direction instruction information and the acquired vehicle position information.
[0038]
In this case, it is preferable that the control center is configured as in the invention described in claim 16.
[0039]
Specifically, the invention according to claim 16 is a traffic control center that communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle and controls a traffic light installed at an intersection, the vehicle position indicating vehicle position information. Information receiving means for receiving, from an onboard communication device, information and direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device operated by a vehicle to indicate a direction, and an intersection based on the received direction instruction information and vehicle position information. A direction instruction determining means for determining whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction using the direction instruction device, and a vehicle for which the direction instruction determining means determines that the direction instruction is being performed using the direction instruction device at the intersection. Control means for performing time control of the traffic signal based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information.
[0040]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an intersection traffic monitoring control system to which the traffic control method of the present invention is applied.
[0041]
In FIG. 1, the intersection traffic monitoring and control system has a traffic control center (control center) 100 and gates 110 to 113. The traffic control center 100 includes a base station 300, a gate 110 to 113, and a vehicle 200 of a communication system. As described later, the traffic jams of the traffic lights 120 to 123 are alleviated at intersections where four roads intersect by using the in-vehicle communication devices 203 to 203.
[0042]
The intersection is not limited to an intersection where four roads intersect, but may be an intersection where three or five or more roads intersect. In addition, a mobile wide area communication system (PDC, CDMA, IMT-2000, etc.) may be used as the communication system.
[0043]
Each of the gates 110 to 113 constitutes an on-road unit, and is arranged so as to straddle a road in front of an intersection (for example, 400 m) for each road. Each of the gates 110 to 113 transmits turn signal information (direction indicating information) output from the turn signal driving device (direction indicating device) to each of the vehicles 200 to 203 passing in the vicinity of itself from each vehicle-mounted communication device. An instruction signal for instructing the user to perform the transmission is continuously transmitted.
[0044]
Next, the configuration of the traffic control center 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the traffic control center 100.
[0045]
The traffic control center 100 includes a traffic monitoring / control device 100a and a signal control device 100b. The traffic monitoring / control device 100a includes a computer, a memory, and the like.
[0046]
The computer acquires vehicle information (for example, direction instruction information and vehicle position information to be described later) when the vehicle enters an intersection via wireless communication between the on-vehicle communication devices of the vehicles 200 to 203 and the base station 300. Then, based on these information, a process is performed for totalizing the number of vehicles approaching at the relevant intersection into left-turn, straight-ahead, and right-turn (vehicle number counting device). Further, the computer simulates conditions such as reducing waiting for a right turn and not obstructing the flow of a straight-ahead vehicle based on the stored total value (traffic light control simulation engine), and a traffic light control device based on the simulation result. A process for controlling the lighting of the traffic lights 120 to 123 via 100b is performed. The memory stores map data and a computer program, as well as data associated with processing by the computer.
[0047]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 mounted on each of the vehicles 200 to 203.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle communication device 210 includes a wireless communication device 10, an antenna 11, and a control device 13, and the wireless communication device 10 transmits signals transmitted from the gates 110 to 113 via the antenna 11. And communicates with the base station 300 via the antenna 11.
[0049]
The control device 13 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, and the microcomputer outputs position information (vehicle position information) output from the navigation device 14 based on signals received from the gates 110 to 113, as described later. A process for sending the turn signal information or the like output from the turn signal driving device 10 to the traffic control center 100 via the base station 300 is performed. The memory stores data accompanying the processing of the microcomputer and also stores a computer program.
[0050]
The turn signal drive device 10 is operated by operating the operation lever installed near the steering, and blinks a lamp provided on the vehicle to indicate a pointing direction (leftward or rightward), and indicates a pointing direction including the pointing direction. The information is output to the microcomputer of the control device 13.
[0051]
The navigation device 14 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, detects position information based on an output from the position detector 13b, reads map information from a map disk via the map data input device 13c, and Based on the position information, a process for obtaining an optimal route from the departure point to the destination is performed. Further, the navigation device 14 calculates the traveling direction and the moving distance of the vehicle based on the output from the position detector 13b.
[0052]
As the position detector 13b, a geomagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, a distance sensor, a GPS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, and the like can be used. As the map disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like that stores road map data used for map display and map data used for route guidance can be used.
[0053]
Next, the operation of the in-vehicle communication device 210 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control unit 13 of the in-vehicle communication device 210.
[0054]
First, the gates 110 to 113 repeatedly transmit a request signal (instruction instruction signal) for requesting transmission of the turn signal information to the in-vehicle communication device 210 of each vehicle. Instruction step).
[0055]
Therefore, when a certain vehicle passes below the gate just before approaching the intersection, the control unit 13 mounted on the vehicle transmits a request signal transmitted from the gate via the antenna 11 via the wireless communication device 10. (Step 400: Instruction receiving step described in claim 1: receiving means described in claim 13). Accordingly, the control unit 13 acquires position information (navigation information) from the navigation device 14.
[0056]
Here, when the turn signal driving device 10 blinks a lamp to give a direction instruction (for example, a right turn instruction or a left turn instruction), the control unit 13 sends the turn signal information (for example, a right turn instruction) from the turn signal driving device 10. Information or left turn instruction information) is obtained (step 401).
[0057]
For this reason, when the turn signal drive device 10 is giving a direction instruction, the control unit 13 performs a process for transmitting the turn signal information and the position information from the antenna 11 by the wireless communication device 10 (described in claim 1). Sending step). On the other hand, when the turn signal driving device 10 does not give a direction instruction, the control unit 13 performs a process for transmitting only the position information from the antenna 11 by the wireless communication device 10.
[0058]
Such turn signal information is sent to the traffic control center 100 via the base station 300, as will be described later, and the traffic control center 100 determines which direction the vehicle is instructing before the intersection. Used for However, not all vehicles give directions before the intersection. That is, depending on the vehicle, a direction may be indicated immediately before the intersection or within the intersection. Therefore, the control unit 13 performs processing for acquiring and transmitting the direction instruction information by performing the following processing.
[0059]
That is, it is determined whether or not the driver has operated the operation lever so as to instruct the turn signal drive device 10 to give a direction instruction (step 403: determination means according to claim 13). Here, when the driver does not operate the operation lever so as to instruct the turn signal driving device 10 to give a direction instruction, it is determined as NO in step 403.
[0060]
Next, the moving distance after transmitting the turn signal information and the position information (or after transmitting only the position information) is acquired from the navigation device 14 (step 404). Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the moving distance is longer than the predetermined distance XXm (step 405). When the moving distance is smaller than the predetermined distance XXm, the determination is NO and the process proceeds to step 403.
[0061]
For this reason, unless the operation lever is operated so as to cause the turn signal driving device 10 to give a direction instruction and the moving distance is not determined to be larger than the predetermined distance XXm, the turn signal operation determining process (step 403). ), The moving distance acquisition processing (step 404), and the moving distance determination processing (step 405) are repeated.
[0062]
Then, immediately before the intersection or within the intersection, when the driver operates the operation lever to cause the turn signal drive device 10 to give a direction instruction, the operation lever is operated by the driver to give the direction instruction. Is determined as YES in step 403, and the process proceeds to step 401.
[0063]
Accordingly, the position information is acquired from the navigation device 14 and the blinker information is acquired from the blinker driving device 10. In addition to this, a process for transmitting the turn signal information and the position information from the antenna 11 by the wireless communication device 10 is performed (step 402: transmitting means according to claim 13).
[0064]
Thereafter, as long as the operation lever is not operated so as to cause the turn signal driving device 10 to give a direction instruction and the moving distance is not determined to be larger than the predetermined distance XXm, the turn signal operation determination processing is performed as described above. (Step 403), the moving distance acquisition processing (Step 404), and the moving distance determination processing (Step 405) are repeated.
[0065]
Next, when the vehicle exits the intersection and the moving distance after transmitting the turn signal information and the position information (or only the position information first) first becomes equal to or more than the predetermined distance XXm, the vehicle leaves the intersection. As a result, YES is determined in step 404. Along with this, a process for transmitting the intersection leaving signal from the antenna 11 by the wireless communication device 10 is performed. The transmitted intersection leaving signal is transmitted to the traffic control center 100 via the base station 300, and is used in the traffic control center 100 to determine that the vehicle has left the intersection, as described later.
[0066]
Next, as an operation of the traffic control center 100, as shown in FIG. 5, a specific example of controlling the traffic lights 120 and 122 at an intersection where four roads that do not have a right turn lane in one lane are crossed. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0067]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the traffic monitoring / control device 100a of the control center. The traffic monitoring / control device 100a executes a computer program according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0068]
First, winker information and position information from the on-vehicle communication device 210 of each vehicle approaching an intersection in each traveling direction are received via the base station 300 (step 500: the information receiving step of claim 1 and the information receiving step of claim 15). Information receiving means). Accordingly, each vehicle approaching the intersection is classified for each traveling direction based on the turn signal information, the position information, and the map information obtained from the map disk from the map data input device 13c and the navigation device 14.
[0069]
Accordingly, among the vehicles approaching the intersection, the vehicle that has transmitted only the position information is regarded as a straight vehicle, and the number D1 of the straight vehicles is counted for each traveling direction. Further, the vehicle that has transmitted the turn signal information and the position information indicating the right turn instruction is regarded as a right turn vehicle, and the number D2 of the right turn vehicles is counted for each traveling direction, and the vehicle that has transmitted the turn signal information and the position information indicating the left turn instruction is turned left. The number D3 of left-turning vehicles as vehicles is counted for each traveling direction (step 510).
[0070]
In addition, by subtracting the number R2 of vehicles that have transmitted the intersection leaving signal from the number D2 of right-turning vehicles, the number of right-turning vehicles DK2 (= D2-R2) is obtained for each traveling direction (step 520). Here, the control of the traffic lights 120 and 122 when the red lights of the traffic lights 120 and 122 are lit is performed according to the table shown in FIG. 7 based on the direction indicating direction of the leading vehicle waiting for the red traffic light (Step 530: Claim 1). Control step).
[0071]
Here, the content of the signal control for the traffic signals 120 and 122 depends on whether the leading vehicle is a straight vehicle, a left-turn vehicle, a right-turn vehicle, or absent (that is, there is no vehicle waiting for a red light) for each traveling direction. Changes.
[0072]
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A is a “right turn vehicle” and the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B is “straight ahead” or “left turn”, the traffic monitoring / control device of the traffic control center 100. 100a performs signal control # 1 on the traffic signals 120 and 122 via the signal control device 100b. When the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B is a “right turn vehicle” and the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A is “straight ahead” or “left turn”, the traffic monitoring / control device 100a transmits the traffic light 120 via the signal control device 100b. , 122 are subjected to signal control # 2. Further, when the leading vehicle in the traveling directions A and B is a "right turn vehicle", the traffic monitoring / control device 100a performs signal control # 3 on the traffic signals 120 and 122 via the signal control device 100b. In other cases, the traffic monitoring / control device 100a performs default control on the traffic signals 120 and 122 via the signal control device 100b.
Hereinafter, the default control and signal control # 1, # 2, and # 3 of the traffic control center 100 will be described separately for each signal control with reference to FIGS.
[0073]
(Default control)
FIG. 8A is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 120 in the default control, and FIG. 8B is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 122 in the default control.
[0074]
The traffic monitoring / control device 100a alternately turns on the red signal and the green signal of the traffic light 120 for predetermined times ta and tb, respectively, and, similarly to the traffic light 120, alternately emits the red light and the blue light for the traffic light 122. , A process for turning on the light for predetermined times ta and tb, respectively. In signal control # 3, signal control is performed on the traffic signals 120 and 122 in the same manner as the default control.
[0075]
(Signal control # 1)
FIG. 9A is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 120 in the signal control # 1, and FIG. 9B is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 122 in the signal control # 1.
[0076]
While the red signal and the blue signal of the traffic light 120 are alternately lit for predetermined times ta and tb, the lighting time of the red signal is also extended for the traffic signal 122 by the time TE, and the lighting time of the blue signal of the traffic signal 122 is increased. Is shortened by the time TE.
[0077]
For example, when the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A is a "right turn vehicle" and the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B is "straight ahead" or "left turn", the traffic light 122 maintains the red traffic light when the traffic light 120 switches from a red traffic light to a green traffic light. Therefore, the "right turn vehicle" that is the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A can make a right turn regardless of the course of the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B during the extension period TE.
[0078]
(Signal control # 2)
FIG. 10A is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 120 in the signal control # 2, and FIG. 10B is a time chart showing the lighting time of the traffic light 122 in the signal control # 2.
[0079]
The red signal and the blue signal of the traffic signal 122 are alternately lit for predetermined times ta and tb, respectively, while the lighting time of the red signal is also extended for the traffic signal 120 by the time TE, and the lighting time of the blue signal of the traffic signal 122 Is shortened by the time TE.
[0080]
For example, when the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B is a “right turn vehicle” and the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A is “straight ahead” or “left turn”, even if the traffic light 122 switches from a red signal to a green signal, the traffic light 120 Is maintained, the "right turn vehicle" that is the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B can make a right turn regardless of the course of the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A during the extension period TE. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the “right-turning vehicle”, which is the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B, from stagnating and becoming congested.
[0081]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the traffic control center 100 can obtain the turn signal information from the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 mounted on the vehicle approaching the intersection in real time in real time. In addition, since the traffic control center 100 controls the traffic lights 120 and 122 based on the received turn signal information and the position information, the traffic congestion of the vehicles with respect to the traffic lights 120 and 122 can be reduced.
[0082]
(2nd Embodiment)
In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the lighting time of the red signals of the traffic signals 120 and 122 is controlled to reduce the traffic congestion of the vehicles with respect to the traffic signals 120 and 122. In the second embodiment, a right turn is permitted. By using the right-turn arrow signal, the waiting traffic of the vehicles at the traffic signals 120 and 122 is reduced. Hereinafter, the signal controls # 1, # 2, and # 3 of the present embodiment will be described separately.
[0083]
(Signal control # 1)
11A is a time chart showing red and blue signals of the traffic light 120, FIG. 11B is a time chart showing right turn arrow signals of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 11D is a time chart showing a right-turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0084]
While the red signal and the blue signal of the traffic light 120 are alternately lit for times ta and tb, respectively, the lighting time of the red signal for the traffic light 122 is extended by the time TE, and the lighting time of the blue signal of the traffic light 122 is reduced by the time TE. I do. In addition, a right turn arrow signal is turned on for the traffic light 120 for the extension time TE. Note that the right turn arrow signal for the traffic light 122 is not turned on.
[0085]
Therefore, similarly to the signal control # 1 of the first embodiment, when the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A is a "right turn vehicle", when the traffic light 120 switches from the red traffic light to the green traffic light and the traffic light 120 turns on the right turn arrow signal. Since the traffic light 122 maintains the red light, the "right turn vehicle", which is the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A, can make a right turn regardless of the course of the leading vehicle in the traveling direction B during the extension period TE. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the “right turn vehicle”, which is the leading vehicle in the traveling direction A, from stagnating and congested.
(Signal control # 2)
12A is a time chart showing red and green signals of the traffic light 120, FIG. 12B is a time chart showing right turn arrow signals of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 12D is a time chart showing a right-turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
In this case, as can be seen from FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d) and FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (d), as the signal control of the traffic light 120 in the signal control # 2, the red of the traffic light 122 in the signal control # 1 is used. The same control as the control of the traffic light, the green light, and the right-turn arrow signal (see FIGS. 11C and 11D) is performed. Further, as the signal control of the traffic signal 122 in the signal control # 2, the same control as the control of the red signal, the blue signal, and the right-turn arrow signal of the traffic signal 120 in the signal control # 1 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). carry out.
[0086]
(Signal control # 3)
13A is a time chart showing red and green signals of the traffic light 120, FIG. 13B is a time chart showing right turn arrow signals of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 13D is a time chart showing a right-turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 13A, the red signal of the traffic light 120 is turned on for an extra time TE from the time ta, and the lighting time of the blue signal is shortened by the time TE from tb. As shown in FIG. 13C, similarly to the traffic light 120, the red light of the traffic light 122 is turned on for a time (ta + TE), and the blue light is turned on for a time (tb−TE). In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13D, the right turn arrow signals of the traffic lights 120 and 122 are turned on during the extension period tE. Therefore, when the leading vehicles in the traveling directions A and B are “right-turn vehicles”, each leading vehicle can make a right turn in the extension period tE.
(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the road intersecting the intersection is one lane on one side is described. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a road having a right turn lane 600 in addition to the straight lane 601 is located at the intersection. May cross.
[0088]
In this case, when the red traffic lights are turned on at the traffic lights 120 and 122, the number of right-turn vehicles waiting for a signal in the right-turn lane 600 exceeds the number accommodated in the right-turn lane 600, and the right-turn vehicle on the succeeding side may protrude into the straight-ahead lane. is there. For this reason, when a straight-ahead vehicle (or a left-turning vehicle) is located behind the right-turning vehicle that protrudes, the straight-ahead vehicle (or a left-turning vehicle) cannot go straight (or a left-turn). Therefore, the traffic monitoring / control device 100a according to the present embodiment uses the number of right-turn vehicles to perform processing for alleviating congestion of vehicles at the traffic lights 120 and 122.
[0089]
In the present embodiment, a flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is used instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 used in each of the above embodiments. In FIG. 15, the same steps in FIG. 6 indicate the same processing.
[0090]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The traffic monitoring / control device 100a executes a computer program according to the flowchart in FIG. That is, as in the above embodiments, the turn signal information and the position information from the on-vehicle communication device 210 of each vehicle approaching the intersection in each traveling direction are received via the base station 300 (step 500). Accordingly, each vehicle approaching the intersection is classified according to its traveling direction, and among the vehicles approaching the intersection, the number of straight vehicles D1, the number of right-turning vehicles D2, and the number of left-turning vehicles D3 are counted for each traveling direction ( Step 510). Further, every time the traffic lights 120 and 122 emit a red light, the number of right-turning vehicles AK2 waiting for a red light in the traveling direction A and the number of right-turning vehicles BK2 waiting for a red light in the traveling direction B are obtained (step 520).
[0091]
Here, in the traveling direction A, based on the number of right-turning vehicles AK2 waiting for a red light and the number of accommodations AS in the right-turn lane 600 in the traveling direction A, the number of right-turning vehicles AK2 becomes the accommodation number AS in the right-turn lane 600. By determining whether the vehicle is larger than the right-turning vehicle, it is determined whether or not the following vehicle protrudes from the right-turning lane 600 into the straight-ahead lane 601 (step 540).
[0092]
Similarly, in the traveling direction B, the number BK2 of right-turning vehicles is larger than the number BS of accommodations in the right-turn lane 600 based on the number BK2 of right-turning vehicles waiting for a red light and the number BS of accommodation in the right-turn lane 600. It is determined whether or not the following vehicle of the plurality of right-turning vehicles protrudes from the right-turning lane 600 to the straight-ahead lane 601 (step 550).
[0093]
As described above, in the traveling directions A and B, based on the determination as to whether or not the following vehicle of the plurality of right-turn vehicles protrudes from the right-turn lane 600 to the straight-ahead lane 601, as shown in the table of FIG. , 122.
[0094]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, (1) when it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle in the traveling directions A and B, but there is no right-turning vehicle protruding into the straight lane 600, the default control is executed. I do. (2) When it is determined that there is no right-turn vehicle in the traveling directions A and B, the signal control # 1 is executed. (3) When it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction A but no right-turning vehicle protruding in the straight lane 600 and no right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction B, the signal control # 2 is executed. .
[0095]
(4) When it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction B but no right-turning vehicle protruding in the straight lane 600 and no right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction A, the signal control # 3 is executed. . (5) When it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle protruding in the straight lane 600 in the traveling direction A and no right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction B, the signal control # 4 is executed.
[0096]
(6) When it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle protruding into the straight lane 600 in the traveling direction B and no right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction A, the signal control # 5 is executed. (7) When it is determined that there is a right-turning vehicle protruding into the straight lane 600 in the traveling direction A and that a right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction B, the signal control # 6 is executed.
[0097]
Next, the default control and the signal control # 1 to # 6 in the traffic monitoring / control device 100a will be individually described.
[0098]
(Default control)
17A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 17B is a timing chart of a right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 17D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0099]
As shown in FIG. 17A, a red signal and a blue signal are alternately turned on for a predetermined time ta and tb, respectively, for the traffic signal 120, and as shown in FIG. The right turn arrow signal is turned on for the time td prior to turning on the green signal. Further, as shown in FIG. 17C, a red signal and a blue signal are alternately turned on for the traffic light 122 at predetermined times ta and tb, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 17D, the right turn arrow signal is turned on for the traffic light 122 for the time td prior to the turning on of the green signal.
[0100]
(Signal control # 1)
18A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 18B is a timing chart of a right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 18D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0101]
As shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (c), the lighting control of the red and blue signals is performed on the traffic signals 120 and 122 as in the case of the red and blue signals of the traffic signals 120 and 122 in the default control. In addition, a right turn arrow signal is turned on for the traffic light 120 for a predetermined time t1 after the red light is turned off, and a right turn arrow signal is turned on for the predetermined time t1 after the red light is turned off for the traffic light 122.
[0102]
Since the signal control # 1 is performed on the assumption that there is no right-turning vehicle in the traveling directions A and B, the shortest time (≪time td) is used as the predetermined time t1. The right turn arrow signal need not be lit.
[0103]
(Signal control # 2)
19A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 19B is a timing chart of a right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 19D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0104]
As shown in FIG. 19A, the red light and the blue signal are alternately lit at times ta and tb, respectively, as in the case of the default control, as shown in FIG. 19A, and as shown in FIG. For 120, the right turn arrow signal is turned on for a predetermined time td after the red signal is turned off. Further, as shown in FIG. 19C, the lighting time of the red signal of the traffic light 122 is extended by the time td from the time ta in the case of the default control. That is, the red signal of the traffic light 122 is turned on for a time (ta + td). Accordingly, the lighting time of the green signal of the traffic light 122 is reduced by the time td from the time ta in the case of the default control.
[0105]
As described above, when the traffic light 120 switches from a red signal to a green signal, a straight-ahead vehicle in the traveling direction B is prohibited from going straight, a left-turn vehicle in the traveling direction B is prohibited from turning left, and a right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction A is prohibited. Is allowed.
[0106]
Therefore, when a right-turning vehicle exists only in the traveling direction A, the right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction A can make a right-turn at time td in preference to the vehicle in the traveling direction B. For this reason, even if a subsequent vehicle enters the right turn lane 600 in the traveling direction A after the traffic light 120 switches from a red light to a green light, it is possible to suppress the following vehicle from protruding into the straight lane 601. Note that the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122 is not turned on.
[0107]
(Signal control # 3)
20A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 20B is a timing chart of a right-turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 20D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0108]
The signal control # 3 is executed when a right-turning vehicle exists only in the traveling direction B, contrary to the signal control # 2. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20 (c) and (d), in signal control # 3, the same control as the red signal, blue signal, and right-turn arrow signal of signal 120 in signal control # 2 is performed on signal 122. Further, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, in signal control # 3, the same control as that for the red signal, the blue signal, and the right-turn arrow signal of signal 122 in signal control # 2 is performed on signal 120.
[0109]
Therefore, when a right-turning vehicle exists only in the traveling direction B, the right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction B can make a right-turn at time td in preference to the vehicle in the traveling direction A. For this reason, even if the following vehicle enters the right turn lane 600 in the traveling direction B after the traffic light 122 switches from the red light to the green light, it is possible to suppress the following vehicle from protruding into the straight lane 601.
[0110]
(Signal control # 4)
21A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 21B is a timing chart of a right-turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 21D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0111]
In this signal control, when the traffic lights 120 and 122 emit a red light, no right-turning vehicle exists in the traveling direction B, and a right-turning vehicle following the right-turning lane 600 in the traveling direction A protrudes into the straight traveling lane 601. This is performed when it is determined that
[0112]
That is, as shown in FIG. 21A, similarly to the case of the default control, the traffic light 120 is caused to alternately emit red and blue signals at times ta and tb, respectively, as shown in FIG. 21B. Then, the right turn arrow signal is turned on for the traffic light 120 for a predetermined time t2 after the red signal is turned off. Further, as shown in FIG. 21C, the lighting time of the red signal of the traffic light 122 is extended by a time t2 from the time ta in the case of the default control. That is, the red signal of the traffic light 122 is turned on for a time (ta + t2).
[0113]
Here, the time t2 is a value shorter than the predetermined maximum time tmax, and is determined by the number AU of right-turning vehicles protruding into the straight lane 601 (tmax <t2 <td). For example, the time t2 may be determined by the number AU × the predetermined time. As the number AU, a value obtained by subtracting the number AS of the right-turn lanes in the traveling direction A from the number AK2 of right-turning vehicles waiting for the red light in the traveling direction A is used.
[0114]
As described above, since the traffic lights 120 and 122 are signal-controlled, when the traffic light 120 is switched from the red light to the green light, a right-turn vehicle of the number AU that protrudes into the straight lane 601 in the traveling direction A may make a right turn. it can. Therefore, in the traveling direction A, it is possible to prevent the right-turning vehicle on the rear side of the right-turning lane 600 from protruding into the straight-ahead lane 601 and to suppress the right-turning vehicle from hindering the traveling of the straight-ahead vehicle.
[0115]
(Signal control # 5)
22A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 22B is a timing chart of a right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 22D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0116]
Contrary to signal control # 4, when the traffic lights 120 and 122 emit red light, there is no right-turning vehicle in the traveling direction A, and the signal control is performed on the rear side of the right-turn lane 600 in the traveling direction B. This is performed when it is determined that the right-turning vehicle is protruding into the straight lane 601.
[0117]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the same control as the red signal, the blue signal, and the right-turn arrow signal of the traffic signal 122 in the signal control # 4 is performed on the traffic signal 120. Further, as shown in FIGS. 22C and 22D, the same control as the red signal, the blue signal, and the right-turn arrow signal of the traffic signal 120 in the signal control # 4 is performed on the traffic signal 122.
[0118]
Therefore, when the traffic light 122 switches from the red light to the green light, the right-turning vehicles of the number AU protruding into the straight lane 601 in the traveling direction B can make a right turn. Therefore, in the traveling direction B, it is possible to prevent the right-turning vehicle on the rear side of the right-turning lane 600 from protruding into the straight-ahead lane 601 and to prevent the right-turning vehicle from hindering the traveling of the straight-ahead vehicle.
[0119]
(Signal control # 6)
23A is a timing chart of a red signal and a blue signal of the traffic light 120, FIG. 23B is a timing chart of a right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 120, and FIG. FIG. 23D is a timing chart of the right turn arrow signal of the traffic light 122.
[0120]
This signal control determines that the right-turning vehicle following the right-turn lane 600 protrudes into the straight-ahead lane 601 in each of the traveling directions A and B when the traffic lights 120 and 122 emit red light. It is performed when you do.
[0121]
First, as shown in FIG. 23A, the traffic light 120 is set to the lighting time of a red signal (ta + t3), the lighting time of a blue signal (tb−t3), and further, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the right turn arrow signal is lit only during the time t3 before the green signal is lit. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 23C and 23D, the same signal control as that shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is performed on the traffic light 122.
[0122]
The time t3 can be determined based on the numbers BK1 and BK2 of right-turn vehicles waiting for red lights and the numbers AS and BS of accommodated right-turn lanes 600 in the traveling directions A and B as follows.
[0123]
That is, in the traveling direction A, the number of right turn vehicles AU protruding from the right turn lane 600 to the straight lane 601 is obtained by subtracting the accommodation number AS of the right turn lane 600 from the number BK1 of right turn vehicles waiting for a red light. Similarly, in the traveling direction B, the number of right-turning vehicles BK2 that protrude from the right-turning lane 600 to the straight-ahead lane 601 is calculated by subtracting the number BS of right-turning lanes 600 from the number of right-turning vehicles BK2 waiting for a red light.
[0124]
Here, the time t3 can be determined by the larger number of the right-turning vehicles AU and BU. For example, the time t3 is determined so as to be equal to the number AU × the predetermined time and less than the maximum time tmax.
[0125]
As described above, the traffic control center 100 can obtain the blinker information from the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 mounted on the vehicle approaching the intersection in real time in real time. Based on this, the right turn arrow signal is turned on for the traffic lights 120 and 122 when the red signal is turned on. Therefore, the right-turning vehicle can make a right-turning priority over the oncoming vehicles. Therefore, in each of the traveling directions A and B, it is possible to prevent the right-turning vehicle from protruding from the right-turn lane 600 to the straight-ahead lane 601.
[0126]
As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the right-turning vehicle is protruding from the right-turning lane 600 to the straight-ahead lane 601. , BS, the right turn arrow signal for the traffic signals 120 and 122 is controlled. Therefore, in each of the traveling directions A and B, traffic congestion caused by a right-turn vehicle at the red light town can be buffered.
[0127]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments, the example has been described in which the in-vehicle communication device 210 performs a process for transmitting the turn signal information and the position information based on the request signal transmitted from the gate. In the embodiment, a process for transmitting the turn signal information and the position information is performed irrespective of the request signal transmitted from the gate. FIG. 24 shows the process of the control unit 13 of the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 in this case.
[0128]
The control unit 13 of the present embodiment executes a computer program according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0129]
First, the control unit 13 acquires position information (navigation information) from the navigation device 14 (step 400a). Then, based on the position information and the map information input from the map disk via the map data input device 13c and the navigation device 14, the distance from the current position to the intersection located in the traveling direction is less than the predetermined distance. It is determined whether or not there is (step 400b). When the distance from the current location to the intersection located in the traveling direction is less than the predetermined distance, it is determined that the vehicle is close to the intersection, and YES is determined in step 400b.
[0130]
Thereafter, similarly to the first embodiment, the process of acquiring the turn signal information / position information (400), the process of transmitting the turn signal information / position information (Step 402: the transmitting means according to claim 14), the process of determining the turn signal operation (Step 403). The determination means according to claim 14), the moving distance acquisition processing (step 404), the moving distance determination processing (step 405), and the leaving signal transmission processing (step 406) are performed.
[0131]
In this case, when the control center 100 receives the turn signal information and the position information transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 210 via the base station 300 (the information receiving step according to claim 2: the information receiving means according to claim 16). ), Based on the turn signal information, the position information, and the map information including the corresponding intersection, it is determined whether or not the vehicle gives a direction instruction at the relevant intersection by the turn signal drive device 10 (described in claim 2). Direction instruction determination step: The direction instruction determination means according to claim 16).
[0132]
Here, when it is determined that the vehicle is giving a direction instruction using the turn signal driving device 10 at the corresponding intersection, the above-described winker information and position information of the vehicle that has determined that the direction instruction has been given are obtained based on the above-mentioned information. As in the first, second and third embodiments, the traffic lights 120 and 122 are controlled (control step according to claim 2: control means according to claim 16).
[0133]
As described above, the same effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained without using the gates 110 to 113 (road equipment) described in the first to third embodiments.
[0134]
In each of the above embodiments, the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 of the vehicle detects that the moving distance from the time of transmission of the turn signal information and the position information is equal to or more than the predetermined distance and is sufficiently away from the intersection, and automatically outputs the intersection departure signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an intersection leaving signal may be automatically transmitted when an operation for stopping the direction instruction is performed on the operation lever of the turn signal drive device 10. Good.
[0135]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the traffic control center 100 uses the vehicle that has entered from any direction among the vehicles that enter the intersection based on the position information and the map information transmitted from the on-vehicle communication device 210 of the vehicle. Although an example in which it is determined whether or not there is, the present invention is not limited to this. The navigation device 14 may calculate the traveling direction and transmit the traveling direction from the vehicle-mounted communication device 210.
[0136]
Accordingly, traffic control center 100 can determine from which direction the vehicle has entered based on the traveling direction transmitted from vehicle-mounted communication device 210. Accordingly, it is possible to determine which traffic light should be controlled corresponding to this vehicle.
[0137]
Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which a mobile wide area communication (cellular telephone network, IMT-2000, or the like) is used as a wireless communication unit between the vehicle-mounted communication device 210 and the traffic control center 100. The present invention is not limited to this, and a narrow-area road-to-vehicle communication system (such as DSRC) may be used. For example, a DSRC receiver is arranged for each traveling direction of a road crossing an intersection, and the traffic control center 100 receives the turn signal information and the position information from the on-vehicle communication device 210 via the DSRC receiver. . Accordingly, the traffic control center 100 determines which DSRC receiver is used when receiving the turn signal information and the position information from the on-vehicle communication device 210, thereby using the on-vehicle communication device without using the traveling direction. It is possible to determine from which direction the vehicle equipped with 210 has traveled.
[0138]
Further, the signal control using the blinker information described in each of the above embodiments may be performed as follows.
[0139]
For example, it can be used for controlling traffic on premises such as shopping centers and amusement facilities and event venues, particularly on taxiways in parking lots. These facilities have vast parking lots and many introduction paths in the premises, but the exits are limited, and entry and exit are concentrated, and congestion particularly in the premises occurs when leaving. Therefore, by installing a guidance signal at the main junction and encouraging the driver to use blinkers even on the premises, the vehicle guidance at the junction is controlled so that the number of waiting vehicles on each road is minimized. The driver's irritability and contact troubles can be done unattended.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an intersection traffic monitoring control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic control center shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle communication device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the on-vehicle communication device shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of the traffic control center shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a chart for explaining processing of the traffic control center of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the signal control shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the signal control shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the signal control shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a road according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of the traffic control center according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a chart showing signal control of a traffic control center according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a timing chart for explaining signal control according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process of a vehicle-mounted communication device in a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
110-113 ... gate, 120-123 ... traffic light,
210: In-vehicle communication device.

Claims (16)

A traffic control system that uses a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle, a traffic control center installed at an intersection to control a traffic signal, and a traffic control device that is located in front of the intersection and communicates wirelessly with the vehicle-mounted communication device. The method,
The roadside device has an instruction step of transmitting an instruction signal for instructing the vehicle-mounted communication device to transmit direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device that is operated in a vehicle and instructing a direction,
The in-vehicle communication device, an instruction receiving step of receiving an instruction signal transmitted from the road device,
After the instruction signal is received in the instruction receiving step, a determination step of determining whether an operation for performing the direction instruction has been performed on the direction instruction device,
When it is determined by the determination step that an operation for performing the direction instruction has been performed on the direction instruction device, direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and a vehicle position indicating vehicle position information And transmitting information and
The control center, the information receiving step of receiving the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information transmitted from the on-board communication device, based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information received in this information receiving step, A traffic control method, comprising: a control step of controlling the traffic light. A traffic control method for performing traffic control using a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle and a control center that controls a traffic light installed at an intersection,
The in-vehicle communication device, a direction instruction determination step to determine whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction by a direction instruction device,
When it is determined in the direction instruction determining step that the direction instruction is being performed by the direction instruction device, transmission of transmitting direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and vehicle position information indicating vehicle position information. Having steps,
An information receiving step of receiving the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information transmitted from the on-board communication device,
Based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information received in the information receiving step, a direction instruction determination step of determining whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction instruction with a direction instruction device at an intersection,
A control step of controlling the traffic light based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information of the vehicle determined in the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction is being performed by the direction instruction device at the intersection. A traffic control method characterized by the following. The in-vehicle communication device has an intersection determination step of determining whether the vehicle is approaching the intersection based on the vehicle position information and the map information including the intersection,
When it is determined by the intersection determination step that the vehicle is approaching the intersection, and when it is determined by the direction instruction determination step that the direction instruction device is performing a direction instruction, the transmission step includes: The traffic control method according to claim 2, wherein the direction information and the vehicle position information are transmitted. The traffic control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control center controls a right / left turn signal for permitting the vehicle to turn right / left in the traffic signal in the control step. The control center controls the right / left turn signal based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information in the control step when the traffic light is lit with a red signal prohibiting the vehicle from traveling. The traffic control method according to claim 4, wherein the traffic control is performed. The control center, when illuminating the traffic light with a blue signal that permits the vehicle to travel, in the control step, based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information, controls the vehicle with respect to the traffic light. The traffic control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein time control of a straight-ahead signal that permits straight-ahead travel is performed. The traffic control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the in-vehicle communication device transmits a traveling direction signal indicating a traveling direction of the vehicle in the transmitting step. The traffic control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the on-vehicle communication device performs transmission by a DSRC method in the transmission step. The said control center counts the number of vehicles which transmitted the said direction indication information in the said control step, and performs time control of the said right / left turn signal according to this count number, The said control center is characterized by the above-mentioned. Traffic control method. The control center determines, in the control step, whether there is a vehicle that has transmitted the direction instruction information from a place that is at least a predetermined distance from the intersection, and thereby determines whether or not the vehicle is out of the right turn lane. Determines whether or not
When it is determined that there is a vehicle that has transmitted the direction indication information from a place that is at least a predetermined distance from the intersection and that there is a vehicle that is protruding from the right turn lane, the traffic light is permitted to make a right turn of the vehicle. The traffic control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein time control of the right turn signal is performed. The control center counts, in the control step, vehicles that have transmitted information indicating a right direction as the direction instruction information, and determines whether or not the counted number exceeds the number of vehicles accommodated in the right turn lane. And
10. A time control of a right turn signal for permitting a right turn of a vehicle to the traffic light when it is determined that the counted number exceeds the number of vehicles accommodated in a right turn lane. The traffic control method according to one. In the control step, the control center counts vehicles that have transmitted the direction instruction information with respect to the same signal of the traffic signal, and performs time control of a right turn signal that permits a right turn of the vehicle according to the counted number. The traffic control method according to claim 1, wherein: An on-board communication device having communication means for communicating with a traffic control center that controls a traffic light installed at an intersection and communicating with a roadside machine disposed in front of the intersection, and position information acquiring means for acquiring vehicle position information. hand,
Receiving means for receiving from the on-road unit a request signal requesting direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device for instructing a direction in a vehicle,
After receiving the request signal from the on-road unit in the receiving means, determining means for determining whether or not an operation for giving the direction instruction to the direction instruction device,
When it is determined by the determination unit that the operation for performing the direction instruction has been performed on the direction instruction device, the direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and the acquired vehicle position information A vehicle-mounted communication device, comprising: a transmission unit for transmitting. A communication unit that communicates with a control center that controls a traffic light installed at an intersection, and a vehicle-mounted communication device that includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle position information indicating vehicle position information,
Determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is giving a direction indication by a direction indication device,
When it is determined by the determination unit that a direction instruction is performed by the direction instruction device, a transmission unit that transmits the direction instruction information output from the direction instruction device and the obtained vehicle position information, An in-vehicle communication device having: A control center that communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle and controls a traffic light installed at an intersection,
Information receiving means for receiving from the vehicle-mounted communication device vehicle position information indicating the position information of the vehicle, and direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device that is operated by the vehicle and instructs the direction,
A control center, comprising: control means for controlling the traffic light based on the direction instruction information received by the information receiving means and the vehicle position information. A control center that communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on a vehicle and controls a traffic light installed at an intersection,
Information receiving means for receiving from the vehicle-mounted communication device vehicle position information indicating the position information of the vehicle, and direction instruction information output from a direction instruction device that is operated by the vehicle and instructs the direction,
Based on the received direction instruction information and the vehicle position information, a direction instruction determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is performing a direction instruction with the direction instruction device at an intersection,
A control unit that performs time control of the traffic light based on the direction instruction information and the vehicle position information of the vehicle determined by the direction instruction determination unit to perform a direction instruction with the direction instruction device at the intersection, A control center characterized by having:

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