RU2703409C1 - Method of informing a vehicle driver at intersections on traffic flows - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vehicle equipment and accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method of informing a vehicle driver at intersections on traffic flows leaving said intersection. Proposed method comprises steps to define number of vehicles per unit of time with the help of radars with further division of said quantity into preset maximum throughput capacity. Quotient is transmitted from radars to an electronic display, where it is visualized in the form of a color gamma, or in the form of a series set of several indicators, or a continuous indication scale.

EFFECT: informing the driver on traffic congestion.

4 cl, 2 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

The invention relates to the field of navigation and can be used in systems for determining the location and tracking the trajectory of objects moving in the aboveground space.

A known system for determining the location of a moving object by the signals of global navigation satellite systems is used, in which traffic estimation compares the time for which the vehicles travel a certain length of the road, with the reference, which is chosen as the time for which they can travel the same way at night under the assumption that at this time the streets are completely free [1]. Highways and high-traffic streets lend themselves well to measuring congestion in this way, while vehicle drivers must use Yandex.Maps or Navigator. For small streets, however, such data is too small to analyze the situation (data is needed for a relatively large period of time - a month or more). The methodology for assessing the workload of Yandex.Maps or Navigator is based on dividing the streets into segments by assigning their borders next to turns and major intersections. In addition, with the help of a special algorithm, intermediate markers are placed within the boundaries of these segments at a distance of about 300 meters from each other, with the help of which the belonging of the collected traffic data to the segment under consideration is checked. Next - every 5 seconds - the time and coordinates of the points at which they are located are collected from Yandex.Maps or Navigator users on Yandex servers. The sequence of these data forms the path (track) of the vehicle. Further, all tracks are grouped according to the parameters “day” and “hour”, after which the average trip time is calculated for each parameter. Knowing the distance between points and the time taken to overcome this distance, it is easy to determine the speed of the vehicle, which is then converted into points for the convenience of users.

The disadvantages of this type of solution include:

• satellite “dependence”;

• relativity of the data obtained through the use of day-night coordinates;

• a large array of data for traffic analysis;

• lack of confidentiality of data on the movement of each participant in the movement.

The closest in technical essence to the claimed object is a satellite-free navigation device [2], in which on the road signs, traffic lights, poles, trees, buildings and structures, as well as other artificial objects and suitable objects of inanimate nature, radio frequency tags are set, the coordinates of which predefined, while the vehicle is equipped with a radar reader of information from the tags, transmitting it to an electronic map of the area, formed in advance on the basis of satellite imagery mkov, with further marked on it coordinates all the label areas - towns, villages, town, directions, road, route. The map compares the data determined by the current radar reader of the tag with the data on the map and / or in the database. After that, the image is visualized for the user with a location mark at a certain point on the street, road, route, direction. The movement route is laid relative to the already established coordinates by connecting the closest marks from point “A” where the user is located to point “B” selected on the map, determined by the nearest object with the mark installed on it, by including marks between them along the roads, directions or routes with the choice of the minimum distance between points "A" and "B". The accuracy of reaching the object will be determined by the proximity of the mark to it and the density of such marks on the terrain next to the selected object.

The disadvantages of this solution include the fact that the route being formed is usually the shortest, but not necessarily the fastest (in time).

The alleged invention is aimed at providing drivers with information about the load of potentially possible directions of the vehicle on the basis of determining by radars installed, for example, at / at traffic lights, the number of transport units that have chosen a particular direction of movement at the intersection and departing from it in this direction to one time, with the subsequent division of this amount into a predetermined (usually maximum) throughput of this direction (departure of cars with about the next intersection per unit time). Dividing data in each direction is transmitted to electronic displays installed in the visibility range of drivers of vehicles approaching the corresponding intersection, where they are visualized in a color scheme that is intuitively clear to drivers (red - high tension, yellow - medium, green - low), or in the form of a sequential set of several indicators of the same color, while the more indicators are involved in the formation of the information signal, the more loaded the direction, or continuous Kala display. The information is relevant for drivers approaching or already at a given intersection, and covers directions to at least the next nearest intersection or branch, where a similar sign is also set. In addition, to increase driver awareness, electronic displays can be integrated into a composite electronic display, the signals for each segment of which come from radars installed at neighboring intersections.

The technical result is achieved by the fact that radars are installed at intersections, the moment of switching on of which is synchronized with the inclusion of the traffic light enable signal in this direction, which determine the number of transport units leaving it in this direction per unit of time, followed by dividing this number by a predetermined maximum throughput this direction. At the same time, the division data in each direction is transmitted via wired or wireless communication from radars to electronic displays installed in the visibility area of drivers of vehicles approaching the corresponding intersection, where they are visualized in a color scheme that is intuitive to drivers (red - high tension, yellow - medium, green - low), or in the form of a sequential set of several indicators of the same color, with the more indicators participating in the formation of information signal, the more loaded direction, or continuous display scale. In addition, to increase driver awareness, electronic displays can be integrated into a composite electronic display, the signals for each segment of which come from radars installed at neighboring intersections.

The technical result consists in providing data of vehicle drivers about congestion in the intersection zone in the direction of their following by visualizing information about the difference in the flows of cars entering all directions from this intersection and leaving the zone of neighboring intersections per unit time.

Distinctive features of the proposed method is that, in order to select the time-optimal route of movement, the driver is provided with visual information through electronic displays installed at intersections in the areas of best visibility for drivers about traffic congestion not currently visible to the driver of the vehicle. At the same time, data from radars installed in the zones of intersections that read the number of units of vehicles entering this direction per time unit and dividing this number by the known (for example, established experimentally) maximum possible number of vehicles leaving this direction in unit of time. Accordingly, the scoreboard displays information in the form of a color scheme that is intuitively clear to drivers (red - high tension, yellow - medium, green - low), or in the form of a sequential set of several indicators of the same color, and the more indicators are involved in the formation of the information signal (activated, lit, etc.), the more loaded direction, or continuous display scale. In addition, to increase driver awareness, electronic displays can be integrated into a composite electronic display, the signals for each segment of which come from radars installed at neighboring intersections.

The essence of the solution: information is visualized on electronic signs that are installed at intersections for all directions of possible traffic, by counting the number of vehicles turning in the selected direction per unit of time and then comparing this number with the maximum throughput of this direction (leaving the next neighboring car intersection per unit time). Electronic signs are installed at each intersection or branch of the road, while the traffic intensity on the roads after the intersection that is outside the vehicle driver’s field of view is displayed in a color scheme that is intuitive for drivers: red - high tension, yellow - medium, green - low . The increase in traffic intensity can also be displayed in the form of a sequential set of several indicators of the same color, the more indicators involved in the formation of the information signal, the more loaded the direction, or a continuous indicator scale. The information is relevant for drivers at a given intersection and covers directions to the next nearest intersection, where a similar sign is also set. At the same time, electronic displays can be integrated into a composite electronic display, the signals for each segment of which come from radars installed at neighboring intersections. Thus, the method of choosing the direction is reduced to solving the classical problem with a vessel into which a stream of transport “flows” and a stream of transport “flows out”, while the entrance and exit of the vessel has a limited throughput, and the vessel itself has a limited volume. Visualization, on the other hand, shows the "fullness" of the vessel, in which each direction of movement (road) acts after the current intersection and to the next.

The proposed positioning method works in online mode, is easy to implement and is not associated with any satellite navigation system.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, where in FIG. 1 shows a general operation diagram, and FIG. 2 - composite scoreboard.

In FIG. 1, the following notation is introduced:

1 - traffic light with integrated radar;

2 - stream of vehicles;

3 - individual vehicles identified and counted by the radar;

4 - an electronic sign installed above the intersection in the zone of best visibility for drivers approaching it;

5 - indicators showing the loading of the corresponding direction (active indicators (lit) are shown in gray);

6 - a car with a driver choosing the optimal direction of movement.

In FIG. 2, the following notation is introduced:

A, B, C, D - intersections whose radars transmit information to segments A ', B', C, D 'of the composite electronic scoreboard that strictly correspond to them.

The method can be implemented using the device (Fig. 1), consisting of a traffic light 1 with an integrated radar, which turns on at the moment of ignition of the traffic light 1 that allows for this direction, and estimates the flow of 2 vehicles based on counting the number of individual vehicles 3 that turned in each direction from the intersection per unit of time - V _current . Moreover, the throughput (the maximum possible number of vehicles 3 leaving the intersection per unit time - V _max ) for each direction is known in advance. Traffic lights 1 at intersections A, B, C, D are synchronized.

The radar - for each direction of movement from the intersection - calculates the quotient of dividing the number of individual vehicles 3 that turned in a given direction from this intersection per unit of time, and the maximum possible number of vehicles 3 leaving the selected direction from a neighboring intersection in unit of time Y _current / Y _max This quotient is sent via wired or wireless communication from the radar to the scoreboard 4, where it is visualized by lighting the indicator scale, while:

• in the case of a continuous scale, the quotient is translated into the “current / voltage” parameters of the indicator scale, with V _max / V _max (at V _current = V _max ) corresponds to the maximum current / voltage, and 0 / V _max (at V _current = 0) - lack of current / voltage;

• in the case of a discrete scale, the number of lit indicators 5 will be equal to the integer part of the number from the quotient multiplied by the number of indicators n (table).

Scoreboard 4 can be made composite - multi-segment (mosaic), for each of the segments A ', B', C ', D' of which signals are sent from the respective intersections A, B, C, D (Fig. 2).

Signboard 4 is located at intersections A, B, C, D in the zone of best visibility for the driver of the vehicle 6, approaching one of these intersections.

The operation of the device is as follows (Fig. 1, 2). The radar installed at the traffic light 1 is turned on at the moment of ignition of the traffic light 1, which permits the signal in this direction, and counts the number of individual vehicles 3 that turned in the direction of intersections B, C, D from this intersection A per unit of time (V _current ). The maximum possible number of vehicles 3 leaving the neighboring intersections B, C or D per unit of time (V _max ) is established, for example, by the observation method.

In the process of determining the number of individual vehicles 3, turning at the permitted traffic light 1 from intersection A in the direction of intersections B, C, D per unit time, for example, every 5 seconds, the radar divides the _current value of V by the value of V _max and sends it via wire or wireless communications private from dividing the scoreboard 4.

In the case of a continuous scale, the display 4 translates the quotient into the “current / voltage” parameters of the indicator scale, and V _max / V _max corresponds to the maximum current / voltage. As a result, a part of the scale corresponding to the loading of the direction is lit on the scoreboard 4.

In the case of a discrete scale, the scoreboard 4 lights up the number of indicators 5 corresponding to the integer part of the quotient multiplied by the number of indicators n [V _current / V _max ⋅n].

When using colored indicators 5 - as you move away from indicators 5 that are closest to each other for different directions - some of them may be painted in yellow and then (at the end of the indicator scale) in red.

Thus, the driver of the vehicle 6, approaching the intersection (for example, A), sees a sign 4 in front of him, which displays the current information about flows 2, characterizing traffic congestion in the directions to intersections B, C, D.

It is possible to perform a composite display (Fig. 2), taking into account the traffic congestion at the intersections following B, C, D, provided that data is exchanged between the traffic light radars 1 installed at intersections B, C, D and beyond, and their corresponding segments B ', C', D '(and further) composite scoreboard 4.

To reduce the level of “noisy” information, the driver sees only the “outgoing” streams from him, although a design of a scoreboard 4, functioning on similar principles and showing the state of traffic in the opposite direction from the movement of the car 6, may be provided.

Traffic light radars 1, in addition, can simultaneously assess compliance with traffic rules by drivers of vehicles, or, conversely, radars used to assess drivers' compliance with traffic rules can be used to calculate the number of vehicles 3 leaving this intersection in the direction of others. Radars can also be installed separately from traffic lights 1 - in the zones of the best “visibility” for them of vehicles 3 leaving the intersections, however, the moment of their inclusion should correlate with the moment the enable signal of the traffic light 1 is turned on in the selected direction of estimation of the stream 2 of vehicles 3 .

The application of the proposed solution can significantly reduce the cost of routing vehicles, providing drivers with up-to-date information, while maintaining their privacy. In addition, the car may not be equipped with any navigation system.

Sources used

1. Yandex. Research. How do we assess the congestion of streets [electronic resource]. Access mode: https://yandex.ru/company/researches/2017/jams_count (accessed October 12, 2017).

2. Patent No. 2642507 IPC G01S 19/42. The way of non-satellite navigation / Simdyankin A.A., Uspensky I.A., Byshov N.V. Application No. 2016142973, filing date 10/31/2016, registration of the application of January 25, 2018, Bull. Number 3.

Claims (4)

1. The method of informing the driver of a vehicle at intersections about the flows of vehicles leaving this intersection in all directions, in which traffic estimation compares the time for which the vehicles travel a certain length of the road, with the reference, for which the time for which they can also follow the same path at night on the assumption that at this time the streets are completely free, characterized in that radars are installed at intersections, the moment of switching on of which is synchronized with switching on the traffic light enable signal in this direction, determining the number of transport units leaving it in this direction per unit of time, followed by dividing this number by a predetermined maximum throughput in this direction, while the quotient from dividing by wired or wireless is transmitted from radars on electronic displays installed in the visibility range of drivers of vehicles approaching the corresponding intersection, where they are visualized in the form of color howl gamut, which is intuitively clear to drivers, red - high tension, yellow - medium, green - low, or in the form of a sequential set of several indicators of the same color, the more indicators are lit, the more loaded the direction, or a continuous display scale. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that when using a discrete scoreboard, the number of indicators lit is equal to the integer part of the number of the product of quotient and the number of indicators. 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that when using a continuous scale, the quotient from the division is transferred to the "current / voltage" parameters, and with a quotient equal to unity, the current / voltage of the indicator scale takes maximum values, and with a quotient equal to zero , current / voltage are zero. 4. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that to increase the level of awareness of drivers about the busyness of intersections following this intersection, electronic displays are integrated into a composite multi-segment, mosaic electronic display, the signals for each segment of which come from radars installed at adjacent intersections .

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