DE102009046826A1 - Method for optimizing traffic flow, and for use as zipper closure method, involves linking of different lane exchange data through vehicle communication units installed on vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves linking of different lane exchange data through vehicle communication units installed on vehicles. A desired travel trajectory for an optimal traffic flow is obtained. The link is carried out to avoid the hazard situations caused by falling below minimum distance between vehicles.

Description

State of the art

Known systems are based on vehicle-to-vehicle communication (C2C), inter alia, the driver during lane change operations. Involved drivers are informed, for example, when a preceding vehicle suddenly decelerates or changes lanes. The US-2007 / 0,115,897 A1 shows such a system.

Disclosure of the invention

Advantages of the invention

With the measures of claim 1, d. H. Vehicles equipped with vehicle communication units on different lanes exchange data with one another when approaching a distance train subtraction, these data being linked so that target driving trajectories arise in the sense of optimized traffic flow, the drivers can be supported in a comparatively difficult driving task, resulting in avoidance dangerous situations or accidents. By optimizing the flow of traffic, a significant increase in traffic density can be achieved.

In the subclaims advantageous embodiments of the method and a use are shown.

The linking of the data with regard to the acquisition of desired driving trajectories in the sense of an optimal traffic flow is carried out in such a way that no dangerous situations arise by falling below minimum distances of vehicles.

With two vehicles located next to each other at approximately the same speed, one vehicle is accelerated and the other braked in such a way that a gap is created in which it can be sheared. Thus, a reliable support of the driver during threading in accordance with the zipper method according to StVo §7, paragraph 4 is possible.

The linking of the exchanged data is preferably carried out by a situation interpretation, which can be further supported by infrastructure facilities. In this case, the support of infrastructure facilities can be used both for data collection, eg. B. by a camera or contact loop, as well as in the situation interpretation done.

The longitudinal and transverse interventions in the steering system required for generating the desired driving trajectories can optionally be communicated to the driver only, used as driving assistance or used for the autonomous guidance of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention

When vehicles equipped with a vehicle communication unit approach different lanes of a lane subtraction, they exchange data with one another by suitable linkage, possibly with algorithm (situation interpretation) for the optimum target driving trajectory in the sense that an optimal traffic flow, e.g. B. high traffic density is possible. The driver is suitably supported or automatically guided when driving on these target trajectories.

The link or situation interpretation, if any, can be supported by a fixed infrastructure device, both in data collection, e.g. As camera or contact loops, as well as in the algorithmic situation interpretation on the local CPU. From the situation interpretation arise Soll-Fahrtrajektorien that optimal traffic flow, z. B. high traffic density, but possibly also inflow restriction on upcoming sections or reduce emissions allow. The boundary condition that no danger situation, z. B. by too close approach of the vehicles, d. H. Falling below minimum distances may arise. For example, with two adjacent vehicles at about the same speed, one can be accelerated and the other slowed down to create a gap that can then be cut into.

To achieve the desired driving trajectories certain longitudinal and transverse interventions are necessary. This can optionally be the driver only informed or interventions can take place. These in turn can range from mere support to autonomous driving.

For the vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication standardized protocols are provided so that the data from each vehicle or each infrastructure unit can be interpreted correctly.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• US 2007/0115897 A1 [0001]

Claims (8)

Method for optimizing traffic flow, wherein vehicles equipped with vehicle communication units exchange data with one another on different lanes when approaching a lane subtraction and wherein these data are linked such that target driving trajectories are obtained in the sense of an optimal traffic flow. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage is performed so that no dangerous situation is created by falling below minimum distances of vehicles. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at two adjacent vehicles at approximately the same speed one vehicle is accelerated and the other is braked such that a gap is formed, can be sheared into. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the linkage of the exchanged data is performed by a situation interpretation. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the required to achieve the desired driving trajectories longitudinal and transverse interventions in the steering are communicated to the driver to be used as driving assistance or used for automatic guidance of the vehicle. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the combination of the exchanged data or the situation interpretation are supported by infrastructure facilities. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the support of the infrastructure in the data collection, z. B. by camera and / or contact loops, and / or takes place in the situation interpretation. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 7 in the zipper method.