JP2004205234A - Method and device for driving support system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method capable of analyzing the influence that a support system exerts on the future traffic situation of a traffic road network remarkably easily, promptly, and extremely precisely, and a suitable device. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a method and a device for driving a support system for a vehicle. The support system derives the output for a driver from the data supplied and/or the intervention to the vehicle. According to the present invention, the influence of the support system to the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is previously determined, and the analysis of the influence is accomplished. The support system performs the output for the driver and/or the intervention to the vehicle based on the result of the analysis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for driving a support system used in a vehicle based on the premise of claim 1 and to an apparatus for driving a support system used in a vehicle based on the premise of claim 8. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today's vehicles are increasingly using support systems. Such a support system is useful for the purpose of reducing and supporting the burden of driving work, that is, the driver who guides the vehicle in each traffic situation. The assistance system processes the supplied data and derives the output for the vehicle driver and / or the vehicle intervention therefrom. By means of the assistance system, warning information and other information are presented as output for the vehicle driver in various ways, such as optical methods, acoustic methods, tactile methods, and the like. As an intervention in the vehicle, regardless of whether or not the vehicle driver further investigates, for example, an intervention by a brake or a vehicle function such as automatically operating a danger warning system is automatically activated by the support system. The
[0003]
The dynamic navigation device is one of the frequently used support systems, and gives a vehicle driver the possibility of appropriately specifying the route to the destination in the traffic road network based on the predicted traffic situation. . For example, it is disclosed how the best route for the vehicle from the starting point to the target point is determined before going on a trip, and at this time at least the trip is expected to currency this route During this period, traffic prediction calculation for route selection is performed (see Patent Document 1). By adopting such a dynamic navigation system, the route between two points in the traffic road network can always be optimally selected for each vehicle.
[0004]
Other support systems have also been disclosed (see Patent Document 2). In this case, dynamic data obtained by individual vehicles are exchanged among a plurality of vehicles having appropriate equipment. In this “self-organizing traffic guidance system”, questions about necessary data are transmitted and received using short-range communication means. Answer or forward the received question. In this case, the answer is also obtained after a certain time delay. Individual vehicles can also provide evaluated dynamic data, for example, dynamic data with an evaluation of the degree of nature that more closely characterizes the data.
[0005]
Still other examples of the support system include, for example, an interval control device, a curve warning device, and a lane change support device. That is, a lane change support device is disclosed that uses a detection device to monitor the space at the rear and front of the vehicle (see Patent Document 3). The distance and speed between the detected object and the vehicle are measured. Following this, a safe distance for the vehicle from the detected individual object is measured, which takes into account, for example, the reaction time and a given delay value. These calculated safety distances are compared with the measured safety distances. Based on the result of this comparison, an instruction for changing the lane is displayed to the vehicle driver. Alternatively or in addition, an appropriate value for changing the lane is supplied to the longitudinal and / or lateral controller of the vehicle.
[0006]
Generally, a clear patent describes controlling a navigation system for a vehicle by the following method (see Patent Document 4). That is, here, the influence of the navigation system on the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is determined in advance by analyzing these influences and driving the navigation system based on the results of this analysis. .
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
German Published Patent No. 198 56 704
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
International Application Publication WO00 / 46777 Pamphlet
[0009]
[Patent Document 3]
German Patent No. 43 135 68
[0010]
[Patent Document 4]
US Pat. No. 6,232,917
[0011]
[Patent Document 5]
German Published Patent No. 199 44 075
[0012]
[Patent Document 6]
German Published Patent No. 199 40 957
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The object of the present invention is to demonstrate a method that enables the influence of the support system on the future traffic situation of the road network to be analyzed in a very precise manner while being extremely simple and quick. Another object of the present invention is to illustrate a suitable device.
[0014]
This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 for the method and by the features of claim 8 for the device. The dependent claims relate to beneficial improvements and developments of the invention.
[0015]
The main concept of the present invention is to analyze the influence of a support system used in a vehicle on the future traffic situation of a traffic road network and to derive a recommended action from the analysis result. In the conventional method, the support system is used in a manner advantageous to the vehicle driver only at the present time. If an analysis is performed when the support system is used, it is possible to detect in advance the influence of good or bad on the resulting future traffic situation. For example, a check is made as to whether the use of the support system has an adverse effect on other vehicle drivers in the traffic road network. Furthermore, it is also determined whether the advantageous results for the vehicle driver obtained in a short time by using the support system will lead to adverse results for the vehicle driver later. In addition, the vehicle driver's actions that may result from the use of the support system and the vehicle's reactions that may cause an adverse or even dangerous action to the driver of the adjacent vehicle. An estimate is made.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The support system is driven by supplying data based on the analysis result. The support system uses this data to derive output for the vehicle driver and / or vehicle intervention. Thus, the support system is not driven until the impact of the use of the support system on the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is determined. This further has an advantageous influence on the support system and thus also on its effectiveness. If the data supplied to the support system is changed by comparison with the data initially analyzed, the output for the vehicle driver and / or the intervention on the vehicle is particularly affected. For example, the type and / or content of the data is made dependent on the result of this analysis. Alternatively, the supply of data to the support system can be partially or completely inhibited based on the analysis results. In this case, the data supply can be carried out after a delay time and / or after it is possible to supply data that directly drives a specific operating state of the support system. Alternatively or additionally, recommended actions for drivers of other vehicles are generated, for example by measures for collective traffic rules.
[0017]
The method according to the invention is explained in more detail by the use of dynamic navigation as an example of a support system. In this case, the influence of the route selection of the vehicle on the traffic road network using the dynamic navigation on the future traffic situation is examined in advance in consideration of other vehicles having the dynamic navigation. This is especially likely when dynamic navigation is used by a large number of vehicle drivers, but when a route that is advantageous for one or several vehicle drivers is selected, for other vehicle drivers, Alternatively, adverse effects on the overall traffic situation may occur. The totality of the navigation work of all individual vehicles with dynamic navigation is investigated. The combination of individual surveys makes it possible to analyze the entire system of all vehicles in the traffic road network. In this case, both vehicles with and without dynamic navigation are taken into account.
[0018]
In this way, a route calculated as optimal for a vehicle is still optimal even when taking into account the route calculated by a vehicle with dynamic navigation and the impact on future traffic conditions on further routes. An analysis is made as to whether or not there is. In this way, consideration is given by the movement of the vehicle at the appropriate speed along the calculated route, so that the vehicle is depicted spatially and temporally in relation to future traffic conditions. If this analysis shows that the optimal route for an individual vehicle is taken and that there is no adverse impact on the individual vehicle or the overall traffic situation, the calculated route for the vehicle Is used for performing vehicle navigation operations. If an adverse effect on an individual vehicle or the overall traffic situation is detected, the appropriate item of information is given to some or all vehicles with dynamic navigation. Alternatively or additionally, appropriate collective traffic regulation can be provided, for example, by selection of an appropriate visual signal switching program and / or by variable traffic signs. This allows all vehicles in the traffic road network to travel comfortably and safely by taking into account the impact of vehicles with dynamic navigation on future traffic conditions.
[0019]
The “self-organizing traffic guidance system” described above is also advantageous by the method according to the invention. This system is likewise based on individual and isolated studies in individual vehicles. In this case, the vehicle obtains only the dynamic data required from the individual viewpoint for performing the analysis work from the other vehicle. In this case, decisions made by an individual vehicle based on the received data may have a beneficial effect on the driver of the vehicle, but may affect the driver of the other vehicle or the overall traffic situation. Can have a negative impact on them. A plurality of analysis tasks to be solved individually for each vehicle are also combined here. This combination allows for an analysis of the “entire system” that includes all participating vehicles. On one or all individual vehicles, decisions that are likely to be made based on the received data are simulated and analyzed. Here, the effect of the decisions made on the future traffic situation is investigated by analysis. If this analysis detects that the decisions made based on the received data have a detrimental effect on individual vehicles or on the overall traffic situation, a certain number of vehicles or all participating vehicles Is provided with appropriate item information. Alternatively or in addition, appropriate collective traffic regulation can be contemplated here. Therefore, taking into account the impact of vehicles participating in the self-organizing traffic guidance system on the future traffic situation, both participating vehicles and other vehicles in the traffic road network will be comfortable and safe for travel. Can be done.
[0020]
The procedure according to the invention is likewise beneficially used for the above-mentioned lane change assistance device also known from the prior art. The analysis of the influence of the planned lane change operation is in this case limited to a small part of the traffic road network, for example several hundred meters ahead and behind the vehicle. In this analysis, it is particularly investigated whether dangerous driving of a vehicle in the close position is induced by a lane change operation. Therefore, in this case, the future traffic situation is analyzed only for a relatively short period of time, for example several minutes.
[0021]
In accordance with the present invention, traffic prediction calculations are used to analyze the impact of the support system on future traffic conditions in the traffic road network. In such traffic prediction calculation, the departure point in the current traffic state and the future temporal development of this traffic state, that is, additional information about the traffic for deriving a so-called scenario are used. In this case, the support system is positioned as performing an appropriate operation of the vehicle as is actually the case in the traffic prediction calculation.
[0022]
According to the present invention, a distinction is made between a portion of the traffic road network associated with a metropolitan area and a portion associated with the main road network, and each traffic road network typically includes various regions. In this case, the metropolitan area is regarded as a traffic road network characterized by a large number of nodes and short partial sections connecting them, while the main road is identified as a traffic road network with few nodes. Is done. According to the present invention, for at least one partial path, the length of the queue indicating the characteristics of the partial path and / or the rate of diversion to the side road (hereinafter referred to as turn-off rate) has not exceeded the limit. And whether there is a traffic congestion pattern similar to an effective bottleneck.
[0023]
In this case, traffic prediction calculation particularly suitable for main roads is disclosed (see Patent Document 5). In addition, traffic prediction calculation for metropolitan areas has been proposed (see Patent Document 6). In this case, the traffic prediction calculation can also provide multiple scenarios (eg, with different probabilities). Depending on the convenience and availability, different types of traffic predictions can be used in a single or any desired combination and / or with any desired accuracy, such as for example characteristic curves Prediction, dynamic prediction, and traffic pattern detection that can be used very flexibly. The current traffic situation is taken into account in each condition, depending on the requirements for available storage capacity, computing power, communication links, data availability and also the accuracy of the traffic prediction results. For example, typical stored data and currently measured traffic data are used, for example, data from stationary sensors, data from vehicles traveling on traffic roads (“floating car data”). )), Or data from mobile phone positioning performed alone or in any desired combination.
[0024]
Vehicles with dynamic navigation provide in advance information about the planned trip. That is, for example, in the case of a trip with a navigation device that has been selected or activated before the departure to the trip by appropriate operation of the vehicle driver or is activated for the vehicle driver at that time The route to the proposed destination point is known. Such information obtained in advance can be advantageously used for traffic prediction calculations by simulating the route search method used for vehicles. For this purpose, a simulation of the route search method is shown in the traffic prediction calculation. Therefore, the behavior of the vehicle that is likely to occur as a result of the presented route has already been taken into consideration in the future traffic situation, and thereby the appearance probability of the scenario obtained by the calculation is also increased.
[0025]
The impact of the support system on future traffic conditions is entered into the analysis after it has been determined. In order to perform this analysis in an automatic manner, variable items representing the characteristics of the traffic road network are defined, and the simulation of the support system may result in adverse effects on individual vehicles or the overall traffic situation. Used to confirm whether. Such adverse effects are then identified by exceeding or falling below the threshold, for example in the case of characteristic variable values. In order to ensure that the processing by the computer is simple and fast, such characteristic variable values are in this case defined for each individual partial route of the traffic road network. Thus, such analysis can be limited to one or several “neurologic” partial pathways, or can be performed for all individual partial pathways. Further, for the purpose of optimizing the subsequent computer calculation, an appropriate temporal average value of variable values representing the characteristics of the road traffic network during a specific time interval is taken. The spatial range and temporal averaging period of the partial route depends on, for example, the desired accuracy of the computer calculation, the regional conditions of the traffic road network, the availability of data, and the turnaround time.
[0026]
One variable suitable for automatic analysis is characteristic traffic flow for partial routes. This characteristic traffic flow represents, for a particular partial route, the maximum number of vehicles that can pass this partial route within a particular time interval. The traffic flow is a variable for the partial route covered by the traffic road network, is easy to measure, and thus can be obtained cost-effectively and without high costs. The partial path overload is then detected, for example, by exceeding a threshold for the case of the characteristic traffic flow of this partial path. In addition, traffic flow constitutes a variable often used in traffic prediction calculations, and therefore, for example, the spatial range and temporal averaging period for the partial route to be analyzed, used in traffic prediction calculations, Analysis is particularly easy by harmonizing with the measured values of the obtained variables.
[0027]
According to the present invention, the queue length and / or the turn-off rate is used as a characteristic variable value suitable for automatically performing analysis on the metropolitan area of the traffic road network. The part of the road network related to the metropolitan area is identified by the frequent occurrence of nodes. The adverse impact of the support system that may have on the future traffic situation of the road network is the traffic flow in multiple driving directions emanating from the nodal point, the queue length and the traffic flow flowing into the nodal point. Can be easily analyzed by using the composition ratio with respect to. Again, it is easy to measure the two variable values. For example, this turn-off overload can be detected because the queue length in the turn-off lane exceeds a threshold.
[0028]
According to the present invention, a traffic congestion pattern similar to an effective bottleneck is used as a characteristic variable value suitable for automatic analysis for a portion of the traffic road network related to the main road network. An effective bottleneck is a factor that determines the traffic flow on the main road. In this case, an effective bottleneck occurs at a fixed point due to structural conditions, for example, and also at a place that can be spatially changed such as a low-speed traveling vehicle. The creation, presence, and continuation of patterns of traffic congestion, similar to an effective bottleneck, make it possible to easily and accurately analyze the adverse effects of support systems that may have on the future traffic conditions of the road network. . Thus, for example, future traffic congestion is detected by detecting a specific pattern of traffic congestion at an effective bottleneck.
[0029]
It is particularly advantageous to make changes based on the analysis of the impact of the simulated support system on future traffic conditions. The change in this case is a correction value by simulating the support system to the output to the vehicle driver or to the intervention on the vehicle. Subsequently, the impact of this change on future traffic conditions is newly determined. When determining the impact of this change, the same traffic situation as in the first analysis is used as a starting point. Thus, by repeatedly making changes, an iterative procedure is performed in which the impact of the change on future traffic conditions is determined and subsequently analyzed. Based on the results of this analysis, data is provided to the support system, from which the support system derives output for the vehicle driver and / or intervention for the vehicle, or a new change simulates the support system. Is implemented. When a change is made according to the analysis result, the previous simulation operation state of the support system may be buffered or discarded, for example. In this case, depending on the analysis result, the change is often performed until the influence of the change on the future traffic situation after the analysis satisfies a specific instructed requirement.
[0030]
Here, this procedure will be described with reference to an example of dynamic navigation. For example, if an analysis detects that a partial route of a traffic road network is severely overloaded, whether or not the route (route) presented by a simulation by a dynamic navigation device includes this partial route (sections) Confirmation is made. If the overloaded partial route is not included in the presented route, this route is provided to vehicles with dynamic navigation. If an overloaded partial path is included in the presented path, a new path is calculated that does not include this “marginal” partial path. This calculation is achieved, for example, in the conventional method by blocking the route for a route search algorithm, and as a result, a route that avoids the marginal partial route is calculated. Subsequently, it is then analyzed whether the new route and the route of another vehicle with dynamic navigation have a negative effect, eg creating an overloaded partial route. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the limited partial route by this method because it can influence the route of the vehicle having dynamic navigation. The iterative procedure described above provides “system-optimal” route selection for individual vehicles with dynamic navigation. In this case, the optimal system means that the route of the vehicle with all the dynamic navigation is selected so that the negative impact on the overall traffic situation obtained by the analysis is as light as possible as a whole according to the instruction conditions Means that For example, in the case of the threshold value of the characteristic variable value, the instruction condition is to minimize the number of times the detected threshold value is exceeded.
[0031]
In order to converge this iterative procedure, the appropriate data is supplied to the support system after a specific number of calculation steps and / or after a specific time interval. In particular, such a time interval is selected to be shorter than the time interval characterized by the time importance for the analyzed support system. Therefore, it is certain that the analyzed conditions are still related to the support system after the analysis of the influence of the support system. This means that the conditions at the end of the analysis are very different from the analyzed conditions. Here, this time interval is determined by the analyzed support system. For example, the time interval in the case of the above-described lane change support device is substantially shorter than that in the case of the above-described dynamic navigation.
[0032]
Thus, the iterative method is aborted after a maximum number of changes have been made in the simulation of the support system and / or when a divergence is detected in the analysis and / or when a certain computation time is exceeded. . In this case, to operate the support system, the last analyzed change to the support system is selected and the corresponding data is provided to the support system. The last change implemented is, for example, the operating condition of a previous, buffered support system. For example, in the analysis of the impact, if divergence is detected in such a way that the analyzed relationship is further deteriorated after the second change, the support system will respond to the operating conditions before the first change. Data is provided. Alternatively, the analysis method to be used can be changed, and the newly made change can be analyzed by the new method.
[0033]
For dynamic navigation, in order to systematically construct an iterative procedure in route calculation, the route that is recalculated after analysis is partial, i.e. part of the route is retained. For example, in the case of a route from the starting point to the destination point, if it is analyzed that the part between two intermediate points is very crowded, a new route is calculated only between the two intermediate points. Subsequently, the held portion and the newly calculated portion between the two intermediate points are combined and input to the analysis. Of course, in this case, any desired number of portions of different lengths can be retained, and this selection can be made based on the results of the analysis. Thus, for example, parts that are recognized as not critical are retained, thereby reducing the computational load for path computation.
[0034]
An apparatus for driving a vehicle support system includes simulation means for simulating a support system used in a vehicle, and prediction means for executing traffic prediction calculation, wherein the prediction means includes the support system. Use the vehicle appropriately to determine the impact of the support system on future traffic conditions in the traffic road network. Further, the driving device includes an analysis unit for analyzing these influences and a processing device. The processing device is designed as a vehicle computer, and drives the support system based on the result of this analysis, for example. In this case, for the part of the traffic road network relating to the metropolitan area, the analyzing means (16) may, for at least one partial route, the queue length and / or the turn-off rate indicating the characteristics of this partial route exceed the limit. Check if it is not. For the portion of the traffic road network related to the main road network, the analysis means (16) checks whether or not there is a traffic congestion pattern belonging to an effective bottleneck for at least one partial route.
[0035]
The simulation means and the prediction means and / or the analysis means can be partly or completely combined with the processing device and incorporated into one device. Alternatively, the processing device, the analysis means, the simulation means and / or the prediction means are additionally provided with the function of at least one device already in the vehicle, for example a control device.
[0036]
In the case of a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the processing device adds a new signal to the simulation means based on the influence on the future traffic situation determined by the prediction means and analyzed by the analysis means. send. When the simulation means receives such a signal, it makes a change. In this case, the change is represented by a modified output for the vehicle driver, or a modified intervention on the vehicle, both obtained by simulating the support system. The impact on the future traffic situation due to this change is newly determined by the prediction means. In order to determine the impact of the implemented changes on the future traffic situation, the prediction means will use the same traffic situation as the starting value in this case, which was initially analyzed by the support system by the support system. To do. Therefore, an iterative procedure is performed, in which the simulation means makes a change repeatedly, the prediction means determines the effect of this change on the future traffic situation, and the analysis means performs the analysis. A new signal is then sent to the simulation means for a new change based on the analysis result performed. This procedure is continued until the analysis of the impact of changes on future traffic conditions meets certain requirements or until a cancellation condition is achieved.
[0037]
In another refinement of the invention, for example, when a vehicle uses an offboard support system, at least one part of the aforementioned device is a service control center (a database in which the subscriber can receive appropriate services by using wireless means). Central processing unit). In this case, the service control center includes a processing device, simulation means, prediction means, analysis means, and communication means for the purpose of data exchange with the vehicle. The vehicle includes at least a support system and communication means for data exchange with the service control center. In this case, the simulation means repeatedly changes, and the influence of this change on the future traffic situation is determined by the prediction means and analyzed by the analysis means. If the analysis is performed and, as a result, no adverse influence on the future traffic situation occurs, the processing device transmits information on appropriate items for driving the support system to the vehicle using the communication means. If an adverse effect on the future traffic situation is detected during the analysis, the processor sends a new signal for change to the simulation means. This iterative procedure is continued until specific requirements are met in the analysis of the impact of changes on future traffic conditions or until conditions for cancellation are achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the service control center also drives the traffic control center. For example, the traffic control center selects a visual signal device switching program suitable for predicting future traffic conditions, or, in the case of a variably usable route, selects allocation of driving directions with respect to the lane.
[0038]
Alternatively, it is possible to distribute the apparatus in a different manner between the service control center and the vehicle. For example, only a processing device, an analysis unit, and a prediction unit are arranged in the service control center. In this case, the simulation means is arranged on the vehicle side and individually transmits changes in driving of the support system to the service control center. The service control center uses prediction means to determine the impact of this change on future traffic conditions and analyzes this effect using analysis means. Subsequently, based on the result of the analysis performed, the processing device transmits information to the vehicle for the purpose of driving the support system using the communication unit, or sends a signal to the simulation unit for the purpose of performing the change. .
[0039]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The flowchart and advantageous embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the drawings, in which parts corresponding to one another are given the same reference symbols in all the figures.
[0040]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary flow chart for a method for driving a support system. Data D via two points related to the traffic road network is provided by the vehicle 1 with dynamic navigation. These two points are, for example, the departure point and the target point of the scheduled travel of the vehicle 1. After spatially allocating the data D, the route R between the two points of the traffic road network is calculated using the digital road map 3 of the traffic road network according to the simulation of the dynamic route search method 2 used for the vehicle 1. It is determined. Subsequently, the influence of the route R on the progress of future traffic conditions in the traffic road network is determined by the traffic prediction calculation 4. The resulting scenario S is in this case determined using the digital road map 3 of the road network and the additional traffic information 5 and taking into account other vehicles 6 with dynamic navigation. Scenario S is analyzed in the next step 7. Based on the result of the analysis 7 on the influence of the calculated route R and / or the information I on the calculated route on the future traffic situation S of the calculated route R for the vehicle 1 having dynamic navigation. In consideration of other vehicles with dynamic navigation, they are supplied to the output stage 8. The output stage 8 is a stage in which, for example, the calculated route R is further processed using the navigation system of the vehicle 1, or collective traffic instructions or control commands are generated by the traffic control center based on the information I. It is a stage.
[0041]
FIG. 2 shows a representative flow chart for an advantageous embodiment of a method for driving dynamic navigation. A vehicle 1 having dynamic navigation provides data D that passes through two points of the traffic road network. As a supplement to the method described in FIG. 1, for a vehicle 1 with dynamic navigation, an analysis of the influence of the route R on the future traffic situation S calculated taking into account other vehicles with dynamic navigation. Based on the result of 7, a signal W for recalculating a new route is sent to the simulation of the dynamic route search method 2. The dynamic route search method 2 calculates a new route R after receiving the signal W. In this case, for example, a specific partial route of the digital road map 3 of the traffic road network being used is blocked according to the value contained in the signal W and according to the result of the analysis 7, thereby calculating a new route R. No longer used. Subsequently, the influence of the route R on the traffic situation is newly determined by the traffic prediction calculation 4. In this case, the traffic situation at the departure point is the same traffic situation at the same moment as the route R calculated previously. By simulating the dynamic route search method 2 used for the vehicle 1, the route R is repeatedly calculated for the vehicle 1, and the influence of this route R on the future traffic situation is determined by the traffic prediction calculation 4. And an iterative procedure is then performed such that it is then fed to analysis 7. In this case, after the analysis 7, a signal W is sent based on the result of this analysis, which means that the influence of the calculated route R on the future traffic situation S after the analysis 7 satisfies certain requirements. Or until cancellation conditions are achieved.
[0042]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a block diagram for an apparatus 9 for driving dynamic navigation. In this case, the device 9 is provided in a service control center 10 (a central processing unit having a database in which a subscriber can receive appropriate services by using wireless means). At least one vehicle 1 having dynamic navigation sends data D via the departure point and destination point of the planned trip to the service control center 10. As an example of the support system 11, the vehicle 1 includes a conventional navigation device (hereinafter referred to as the navigation device 11) and a communication unit 12 in this case. The navigation device 11 automatically determines the vehicle position at that moment as the starting point. Further, the navigation device 11 has a destination that the vehicle driver desires as a destination point. The departure point and the destination point are spatially allocated by the navigation device 11 using the digital road map 3 ′ of the traffic road network. Next, the navigation device 11 of the vehicle 1 calculates an appropriate route from the departure point to the destination point. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 sends data D relating to the spatially assigned departure point and destination point to the service control center 10 via the communication means 12. Here, for the purpose of transmission / reception, the communication means 12 uses a terrestrial mobile communication system such as GSM or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System), communication via an artificial satellite, or wireless communication using a beacon.
[0043]
The service control center 10 is a means for simulating a dynamic route search method 2 (hereinafter referred to as a simulation means 13 for short) that is used for a trip from a departure point to a destination point by the navigation device 11 of the vehicle 1. ), Means for executing the traffic prediction calculation 4 (hereinafter referred to as prediction means 14 for short), means for executing the analysis 7 (hereinafter referred to as analysis means 16 for short), a processing device 15, Communication means 12 'is included. The route R from the departure point to the destination point is calculated by the simulation means 13. The starting point and destination point are located by spatially assigned data D. When calculating the route R, the digital road map of the traffic road network provided in the data storage device 3 ″ of the service control center 10 and the simulation and / or the same items that can be used for the navigation device 11 of the vehicle 1 Links between information are used. Subsequently, the influence of the route R calculated by the simulation means 13 on the progress of the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is determined by the prediction means 14 in consideration of other vehicles having the dynamic navigation 1 ′. For this purpose, the prediction means 14 uses the route R together with the additional traffic information 5. This additional traffic information 5 is provided in the form of a database in the service control center 10, and historical traffic data is stored in this database. Additional traffic information that is also available comes from an external data source 17. The external data source 17 is, for example, a specially equipped traveling vehicle (“floating car data”), and at least temporarily providing a wireless communication connection allows data about the current traffic situation of this vehicle to be stored. To the service control center 10. Alternatively, the external data source 17 is, for example, a fixed measurement device, and transmits traffic data currently measured by wired communication. In addition, mobile phone location data may be available, and the location of each mobile phone at different times is used to determine the usage of the mobile phone.
[0044]
In the next step, the scenario S determined by the prediction means 14 is supplied to the analysis means 16. The analysis means 16 is designed here as a part of the processing device 15 and automatically compares the result of the scenario S with a predetermined condition. For example, a check is made as to whether a queue in front of a road intersection in a metropolitan area does not exceed a certain average length. The influence of the route R for the vehicle 1 having dynamic navigation on the future traffic situation S is thereby analyzed at the service control center 10. Based on the result of the analysis performed by the analysis means 16, the processing device 15 provides the route R calculated using the communication means 12 ′ and / or information I about the calculated route R, or A signal W is sent to the simulation means 13 for the purpose of recalculating the path R. The newly calculated route R is supplied to the prediction unit 14, and its influence is subsequently analyzed by the analysis unit 16.
[0045]
The route R calculated by the simulation means 13 and / or the information I about the calculated route R is supplied to the vehicle 1 and the traffic control center 18 based on the analysis result. The traffic control center 18 controls selection of a switching device for visual signal devices, for example. Furthermore, the driver of the vehicle 1 has the option of specifying, before leaving for the trip, that he wants more information, for example regarding the route selected by the navigation system 11 of his vehicle 1. If it is detected by the analyzing means 16 in the service control center 10 that the determined threshold has been exceeded, possibly on the route R chosen by the vehicle 1, the driver of the vehicle 1 is informed about this in this case. The For example, if traffic congestion is predicted on a certain partial route of the route selected conditionally by the vehicle 1, the vehicle driver is sent with the appropriate item information I and / or the proposed new route R. It is done. In addition, the driver can also prompt the recalculation of the route R during the trip, for example by using a switch suitable for this purpose, with an appropriate operation.
[0046]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a block diagram of an embodiment for driving the three support systems 11a, 11b, 11c mounted on the respective vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c. In this case, the support systems 11a, 11b, and 11c do not necessarily have the same structure. Further, the vehicles 1a, 1b, and 1c include communication units 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively, and each of the communication units 12a, 12b, and 12c transmits and receives data to and from the other two communication units. Further, the vehicles 1a, 1b, and 1c include simulation means 13a, 13b, and 13c for simulating the support systems 11a, 11b, and 11c used for the respective vehicles, and respective prediction means 14a for performing prediction calculation. 14b, 14c, each analysis means 16a, 16b, 16c, and each processing apparatus 15a, 15b, 15c. In this case, the respective simulation means 13a, 13b, 13c are here together with the respective prediction means 14a, 14b, 14c and the respective analysis means 16a, 16b, 16c together as a part of the respective processing devices 15a, 15b, 15c. Designed. This processing apparatus is designed as a vehicle computer, for example. Alternatively, a mobile device can be provided, and the mobile device is wirelessly connected to each support system 11a, 11b, 11c.
[0047]
The influence on the future traffic situation of each support system 11a, 11b, 11c is determined in advance before each support system 11a, 11b, 11c is driven. For this purpose, the respective simulation means 13a, 13b, 13c defined for simulating the respective support systems 11a, 11b, 11c used in the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c are vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c. Each support system 11a, 11b, 11c has a simulation and / or link for the same information that is available. The impact on the development of the future traffic situation on the traffic road network of each support system 11a, 11b, 11c simulated by the respective simulation means 13a, 13b, 13c is determined by the prediction means 14a, 14b, 14c, Then, it supplies to analysis means 16a, 16b, 16c. In this case, the “joint” calculation for the influence on the future traffic situation of each support system 11a, 11b, 11c is the data between the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c using the respective communication means 12a, 12b, 12c. Made possible by exchange. This means that the determination and analysis of these effects are not performed individually in the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c. Instead, effectively linked calculation and analysis of the impact of each support system 11a, 11b, 11c is achieved by appropriately dividing the calculation mission using the respective communication means 12a, 12b, 12c. In this case, the division of the calculation task is performed between the simulation units 13a, 13b, and 13c, between the prediction units 14a, 14b, and 14c, and between the analysis units 16a, 16b, and 16c.
[0048]
In particular, in the case of connected calculation and analysis, appropriate data under the currently analyzed operating conditions are reliably supplied to the respective support systems 11a, 11b, and 11c. This means that the operating conditions of the respective support systems do not change excessively during the analysis period of the influence of the support systems 11a, 11b, and 11c. Such a large change will result in the analyzed condition no longer relevant to the support system at the end of the analysis. In this case, this characteristic time interval depends on the support system being analyzed. In this case, the data has already been supplied to one of the three support systems 11a, 11b, 11c, for example, the lane change support device, but on the other hand, the influence of another support system, for example, dynamic navigation is still being analyzed. Can happen. Changes to simulated operation of the support system based on the results of the analysis by sending a signal W for recalculation until a characteristic time interval is reached in such an individual support system Is done. Such a signal W is sent anew until the impact of the change on the future traffic situation meets specific indicated requirements after analysis or until a cancellation condition is achieved. The respective support systems 11a, 11b, 11c for the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c are individually driven on the basis of the “optimized” traffic prediction in this way.
[0049]
As another method, the simulation means 13a, 13b, and 13c provided in the vehicles 1a, 1b, and 1c may be omitted, and the function may be inherited by the remaining simulation means. In this case, the connection calculation for the influence is performed by data exchange between the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c and using the respective communication means 12a, 12b, 12c. For example, even if the simulation means 13a and 13b exist only in the respective vehicles 1a and 1b, the calculation about the influence on the future traffic situation of the respective support systems 11a, 11b and 11c is performed only for the simulation means 13a and 13b. Determined by. Of the simulation means 13a, 13b, 13c, at least one simulation means must be present in this case.
[0050]
Of course, what has been described here also applies to the prediction means 14a, 14b, 14c respectively provided in the vehicles 1a, 1b, 1c, and also to the respective analysis means 16a, 16b, 16c. If at least one means for each means is present in at least one of the plurality of vehicles, an appropriate connection calculation is performed using the respective communication means 12a, 12b, 12c.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method for driving a support system for a vehicle for an example of dynamic navigation.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary flow chart for a further advantageous embodiment of a method for driving dynamic navigation.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram in the form of a block diagram for an embodiment for driving dynamic navigation.
FIG. 4 shows, in block diagram form, a schematic diagram of an embodiment for driving three support systems mounted on individual vehicles.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 vehicle
D data
2 Dynamic route search method
R path
3 Digital roadmap
4 Traffic prediction calculation
S scenario
5 Additional traffic information
6 Other vehicles
S Future traffic situation
7 Analysis
I Route information
8 Output stage
W signal
10 Service Control Center
11 Support system
12 Communication means
13 Simulation means
14 Predictive means
15 Processing device
16 Analysis means
17 External data source
18 Traffic Control Center

Claims (11)

A method of driving a support system for a vehicle, comprising:
Deriving output for the vehicle driver and / or intervention to the vehicle from the data provided by the support system;
The impact of the support system on the future traffic situation of the road network is determined in advance by performing an analysis of the impact,
In the method, the support system performs output for the vehicle driver and / or intervention in the vehicle based on the result of the analysis,
In particular, the impact of the travel route initially generated by the support system on the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is determined using traffic prediction calculations,
For the urban part of the traffic road network, at least one partial route is checked for a queue length characteristic of the partial route and / or whether a characteristic turn-off rate has exceeded a limit,
Further, with respect to the partial route relating to the main road network of the traffic road network, it is confirmed whether or not a traffic congestion pattern similar to an effective bottleneck has occurred for at least one partial route. How to drive support system for. The support system is a dynamic navigation device;
The impact on the future traffic situation of the route calculated for the vehicle using the dynamic navigation is determined in advance taking into account the other vehicles with the dynamic navigation present in the traffic road network;
The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated route and / or information about the route is provided based on the analysis of the dynamic navigation device. A new route is calculated based on the result of the analysis on the impact of the calculated route on future traffic conditions,
Furthermore, the impact of the new route on future traffic conditions is newly determined,
Method according to claim 2, characterized in that a part of the previously calculated path is retained as a new path. For at least one partial route of the traffic road network,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic traffic flow of the partial route is taken into account when analyzing the influence of the support system on the future traffic situation. Output for the vehicle driver and / or intervention in the vehicle is changed based on the results of an analysis of the impact of the support system on future traffic conditions;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the influence of the change on the future traffic situation of the traffic road network is newly determined. One of the most recent outputs for the vehicle driver, or one of the most recent interventions on the vehicle,
Or
Performed when the maximum number of changes made for the vehicle to determine its impact on future traffic conditions has been reached and / or when divergence is detected in the impact analysis of the support system The method according to claim 5, wherein the method of analysis is changed. The method according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for traffic control is generated based on a result of an analysis of an influence on a future traffic situation of the support system. An apparatus for driving a support system (11) for a vehicle (1),
A simulation means (13) for simulating the support system (11) used by the vehicle, and a prediction means (14) for executing a traffic prediction calculation,
The prediction means (14) determines the influence of the support system (11) simulated by the simulation means (13) on the future traffic situation in the traffic road network;
Analysis means (16) for performing an analysis of the influence and supplying the result of the analysis to the processing unit (15);
The processing unit (15) drives the support system (11) based on the result of the analysis,
In the device, wherein the support system (11) performs output for the vehicle driver and / or intervention in the vehicle from the supplied data,
For the part of the traffic network related to the urban area, the analyzing means (16), for at least one partial route, has a queue length characteristic of the partial route and / or a characteristic turn-off rate exceeding the limit. In addition, for the partial route related to the main road network of the traffic road network, the analysis means (16) generates a traffic congestion pattern similar to an effective bottleneck for at least one partial route. A device for driving a support system (11) for a vehicle (1), characterized in that it is not The simulation system (13) simulates the support system (11), and the influence of the result on the future traffic situation is determined by the prediction means (14), and the analysis of the determined influence is analyzed by the analysis means. (16)
Based on the result of this analysis, the processing device (15) sends a new signal W to the simulation means (13),
After the simulation means (13) receives the signal W, it makes a change in the driving of the support system (11) simulated by the simulation means (13),
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the prediction means (14) newly determines the influence of the change on future traffic conditions and supplies the influence to the analysis means (16). The simulation means (13) comprises at least two separate units (13a, 13b, 13c) interconnected by radio;
The prediction means (14) comprises at least two separate units (14a, 14b, 14c) interconnected by radio and / or
10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the analysis means (16) comprise at least two separate units (16a, 16b, 16c) interconnected by radio. A computer program having program code means stored in a computer-compatible medium and readable by the computer,
A computer program for causing the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the program is executed by a computer.

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