JP2004332296A - Road state investigating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a road state investigating system for easily grasping an evaluation result, by objectively evaluating safety or riding comfort caused by a recess-projection formed on a road. <P>SOLUTION: A body 14 of a measuring vehicle is towed by a tractor of a motorcycle, and is provided with an accelerometer 20, a gyro sensor 28, and an illumination meter 30. A measuring part 42 is arranged in a rear part of the tractor, and is provided with a GPS device 44 and a speedometer 50. The safety and the riding comfort are evaluated on the basis of data gathered by these respective devices. Thus, the safety and the riding comfort can be objectively evaluated. A low safety place and a riding comfort inferior place can also be easily grasped by attaching this evaluation result onto a map image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a road condition investigation system for investigating the condition of roads such as roads and sidewalks.
[0002]
[Prior art]
If a vehicle or a pedestrian is walking on a road or a pedestrian walking on a sidewalk, and the vehicle or the pedestrian approaches irregularities formed on the road or the sidewalk, the driver or the pedestrian of the vehicle may be disturbed. You may feel danger. Further, even if the driver does not feel such a danger, when the vehicle travels on a road on which the above unevenness is formed, an occupant of the vehicle may feel that the riding comfort is poor due to an impact or the like caused by the unevenness. is there.
[0003]
The existence of such irregularities formed on the road surface of the road is often revealed by complaints from residents along the road and reports from patrollers who regularly or irregularly patrol the road.
[0004]
However, complaints from roadside residents and reports from patrol members often include the subjectivity of the person who discovered the irregularities, so if irregularities were found in multiple places, the priority of repairs should be objectively determined. There is a problem that it is difficult to make a rational determination.
[0005]
In addition, the method that relies on the visual inspection of roadside residents and patrol members as described above involves surveying only a very small part of the road. For this reason, it was difficult to grasp the existence of the unevenness and the like on the entire road and the danger thereof.
[0006]
On the other hand, a measuring vehicle equipped with a measuring device as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 below is regularly or irregularly run to inspect road conditions.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-168810
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The measuring device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a structure in which a distance between a measuring vehicle and a road surface is measured by a distance sensor using laser light or ultrasonic waves. However, usually, the measurement result of such a measurement device is flatness at a certain distance, and therefore, it is not possible to measure local unevenness. For this reason, it is impossible to detect irregularities formed on a part of the road that affect the safety felt by the vehicle occupants and pedestrians and the riding comfort felt by the occupants of the vehicle traveling on the road.
[0009]
The present invention, in consideration of the above facts, can objectively evaluate the safety or riding comfort caused by unevenness (including a difference) formed on a road, and can easily grasp the evaluation result. The purpose is to obtain a survey system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The road condition investigation system according to the present invention according to claim 1 is mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and receives an impact on the measurement vehicle due to unevenness of a road surface during traveling of the measurement vehicle. Acceleration detection means for detecting an acceleration based on the vehicle, a position detection means mounted on the measurement vehicle and detecting a position of the measurement vehicle during traveling, a detection result of the acceleration detection means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation table. Evaluation means for evaluating the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle traveled or the riding comfort felt by the occupants of the vehicle traveling on the road, and the position data detected by the position detection means on a map based on An evaluation result map for displaying the evaluation result at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data while matching the position data with the evaluation result of the evaluation means. It includes a flop forming means.
[0011]
According to the road condition investigation system according to the present invention described in claim 1, when the measuring vehicle receives an impact due to unevenness of the road surface while the measuring vehicle is traveling on the road, the system responds to the impact. The detected acceleration is detected by acceleration detection means mounted on the measuring vehicle. The detection of the acceleration by the acceleration detecting means is performed continuously or intermittently during the traveling of the measuring vehicle.
[0012]
Next, based on the detection result of the acceleration by the acceleration detecting means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula, the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle has traveled or the riding comfort felt by the occupant of the vehicle traveling on this road is obtained. It is evaluated by the evaluation means.
[0013]
Before and after the evaluation by the evaluation means, the position data detected by the position detection means is made to correspond to a monitor screen or a map image before print output. Next, the evaluation result of the evaluation means is compared with the position data detected by the position detection means, the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data, and an evaluation result map is formed.
[0014]
In this way, by displaying the above-described results of the evaluation of the safety and the riding comfort on the map image, it is possible to objectively and easily grasp, for example, the location where the repair of the road is to be performed, the priority order, and the like. .
[0015]
In the present invention, the measuring vehicle does not only refer to a so-called automobile, but may be a motorcycle or a bicycle. Further, the vehicle is not limited to a self-propellable vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like, and may be a vehicle that is towed by such a self-propellable vehicle or that runs manually. .
[0016]
In the present invention, the road on which the measuring vehicle travels includes not only a so-called road, but also a road other than the road such as a sidewalk. Therefore, in the present invention, "the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle travels" is not always the safety for the vehicle. In other words, when the present invention is applied to a sidewalk instead of a roadway, it means safety for pedestrians (including wheelchair users and the like).
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the road condition survey system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a speed detecting unit mounted on the measuring vehicle to detect a traveling speed of the measuring vehicle; Correction means for correcting the acceleration data detected by the acceleration detection means based on the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle detected by the means.
[0018]
In the road condition survey system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle is detected by the speed detecting means. On the other hand, the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means based on the impact received while the measuring vehicle is traveling is corrected by the correcting means based on the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle detected by the speed detecting means.
[0019]
That is, the magnitude of the acceleration based on the impact varies not only with the size of the road surface unevenness but also with the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle. Here, by correcting the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means as described above based on the detection result of the speed detecting means, the detection result of the acceleration based on the impact is standardized, and the above-described safety and riding comfort are obtained. The evaluation results of comfort can be generalized.
[0020]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a road condition investigation system according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a posture detecting unit mounted on the measuring vehicle to detect a posture of the measuring vehicle. The evaluation unit evaluates the safety or the riding comfort based on the detection result of the acceleration detection unit, the detection result of the posture detection unit, and the evaluation table or the evaluation calculation expression. .
[0021]
According to the road condition investigation system according to the present invention, the traveling posture of the measuring vehicle is detected by the posture detecting means, and the evaluation means detects not only the acceleration detection result by the acceleration detecting means but also the posture detection. The evaluation is performed based on the detection result of the attitude of the measuring vehicle by the means.
[0022]
As a result, for example, even if the unevenness has the same size, the evaluation result of the safety and the riding comfort can be made different depending on the difference in the posture of the vehicle, and the reliability of the evaluation result is further improved. .
[0023]
The road condition investigation system according to the present invention according to claim 4 is mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and is mounted on the measurement vehicle, and a posture detection unit that detects a posture of the measurement vehicle. Along with the position detecting means for detecting the position of the measuring vehicle during traveling, based on the detection result of the attitude detecting means and the illuminance detecting means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation calculation formula, Evaluating means for evaluating the safety of the road on which the vehicle has traveled or the riding comfort experienced by the occupants of the vehicle traveling on the road, and associating the position data detected by the position detecting means with a map image, the position data and the evaluation. Means for comparing the evaluation result with the means and displaying the evaluation result at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data.
[0024]
According to the road condition investigation system according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, for example, in a state where the measuring vehicle is running on the sidewalk as a road, the sidewalk and the sidewalk such as a pedestrian crossing or a place where the sidewalk is interrupted. When traveling from the sidewalk to the road, the traveling posture of the measurement vehicle changes greatly if the step between the sidewalk and the road is large (for example, the front side of the measurement vehicle is lowered more than before).
[0025]
Similarly, when the measurement vehicle moves from the roadway side to the sidewalk side, if the step between the roadway and the sidewalk is large at the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk, the traveling posture of the measurement vehicle greatly changes (for example, The front side of the measuring vehicle is lower than before.)
[0026]
In addition, there is a case where the sidewalk is inclined by using a so-called cut-down block or the like to reduce the step between the road and the sidewalk, but when the measuring vehicle approaches such a place, the measurement is performed according to the inclination of the sidewalk. The attitude of the car changes.
[0027]
Such a running posture of the measuring vehicle (the inclination of the measuring vehicle in the front, rear, left and right directions, etc.) is continuously or intermittently detected by the posture detecting means.
[0028]
Next, based on the detection result of the posture of the measuring vehicle by the posture detecting means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation expression, the safety of the road on which the measuring vehicle has traveled or the occupant of the vehicle traveling on this road feels. The riding comfort is evaluated by the evaluation means.
[0029]
From the change in the attitude of the measuring vehicle as described above, steps such as pedestrian crossings and places where the sidewalks are interrupted, or places where the sidewalks are sloped by using undercut blocks for the sidewalks as above In particular, in a place where a change in posture is large, for example, it is evaluated that it is difficult to travel (poor riding comfort) when the wheelchair travels, and the safety is low.
[0030]
Before and after the evaluation by the evaluation means, the position data detected by the position detection means is made to correspond to the monitor screen or the map image before the print output. Next, the evaluation result of the evaluation means is compared with the position data detected by the position detection means, the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data, and an evaluation result map is formed.
[0031]
As described above, the result of the evaluation of the above-described safety and riding comfort is displayed on the map image, and, for example, a location where repair of a sidewalk should be performed in consideration of running in a wheelchair, a priority order thereof, and the like. Can be objectively and easily grasped.
[0032]
In the present invention, the measuring vehicle does not only refer to a so-called automobile, but may be a motorcycle or a bicycle. Further, the vehicle is not limited to a self-propellable vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like, and may be a vehicle that is towed by such a self-propellable vehicle or that runs manually. .
[0033]
In the above description, the sidewalk is described as a road, and the safety and the riding comfort are described based on a wheelchair. However, in the present invention, the road on which the measurement vehicle travels is not limited to the sidewalk, and may be a road other than the sidewalk, such as a road, and the standards for safety and riding comfort are also limited to wheelchair standards. Instead, a general vehicle such as an automobile or a bicycle may be used. Furthermore, with regard to this criterion, we evaluate the safety of the sidewalk when a blind person walks on a walking stick or a guide dog, based on the case where a blind person walks on a walking stick or a guide dog. It is also possible.
[0034]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a road condition investigation system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which is mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and is provided around the measurement vehicle. Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance, wherein the evaluation means is based on the detection result of the acceleration detection means and the detection result of the illuminance detection means and the evaluation table or the evaluation calculation formula, and the safety or the riding comfort is obtained. Is evaluated.
[0035]
According to the road condition investigation system according to the present invention, the illuminance around the measuring vehicle is detected by the illuminance detection means, and the illuminance is evaluated by the evaluation means in addition to the detection result of the acceleration by the acceleration detection means. The evaluation is performed based on the detection result of the illuminance around the measuring vehicle detected by the detecting means.
[0036]
Here, for example, even when the road surface has irregularities, if the surroundings are bright, there is a very high possibility that the driver of the vehicle can sufficiently avoid the irregularities. On the other hand, if the periphery of the unevenness is dark, it is unlikely that the unevenness can be avoided.
[0037]
That is, even if unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the unevenness can be sufficiently visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle and the like, and thereby the unevenness can be avoided, the unevenness has a significant effect on road safety and riding comfort. Do not give.
[0038]
Here, in the road condition survey system according to the present invention, in the evaluation means, basically, a place with relatively low illuminance has low visibility because of low visibility, and a place with relatively high illuminance has high visibility and danger. Etc. are evaluated as low.
[0039]
As a result, for example, even in the case of unevenness of approximately the same size, differences in the evaluation results of safety and riding comfort can be provided due to differences in the surrounding brightness, and the reliability of the evaluation results is further improved. I do.
[0040]
The road condition investigation system according to the present invention according to claim 6 is mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and an illuminance detection unit that detects illuminance around the measurement vehicle, and is mounted on the measurement vehicle. And a position detecting means for detecting a position of the measuring vehicle during travel, and a detection result of the illuminance detecting means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula, based on a road on which the measuring vehicle has traveled. Evaluating means for evaluating safety or riding comfort experienced by an occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road, and associating the position data detected by the position detecting means with a map image, and evaluating the position data and the evaluation result by the evaluating means. And an evaluation result map forming means for displaying the evaluation result at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data.
[0041]
According to the road condition survey system according to the present invention, the illuminance around the measurement vehicle is continuously or intermittently detected by the illuminance detection means while the measurement vehicle is traveling on the road. .
[0042]
Next, based on the detection result of the illuminance by the illuminance detection means and the predetermined evaluation table or the predetermined evaluation operation formula, the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle traveled or the riding comfort felt by the occupant of the vehicle traveling on this road is obtained. It is evaluated by the evaluation means.
[0043]
Here, for example, even when unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the surroundings are bright, there is a very high possibility that the driver of the vehicle can sufficiently avoid the unevenness. On the other hand, if the periphery of the unevenness is dark, it is unlikely that the unevenness can be avoided.
[0044]
That is, even if unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the unevenness can be sufficiently visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle and the like, and thereby the unevenness can be avoided, the unevenness has a significant effect on road safety and riding comfort. Do not give.
[0045]
Further, even when there is no particular unevenness, the change in brightness affects ride comfort and safety. In other words, if the surrounding brightness changes suddenly, the driver's eyes may not be able to follow the sudden change in brightness instantaneously. Is highly evaluated.
[0046]
On the other hand, before and after the evaluation by the evaluation means, the position data detected by the position detection means is made to correspond to the monitor screen or the map image before print output. Next, the evaluation result of the evaluation means is compared with the position data detected by the position detection means, the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data, and an evaluation result map is formed.
[0047]
As described above, the result of the evaluation of the safety and the riding comfort described above is displayed on the map image, so that, for example, the road and its surroundings to be repaired and the priority order can be objectively and easily determined. Can be grasped.
[0048]
In the present invention, the measuring vehicle does not only refer to a so-called automobile, but may be a motorcycle or a bicycle. Further, the vehicle is not limited to a self-propellable vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like, and may be a vehicle that is towed by such a self-propellable vehicle or that runs manually. .
[0049]
In the present invention, the road on which the measuring vehicle travels includes not only a so-called road, but also a road other than the road such as a sidewalk. Therefore, in the present invention, "the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle travels" is not always the safety for the vehicle. In other words, when the present invention is applied to a sidewalk instead of a roadway, it means safety for pedestrians (including wheelchair users and the like).
[0050]
The road condition survey system according to the present invention according to claim 7 is mounted on a measurement vehicle that can travel on a road, and receives an impact on the measurement vehicle due to unevenness of a road surface during traveling of the measurement vehicle. Acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration based on the vehicle, speed detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle to detect the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle, and attitude detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting the attitude of the measuring vehicle And illuminance detection means mounted on the measurement vehicle and detecting illuminance around the measurement vehicle; and acceleration data detected by the acceleration detection means based on the traveling speed of the measurement vehicle detected by the speed detection means Correction means for correcting the position, the position detection means mounted on the measurement vehicle, and detecting the position of the measurement vehicle during traveling, the detection results by the attitude detection means and the illuminance detection means, and An evaluation that evaluates the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle has traveled or the riding comfort experienced by an occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road based on the correction result by the correction unit and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula. Means, the position data detected by the position detecting means is associated with a map image, and the position data is compared with the evaluation result of the evaluation means, the position on the map image corresponding to the position data, Evaluation result forming means for displaying the evaluation result.
[0051]
According to the road condition survey system according to the present invention as set forth in claim 7, when the measurement vehicle is impacted due to unevenness of the road surface in a state where the measurement vehicle is traveling on the road, the system responds to the impact. The detected acceleration is detected by acceleration detection means mounted on the measuring vehicle.
[0052]
In such a traveling state of the measuring vehicle, the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle is detected by the speed detecting unit, and the acceleration detecting unit detects the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle based on the traveling speed of the measuring vehicle detected by the speed detecting unit. The acceleration is corrected.
[0053]
On the other hand, in the traveling state of the measuring vehicle, the traveling posture of the measuring vehicle and the illuminance around the measuring vehicle are continuously or intermittently detected by the posture detecting means and the illuminance detecting means.
[0054]
Next, the detection result of the acceleration detection unit corrected by the correction unit, the detection result of the illuminance by the illuminance detection unit, the detection result of the posture of the measuring vehicle by the posture detection unit, a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined From the evaluation calculation formula, the evaluation means evaluates the safety of the road on which the measuring vehicle has traveled or the riding comfort felt by the occupants of the vehicle traveling on this road.
[0055]
That is, basically, if the unevenness formed on the road surface of the road is large, the safety is low and the riding comfort is evaluated as poor. However, even when unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the surroundings are bright, there is a very high possibility that the driver of the vehicle can sufficiently avoid the unevenness. On the other hand, if the periphery of the unevenness is dark, the possibility of avoiding the unevenness is low.
[0056]
That is, even if unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the unevenness can be sufficiently visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle and the like, and thereby the unevenness can be avoided, the unevenness has a significant effect on road safety and riding comfort. Do not give.
[0057]
Therefore, with the same degree of unevenness, a place where the illuminance is relatively low is evaluated as having a high risk because the visibility is low.
[0058]
On the other hand, even if the irregularities have the same size, the evaluation results of the safety and the riding comfort can be different due to the difference in the posture of the vehicle.
[0059]
As described above, the evaluation means comprehensively evaluates safety and riding comfort from acceleration, posture, and illuminance.
[0060]
Before and after the evaluation by the evaluation means, the position data detected by the position detection means is made to correspond to the monitor screen or the map image before the print output. Next, the evaluation result of the evaluation means is compared with the position data detected by the position detection means, the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data, and an evaluation result map is formed.
[0061]
In this way, by displaying the above-described results of the evaluation of the safety and the riding comfort on the map image, it is possible to objectively and easily grasp, for example, a location where the repair of the road is to be performed, the priority order, and the like. .
[0062]
In the present invention, the measuring vehicle does not only refer to a so-called automobile, but may be a motorcycle or a bicycle. Further, the vehicle is not limited to a self-propellable vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like, and may be a vehicle that is towed by such a self-propellable vehicle or that runs manually. .
[0063]
In the present invention, the road on which the measuring vehicle travels includes not only a so-called road, but also a road other than the road such as a sidewalk. Therefore, in the present invention, "the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle travels" is not always the safety for the vehicle. In other words, when the present invention is applied to a sidewalk instead of a roadway, it means safety for pedestrians (including wheelchair users and the like).
[0064]
The road condition survey system according to the present invention according to claim 8 is the road condition survey system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the measurement is performed continuously or intermittently while the measurement vehicle is running. It is characterized by comprising an image pickup means for picking up an image of a state around or below the car.
[0065]
According to the road condition survey system according to the present invention, the lower part and the surroundings of the measuring vehicle are continuously or intermittently imaged by the imaging means while the measuring vehicle is running. For this reason, in the road condition investigation system according to the present invention, the actual road condition in a place where the safety on the map image is low or the riding comfort becomes poor can be grasped by the image taken by the imaging means.
[0066]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<Configuration of the present embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of a road condition survey system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the road condition survey system 10 includes a main body 14 that constitutes a measurement vehicle 12. The main body 14 is formed in a substantially box shape, and is provided with a pair of wheels 16 at a lower end thereof, and can run on a road.
[0067]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, inside the main body 14, a measuring device 18 as a measuring means is accommodated. The measuring device 18 is provided with an accelerometer 20 as acceleration detecting means (impact detecting means in a broad sense). As the accelerometer 20, for example, a force-balanced servo accelerometer, a crystal-type acceleration sensor using a piezoelectric effect or crystal oscillation, or the like is employed.
[0068]
The output terminal of the accelerometer 20 is connected to the input terminal of the computer 22 (however, if the output from the accelerometer 20 is an analog output, it is connected to the computer 22 via an A / D converter). The computer 22 is provided with a CPU 24 as a measuring device-side arithmetic unit and a RAM 26 as a measuring device-side storage unit. The acceleration signal output from the accelerometer 20 is continuously processed by the CPU 24 and stored in the RAM 26. It has a configuration.
[0069]
Further, a gyro sensor 28 as a posture detecting means is accommodated inside the main body 14. In the present embodiment, the gyro sensor 28 detects an angular velocity with a vibratory, rotational, optical, or other rate gyro, and continuously outputs an angular velocity detection signal corresponding to the angular velocity. The output terminal of the gyro sensor 28 is connected to the input terminal of the computer 22. When the angular velocity detection signal output from the gyro sensor 28 is input to the computer 22, the angular velocity detection signal is processed by the CPU 24 and then stored in the RAM 26.
[0070]
Further, the main body 14 is provided with an illuminometer 30 as illuminance detecting means. The illuminometer 30 includes a light receiving unit 32 provided on the upper wall of the main body 14 and exposed to the outside of the main body 14. The light receiving section 32 includes a light receiving element such as a silicon photodiode.
[0071]
The light receiving section 32 outputs an illuminance signal corresponding to the illuminance around the light receiving element based on the light incident on the light receiving element. The light receiving section 32 is connected to the illuminometer main body 34, and the illuminance signal output from the light receiving section 32 is converted into a continuous digital signal by the illuminometer main body 34.
[0072]
Further, an output terminal of the illuminometer main body 34 is connected to an input terminal of the computer 22. When an illuminance signal output from the illuminometer main body 34 is input to the computer 22, the illuminance signal is processed by the CPU 24 and then stored in the RAM 26. .
[0073]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a connecting portion 36 extends from the main body 14, and is mechanically connected to a rear portion of a towing vehicle 40 that forms the measuring vehicle 12 together with the main body 14. In the present embodiment, the towing vehicle 40 is a so-called motorcycle (that is, a motorcycle), and is configured to be towed by the towing vehicle 40 and the main body 14 to follow.
Further, a measuring section 42 constituting a measuring means together with the main body 14 described above is provided at a rear portion of the towing vehicle 40. The measuring section 42 is also formed in a substantially box shape similarly to the main body 14, and as shown in FIG. 1, a satellite navigation system as a position detecting means, that is, a so-called GPS device 44 is provided therein.
[0074]
The GPS device 44 has a GPS antenna 46. The GPS antenna 46 is provided on the upper wall of the measuring section 42 and is exposed outside the measuring section 42. The GPS antenna 46 receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite (not shown) and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the received radio wave. Further, the GPS device 44 includes a GPS device main body 48.
[0075]
The GPS device main body 48 is directly or indirectly connected to the above-described GPS antenna 46, and receives an electric signal output from the GPS antenna 46. The GPS device body 48 generates and outputs a position signal as position data corresponding to the position (latitude, longitude) of the towing vehicle 40 based on the input electric signal from the GPS antenna 46.
[0076]
Further, the GPS device main body 48 is connected to the computer 22 described above. When the position signal output from the GPS device main body 48 is input to the computer 22, the position signal is processed by the CPU 24 and then stored in the RAM 26.
[0077]
Further, the measuring section 42 is provided with a speedometer 50 as speed detecting means. As the speedometer 50, a mechanical or electronic speedometer is applied. For example, in the case of an electronic type, the number of rotations per unit time of the magnet rotating simultaneously with the output shaft of the transmission is detected by a detection member such as a reed switch.
[0078]
In the present embodiment, the measuring section 42 is provided with the speedometer 50, but the motorcycle is basically provided with a speedometer for the driver to check the running speed. Therefore, the speedometer originally provided in the motorcycle may be used without providing the speedometer 50 separately.
[0079]
The speedometer 50 outputs a digital speed signal corresponding to the detected traveling speed of the towing vehicle 40. Further, the output terminal of the speedometer 50 is connected to the input terminal of the computer 22. When the speed signal output from the speedometer 50 is input to the computer 22, the speed signal is processed by the CPU 24 and then stored in the RAM 26.
[0080]
On the other hand, in the vicinity of the front end of the towing vehicle 40, a video camera 52 as an imaging means is installed. The video camera 52 records the road surface condition of the road ahead of the towing vehicle 40 as continuous or intermittent image data on a recording medium. The video camera 52 is provided with an FM wave receiving device 54.
[0081]
The FM wave receiving device 54 receives a weak FM wave output from a transmitter mounted on a helmet (not shown) worn by the driver of the towing vehicle 40. The transmitter is connected to a microphone mounted on a helmet, and when the driver's voice is input to the microphone, the driver's voice is provided as audio data to the video camera 52 via the transmitter and the FM wave receiving device 54. On the specified recording medium.
[0082]
On the other hand, the road condition investigation system 10 includes a computer 60 as a correcting unit, an evaluating unit, and an evaluation result map forming unit in addition to the measuring vehicle 12 (see FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, unlike the above-described measurement vehicle 12, the computer 60 is basically installed at a predetermined installation location such as an office, and does not move for measurement.
[0083]
The computer 60 includes a CPU 62 as an evaluation-side operation unit. The CPU 62 is electrically connected to the reading unit 64. The reading unit 64 is capable of mounting a recording medium such as a so-called floppy disk or MO disk, reads data recorded on the recording medium, and transfers the data to the CPU 62. Further, the CPU 62 is electrically connected to a ROM 66 as an evaluation-side storage unit. The ROM 66 stores a step calculation program, an impact standardization program, a risk evaluation program, a riding comfort evaluation program, a mapping program, and various tables used in these programs (including an “evaluation table” in the claims). It is remembered.
[0084]
<Operation and effect of the present embodiment>
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described through a description of a method of investigating a road condition in the road condition investigation system 10.
[0085]
When the road condition is investigated by the road condition survey system 10, the accelerometer 20, the gyro sensor 28, the illuminometer 30, the GPS device 44, the speedometer 50, the video camera 52, and the computer 22 are operated, While towing the main body 14 by the towing vehicle 40, the towing vehicle 40 is caused to run on the road at a speed lower than a legal speed or a speed specified by a road sign or the like.
[0086]
In the running state of the towing vehicle 40 described above, the acceleration signal, the angular velocity detection signal, the illuminance detection signal, and the position signal from the accelerometer 20, the gyro sensor 28, the illuminometer 30, the GPS device 44, the speedometer 50, and the video camera 52 are provided. The position data) and the speed signal are continuously input to the computer 22, and the above-described signals are arranged in a matrix, for example, in a time series. In the above-mentioned running state, the video camera 52 records the road surface state of the road in front of the towing vehicle 40 as image data. Further, for example, when the driver of the towing vehicle 40 makes a comment according to the road surface condition, the voice is recorded as audio data on the video camera 52 via the microphone, the transmitter, and the FM wave receiving device 54. You.
[0087]
Here, for example, when the towing vehicle 40 travels on a road having unevenness on the road surface, the accelerometer 20 of the main body 14 towed by the towing vehicle 40 responds to the impact received by the main body 14 due to the unevenness of the road surface. Detect acceleration.
[0088]
On the other hand, when traveling at night or the like, the surrounding illuminance is naturally different between a place where lighting such as a street light is installed and a place where lighting is not installed. Even during the daytime driving, the surrounding illuminance differs between the inside of the tunnel or the vicinity of the building and the place where it is not. Such a difference in illuminance is detected by the illuminometer 30.
[0089]
Furthermore, when the tow vehicle 40 turns left or right or runs on a slope, the running posture of the tow vehicle 40 or the main body 14 is naturally different between when the tow vehicle 40 is running on a flat place. Such a difference in running posture of the towing vehicle 40 or the main body 14 is detected by the gyro sensor 28 as a difference in angular velocity.
[0090]
The speed of the towing vehicle 40 during traveling is detected by a speedometer 50.
[0091]
As described above, when traveling on the road to be evaluated is completed, data based on each of the above signals processed by the CPU 24 of the computer 22 and stored in the RAM 26 is temporarily stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk or an MO disk. Be recorded. As described above, the recording medium on which data based on each signal is recorded is mounted on the reading unit 64 of the computer 60, and each data is read and transferred to the CPU 62. The CPU 62 reads the above programs from the ROM 66 and executes them.
[0092]
Among the above data, acceleration data based on the acceleration signal and speed data based on the speed signal are processed by the step calculation program and the impact standardization program. In the step calculation program, a change in acceleration at a certain level or more during traveling of the main body 14 is based on a step on the road surface, that is, a relatively large unevenness on the road surface. Generate data.
[0093]
On the other hand, similarly to the step difference program, the shock standardization program also generates shock data by assuming that the change in acceleration during running of the main body 14 is based on the unevenness of the road surface. However, since the impact based on the unevenness of the road surface changes depending on the traveling speed of the main body 14, the impact is corrected by the speed data corresponding to the acceleration data and standardized.
[0094]
Next, the step data obtained as described above is supplied to a riding comfort evaluation program. When the riding comfort evaluation program is executed, the CPU 62 reads a data table as shown in FIG. In the data table, the riding comfort evaluation points corresponding to the step data for each of the speed data are quantified, and the riding comfort evaluation points are arranged in a matrix for each position data based on the step data and the speed data. .
[0095]
When the standardized impact data is generated as described above, the CPU 62 reads the risk evaluation program from the ROM 66 and executes it. In the risk evaluation program, first, a risk evaluation point is calculated by the following formula based on impact data, illuminance data, angular velocity data, and speed data for each position data.
[0096]
Y (L) = aX1 (L) + bX2 (L) + cX3 (L) + dX4 (L) + E
Y: risk evaluation point, X1: impact data, X2: illuminance data, X3: angular velocity data, X4: velocity data, L: position data, a to d: coefficient, E: constant
The risk evaluation point Y for each position data L is calculated as described above. By the way, as shown in the above equation, the illuminance data X2 is provided in calculating the risk evaluation point Y. Basically, there is no relation between the impact received while driving and the surrounding illuminance.For example, if the surroundings are bright, large irregularities are relatively likely to be visually recognized by the driver, thereby avoiding large irregularities. Very likely to be.
[0097]
On the other hand, if the surroundings are dark, the driver cannot visually recognize the large unevenness, and it is extremely likely that the driver will travel on such unevenness and receive a large impact. That is, even if unevenness is formed on the road surface, if the streetlight is lit at night, the unevenness can be visually recognized sufficiently, and if the unevenness can be avoided by visually recognizing the unevenness, the unevenness is not dangerous. Will be considered and the risk rating will be low.
[0098]
In addition, even if the vehicle is running straight or on a flat road surface, and the unevenness is substantially the same as the unevenness that can be sufficiently avoided during traveling, the towing vehicle 40 may make a right or left turn or may be avoided because the vehicle is running on a slope. Can be difficult. Therefore, in the above equation, the angular velocity data X3 based on the posture of the main body 14 is used for calculating the risk evaluation point Y.
[0099]
Further, the vehicle travels on the same road along the same route under different conditions such as daytime, dusk, and nighttime, and calculates a risk evaluation point for each condition in the same manner as the processing up to now. In the risk evaluation program, the risk evaluation points calculated for each condition in this manner are further arranged, for example, for each position data as shown in FIG. Comprehensive evaluation is performed based on the distribution.
[0100]
As described above, when the riding comfort evaluation points and the comprehensive evaluation are obtained, the riding comfort evaluation points and the overall evaluation result are superimposed (matched) on the map data by the mapping program.
[0101]
Thus, the map data as shown in FIG. 6 is formed by superimposing the riding comfort evaluation points and the comprehensive evaluation results. Furthermore, by obtaining an objective evaluation result of the state of the road based on the map data and the image data and the audio data stored in the video camera 52, a point on the road where the riding comfort evaluation point is low (that is, while traveling, It is possible to recognize a part where the ride comfort is considered to be poor) or a part where the comprehensive evaluation of the risk is high (that is, a part where the risk during driving is considered to be high).
[0102]
Moreover, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the overall evaluation is made based on the acceleration, the illuminance, and the angular velocity (posture) based on the impact, the risk (safety) and the riding comfort are extremely objectively evaluated. . As a result, it is possible to reduce or prevent an error in the evaluation result due to the subjectivity of the measurer, and it is possible to easily assign priorities when performing repair or the like, for example.
[0103]
Further, since the evaluation result is superimposed on the map as described above, it is possible to extremely easily grasp a place having a high risk or a place where the ride comfort is poor.
[0104]
Further, in the present embodiment, the above-described data is obtained simply by providing each configuration of the measuring means such as the accelerometer 20 and the illuminometer 30 on the towing vehicle 40 such as a motorcycle or the main body 14 towed by the towing vehicle 40. Obtainable. As a result, the manufacturing cost and operation cost of the apparatus can be extremely reduced as compared with a large-sized road surface inspection vehicle equipped with various expensive measurement apparatuses such as a profile meter for measuring a longitudinal profile of a road. Therefore, the condition of the road surface can be evaluated relatively frequently, or the condition of the road surface such as a city road or a prefectural road can be evaluated.
[0105]
In the present embodiment, the towing vehicle 40 is a motorcycle, but the towing vehicle 40 may be a four-wheeled vehicle, a bicycle, or a vehicle driven by an electric motor. The vehicle may be a small vehicle or may be pulled manually.
[0106]
Further, in the present embodiment, the measuring vehicle 12 is constituted by the main body 14 and the towing vehicle 40. However, for example, a driving means such as a motor or an engine may be provided on the main body 14 so that the main body 14 can be driven by itself.
[0107]
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the degree of risk and the riding comfort for the traveling vehicle are evaluated. For example, the main body 14 is driven on a sidewalk at a walking speed or a running speed of a wheelchair, and Riding comfort and danger on a sidewalk may be evaluated based on unevenness (steps and the like) and illuminance. For example, in this way, by evaluating the riding comfort based on the unevenness on the sidewalk and superimposing on the map data, unevenness and steps that are difficult to run in a wheelchair, or steps that are difficult for a blind person to walk, etc. Easy to recognize.
[0108]
Further, in the present embodiment, the risk is evaluated based on the degree of impact during traveling. For example, the degree of risk may be evaluated only on the illuminance or on the illuminance. Thereby, for example, the distribution of darkness at night or the like on a road can be easily grasped, and by taking measures such as installing a streetlight based on this, the merit in crime prevention can also be improved.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the road condition survey system according to the present invention can objectively evaluate safety or riding comfort caused by unevenness formed on a road, and can easily grasp the evaluation result.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration on a measurement vehicle side of a road condition investigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a measurement vehicle of the road condition investigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an evaluation unit of the road condition investigation system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of table data of a relationship between a step and a ride quality.
FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the comprehensive evaluation of the degree of risk.
FIG. 6 is an example of a map in which evaluation results of risk and riding comfort are superimposed on map data.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Road Condition Survey System
12 measuring car
20 accelerometer (acceleration detecting means)
28 Gyro sensor (posture detection means)
30 Illuminance meter (illuminance detection means)
44 GPS device (position detection means)
50 speedometer (speed detection means)
52 video camera (imaging means)
60 Computer (correction means, evaluation means, evaluation result map forming means)

Claims (8)

Acceleration detecting means mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and detecting acceleration based on an impact received by the measurement vehicle due to unevenness of a road surface during traveling of the measurement vehicle,
Position detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a position of the measuring vehicle during traveling,
An evaluation for evaluating the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle has traveled or the ride comfort perceived by the occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road based on the detection result of the acceleration detection means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula. Means,
The position data detected by the position detection unit is made to correspond to the map image, and the position data is compared with the evaluation result of the evaluation unit, and the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data. Means for forming an evaluation result map to be displayed;
Road condition survey system equipped with. Speed detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a traveling speed of the measuring vehicle,
Correction means for correcting the acceleration data detected by the acceleration detection means, based on the traveling speed of the measurement vehicle detected by the speed detection means,
The road condition investigation system according to claim 1, comprising: An attitude detection unit mounted on the measurement vehicle and detecting an attitude of the measurement vehicle,
The evaluation unit evaluates the safety or the riding comfort based on the detection result of the acceleration detection unit and the detection result of the posture detection unit and the evaluation table or the evaluation calculation expression.
The road condition investigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Attitude detection means mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and detecting the attitude of the measurement vehicle,
Position detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a position of the measuring vehicle during traveling,
Based on the detection results of the attitude detecting means and the illuminance detecting means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation formula, the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle has traveled or the occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road can experience the safety. An evaluation means for evaluating ride comfort;
The position data detected by the position detection unit is made to correspond to the map image, and the position data is compared with the evaluation result of the evaluation unit, and the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data. Means for forming an evaluation result map to be displayed;
Road condition survey system equipped with. Mounted on a measurement vehicle that can travel on the road, and provided with illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance around the measurement vehicle,
The evaluation unit evaluates the safety or the riding comfort based on the detection result of the acceleration detection unit and the detection result of the illuminance detection unit and the evaluation table or the evaluation calculation expression.
The road condition investigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: An illuminance detection unit mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road and detecting illuminance around the measurement vehicle,
Position detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a position of the measuring vehicle during traveling,
An evaluation for evaluating the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle has traveled or the ride comfort experienced by the occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road, based on the detection result of the illuminance detection means and a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula. Means,
The position data detected by the position detection unit is made to correspond to the map image, and the position data is compared with the evaluation result of the evaluation unit, and the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data. Means for forming an evaluation result map to be displayed;
Road condition survey system equipped with. Acceleration detecting means mounted on a measurement vehicle capable of traveling on a road, and detecting acceleration based on an impact received by the measurement vehicle due to unevenness of a road surface during traveling of the measurement vehicle,
Speed detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a traveling speed of the measuring vehicle,
Attitude detection means mounted on the measurement vehicle to detect the attitude of the measurement vehicle,
An illuminance detection unit mounted on the measurement vehicle and detecting illuminance around the measurement vehicle,
Correction means for correcting acceleration data detected by the acceleration detection means based on the traveling speed of the measurement vehicle detected by the speed detection means,
Position detecting means mounted on the measuring vehicle and detecting a position of the measuring vehicle during traveling,
Based on the detection result by the attitude detection unit and the illuminance detection unit, and the correction result by the correction unit, based on a predetermined evaluation table or a predetermined evaluation operation formula, the safety of the road on which the measurement vehicle traveled or Evaluation means for evaluating the ride comfort experienced by the occupant of the vehicle traveling on the road,
The position data detected by the position detection unit is made to correspond to the map image, and the position data is compared with the evaluation result of the evaluation unit, and the evaluation result is displayed at a position on the map image corresponding to the position data. Means for forming an evaluation result map to be displayed;
Road condition survey system equipped with. An imaging unit that continuously or intermittently captures an image of a state around or below the measurement vehicle during traveling of the measurement vehicle,
The road condition investigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

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