JP2006031422A - Device and method for generating traffic information, device for providing traffic information and system for distributing same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the reliability of traffic information generated in a probe car system for generating the traffic information from information collected by the probe car. <P>SOLUTION: A road specification part 44 and a route decision part 45 generate traveling path data where each of probe cars has passed by using probe data collected from probe data collection devices 21A, 21B,... 21N. A traffic information decision segment determining part 48 determines variably a segment length, depending on a traveling speed of the car in a relevant segment computed by a minute segment trip time computing part 46 in a predetermined route for finding the traffic information, or the passing count in the relevant segment computed by a minute segment passing count decision part 47. A traffic information generation part 49 generates the degree of traffic congestion in the traffic information decision segment or the traffic information of trip time or the like. The data distribution part 52 distributes the traffic information in the variable segment to a user terminal 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information generating device and a traffic information generating method for generating traffic information from information collected by a probe car, a traffic information providing device for providing this traffic information, and a traffic information distribution system.

  As a new form of collecting traffic information, a traveling vehicle becomes a sensor (probe) and collects information (probe data) such as speed (time and position) measured by the traveling vehicle to generate traffic information. Car system research is currently underway.

  Unlike the ultrasonic sensors and AVI sensors that are fixed on the road, the probe car can collect data in real time from an extremely wide range. Can be generated. In the following Patent Document 1, the center designates a probe data collection area, and the probe car on-board device of a vehicle traveling in this area measures and accumulates data such as a travel position and a travel speed every unit time, There has been proposed a probe car system that transmits the accumulated data to a center by a mobile phone at regular intervals.

JP 2002-269669 A

  However, in the case of a probe car system, the amount of probe data collected by the probe car is affected by the traveling state of the vehicle that can be accumulated and traveled, and thus changes depending on the date, time zone, weather, location, and the like. For example, when traffic information is generated from probe data of several vehicles in a certain time zone for any fixed link, the traffic information is data with a certain level of reliability. When traffic information is generated from vehicle probe data, the traffic information depends on the probe data of only the vehicle, resulting in poor reliability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a probe car system that generates traffic information from information collected by a probe car, a traffic information generation device capable of increasing the reliability of the generated traffic information. It is another object of the present invention to provide a traffic information generation method, a traffic information providing apparatus, and a traffic information distribution system.

The traffic information generation device of the present invention includes a probe data input unit that inputs probe data from a probe data collection unit that collects probe data including at least one information of a position, time, or speed at which the vehicle has traveled, and the probe data Based on the traffic information generation unit that generates traffic information including at least one of travel time and congestion degree of the corresponding road section, and variable length of the traffic information determination section for determining the road condition based on the probe data A traffic information determination section determination section that determines the traffic information, and the traffic information generation section generates the traffic information for each of the traffic information determination sections.
As a result, it is possible to calculate travel time and the degree of congestion from probe data with an appropriate amount of data by generating traffic information from probe data in a variable traffic information determination section, and the reliability of the generated traffic information Can be increased.

Further, in the traffic information generation device, the traffic information determination section determination unit is at least one value of the number of the probe data collection vehicles and the travel speed of the probe data collection vehicle in the corresponding road section. The section length of the traffic information determination section is determined according to.
Thus, the traffic generated by determining the section length of the traffic information determination section according to at least one value of the number of probe data collection vehicles and the traveling speed of the probe data collection vehicle in the corresponding road section. It becomes possible to improve the reliability of information.

In the traffic information generation apparatus, the traffic information determination section determination unit sets the section length to be shortened as the number of probe data collection vehicles increases.
In the traffic information generation apparatus, the traffic information determination section determination unit sets the section length to be shortened with a decrease in travel speed of the probe data collection vehicle.
In the traffic information generation device, the traffic information determination section determination unit may determine the traffic information to a length corresponding to a distance in which a traveling time of the probe data collection vehicle is a predetermined value in the road section. The section length of the section shall be determined.
Accordingly, it is possible to set an appropriate section length of the traffic information determination section according to the number of probe data collecting vehicles, the traveling speed of the probe data collecting vehicle, and the like.

Further, in the traffic information generation apparatus, the traffic information determination section determination unit excludes data regarded as a stop for a predetermined time or more with respect to the probe data, and travels for each vehicle that collects the probe data. Data shall be generated.
Thereby, the data in a stop state can be excluded and it becomes possible to improve the reliability of the traffic information produced | generated.

Further, in the traffic information generation apparatus, the traffic information determination section determination unit extracts travel locus data of a target road section from the travel locus data, and the number of vehicles that have traveled the road section and the road section The section length of the traffic information determination section is determined in accordance with at least one of the traveling speeds.
Thereby, using the travel locus data of the target road section, it is possible to set an appropriate section length of the traffic information determination section according to at least one of the number of vehicles traveling on the road section and the travel speed.

Further, in the traffic information generation device, the traffic information determination section determination unit can set the traffic information determination section for each route according to a plurality of routes divided at a branch portion of a target road section And
As a result, for example, a traffic information determination section can be set for each route such as a right turn route, a left turn route, or a straight route at an intersection, and traffic information for each route can be generated. It is also possible to correct the section length of each route so that the route can be divided as evenly as possible.

Moreover, it is said traffic information generation apparatus, Comprising: The said traffic information determination area determination part enables the arbitrary road area which produces | generates traffic information to be preset as the said traffic information determination area.
Thus, by setting a target road section for which traffic information is to be generated in advance as a traffic information determination section, it is possible to generate traffic information due to an arbitrary event such as a waiting time of a vehicle waiting for a parking lot. It becomes possible.

Further, in the traffic information generation device, the traffic information generation unit calculates an average speed from the speed of a vehicle that has traveled in the traffic information determination section, and the speed of the vehicle and a section length of the traffic information determination section The average travel time is calculated from
This makes it possible to obtain the average speed and average travel time in the determined traffic information determination section.

  In addition, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the respective units of any one of the traffic information generating apparatuses.

The traffic information generation method according to the present invention is based on a probe data input step of inputting the probe data from a probe data collection unit that collects probe data including information on a position, time, or speed at which the vehicle has traveled, and the probe data. A traffic information generation step for generating traffic information including at least one of a travel time and a congestion degree of a corresponding road section, and a section length of the traffic information determination section for determining a road condition based on the probe data is variably determined. A traffic information determination section determination step for generating the traffic information for each of the traffic information determination sections in the traffic information generation step.
As a result, it is possible to calculate travel time and the degree of congestion from probe data with an appropriate amount of data by generating traffic information from probe data in a variable traffic information determination section, and the reliability of the generated traffic information Can be increased.

A traffic information providing device according to the present invention includes any one of the above traffic information generation devices, position reference information having shape data indicating a road shape for representing the traffic information determination section, and the generated traffic information. A provision information generation unit that generates provision information and a data distribution unit that transmits the provision information are provided.
This makes it possible to generate highly reliable traffic information based on the probe data and provide it to a user terminal such as a car navigation device. On the information receiving side, by using the position reference information, it is possible to appropriately associate the traffic information corresponding to the variable traffic information determination section with the map of the own device, and it can be used by displaying it etc. .

A traffic information distribution system according to the present invention includes the above-described traffic information providing apparatus and a probe data collection apparatus that collects the probe data.
Accordingly, it is possible to collect probe data of a target area with the probe data collection device, generate highly reliable traffic information based on the probe data, and provide it to a user terminal or the like.

In the traffic information distribution system, the probe data collection device includes an encoding processing unit that encodes and compresses the collected probe data.
Thereby, it becomes possible to collect probe data efficiently.

In the traffic information distribution system, the encoding processing unit may change a compression rate according to a section length of the traffic information determination section.
As a result, it is possible to collect probe data by performing appropriate compression encoding according to the set length of the traffic information determination section.

  According to the present invention, in a probe car system that generates traffic information from information collected by a probe car, a traffic information generation device, a traffic information generation method, and traffic information that can improve the reliability of the generated traffic information. A providing device and a traffic information distribution system can be provided.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a probe car system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The probe car system of this embodiment constitutes a traffic information distribution system using a probe car.

  In the probe car system, a vehicle 12 including an in-vehicle device 11 having a probe data collection unit that collects traveling information such as a position, time, or speed at which the vehicle has traveled is used as a probe car. The in-vehicle device 11 includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication, and is connected to a traffic information generation / distribution center 14 via a communication medium 13 such as a mobile communication system of a mobile phone, and can communicate collected probe data and the like. It is possible.

  Also, a receiver 15 that receives a signal such as probe data from the in-vehicle device 11, a receiver management system 16 that transmits information such as probe data received by the receiver 15, and probe data from the receiver management system 16 And a probe data collection / distribution center 17 for distributing the data to the traffic information generation / distribution center 14 and collecting probe data by a receiver. The traffic information generation / distribution center 14 is connected to a user terminal 18 such as a car navigation device that receives and uses the generated traffic information.

  With such a probe car system, it is possible to collect information on the road conditions of any road actually traveled regardless of the road type or the like by using probe data collected by the vehicle 12 of the probe car. Information can be generated.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the probe data collecting apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic information generating apparatus according to the present embodiment. The probe data collection device shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the in-vehicle device 11 of the probe car in FIG. 1 and constitutes a travel information acquisition unit. The probe data collection device may include the receiver 15 in FIG. The traffic information generation device shown in FIG. 3 is configured in the traffic information generation / distribution center 14 of FIG. In addition, it is also possible to provide the function of a traffic information generation apparatus in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 11 of a probe car. This traffic information generating device also has a function of a traffic information providing device that provides the generated traffic information.

  The plurality of vehicles 20A, 20B,... 20N are provided with probe data collection devices 21A, 21B,. The probe data collecting device 21 (representing 21A, 21B,... 21N) uses the speed information from the speed sensor 22, the position information such as latitude and longitude from the GPS receiver 23, and the direction information from the gyro 24. A vehicle position determination unit 25 that detects the vehicle position, a clock 26 that outputs time information, and probe data that is time and position measurement information indicating a travel locus is output from the outputs of the vehicle position determination unit 25 and the clock 26. And a spatiotemporal measurement unit 27. In addition, a data processing unit 28 that performs processing such as encoding and compression of probe data, a data storage unit 29 that stores probe data, and a data transmission unit 30 that transmits probe data to the traffic information generation device 40 are provided.

  The traffic information generation device 40 includes a map database 41, a reference point database 42, a data reception unit 43, a road identification unit 44, a route determination unit 45, a minute section travel time calculation unit 46, a minute section passage number determination unit 47, a traffic information determination. The section determination unit 48, the traffic information generation unit 49, the position reference information generation unit 50, the provision information generation unit 51, and the data distribution unit 52 are configured.

  The map database 41 stores electronic map data including roads. In the reference point database 42, reference point data indicating a reference point on a road set in advance is stored in a table or the like. The data receiving unit 43 receives and inputs probe data from the probe data collection device 21.

  The road identifying unit 44 performs map matching processing based on the input probe data and the map data in the map database 41 to identify a road section corresponding to the probe data, and generates travel locus data for each vehicle. The route determination unit 45 determines where a predetermined reference point has passed based on the travel locus data for each vehicle, the map data in the map database 41, and the reference point data in the reference point database 42, and traffic Determine the information creation route.

  Based on the output of the route determination unit 45, the minute section travel time calculation unit 46 calculates the travel time for each minute section in the route where the traffic information can be created. Based on the output of the route determination unit 45, the minute section passing number determination unit 47 calculates the number of passing vehicles for each minute section on the traffic information creation possible route. The traffic information determination section determination unit 48 is a traffic information determination that is a unit section that determines road conditions such as the degree of traffic congestion according to the data amount of probe data based on at least one of travel time and the number of passing cars for each minute section. Determine the interval. The traffic information generation unit 49 generates traffic information such as travel time and a degree of congestion for each determined traffic information determination section.

  The position reference information generation unit 50 generates position reference information for specifying a road section corresponding to the traffic information based on the generated traffic information and the map data of the map database 41. As the position reference information, shape data representing a road shape using latitude / longitude, relative coordinates, or the like is used. The provision information generation unit 51 generates provision information including traffic information for provision using the generated traffic information and position reference information. The data distribution unit 52 distributes the generated traffic information to the user terminal 18 such as a car navigation device.

  In this embodiment, in order to determine road conditions such as the degree of traffic congestion according to the probe data collection status, for example, the number of probe data collection vehicles in the target road section, the traveling speed of the collection vehicles, and the like. The section length of the traffic information determination section is variably set. Then, for each set variable traffic information determination section, a traffic information creation possible route constituted by travel locus data is divided to generate traffic information such as average travel time, degree of traffic congestion, and average speed. At this time, when the number of vehicles is small or the traveling speed is high, the section length is lengthened, and when the number of vehicles is large or the traveling speed is slow, the section length is shortened.

  By doing in this way, the error rate by the dispersion | variation of the collected probe data can be kept below a predetermined value in the set traffic information determination area. When the section length is set according to the traveling speed of the collection vehicle, the period corresponding to the traffic information determination section is a fixed time range when viewed on the time axis, and the amount of data collected over the predetermined amount is larger than the predetermined amount. The road condition is determined based on the probe data. Therefore, when the road is congested, data reliability can be ensured in a short section, and detailed traffic information can be obtained. On the other hand, when the road is vacant, by increasing the section length, it is possible to remove a noise component that becomes an erroneous determination factor and improve the reliability of data. Moreover, since the variation in probe data in a predetermined section becomes smaller as the number of collection vehicles increases, an error rate can be ensured even if the section length of the traffic information determination section is shortened as the number increases. Therefore, when the number of vehicles is large, the reliability of data is high even in a short section. On the other hand, when the number of vehicles is small, the reliability of data can be increased by making the section length as long as possible.

  Therefore, depending on the probe data collection status and road conditions, traffic information is generated in units of fine sections when it is congested, and traffic information is generated in units of coarse sections when it is free. Traffic information can be generated by determining a traffic jam, ensuring reliability of data and reducing erroneous determination. As a result, the reliability of the generated traffic information can be improved.

  Next, the operation in the probe car system of this embodiment will be described. First, a procedure for collecting probe data will be described. First, in the probe data collection devices 21A, 21B,... 21N provided in the probe car vehicles 20A, 20B,... 20N as shown in FIG. Collect probe data including information.

  At this time, the own vehicle position is detected by the own vehicle position determination unit 25 based on the output information of the speed sensor 22, the GPS receiving unit 23, and the gyro 24, and the own vehicle position information and the clock obtained by the own vehicle position determination unit 25 are detected. 26, the spatio-temporal measuring unit 27 outputs probe data including time and position measurement data indicating the travel locus of the host vehicle. Then, the data processing unit 28 performs an encoding process, compresses the probe data, and stores the compressed data in the data storage unit 29. Thereafter, the accumulated probe data is transmitted from the data transmission unit 30 to the traffic information generating device 40.

  Note that speed information may be output as probe data. The encoding / compression process may be performed not only when probe data is collected or accumulated but also when data is transmitted. Further, the probe data may be transmitted at any time without being accumulated in the data accumulation unit 29. Encoding and compression methods include variable-length coding by converting travel locus data based on passing position information of measurement data into statistically biased data, or discrete wavelet transform of measurement data such as speed for each unit section And a method of encoding by orthogonal transformation processing such as the above. Further, the compression rate can be changed according to the section length of the traffic information determination section set by the traffic information generation device 40. By compressing probe data in this way, the amount of data can be reduced appropriately, and probe data can be collected and transmitted efficiently.

  As shown in the system configuration of FIG. 1, the probe data is generated by the traffic information including the traffic information generating device 40 via a communication station 13 such as a mobile communication system of a mobile phone and a base station and an exchange not shown. Transfer to the distribution center 14 Alternatively, it can be transferred via a receiver 15 installed at each point on the road. This receiver 15 is connected to a receiver management system 16 managed by a manager of the receiver, and receives the acquired probe data as uplink information when the vehicle 12 passes under the receiver 15. From the receiver 15 to the receiver management system 16. Then, the uplink information is transferred to the probe data collection / distribution center 17 of the host system, and the collected probe data is distributed to the traffic information generation / distribution center 14. By transferring and collecting probe data encoded and compressed from each vehicle in this way, the traffic information generation / distribution center 14 can efficiently collect probe data of a wide range and many vehicles.

  Next, processing procedures for generating and distributing traffic information according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. In the traffic information generating device 40 shown in FIG. 3, first, the data receiving unit 43 receives and inputs probe data from a plurality of probe data collecting devices 21A, 21B,... 21N, and the probe data is encoded and compressed. Decrypts and decompresses. Then, the road specifying unit 44 performs map matching processing using the map data of the map database 41 to specify a road section corresponding to the probe data, and generates travel locus data from the probe data for each vehicle.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating travel locus data. First, the probe data of each vehicle input by the data receiving unit 43 is expanded (step S11). Then, the road specifying unit 44 extracts probe data of an arbitrary vehicle for each vehicle, and further extracts probe data from the start time to the end time of the designated time zone (step S12). Subsequently, based on the extracted probe data and the map data of the map database 41, a map matching process is performed to correct the position information of the probe data to the road route on the map, and the road section corresponding to the probe data is specified. (Step S13).

  Then, in consideration of the case where the driver of the probe car has parked for a long time due to necessity, data regarded as a stopped state is excluded (step S14). In this case, preset parameters for excluding long-term stop data as shown in FIG. 5 are used. The minimum moving distance M and the moving time width T corresponding to each time zone of the probe data are taken out, and the data in which the moving distance is equal to or less than M and the moving time is equal to or longer than T is determined as data when the vehicle is stopped for a long time. Exclude probe data. Thereafter, travel locus data from the departure point to the arrival point is created using the probe data of each vehicle (step S15). This travel locus data generation process is performed for all vehicles.

  Next, in the route determination unit 45, based on the travel locus data from each departure point to the arrival point of each vehicle, the map data in the map database 41, and the reference point data in the reference point database 42, the reference point set in advance is determined. Determine where you have passed and determine the route for which traffic information can be created.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a route for which traffic information can be created. The route determination unit 45 first extracts the travel locus data of each vehicle (step S21), reads the reference point data in the reference point database 42, and extracts the reference point through which the travel locus data has passed among the preset reference points. (Step S22). Then, out of the passed reference points, a reference point closest to the departure point and a reference point closest to the arrival point are extracted (step S23). It is determined whether the reference point extraction process has been completed for all the vehicles (step S24), and the same process is repeated for the travel locus data of all the vehicles (steps S21 to S24). As a result, the entire travel trajectory data is corrected to travel trajectory data from the first passing reference point to the last passing reference point.

  Then, a route from the reference point to the reference point is created using the corrected reference point of the travel locus data (step S25), and the route having the longest travel distance is extracted by sorting the routes in order of the longest travel distance. The traffic information can be created (step S26).

  Next, based on at least one of the travel time for each minute section calculated by the minute section travel time calculation unit 46 or the number of passing vehicles in the minute section determined by the minute section passage number determination unit 47 in the traffic information determination section determination unit 48. Then, a traffic information determination section, which is a unit section for determining road conditions such as the degree of traffic congestion, is determined.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to a method of determining a section length according to the number of probe cars as a first example of a procedure for determining a variable traffic information determination section. In this case, according to the number of vehicles that have passed through the target section, the traffic information determination section determination unit 48 sets the section length short when the number is large, and sets the section length long when the number is small. A traffic information determination section for calculating the traffic information is determined.

  First, in the minute section passage number determination unit 47, the generated traffic information creation route is read (step S31), and two reference points on the route are continuously obtained for the travel locus data of all vehicles on the traffic information creation route. The traveling locus route passing through is extracted (step S32). Subsequently, the number of vehicles on which the travel locus routes overlap in a minute section between the respective reference points is calculated (step S33). At this time, from the reference point of the starting point to the reference point of the final point in the target route for which traffic information is required, how many vehicle trajectory routes coincide with each other at each reference point is obtained. First, from the starting reference point to the next consecutive reference point, the number of vehicles that have passed is extracted and the number of vehicles is calculated. Thereafter, this process is similarly repeated until the final reference point.

  Then, the section length of the traffic information determination section is determined from the number of vehicles that have passed through the same section (step S34). At this time, a preset parameter for determining the section length corresponding to the number of vehicles as shown in FIG. 8 is used. The section length is set long when the number of vehicles is small, and short when there are many vehicles. For each minute section between the reference points, the minimum section length is extracted from the number of vehicles with the same travel locus route, and if the minimum section length is shorter than the distance between the reference points, the route to the next reference point is calculated using that section length. To divide. One divided section is a traffic information determination section.

  Subsequently, the length of the traffic information determination section is adjusted (step S35). If the remaining section or the section length between the reference points is shorter than the minimum section length, it is determined whether it is longer than the maximum section length of FIG. 8 together with the previous section. Connect to the previous section. In addition, when there are a plurality of previous sections, a section in which the same vehicle has traveled or a section in which many of the vehicles that have traveled in the section have traveled is selected and connected. On the other hand, when there is no travel locus route of the same vehicle in the previous section, or when the maximum section length is exceeded together with the previous section, that section is set as one traffic information determination section. This process is performed between the next reference points, and the same process is repeated until the final reference point, thereby setting a traffic information determination section on the traffic information creation possible route (step S36).

  After that, except for the route corresponding to the traffic information determination section determined as described above, the next longest distance travel locus data is extracted to make a traffic information creation route, the section length is determined in the same manner as described above, A traffic information determination section is generated. Thus, according to the collection status of probe data, here, section length is variably set according to the number of collected vehicles, and a traffic information determination section is generated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to a method for determining the section length according to the traveling speed of the probe car as a second example of the procedure for determining the variable traffic information determination section. In this case, the traffic information determination section determination unit 48 sets the section length short when the traveling speed is slow and sets the section length long when the traveling speed is fast according to the travel time of the vehicle that has passed through the target section. Thus, a traffic information determination section for calculating traffic information is determined.

  First, in the minute section travel time calculation unit 46, the generated traffic information creation route is read (step S41), and two reference points on the route are continuously obtained for the travel locus data of all vehicles on the traffic information creation route. The traveling locus route passing through is extracted (step S42). Subsequently, the travel time is calculated in a minute section between the respective reference points (step S43). At this time, the travel time is calculated for each vehicle in units of minute sections, and the travel times of all the vehicles passing through the corresponding section are averaged. This process is similarly repeated from the reference point of the starting point to the reference point of the final point on the target route requiring traffic information.

  Then, the section length of the traffic information determination section is determined from the traveling speed of the vehicle in each minute section (step S44). At this time, a preset parameter for determining the vehicle travel speed corresponding section length as shown in FIG. 10 is used. The section length is set long when the traveling speed is fast and short when the traveling speed is slow. The travel speed is calculated from the travel time of the vehicle that has passed between each reference point, the minimum section length set in advance according to the travel speed is read, and if the minimum section length is shorter than the distance between the reference points, the section length is Divide the route to the next reference point. One divided section is a traffic information determination section.

  Subsequently, the length of the traffic information determination section is adjusted (step S45). If the remaining section or the section length between reference points is shorter than the minimum section length, determine whether it is longer than the maximum section length set in advance with the previous section, and if it is less than the maximum section length Connects to the previous section. On the other hand, when it exceeds the maximum section length together with the previous section, that section is set as one traffic information determination section. This process is performed between the next reference points, and the same process is repeated until the final reference point, thereby generating a traffic information determination section on the traffic information creation possible route (step S46). Thus, according to the collection state of probe data, here, the section length is variably set according to the traveling speed of the collection vehicle, and the traffic information determination section is generated.

  The reference point set in advance when generating the traffic information determination section can be set so as to be distinguishable for each route such as an intersection turning right or left. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of reference points around the branching portion. Here, the next reference point with respect to the reference point A is set to points B, C, and D in the vicinity of the branch portion where the right turn, the left turn, and the straight turn are determined through the intersection. As a result, the probe data is changed to the right turn route when the reference point A → B is passed, the straight route when the reference point A → C is passed, and the left turn route when the reference point A → D is passed. Can be divided into routes. The section length of each route may be corrected so that it can be divided as evenly as possible for each route. By setting the reference point in this way, it is possible to determine the traffic information determination section separately for the right turn route, the left turn route, and the straight route, and generate the respective traffic information. As a result, information such as a traffic jam waiting for a right turn can be appropriately extracted.

  In addition, in order to detect a traffic jam that occurs due to an event such as waiting for a parking lot, for a route that requires traffic information in advance, a traffic information determination section corresponding to the route can be set in advance. . Thereby, the traffic information in the arbitrary arbitrary road sections set beforehand can be generated appropriately.

  Thereafter, in the traffic information generation section 49, for the traffic information determination section set as described above, the average value of the average speed in the section of the vehicle traveling in each section is calculated, and the average speed of the traffic information determination section And Based on this average speed, the degree of traffic congestion such as traffic congestion (for example, 10 km / h or less), congestion (for example, 10 to 20 km / h), quietness (for example, 20 km / h or more) is calculated. As for the travel time, an average value of travel times of vehicles that traveled in each section is calculated and used as the travel time of the traffic information determination section. In this way, traffic information is generated for each variably set traffic information determination section.

  Next, a process for providing the traffic information generated as described above will be described. Since the traffic information determination section created in the present embodiment has a variable section length, traffic information corresponding to this section is transmitted to a user terminal such as a car navigation device having a different map database for each terminal. It is necessary to transmit the section information of the information determination section and the traffic information together.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position reference information generation unit 50 generates position reference information having shape data indicating a road shape as information for representing the position of the variable traffic information determination section. At this time, shape data is generated using the map data of the map database 41 of the own device and the position information of the traffic information determination section. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the shape data of the position reference information. As shown in FIG. 12A, a plurality of nodes p1, p2,... PN are set in the road section including the target traffic information determination section, and as shown in FIG. , P2,... The shape data in which the position data of pN are arranged is generated. As position data of each node indicating the road shape, latitude / longitude information, relative coordinate information, and the like are used. The traffic information determination section can be expressed by nodes corresponding to both ends.

  Then, the provision information generation unit 51 generates provision information including traffic information for provision by combining the position reference information of the traffic information determination section and the traffic information corresponding to the traffic information determination section. The provided information is distributed from the data distribution unit 52 to the user terminal 18. The user terminal 18 on the receiving side performs map matching processing using the position reference information based on the shape data, and associates the node indicating the traffic information determination section with the map data held by the own terminal, so that the traffic information determination section and this section The traffic information can be made to correspond to the own digital map. Then, the user terminal 18 displays traffic information such as the degree of congestion and travel time, and searches for routes based on the traffic information. In this way, it is possible to accurately and efficiently transmit the traffic information determination section variably set and the traffic information corresponding to this section.

  In the present embodiment, travel locus data for each vehicle from the collection start time to the end time is generated based on the collected probe data of many vehicles, and a route for which traffic information is to be calculated based on the travel locus data is traveled. If there is a vehicle that has traveled along the route, the predetermined section length is determined according to the number of vehicles or the traveling speed of each section on the route. Set variable traffic information judgment section according to section length. Generally, when the number of vehicles is small or the traveling speed is high, the section length is lengthened, and when the number of vehicles is large or the traveling speed is slow, the section length is shortened. For the traffic information determination section having the varying section length, the average speed is calculated by extracting the corresponding speeds of all the vehicles that have traveled in the section, and the average travel time is calculated from the average speed and the section distance.

  In this way, detailed and wider traffic information can be generated based on the probe data. Also, by determining the section length that varies depending on the probe data collection status and calculating the average speed and the like in this section, it is possible to increase the reliability of the traffic information generated more. When the number of vehicles in the section is large or the traveling speed is slow, the reliability of the data can be maintained high even in a short section, so the resolution of traffic information in the section can be improved by shortening the section length, more accurate and detailed Traffic information can be provided. In addition, when the number of vehicles is small or the traveling speed is high, by making the section length as long as possible, noise components in the section can be removed and erroneous determination can be suppressed, and the reliability of data can be increased.

  Also, by distributing the traffic information of the variable section together with the position reference information using the latitude and longitude information such as the shape data indicating the road shape of the corresponding section, a lot of information such as the section information is preliminarily stored in the user terminal on the receiving side. Without preparation, traffic information can be transmitted accurately and efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, a business that generates high value-added traffic information from probe data collected by a probe car and provides the information, or a business that provides traffic situation prediction information and uses it for operation management by an operator, etc. Can be applied.

  The present invention provides a traffic information generation apparatus and traffic information generation that generate traffic information from information collected by a probe car, which has the effect of increasing the reliability of traffic information generated in a probe car system. This method is useful for a method, a traffic information providing apparatus that provides the traffic information, a traffic information distribution system, and the like.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the probe car system which concerns on embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the probe data collection apparatus which concerns on this embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the traffic information generation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the production | generation procedure of the driving locus data in this embodiment The figure which shows the parameter for long-term stop data exclusion in this embodiment The flowchart which shows the determination procedure of the traffic information creation possible route in this embodiment The flowchart which shows the 1st example of the determination procedure of the variable traffic information determination area in this embodiment. The figure which shows the parameter for the section number determination of vehicle number correspondence in this embodiment The flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the determination procedure of the variable traffic information determination area in this embodiment. The figure which shows the parameter for the vehicle travel speed corresponding area length determination in this embodiment The figure which shows the example of a setting of the reference point around a branch part in this embodiment The figure explaining the shape data of position reference information concerning this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 In-vehicle apparatus 12, 20A, 20B, 20N Vehicle 13 Communication media 14 Traffic information generation / distribution center 15 Receiver 16 Receiver management system 17 Probe data collection / distribution center 18 User terminal 21, 21A, 21B, 21N Probe data collection apparatus DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 Traffic information production | generation apparatus 41 Map database 42 Reference point database 43 Data receiving part 44 Road specific | specification part 45 Route determination part 46 Minute section travel time calculation part 47 Minute section passage number determination part 48 Traffic information determination area determination part 49 Traffic information generation part 50 Location Reference Information Generation Unit 51 Provided Information Generation Unit 52 Data Distribution Unit

Claims (16)

A probe data input unit that inputs the probe data from a probe data collection unit that collects probe data including at least one information of a position, time, or speed at which the vehicle has traveled;
A traffic information generating unit that generates traffic information including at least one of travel time and congestion degree of a corresponding road section based on the probe data;
A traffic information determination section determination unit that variably determines a section length of a traffic information determination section for determining a road situation based on the probe data;
The traffic information generation unit is a traffic information generation device that generates the traffic information for each traffic information determination section. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information determination section determination unit determines the length of the traffic information determination section in accordance with at least one of the number of probe data collection vehicles and the travel speed of the probe data collection vehicle in the road section. Traffic information generation device to determine. The traffic information generating device according to claim 2,
The traffic information determination section determination unit is a traffic information generation device that sets the section length to be shorter as the number of probe data collection vehicles increases. The traffic information generating device according to claim 2,
The traffic information determination section determination unit is a traffic information generation apparatus that sets the section length to be shorter as the traveling speed of the probe data collection vehicle decreases. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information determination section determination unit is a traffic information generation device that determines a section length of the traffic information determination section to a length corresponding to a distance corresponding to a distance at which the traveling time of the probe data collection vehicle is a predetermined value in the road section. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information determination section determination unit is a traffic information generation device that excludes data regarded as a stop for a predetermined time or more for the probe data, and generates travel locus data for each vehicle that has collected the probe data. The traffic information generating device according to claim 6,
The traffic information determination section determination unit extracts travel locus data of a target road section from the travel locus data, and the traffic information according to at least one of the number of vehicles that have traveled on the road section and a travel speed in the road section. A traffic information generation device that determines a section length of a determination section. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information determination section determination unit can set the traffic information determination section for each route according to a plurality of routes divided at a branch portion of a target road section. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information determination section determination unit is a traffic information generation apparatus that allows an arbitrary road section for generating traffic information to be set in advance as the traffic information determination section. The traffic information generating device according to claim 1,
The traffic information generation unit calculates an average speed from the speed of a vehicle traveling in the traffic information determination section, and calculates an average travel time from the speed of the vehicle and a section length of the traffic information determination section.   The program which makes a computer implement | achieve the function of each part of the traffic information generation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-10. A probe data input step of inputting the probe data from a probe data collection unit that collects probe data including information on a position, time or speed at which the vehicle has traveled;
A traffic information generating step for generating traffic information including at least one of a travel time and a congestion degree of a corresponding road section based on the probe data;
A traffic information determination section determination step that variably determines a section length of a traffic information determination section for determining a road condition based on the probe data;
A traffic information generation method for generating the traffic information for each traffic information determination section in the traffic information generation step. The traffic information generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A provision information generating unit for generating provision information including position reference information having shape data indicating a road shape for representing the traffic information determination section, and the generated traffic information;
A data distribution unit for transmitting the provision information;
A traffic information providing device comprising: The traffic information providing device according to claim 13;
A probe data collection device for collecting the probe data;
A traffic information distribution system. The traffic information distribution system according to claim 14,
The said probe data collection apparatus is a traffic information delivery system provided with the encoding process part which carries out the encoding compression of the collected said probe data. The traffic information distribution system according to claim 15,
The encoding processing unit is a traffic information distribution system in which a compression rate is variable according to a section length of the traffic information determination section.

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