JP2008210123A - Traffic jam information production device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic jam information production device allowing acquisition of a position of the end of a traffic jam line by acquiring a traffic jam length of the traffic jam line even when all vehicles are not probe cars. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 11 of an information distribution center 3 collects probe information including position information or the like of one's own position from each the probe car 6, and detects a traffic jam lane and the traffic jam line in the traffic jam lane based on the probe information (S11-S12). The CPU 11 reads a probe car rate of an area to which each the traffic jam lane belongs from a probe car rate DB 18, and stores it into a RAM 12 (S13). The CPU 11 detects the number of the probe cars 6 in the traffic jam line from the collected probe information, calculates the number of the vehicles of the traffic jam line from the number of the probe cars 6 and the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane, calculates the traffic jam length based on the number of the vehicles to produce traffic jam length information, and distributes it to each the probe car 6 (S14-S16). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic jam information creating apparatus that creates traffic jam length information based on probe information collected from a probe car.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various traffic jam information creating apparatuses have been proposed in which a traveling vehicle becomes a sensor (probe car) and creates traffic jam length information based on probe information such as speed, time, and position collected from the probe car.
For example, the vehicle information and the current position information of each vehicle are collected from a plurality of vehicles, the parking waiting queue of the parking lot and the last position thereof are obtained, and the last position is mounted on each vehicle. There is a traffic jam information creation device configured to be distributed to a route guidance device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2005-249539 (paragraphs (0018) to (0027), FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1 described above, vehicle information and current position information are collected from each vehicle using an information communication system that transmits vehicle information and current position information from each vehicle to the center device. Thus, the end of the parking queue in the parking lot is determined. For this reason, when all the vehicles are not equipped with a device for transmitting vehicle information and current position information to the center device, there is a problem that it is impossible to acquire the last position of the waiting queue for parking. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Even when all the vehicles are not probe cars, the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue is obtained and the position of the tail of this traffic jam queue is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic jam information creation device that can be acquired.

  In order to achieve the above object, the traffic jam information generating apparatus according to claim 1 includes probe information collecting means (10, 17) for collecting probe information including position information of the probe car from the probe car (6), and the probe information. And a traffic jam lane detecting means (10, 14A) for detecting a traffic jam lane and a traffic jam lane in the traffic jam lane, and a probe car that stores a probe car rate representing a ratio of the probe car to all vehicles in each area for each area. A rate storage means (18), a number detection means (10) for detecting the number of probe cars in the traffic jam column, the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane, and the number of probe cars in the traffic jam queue Based on the vehicle number calculation means (10) for calculating the number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the number of vehicles, the traffic jam length in the traffic jam row is calculated based on the vehicle number. A congestion length information creating means for creating a traffic jam length information (10), characterized by comprising a.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the traffic jam information creating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the traffic jam information creating apparatus (3) according to the first aspect further comprises a delivery means (17) for delivering the traffic jam length information to the probe car. And

  A traffic jam information creating apparatus according to claim 3 is the traffic jam information creating apparatus (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the probe car includes a receiving means (27) for receiving the traffic jam length information. Route guidance means (23, 37A) for performing route guidance based on the traffic jam length information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the traffic jam information creating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the average between probe cars in the traffic jam sequence is based on the probe information. An average inter-vehicle distance acquisition means (10) for acquiring an inter-vehicle distance; and a correction means (10) for correcting the number of vehicles based on the probe car rate and the average inter-vehicle distance, the congestion length information creating means (10) is characterized in that a traffic jam length is calculated based on the number of vehicles corrected by the correcting means.

  Further, the traffic jam information creating device according to claim 5 is the traffic jam information creating device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of vehicles corrects the number of vehicles based on the probe car rate. Compensation means (10) is provided, and the traffic jam length information creation means (10) calculates the traffic jam length based on the number of vehicles corrected by the vehicle number correction means.

  In the traffic jam information generating apparatus according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration, probe information including position information is collected from a probe car, and a traffic jam lane and a traffic jam train in the traffic jam lane are detected based on the probe information. In addition, a probe car rate representing the ratio of probe cars to all vehicles in each area is stored for each area. Then, the number of probe cars in the traffic jam column is detected from the collected probe information, and the number of vehicles in the traffic jam queue is calculated based on the number of probe cars and the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. Further, the length of the traffic jam is calculated based on the number of vehicles and the traffic jam length information is created.

  As a result, it is possible to calculate the traffic jam length information by calculating the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue from the number of probe cars in the traffic jam queue and the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane, so all vehicles are not probe cars Even in this case, it is possible to acquire the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue and obtain the last position of the traffic jam queue.

  Further, in the traffic jam information creating apparatus according to claim 2, the traffic jam length information is delivered to the probe car by the delivery means, so that the probe car can easily obtain the traffic jam length information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the probe car includes route guidance means for performing route guidance based on the received congestion length information.
Thereby, when the probe car enters the traffic jam lane, the route guidance means acquires the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane based on the traffic jam length information, and determines the position of the tail of this traffic jam queue as the target point. It is possible to perform appropriate route guidance.

In the traffic jam information generating device according to claim 4, the calculation is based on the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars in the traffic jam queue and the probe car rate representing the ratio of the probe cars to all the vehicles in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. The number of vehicles in the traffic jam column is corrected, and the traffic jam length is calculated based on the corrected number of vehicles.
As a result, even in areas where the probe car rate is low, if the average inter-vehicle distance between probe cars in a traffic jam row is narrow, the number of cars between the probe cars is small, so it is possible to correct the traffic jam length to be shorter. Even in an area where the probe car rate is low, it becomes possible to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam train more accurately.

Furthermore, in the traffic jam information creation device according to claim 5, the number of vehicles in the calculated traffic jam train is corrected based on the probe car rate representing the ratio of the probe car to all vehicles in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane, and this correction is performed. The traffic jam length is calculated based on the number of vehicles.
As a result, in areas where the probe car rate is low, it is possible to correct the number of vehicles calculated based on the number of probe cars and the probe car rate in the traffic jam row, and even in areas where the probe car rate is low. It becomes possible to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue more accurately.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a traffic jam information generating apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which a navigation system is embodied.

  First, a schematic configuration of the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a navigation device 2 mounted on each probe car 6, update information for updating map information for the navigation device 2, and each navigation device described later. 2 basically includes an information distribution center 3 for distributing traffic information such as traffic jam length information created based on probe information collected from 2 and a network 4. The navigation device 2 and the information distribution center 3 are configured to be able to transmit and receive various types of information via the network 4.
The configuration of the navigation device 2 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, a road traffic information center (VICS (registered trademark)) 5 is connected to the network 4, and the navigation apparatus 2 and the information distribution center 3 are connected to the traffic control of the police, the Japan Highway Public Corporation, etc. via the network 4. It is configured to be able to receive traffic information such as road traffic congestion information and traffic regulation information created by collecting system information every predetermined time. The traffic information is, for example, detailed information on road traffic information such as road traffic information related to road traffic jams, traffic regulation information due to road construction, construction work, and the like. In the case of road traffic information, the detailed information includes the VICS link ID, the actual length of traffic, the time required to pass through the traffic, the level of traffic (no traffic / congested / separated traffic, etc.), and the vehicle speed during traffic , Travel time, direction of traffic jam lane, time when traffic congestion is expected to be resolved, etc., in the case of traffic regulation information, VICS link ID, road construction, duration of construction work, etc., closed traffic, one-sided alternate traffic, lane regulation, etc. The type of traffic regulation, traffic regulation time zone, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution center 3 includes a server 10, a center-side map information database (center-side map information DB) 14 as a map information recording unit connected to the server 10, and a navigation update history information database (navigation). Update history information DB) 15, center side traffic information database (center side traffic information DB) 16, center side communication device 17, and probe car rate database (probe car rate DB) 18.
In addition, the server 10 is based on requests from the navigation device 2 and the arithmetic unit that controls the entire server 10 and the CPU 11 as the control unit, the RAM 12 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 11 performs various arithmetic processes. Of the map information stored in the navigation device 2, the update information for updating the map information of the predetermined area to the new version of the map information is extracted from the center side map information DB 14 and distributed to the navigation device 2. Probe information (for example, month, date and time, link information (mesh ID, link ID, link length, presence / absence of traffic signal, road type, etc.) collected from the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6 described later Etc.), traffic conditions (travel time, traffic congestion, speed, etc.), own vehicle Position, secondary mesh ID to which the vehicle belongs, wiper operation status, outside / road surface temperature, weather, ABS (Antilock brake system) operation information, road surface status, vehicle information (vehicle type, performance specifications, vehicle speed, occupant, Based on the vehicle weight distribution ratio, how to apply torque, etc.))) based on the traffic jam lane and the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane to create traffic jam length information (see FIG. 3) Based on a request from the navigation device 2, an internal storage device such as a ROM 13 in which various control programs for performing traffic information distribution processing for distributing current traffic information via the network 4 and the like are recorded. A timer 19 for measuring is provided. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 11.

  In the center-side map information DB 14, update map information 14A, which is map information that is the basis for updating the map information created by the information distribution center 3 and stored in the navigation device 2, is classified for each version. Is remembered. Furthermore, update information for updating part or all of the map information stored in the current navigation device 2 to the update map information 14A is also stored. Here, the version is creation time information for specifying the time when the map information is created, and the time when the map information is created can be specified by referring to the version.

  The update map information 14A stored in the center-side map information DB 14 stores various information necessary for route guidance and map display by the navigation device 2, for example, for displaying a map. Map display data, intersection data related to each intersection, node data related to node points, link data related to roads (road links) that are a type of facility, search data for searching for routes, POIs such as stores that are a type of facility of interest), search data for searching points, and the like.

Here, the map display data is divided into 4 divisions (length 1/2), 16 divisions (1/4), and 64 divisions (1/8) based on a secondary mesh partitioned by about 10 km × 10 km. Each unit is set so that the data amount of each unit is approximately the same level. The smallest 64 division size unit is about 1.25 km square.
Also, from high-standard road classifications consisting of national highways, urban highways, motorway roads, general toll roads, single-digit or double-digit national roads, and three-digit or higher national roads, major regional roads, prefectural roads, municipal roads The road is divided into three distribution road sections, a general road section and a narrow street section composed of narrow streets, and each is stored and managed in the update map information 14A for each version. Furthermore, regarding toll roads, data relating to entrance roads (rampways), toll gates (interchanges) and the like of toll roads are recorded.

  Then, the information distribution center 3 uses the latest version of the update map information 14A stored in the center-side map information DB 14 at the timing when the request is received from the navigation device 2, and the navigation device 2 uses the latest version of the update map information 14A. Update the map information stored in. Specifically, in the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a distribution request for the update map information 14A from the navigation device 2, the update information for updating to the newest update map information 14A. Is delivered to the navigation device 2. Here, as the update information transmitted to the navigation device 2, all information including new road information for identifying the new road of the newest update map information 14A of the latest version may be transmitted. Necessary minimum information for updating from the map information stored in the current navigation device to the newest update map information 14A (only information on the update portion including the new road information for identifying the new road) It may be sent.

  On the other hand, in the navigation update history information DB 15, information related to the update history in which the map information stored in the navigation device 2 has been updated so far is stored together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. As the update history, which version of map information is used for each of the three distribution road classifications of the high-standard road classification, the general road classification, and the narrow street classification in the link data and node data constituting the map information specifically Every time the map information of the navigation device 2 is updated, it is rewritten to a new update history.

The center-side traffic information DB 16 includes probe information (for example, month, date and time, link information (mesh ID, link ID, link length, traffic signal presence / absence) collected by the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6. None, road type, etc.), traffic conditions (travel time, congestion level, speed, etc.), own vehicle position, secondary mesh ID to which the own vehicle position belongs, wiper operation status, outside / road surface temperature, Weather, ABS (Antilock brake system) operation information, road surface conditions, vehicle information (vehicle type, performance specifications, vehicle speed, occupant, vehicle weight distribution ratio, torque application, etc.)) and road traffic information center ( The current traffic information 16 </ b> A, which is information related to traffic congestion on the current road, created by collecting the traffic information received from the VICS (registered trademark) 5, is stored. The center-side traffic information DB 16 also includes statistics generated based on past traffic information such as VICS signals from the road traffic information center (VICS (registered trademark)) 5 and probe information collected from each probe car. Traffic information 16B is stored.
Note that this statistical traffic information 16B is information on event schedules such as festivals, parades, fireworks displays, scheduled locations, scheduled dates, etc. For example, roads around stations and large commercial facilities are identified every day except weekends. Statistical traffic jam information and traffic jam prediction information may be included such that traffic jams occur at the time of day, or roads around the beaches are jammed during summer holidays.

Then, the information distribution center 3 creates traffic jam length information as will be described later, or at the timing when a request is made from the navigation device 2, based on the current traffic information 16A stored in the center-side traffic information DB 16. Traffic information between intersections, statistical traffic information 16B, etc. are selected and distributed.
Further, in the probe car rate DB 18, a probe car rate representing the ratio of probe cars to all vehicles in each area for each area divided in prefecture units, municipalities units, secondary mesh units, etc. Stored for each rear.
The information distribution center 3 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, an organization, a local government, a government-related organization, or the like, and may be operated by a road traffic information center (VICS (registered trademark)) 5. .

  The network 4 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone network, a telephone network, a public communication network, a dedicated communication network, a communication network such as the Internet, etc. Can be used. A communication system using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, or the like by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, a communication system such as a non-stop automatic fee payment system (ETC) or a narrow area communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS) can also be used.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 2 constituting the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment is based on a current location detection processing unit 21 that detects the current position of the host vehicle, a data recording unit 22 that records various data, and input information. The navigation control unit 23 that performs various arithmetic processes, the operation unit 24 that receives operations from the operator, the liquid crystal display 25 that displays information such as a map to the operator, and voice guidance related to route guidance are output. And a communication device 27 that communicates with the road traffic information center (VICS (registered trademark)) 5, the information distribution center 3, and the like via a mobile phone network or the like. The navigation control unit 23 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 28 that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

  Hereinafter, each component constituting the navigation device 2 will be described. The current position detection processing unit 21 includes a GPS 31, a direction sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. It is possible to detect a direction, a distance to a target (for example, an intersection), and the like.

  Specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current location and current time of the vehicle on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites. The azimuth sensor 32 includes a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like. Detect the direction of the vehicle. The distance sensor 33 measures, for example, the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) of the host vehicle, detects the distance based on the measured rotational speed, measures the acceleration, and integrates the measured acceleration twice. Thus, it is composed of a sensor or the like for detecting the distance, and detects the moving distance of the own vehicle.

  The data recording unit 22 includes an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a storage medium, a navigation side traffic information database (navigation side traffic information DB) 36, a navigation side map information database (navigation) stored in the hard disk. A side map information DB) 37, a travel history database (travel history DB) 38, a predetermined program, and the like are read out, and a recording head (not shown) is provided as a driver for writing predetermined data into the hard disk. In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recording unit 22, but in addition to the hard disk, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used as the external storage device. Also, a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. can be used as an external storage device.

Here, the navigation side traffic information DB 36 is composed of the actual length of the traffic jam received from the information distribution center 3 and the road traffic information center (VICS) 5, the required time, the cause of the traffic jam, the time when the traffic jam is expected to be resolved, and the like. The current traffic information 36A created from traffic information such as traffic congestion information relating to traffic congestion on the current road, traffic regulation information due to road construction, construction work, etc. is stored. The statistical traffic information 36B of the navigation side traffic information DB 36 stores the above-described statistical traffic information 16B distributed from the information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27. The contents of the statistical traffic information 16B stored in the statistical traffic information 36B are updated by downloading the update information distributed from the information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27.
The navigation device 2 stores the statistical traffic information 16B supplied by a CD-ROM or the like in the statistical traffic information 36B, and travel history every predetermined period (for example, every week to 3 months). You may comprise so that it may update based on.
Note that this statistical traffic information 36B includes event schedule information such as scheduled locations, scheduled dates and times for events such as festivals, parades, fireworks displays, etc. Statistical traffic jam information and traffic jam prediction information may be included such that traffic jams occur at the time of day, or roads around the beaches are jammed during summer holidays.

  The navigation side map information DB 37 stores navigation map information 37 </ b> A that is used for travel guidance and route search of the navigation device 2 and is updated by the information distribution center 3. Here, the navigation map information 37A is composed of various information necessary for route guidance and map display in the same way as the update map information 14A. For example, new road information and a map for identifying each new road are displayed. Map display data for display, intersection data for each intersection, node data for node points, link data for roads (links) as a type of facility, search data for searching for routes, stores as a type of facility, etc. It consists of store data related to POI, search data for searching points, and the like. The contents of the navigation-side map information DB 37 are updated by downloading update information distributed from the information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27.

In the travel history DB 38, probe information (for example, month, date, link information (mesh ID, link ID, link length, presence / absence of traffic signal, road type, etc.) for each travel of each link. , Traffic conditions (travel time, traffic congestion, speed, etc.), own vehicle position, secondary mesh ID to which the vehicle position belongs, wiper operation status, outside / road surface temperature, weather, ABS (Antilock brake system) operation Information, road surface conditions, and vehicle information (vehicle type, performance specifications, vehicle speed, occupant, vehicle weight distribution ratio, torque application method, etc.)) are sequentially stored.
When the probe car 6 is traveling, the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6 is set at predetermined time intervals (for example, “every 1 minute”, “every 5 minutes”, “every 15 minutes”). Or “every 30 minutes” or the like.) For each travel of each link, the probe information newly stored in the travel history DB 38 is stored in the information distribution center from the previous transmission time point when the probe information was transmitted to the information distribution center 3. 3 through the communication device 27.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation control unit 23 constituting the navigation device 2 is a computing device that performs overall control of the navigation device 2, a CPU 41 as a control device, and working when the CPU 41 performs various types of computation processing. In addition to being used as a memory, the RAM 42 that stores route data when a route is searched, traffic information received from the information distribution center 3, and the like, a program for control, probe information is acquired every predetermined time, etc. In addition, a ROM 43 storing a probe information transmission processing program for transmitting the probe information to the information distribution center 3, an internal storage device such as a flash memory 44 for storing a program read from the ROM 43, a timer 45 for measuring time, etc. It has. As the RAM 42, ROM 43, flash memory 44, etc., a semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used. As the arithmetic device and the control device, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

  In this embodiment, various programs are stored in the ROM 43, and various data are stored in the data recording unit 22. However, the programs, data, and the like are stored in the same external storage device, memory card. It is also possible to read out a program, data, etc. from the flash memory 44 and so on. Further, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging a memory card or the like.

  Furthermore, the navigation control unit 23 is electrically connected to peripheral devices (actuators) of the operation unit 24, the liquid crystal display 25, the speaker 26, and the communication device 27.

  The operation unit 24 is operated when correcting the current location at the start of traveling, inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination as a guidance end point, or when searching for information about facilities, etc. And a plurality of operation switches. Then, the navigation control unit 23 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. In addition, a touch panel is provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 25, and various instruction commands can be input by pressing a button displayed on the screen. As the operation unit 24, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used.

In addition to a route guidance screen on which a map based on the navigation map information 37A is displayed and traffic information on each link is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25, operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, from the current location to the destination Guide route, guidance information along the guide route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV program, etc. are displayed.
In addition, the speaker 26 outputs voice guidance or the like that guides traveling along the guidance route based on an instruction from the navigation control unit 23. Here, examples of the voice guidance to be guided include “200m ahead, turn right at the XX intersection” and “Change lane to right lane”.

  The communication device 27 is a communication means such as a mobile phone network that communicates with the information distribution center 3, and transmits / receives the latest version of updated map information, current traffic information, and the like to / from the information distribution center 3. In addition to the information distribution center 3, the communication device 27 includes congestion information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, and service area congestion transmitted from the road traffic information center (VICS (registered trademark)) 5 or the like. Receive traffic information consisting of information such as the situation.

Next, in the navigation system 1 having the above-described configuration, the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 detects the traffic jam lane and the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane based on the probe information collected from the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6. The traffic jam length information creating process for creating the traffic jam length information will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the traffic jam length information creation process in which the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 according to the present embodiment detects the traffic jam lane and the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane and creates the traffic jam length information.
3 is stored in the RAM 12 or the ROM 13 provided in the information distribution center 3, and is executed by the CPU 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 11, the CPU 11 receives the probe information transmitted from the navigation device 2 of each probe car 6 via the center side communication device 17, The information is sequentially stored in the center side traffic information DB 16.
In S12, the CPU 11 sequentially reads out the probe information stored in the center side traffic information DB 16 again, and determines the degree of congestion of each lane from the position information, speed, link ID and center side map information DB 14 of each probe car 6 ( No congestion / congestion / congestion etc.). Then, the CPU 11 extracts a traffic lane with a traffic congestion level “congested” and traffic congestion lane data related to the traffic congestion lane (for example, the coordinate position of an intersection, presence / absence of a traffic signal, the number of lanes, the position of the traffic congestion lane, the road Attributes (such as national roads, prefectural roads, and city roads) are read from the center-side map information DB 14 and stored in the RAM 12.

Each probe information includes, for example, month, date and time, link information (mesh ID, link ID, link length, presence / absence of traffic signal, road type, etc.), traffic condition (travel time, congestion level, speed) Etc.), own vehicle position, mesh ID of secondary mesh to which own vehicle position belongs, wiper operation status, outside / road surface temperature, weather, ABS (Antilock brake system) operation information, road surface status, vehicle information (vehicle type) Each specification performance, vehicle speed, occupant, vehicle weight distribution ratio, torque application method, etc.). Therefore, the lane in which the probe car 6 travels and the vehicle speed in this lane can be detected from the link ID, the vehicle position, and the speed.
Further, when the degree of congestion is “congested”, the vehicle speed is 0 km to less than 20 km per hour on ordinary roads such as national roads and prefectural roads. In addition, on urban highways and high-speed automobile national roads, the vehicle speed is 0 to less than 40 km per hour.

Subsequently, in S13, the CPU 11 reads out from the RAM 12 each traffic lane with a traffic jam degree of “traffic”, and the area (prefecture unit) to which each traffic lane belongs from the link ID and the center side map information DB 14 constituting each traffic lane. And a secondary mesh unit, etc.) are specified and stored in the RAM 12. And CPU11 reads the probe car rate showing the ratio of the probe car with respect to all the vehicles in the area to which each traffic lane belongs from probe car rate DB18, and matches it with each traffic lane, and memorize | stores it in RAM12.
For example, when the traffic lane belongs to Tokyo, the probe car rate is “50%”, and when the traffic lane belongs to XX prefecture, the probe car rate is “20%”.

In S14, the CPU 11 reads out the traffic jam lanes from the RAM 12 again, and the probe car 6 located on each traffic jam lane from the link ID constituting each traffic jam lane and the probe information stored in the center side traffic information DB 16. Are stored in the RAM 12 in association with each traffic jam lane. Then, the CPU 11 divides the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic lane by the probe car rate corresponding to each traffic lane, that is, the reciprocal of the probe car rate is calculated on the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic lane. By multiplying, the number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam column of each traffic lane is calculated, and stored in the RAM 12 in association with each traffic lane.
Subsequently, in S15, the CPU 11 reads out the number of vehicles constituting the congestion train of each traffic lane, and multiplies each vehicle number by the vehicle length (for example, 5 m to 6 m) stored in the ROM 13 in advance. The traffic jam length of the column is calculated and stored in the RAM 12 in association with each traffic jam lane.

Here, an example of calculating the traffic jam length of the traffic jam sequence executed in the processes of S14 to S15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue is calculated.
As shown in the upper side of FIG. 4, when the probe car rate of the area to which the traffic lane belongs is “50%” and there are “5” probe cars 6 in the traffic jam column 51 of the traffic lane, the CPU 11 It is assumed that the number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam line 51 of the traffic jam lane is 5 vehicles / 0.5 = 5 vehicles × 2 = 10 vehicles. Then, assuming that the vehicle length is “5 m”, the traffic jam length of this traffic jam column 51 is 5 m × 10 vehicles = 50 m, and is stored in the RAM 12 in association with this traffic jam lane.
As shown in the lower side of FIG. 4, when the probe car rate in the area to which the traffic lane belongs is “20%” and there are “2” probe cars 6 in the traffic jam column 52 of the traffic lane, the CPU 11 Is assumed that the number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam column 52 of the traffic jam lane is 2 / 0.2 = 2 vehicles × 5 = 10 vehicles. Then, assuming that the vehicle length is “5 m” and the traffic jam length in this traffic jam column 52 is 5 m × 10 vehicles = 50 m, the vehicle is stored in the RAM 12 in association with this traffic jam lane.

  In S16, the CPU 11 determines, for each traffic jam lane, traffic jam lane data related to the traffic jam lane (for example, intersection coordinate position, traffic signal presence / absence, number of lanes, traffic jam lane position, road attribute (national road, prefectural road, Etc.)) and the traffic jam length of each traffic jam lane is read from the RAM 12, and traffic jam length information is created by associating the traffic jam lane data with each traffic jam length. Remember. Then, the CPU 11 reads the traffic jam length information again from the current traffic information 16A, distributes it to each probe car 6 via the center side communication device 17, and then ends the processing.

Next, in the navigation system 1 having the above-described configuration, a route guidance process in which the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 performs route guidance based on the congestion length information received from the information distribution center 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. .
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a route guidance process in which the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment performs route guidance based on the congestion length information received from the information distribution center 3.
Note that the program shown in the flowchart in FIG. 5 is stored in the RAM 42 or ROM 43 provided in the navigation device 2 and is executed by the CPU 41.

As shown in FIG. 5, in S <b> 111, the CPU 41 detects the current position of the own vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “own vehicle position”) and the direction of the own vehicle by the current position detection processing unit 21. Coordinate data (for example, latitude and longitude data) representing the vehicle position and the vehicle direction are stored in the RAM 42. Further, the CPU 41 determines intersection data (for example, the coordinate position of the intersection, presence / absence of a traffic signal, own vehicle, own vehicle) on the guidance route from the navigation map information 37A on the guidance route on the intersection in which the vehicle 6 needs to change lanes ahead. Read the road width, number of lanes, road attributes (national roads, prefectural roads, city roads, etc.), the presence or absence of pedestrian crossings, the coordinate position of pedestrian crossings, etc.) Store in the RAM 42.
Then, the CPU 41 reads the coordinate data representing the vehicle position and the intersection data from the RAM 42 again, and is within a predetermined distance (for example, within about 200 m to 300 m) from the vehicle position to the intersection where it is necessary to change the lane. ) Is executed to determine whether or not it has approached.
And when it is not approaching within the predetermined distance (for example, within about 200m-300m) from the own vehicle position to the intersection which needs to change this lane (S111: NO), CPU41 performs the said process. finish.

On the other hand, when approaching within a predetermined distance (for example, within about 200 m to 300 m) from the vehicle position to the intersection where it is necessary to change the lane (S111: YES), the CPU 41 determines the current traffic information 36A. Whether or not the coordinate position of the intersection related to the traffic lane data included in the traffic jam length information stored in is stored in the current traffic information 36A. A determination process for determining whether or not there is is executed.
In addition, CPU41 memorize | stores this traffic jam length information in the present traffic information 36A, when the traffic jam length information delivered from the information delivery center 3 is received via the communication apparatus 27. FIG.

And when the traffic jam length information regarding the said intersection is received and not memorize | stored in the present traffic information 36A (S112: NO), CPU41 transfers to the process of S113. In S113, the CPU 41, as usual, informs that the lane should be changed via the speaker 26 at a position a predetermined distance before the intersection ahead of the traveling direction (for example, a position 30 m before the intersection), The process ends.
For example, the CPU 41 ends the process after voice guidance “Please change to the right lane” via the speaker 16 at a position about 30 m before the intersection in front of the traveling direction.

  On the other hand, when the traffic jam length information regarding the intersection is received and stored in the current traffic information 36A (S112: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S114. In S114, the CPU 41 reads the traffic jam length from the traffic jam length information related to the intersection, and at a position further ahead of the traffic jam distance from the location where the traffic lane change guidance is performed at a predetermined distance from the intersection before the lane via the speaker 26. After notifying that it should be changed, the process is terminated.

Here, an example of the lane change guidance executed in the process of S114 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of route guidance executed based on the received traffic jam length information.
As shown in FIG. 6, a congestion line 53 occurs in the straight lane of the intersection 61 existing in the area where the probe car rate is “50%”. Further, five probe cars 6 are located in the traffic jam column 53, and the CPU 41 of the information distribution center 3 calculates the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue 53 as 5 m × 5 vehicles × 2 = 50 m, The traffic jam length information including the traffic jam length “50 m” is distributed to the probe cars 6 and 6A.

  As a result, when the probe car 6A needs to change to the right-hand straight lane in order to go straight on the intersection 61, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6A stores the current traffic information 36A. The traffic jam length “50 m” is read from the traffic jam length information related to the traffic jam column 53 and stored in the RAM 42. Then, the CPU 41 passes the speaker 26 via the speaker 26 at a position “50 m” before the traffic jam length “30 m” from the intersection 61 where lane change guidance is normally performed, ie, a position “50 m” before the intersection 61. Then, give a voice guidance saying "Please change to the right lane."

  As described above in detail, in the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 collects probe information including position information of the vehicle position from each probe car 6 and uses this probe information as the probe information. Based on the traffic jam lane and the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane based on this (S11 to S12). Further, the CPU 11 reads a probe car rate representing the ratio of the probe car 6 with respect to all the vehicles in the area to which each traffic lane belongs from the probe car rate DB 18, and stores it in the RAM 12 in association with each traffic lane (S13). Then, the CPU 11 detects the number of probe cars 6 in the traffic jam queue from the collected probe information, and calculates the number of vehicles in the traffic jam queue from the number of probe cars 6 and the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. (S14). Further, the traffic jam length information is created by calculating the traffic jam length of the traffic jam train based on the number of vehicles, and is distributed to each probe car 6 (S15 to S16).

As a result, the CPU 11 can calculate the traffic jam length in the traffic jam queue from the number of probe cars 6 in the traffic jam queue and the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane, and create the traffic jam length information. Even when the vehicle is not the probe car 6, it is possible to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam train. Further, since the CPU 11 delivers the calculated traffic jam length of the traffic jam sequence to the probe car 6, the probe car 6 can obtain the traffic jam length information and obtain the position of the tail of this traffic jam queue. .
In addition, when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 mounted on the probe car 6 enters the traffic congestion lane existing forward in the traveling direction by changing the lane or the like, the CPU 41 stores the traffic congestion length information received and stored in the current traffic information 36. Based on this, the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue in the traffic jam lane can be acquired, and appropriate route guidance can be performed with the rearmost position of this traffic jam queue as the target point.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following may be used.

(A) In step 14, the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 calculates the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 in the traffic jam line of the traffic jam lane based on the probe information collected from the probe cars 6. Then, the CPU 11 corrects the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the calculated average inter-vehicle distance and the probe car rate representing the ratio of the probe car 6 to all the vehicles in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. It may be. In step 15, the CPU 11 may calculate the congestion length by multiplying the corrected number of vehicles by the vehicle length (for example, 5 m to 6 m).
Thereby, even in an area where the probe car rate is low, if the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 in the traffic jam row is narrow, the number of the cars between the probe cars 6 is small, so that the traffic jam length can be corrected. This makes it possible to more accurately calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam train even in an area where the probe car rate is low.

  Here, an example of a method of correcting the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 and the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 corrects the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 and the probe car rate “20%” in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of a method. The vehicle length of the probe car 6 is “5 m”.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the probe car rate in the area is “20%”, that is, in the area, the probe car 6 is traveling at a rate of 1 out of 5 traveling vehicles. For this reason, when the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 is “5 m”, it is considered that there is no other vehicle between the probe cars 6, so the CPU 11 determines the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic jam lane. Instead of multiplying the rate “20%”, that is, the reciprocal number “5” of “0.2”, the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic lane is multiplied by “1”, and the traffic jam column of each traffic lane Is calculated.

When the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 is “10 m”, “15 m”, and “20 m”, the CPU 11 similarly sets the probe car rate “20%” to the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic jam lane. That is, instead of multiplying the reciprocal number “5” of “0.2”, the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic jam lane is multiplied by “2 times”, “3 times”, and “4 times”, respectively. Then, the number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam line of each traffic lane is calculated.
Further, when the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 is “25 m” or more, it is considered that there are “four or more” other vehicles between the probe cars 6, so the CPU 11 detects the probe cars on each traffic jam lane. 6 is multiplied by the probe car rate “20%”, that is, the reciprocal number “5” of “0.2”, to calculate the number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam column of each traffic jam lane.
The CPU 11 calculates the number of vehicles constituting the congestion train of each traffic lane by multiplying the number obtained by dividing the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 by “5 m” with the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic lane. You may do it.

Then, the CPU 11 multiplies the vehicle number “5 m” by the number of vehicles in the corrected traffic jam column to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue.
As a result, even when the probe car rate in the area is as low as “20%”, if the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars 6 in the traffic jam row is narrow, the number of the cars between the probe cars 6 is small. Can be corrected so that the traffic jam length of the traffic jam train can be calculated more accurately even in an area where the probe car rate is as low as “20%”.

(B) In step 14, the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 calculates the number of vehicles in the traffic jam column based on the probe car rate indicating the ratio of the probe car 6 to all vehicles in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. You may make it correct | amend. In step 15, the CPU 11 may calculate the congestion length by multiplying the corrected number of vehicles by the vehicle length (for example, 5 m to 6 m).
As a result, in an area where the probe car rate is low, it is possible to correct the number of vehicles calculated based on the number of probe cars 6 and the probe car rate in the traffic jam queue so that the number of vehicles is low. It becomes possible to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue more accurately.

  Here, an example of a method of correcting the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a method in which the CPU 11 of the information distribution center 3 corrects the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam column based on the probe car rate in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. The vehicle length of the probe car 6 is “5 m”.

As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 replaces the number of probe cars 6 on each traffic lane with the inverse of the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic lane indicated by the solid line 71 instead of the broken line 72. The number of vehicles constituting the traffic jam column of each traffic jam lane is calculated by multiplying the “correction magnification” indicated by.
The “correction magnification” indicated by the broken line 72 indicates the probe car of the area corresponding to the traffic lane indicated by the solid line 71 as the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic lane indicated by the solid line 71 decreases. As the reciprocal of the rate increases, the reciprocal of the probe car rate is set to be smaller.

  For example, the “correction magnification” indicated by the broken line 72 with respect to the probe car rate “10%” of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane indicated by the solid line 71, that is, the reciprocal “10” of the probe car rate “0.1” is , “5”. Further, the “correction magnification” indicated by the broken line 72 with respect to the probe car rate “20%” of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane indicated by the solid line 71, that is, the reciprocal “5” of the probe car rate “0.2” is , “4”. Further, the “correction magnification” indicated by the broken line 72 with respect to the probe car rate “50%” of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane indicated by the solid line 71, that is, the reciprocal “2” of the probe car rate “0.5” is , “About 1.5”. Further, the “correction magnification” indicated by the broken line 72 with respect to the probe car rate “100%” of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane indicated by the solid line 71, that is, the reciprocal “1” of the probe car rate “1” is “ 1 ”is set.

Then, the CPU 11 multiplies the vehicle number “5 m” by the number of vehicles in the corrected traffic jam column to calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam queue.
As a result, in an area where the probe car rate is as low as “20%” or “10%”, the number of probe cars 6 in the traffic jam queue is multiplied by the “correction magnification” to multiply the number of probe cars 6 in the traffic jam queue. It is possible to correct the vehicle number to be less than the number of vehicles multiplied by the inverse of the car rate, and it is possible to more accurately calculate the traffic jam length of the traffic jam column even in an area where the probe car rate is low.

It is the block diagram which showed the navigation system which concerns on a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the navigation apparatus of the navigation system. It is a flowchart which shows the traffic congestion length information creation process which CPU of an information delivery center detects traffic jam lane and the traffic jam row in the traffic jam lane, and creates traffic jam length information. It is a figure which shows an example which computed the congestion length of the congestion line. It is a flowchart which shows the route guidance process in which CPU of a navigation apparatus performs route guidance based on the congestion length information received from the information delivery center. It is a figure which shows an example of the route guidance performed based on the received traffic jam length information. An example of a method in which the CPU of the information distribution center corrects the calculated number of vehicles in the traffic jam row based on the average inter-vehicle distance between the probe cars and the probe car rate “20%” in the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane. It is explanatory drawing to do. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the method in which CPU of an information delivery center correct | amends the number of vehicles of the traffic jam row calculated based on the probe car rate of the area corresponding to a traffic jam lane.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation system 2 Navigation apparatus 3 Information distribution center 4 Network 6, 6A Probe car 10 Server 11, 41 CPU
12, 42 RAM
13, 43 ROM
14 Center side map information DB
16 Center side traffic information DB
16A, 36A Current traffic information 17 Center side communication device 18 Probe car rate DB
21 current location detection processing unit 23 navigation control unit 26 speaker 27 communication device 36 navigation side traffic information DB
37 Navi side map information DB
38 Travel history DB
51, 52, 53 Congestion line 61 Intersection 71 Solid line 72 Broken line

Claims (5)

Probe information collecting means for collecting probe information including position information of the probe car from the probe car;
A traffic lane detecting means for detecting a traffic lane and a traffic jam line in the traffic lane based on the probe information;
Probe car rate storage means for storing for each area a probe car rate representing a ratio of probe cars to all vehicles in each area;
Number detection means for detecting the number of probe cars in the traffic jam queue;
A number calculation means for calculating the number of vehicles in the traffic jam column based on the probe car rate of the area corresponding to the traffic jam lane and the number of probe cars in the traffic jam queue;
Congestion length information creating means for creating a traffic jam length information by calculating a traffic jam length of the traffic jam row based on the number of vehicles,
Congestion information creating apparatus characterized by comprising:   The traffic information generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution unit configured to distribute the traffic jam length information to the probe car. The probe car has receiving means for receiving the traffic jam length information;
Route guidance means for performing route guidance based on the traffic jam length information;
The traffic jam information creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam information creating apparatus is provided. Average inter-vehicle distance acquisition means for acquiring an average inter-vehicle distance between probe cars in the traffic jam row based on the probe information;
Correction means for correcting the number of vehicles based on the probe car rate and the average inter-vehicle distance;
With
4. The traffic jam information creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam length information creating unit calculates a traffic jam length based on the number of vehicles corrected by the correcting unit. Vehicle number correcting means for correcting the number of vehicles based on the probe car rate,
4. The traffic jam information creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam length information creating unit calculates a traffic jam length based on the number of vehicles corrected by the vehicle number correcting unit.

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