JP2019046264A - Driving support system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a driving support system capable of more reliably determining on a vehicle side whether to follow traffic congestion and mitigating road traffic congestion.SOLUTION: A driving support system comprises: a sensor that detects traffic congestion in each of a left lane 21 and a right lane 22 and detects route branch points P1, P3, and P4 included in the traffic congestion J1 and J2 in the left lane 21 where traffic congestion has occurred; a road information generation unit configured to generate road information to an effect that it is recommended to travel in the left lane 21 where the traffic congestion has occurred in the case of branching at route branch points P1, P3, P4 included in the congestion section of the left lane where the traffic congestion has occurred, based on the left lane 21 where the traffic congestion has occurred and route branch points P1, P3, P4; and a communication device for wirelessly providing road information to a vehicle 10. A communication device installed on a travel source side of a road 20 with respect to the traffic congestion provides road information on the route branch points P1, P3 and P4 positioned on a travel destination side with respect to the communication device to the vehicle 10 in a wireless manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support system that achieves traffic congestion mitigation by providing information on road congestion to vehicles capable of autonomous driving.

  Heretofore, various proposals have been made as means for alleviating traffic congestion. For example, there has been proposed a device that provides driving assistance so that lane changes can be performed according to the traffic congestion situation for each lane (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  According to such a device, if there is a route branch point scheduled to branch ahead of the leading position of the traffic congestion, the lane leading position can be changed so as to avoid the traffic congestion.

  However, in such a conventional device, there is a limit to the range in which the congestion can be detected, and the detection of the congestion is uncertain. For this reason, in order to branch at the route branch point included in the traffic congestion section, it is necessary to follow the traffic congestion, but the traffic congestion may be avoided and it may be difficult to branch at the route branch point. That is, as a result of determining the lane to be traveled based on the determination of uncertain traffic congestion, there is a possibility that an inappropriate lane may be selected.

  There is also proposed a vehicle which receives information on traffic jam from a leading vehicle and determines whether to follow or avoid the traffic jam based on the information. Specifically, when a traffic jam is encountered, a route branch point scheduled by the leading vehicle is received from the leading vehicle in the heavy traffic. Then, when the route branch point of the preceding vehicle and the route branch point scheduled by the host vehicle coincide with each other, the preceding vehicle is followed, and when they do not coincide, traffic congestion is avoided. For example, when there is a mismatch, such as a route branch point A scheduled by the preceding vehicle and a route branch point B scheduled by the host vehicle (the route branch point B is farther than the route branch point A), the leading vehicle is the route branch point A There is a high possibility that there is a traffic jam waiting for the left at the top of the road. On the other hand, since the host vehicle is scheduled to turn at the route branch point B, it is possible to change the lane so as to avoid the traffic congestion irrelevant to the host vehicle.

  However, since the determination is made based on the route branch point transmitted by the preceding vehicle, there is a concern that the determination of the traffic congestion avoidance of the own vehicle may be erroneous. For example, although the preceding vehicle is scheduled to go to the same route branch point B as the host vehicle, it is erroneously following the traffic jam. In this case, since the host vehicle and the leading vehicle coincide with each other at the route branch point B, the host vehicle follows the leading vehicle, resulting in traffic congestion that does not require tracking.

JP, 2013-50397, A

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to more reliably determine on the vehicle side whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not, and a driving support system capable of alleviating traffic jams on the road. Intended to provide.

  A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a driving support system that provides a vehicle with information about a road including a plurality of route junctions and a plurality of lanes, detects traffic congestion for each lane, and detects traffic congestion Based on the traffic congestion detection unit for detecting the route branch point included in the traffic congestion section of the lane where the traffic has occurred, the traffic lane where the traffic congestion occurred, and the route included in the traffic congestion section of the traffic lane A road information generation unit that generates road information that recommends traveling on a lane where the traffic congestion has occurred when branching at a branch point, and a communication device that wirelessly provides the vehicle with the road information. A driving support characterized in that the communication device installed at a traveling source of a road rather than a traffic jam wirelessly provides the vehicle with the road information about the route branch point ahead of the communication device. The system .

  In the first aspect, it is not necessary for each vehicle to detect traffic congestion and to determine the lane to be traveled, and the vehicle is provided with accurate road information for determining whether to follow or avoid the traffic congestion lane. Be done. As a result, it is possible to more reliably determine on the vehicle side whether or not there is a traffic jam to be followed, and the traffic congestion can be alleviated even on the whole road.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the driving support system according to the first aspect, wherein the road information generation unit branches at the route branch point ahead of the congestion section of the lane in which the congestion has occurred. In the driving support system, it is preferable to generate the road information to the effect that it is recommended to travel in a lane where traffic congestion does not occur.

  In the second aspect, when the route branch point to be branched is not included in the congestion section, the congestion can be avoided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the driving support system according to the first or second aspect, the vehicle is driven to travel in a lane based on the road information received from the communication device. In a driving support system characterized in that

  In the third aspect, it can be determined more reliably whether a vehicle capable of autonomous driving is a traffic jam to be followed, and the traffic congestion can be alleviated even on the whole road.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably determine on the vehicle side whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not, and a travel support system is provided that can alleviate traffic jams on the road.

It is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system. It is a block diagram of a driving support system. It is a flow which shows operation of a run support system. It is a flow which shows operation of vehicles. It is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system. It is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system. It is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system. It is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described. The description of the embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing the state of a road to which a driving support system is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the driving support system.

  FIG. 1 shows the state of a road 20 to which the driving support system 1 of the present embodiment is applied. The road 20 includes a plurality of route branch points P1 to P5, and includes a plurality of (here, two) left lanes 21 and right lanes 22. The route junction is an intersection that can be branched off from the road 20. In the illustrated example, the road 20 is the left lane 21 in the direction of travel of the road 20 (from the bottom to the top of FIG. 1) from the travel source (the bottom of FIG. 1) to the travel destination (the top of FIG. 1). It includes the route branch points P1 to P5 that can be turned left from. Note that only one lane is shown in the figure, and the illustration of the opposite lane is omitted.

  On the road 20, a plurality of travel support systems 1 including a sensor 30, a road information generation unit 31, and a communication device 32 are installed. Specifically, the travel support system 1 is fixed to a support 40 provided to cross the upper side of the road 20. The driving support system 1 provided on each support body 40 is provided on the side of the traveling source in the traveling direction of the road 20 than the route branch points P1 to P5. Hereinafter, each of the driving assistance systems 1 provided corresponding to each route branch point P1 to P5 is also referred to as traveling assistance systems 1-1 to 1-5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 30 is an example of a traffic congestion detection unit described in the claims, and detects traffic congestion for each lane and detects a route branch point included in the traffic congestion section of the traffic lane where traffic congestion has occurred. Is a complete set of equipment. Specifically, the sensor 30 may be an image recognition device, a radar, a magnetic measuring instrument, or any other known device for detecting traffic congestion.

  Specifically, the sensor 30 detects traffic congestion from image recognition, radar reflected waves, magnetic distribution, and the like, and detects a route branch point included in the traffic congestion section of the traffic lane in which traffic congestion has occurred. The traffic jam section is information including the position of the tail end of the traffic jam and the route junction at which the traffic jam occurs.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 1, a traffic jam J1 occurs toward the traveling source more than the route branch point P1. The sensor 30 of the driving support system 1-1 detects such a traffic jam J1. Then, the traffic jam section where the traffic jam J1 has occurred, that is, the traffic jam J1 including the route branch point P1 and the position of the rearmost vehicle A is detected.

  In addition, a traffic jam J2 occurs up to the route branch point P2 with the route branch point P4 at the top. The driving support system 1-3 and the sensor 30 of the driving support system 1-4 detect such traffic jam J2. Then, a traffic jam section where traffic jam J2 has occurred, that is, traffic jam J2 consisting of route branch point P4 and the position of the last vehicle B is detected.

  On the other hand, no congestion occurs from the route branch point P1 to the route branch point P2. In this case, the sensor 30 of the driving support system 1-2 detects that no traffic congestion has occurred in the section. Further, no traffic congestion occurs from the route branch point P4 to the route branch point P5. In this case, the sensor 30 of the driving support system 1-5 detects that no traffic congestion has occurred in the section.

  The road information generation unit 31 generates road information related to a lane to be recommended to travel based on the lane where the traffic congestion has occurred and the route branch point detected by the sensor 30. The road information referred to here means information on a lane recommended when the vehicle 10 branches at a specific route branch point.

  More specifically, based on the traffic congestion detected by the sensor 30, the road information generation unit 31 extracts a route branch point included in the traffic congestion section. In the example of FIG. 1, in the case of the traffic jam J1, the route branch point P1 is extracted, and in the case of the traffic jam J2, the route branch points P3 and P4 are extracted. The route branch points P1, P3 and P4 correspond to the route branch points included in the congestion section described in the claims.

  The road information generation unit 31 generates road information to the effect that traveling in the left lane 21 is recommended when branching (turning to the left) at the route branch point P1 included in the congestion section. Similarly, the road information generation unit 31 generates road information to the effect that traveling in the left lane 21 is recommended when branching at the route branch points P3 and P4 included in the congestion section.

  Furthermore, based on the traffic congestion detected by the sensor 30, the road information generation unit 31 recommends traveling in a lane where traffic congestion does not occur when branching at a route branch point ahead of the traffic congestion section. Generate road information to the effect.

  In the example of FIG. 1, when branching at the route branch points P2 to P5 ahead of the route branch point P1 which is the head of the traffic jam J1, the information to the effect of recommending to travel the right lane 22 is generated . Similarly, in the case of branching at a route branch point P5 ahead of the route branch point P4 which is the head of the traffic jam J2, information to the effect of recommending traveling in the right lane 22 is generated.

  The communication device 32 is a device that wirelessly provides the vehicle 10 with the road information generated by the road information generation unit 31. Further, the communication device 32 installed at the traveling source of the road 20 rather than the traffic congestion provides road information on the route branch point ahead of the communication device 32. That is, the communication device 32 provides the vehicle with road information according to the installed place.

  Specifically, the communicator 32 of the driving support system 1-1 installed near the route branch point P 1 provides road information on the route branch points P 1 to P 5 which are ahead of the communicator 32. .

  That is, when branching at the route branch point P1 included in the traffic congestion J1, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the left lane 21 (following the traffic congestion) is wirelessly provided to the vehicle 10. Further, in the case of branching at the route branch points P2 to P5 ahead of the route branch point P1 which is the head of the traffic jam J1, road information indicating that the right lane 22 is to be traveled is provided wirelessly to the vehicle 10.

  The communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-2 installed near the route branch point P 2 provides road information about the route branch points P 2 to P 5 which are ahead of the communication device 32. When traffic congestion is not detected starting from the route branch point P2, road information similar to that of the travel support system 1-3 ahead of the travel support system 1-2 is provided to the vehicle.

  The communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-3 installed in the vicinity of the route branch point P3 provides road information on the route branch points P3 to P5 ahead of the communication device 32.

  That is, when branching at the route branch points P3 and P4 included in the traffic jam J2, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the left lane 21 (following the traffic jam) is wirelessly provided to the vehicle 10. Further, when branching at a route branch point P5 ahead of the route branch point P4 which is the head of the traffic jam J2, road information indicating that the right lane 22 is to be traveled is provided wirelessly to the vehicle 10.

  The communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-4 installed near the route branch point P4 provides road information on the route branch points P4 to P5 ahead of the communication device 32.

  That is, when branching at the route branch point P4 included in the traffic jam J2, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the left lane 21 (following the traffic jam) is wirelessly provided to the vehicle 10. Further, when branching at a route branch point P5 ahead of the route branch point P4 which is the head of the traffic jam J2, road information indicating that the right lane 22 is to be traveled is provided wirelessly to the vehicle 10.

  As described above, the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-1 follows the traffic jam J1 if it branches at the route branch point P1 with respect to the vehicle X or the vehicle Y before reaching the traffic congestion J1 or If branching at branch points P2 to P5, road information indicating that the vehicle travels in the right lane 22 without following the traffic congestion J1 is provided.

  In addition, from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-2 to the driving support system 1-4, if the vehicle V or the vehicle W before reaching the traffic congestion J2 branches at the route branch point P3 or P4, the traffic congestion J2 Road information indicating that the vehicle will travel in the right lane 22 if it follows or branches at a route branch point P5.

  The vehicle 10 capable of receiving road information from the communication device 32 is a general automobile, and there is no particular limitation on types such as an automobile equipped with an engine, an electric automobile, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, etc. It is a vehicle that can perform automatic driving (so-called complete automatic driving).

  Specifically, the vehicle 10 includes an automatic driving control unit 33 that performs automatic driving. When the travel route is set by the navigation device (not shown), the automatic driving control unit 33 automatically drives the vehicle 10 to the destination on the set travel route. In addition, since the automatic driving technology itself of the vehicle 10 by the automatic driving control unit 33 may adopt the existing technology, the detailed description here is omitted.

  When the vehicle 10 receives road information from the communication device 32, the vehicle 10 performs automatic driving as follows. First, the automatic driving control unit 33 compares the route branch point of the road included in the traveling route with the route branch point included in the road information received from the communication device 32. If the route branch point of the road included in the travel route corresponds to the route branch point included in the road information, travel in the lane recommended to travel when branching at the route branch point included in the road information To drive automatically.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the vehicle X branches at a route branch point P1. In this case, the travel route of the vehicle X includes a route branch point P1.

  On the other hand, before reaching the traffic jam J1, the vehicle X acquires road information from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-1 installed in front of the route branch point P1. As described above, it is recommended that the road information travel the left lane 21 when branched at the route branch point P1 and the right lane 22 when branched at the route branch points P2 to P5.

  The automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle X determines to travel the left lane 21 when branching at the route branch point P1 included in the traveling route of the vehicle X based on the above-mentioned road information. Run (follow the traffic jam J1).

  It is assumed that the vehicle Y does not branch at the route branch point P1 but branches at the route branch point P5. In this case, the traveling route of the vehicle Y includes a route branch point P5. Before reaching the traffic jam J1, the vehicle Y acquires road information from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-1 installed before the route branch point P1.

  Since the automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle Y branches at the route branch point P5 included in the traveling route of the vehicle Y based on the road information, the automatic driving control unit 33 determines that the right lane 22 is to be traveled. Run it.

  It is assumed that the vehicle V branches at a route branch point P3. In this case, the travel route of the vehicle V includes a route branch point P3. Before reaching the traffic jam J2, the vehicle V acquires road information from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1-2 installed in front of the route branch point P2. As described above, it is recommended that the road information travel the left lane 21 when branched at the route branch point P3 or P4 and the right lane 22 when branched at the route branch point P5.

  Since the automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle V branches at the route branch point P3 included in the travel route of the vehicle V based on the above-mentioned road information, it is determined to travel the left lane 21 and the vehicle V is shifted to the left lane 21. Run (follow the traffic jam J2).

  It is assumed that the vehicle W branches at a route branch point P3. In this case, the traveling route of the vehicle W includes a route branch point P3. The vehicle W acquires road information from the communicator 32 of the driving support system 1-2 installed before the route branch point P2 before reaching the traffic jam J2.

  Since the automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle W branches at the route branch point P3 included in the traveling route of the vehicle W based on the above-described road information, it is determined to travel the left lane 21 and changes the vehicle V The left lane 21 is run (following the traffic jam J2).

  The operation of the driving support system 1 will be described using FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flow showing the operation of the driving support system, and FIG. 4 is a flow showing the operation of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the driving support system 1 monitors traffic congestion (step S1). Specifically, the sensor 30 installed on the road 20 monitors whether traffic congestion has occurred in each lane.

  Next, the driving support system 1 determines whether the traffic lane is congested (step S2). If the sensor 30 does not detect a traffic jam (No at Step S2), the process returns to Step 1 to continue monitoring.

  When the sensor 30 detects a traffic jam (step S2: Yes), the driving support system 1 extracts a lane in which the traffic jam has occurred and a route branch point included in the traffic jam section (step S3). Specifically, the road information generation unit 31 generates road information based on the traffic lane detected by the sensor 30 and the route junction included in the traffic congestion section.

  Next, the driving support system 1 provides road information to the vehicle 10 (step S4). Specifically, the communication device 32 wirelessly provides the vehicle 10 with the road information generated by the road information generation unit 31. Further, the communication device 32 installed at the traveling source of the road 20 rather than the traffic congestion provides road information on the route branch point ahead of the communication device 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 receives road information from the driving support system 1 (step S10). Next, the vehicle 10 determines whether the route branch point of the vehicle 10 corresponds to the route branch point included in the congestion section of the received road information (step S11). Specifically, the automatic driving control unit 33 determines whether the route branch point of the road included in the traveling route corresponds to the route branch point included in the congestion section of the road information received from the driving support system 1.

  When it corresponds (step S11: Yes), the automatic driving is performed so as to travel on the lane where the traffic congestion has occurred (follow the traffic congestion) (step S12). When it does not correspond (Step S11: No), automatic driving is performed so as to travel in a lane in which the congestion does not occur (Step S13).

  The driving support system 1 described above detects traffic congestion for each lane of the road 20 with the sensor 30, and detects a route branch point included in the traffic congestion. Then, on the basis of the traffic jam and the route junction, the road information generation unit 31 recommends, when branching at the route junction included in the traffic congestion, the road information to the effect that it is recommended to travel in the lane where the traffic congestion occurred. Generate In addition, when branching at a route branch point not included in the traffic jam, the road information generation unit 31 generates road information to the effect that it is recommended to travel in a lane that is not jammed. The communicator 32 provides the vehicle 10 with road information on a route branch point ahead of the communicator 32 before the vehicle 10 reaches the end of the traffic jam.

  Thus, the vehicle 10 can determine the lane to be traveled by comparing the route branch point to be branched among the traveling routes with the route branch point included in the road information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicles X, V, and W scheduled to branch at the route branch points P1 and P3 included in the traffic congestions J1 and J2 can follow the traffic congestions J1 and J2. . Further, since the vehicle Y does not include the route branch point P5 to be branched in the traffic congestions J1 and J2, the vehicle Y travels in the right lane 22 and does not have to follow the traffic congestions J1 and J2 in vain.

  According to the driving support system 1 described above, there is no need for each vehicle 10 to detect a traffic jam or determine a lane to be traveled, and it is accurately determined whether to follow or avoid the traffic lane. Road information is provided to the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle 10 capable of traveling automatically can determine more reliably whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not, and the traffic congestion can be alleviated even on the entire road.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described, of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and addition, omission, substitution of composition within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of the present invention. And other changes are possible.

  For example, in the driving support system 1 described above, the route turning point for the left turn has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the route turning point for the right turning.

  5-7 is a figure which shows the condition of the road which applied the driving assistance system. As shown in FIG. 5, the road 20A has two lanes on one side (left lane 21 and right lane 22), and includes a right turn path branch point P10. The right lane 22 is a lane where it is possible to turn right or go straight.

  On such a road 20A, the driving support system 1 detects a traffic jam J3 headed by a right turn route branch point P10, as in the case of the left turn route branch point described above. Then, road information is provided to the vehicle X and the vehicle Y before reaching the traffic jam J3.

  Specifically, the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1 installed near the route branch point P10 provides road information on a route branch point (not shown) that is ahead of the communication device 32. .

  That is, when branching at the route branch point P10 included in the traffic jam J3 (when turning to the right), the road information purporting to travel the right lane 22 (following the traffic jam) is wirelessly transmitted by the vehicle X, Y To provide. Also, when branching at a route branch point (not shown) ahead of the route branch point P10, which is the head of the traffic jam J3, road information indicating that the left lane 21 is to be traveled is provided wirelessly to the vehicles X and Y. Do.

  It is assumed that the vehicle X branches at a route branch point P10. In this case, the traveling route of the vehicle X includes a route branch point P10.

  Before reaching the traffic jam J3, the vehicle X acquires road information from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1 installed in front of the route branch point P10. As described above, it is recommended that this road information travel the right lane 22 when branching at the route branch point P10 and the left lane 21 when branching at the route branch point ahead of the route branch point P10. It is

  The automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle X determines to travel the right lane 22 when branching at the route branch point P10 included in the traveling route of the vehicle X based on the above-mentioned road information. Run (follow the traffic jam J3).

  It is assumed that the vehicle Y does not branch at the route branch point P10 but branches at a route branch point ahead of it. The vehicle Y acquires road information from the communication device 32 of the driving support system 1 installed in front of the route branch point P10 before reaching the traffic jam J3.

  The automatic driving control unit 33 of the vehicle Y travels on the left lane 21 because it branches at a route branch point (a destination ahead of the route branch point P10) included in the travel route of the vehicle Y based on the road information. Then, it is determined that the vehicle Y travels the left lane 21.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the road 20B has three lanes on one side (left lane 21, right lane 22, center lane 23) in the vicinity of the route branch point P10, and includes a right-turn route branch point P10. The right lane 22 is a lane for turning right only, but can not accommodate the right turn vehicle. Therefore, the traffic jam J4 occurs from the right lane 22 to the central lane 23.

  Even in such a case, the driving support system 1 detects the traffic jam J4 as in the case shown in FIG. When branching at the route branch point P10, it is recommended to travel the left lane when branching at a route branch point (not shown) ahead of the central lane 23 and the route branch point P10. Provide road information.

  By providing such a road condition, the vehicle X branched at the route branch point P10 travels in the central lane 23 (follows the traffic congestion J4), and the vehicle Y branched at a destination ahead of the route branch point P10 is Drive in the left lane 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the road 20C has three lanes on one side (left lane 21, right lane 22 and center lane 23), and includes a right turn route branch point P10 and a left turn route branch point P11. The traffic jam J5 occurs with the route branch point P10 turning to the right at the top, and the traffic congestion J6 occurs with the route branch point P11 for the left turn at the top.

  Even in such a case, the traveling support system 1 detects the traffic jam J5 and the traffic jam J6 as in the cases shown in FIGS. Then, in the case of branching at the route branch point P10, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the right lane 22 is provided. In addition, when branching at the route branch point P11, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the left lane 21 is provided. When branching at a route branch point ahead of the route branch points P10 and P11, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the central lane 23 is provided.

  By providing such a road condition, the vehicle X branched at the route branch point P10 travels in the right lane 22 (follows the traffic congestion J5), and the vehicle Y branched at the route branch point P11 is the left lane 21 The vehicle Z that travels (follows the traffic jam J6) and branches ahead at the route branch points P10 and P11 travels in the central lane 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, even in the case of a right turn route branch point or a right turn and left turn route branch point being mixed, detection of a traffic jam and a lane in which each vehicle 10 should travel There is no need to make a decision, and the vehicle is provided with accurate road information to determine whether to follow or avoid a traffic jam. As a result, the vehicle 10 capable of traveling automatically can determine more reliably whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not, and the traffic congestion can be alleviated even on the entire road.

  Moreover, in the driving support system 1 mentioned above, although the case where traffic congestion was detected in the head of a route branch point was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the driving support system 1 can be applied to a case where a traffic jam occurs due to a vehicle waiting for a right turn on a road without a right turn lane.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of a road to which the driving support system is applied. As shown in FIG. 8, the road 20D is two lanes on one side (left lane 21 and right lane 22), both of which are straight lanes. The vehicle D stops for turning to the right in the middle of the right lane 22 in order to go to the facility E in the opposite lane.

  In such a case, the driving support system 1 detects the traffic jam J7 with the vehicle D at the head. Then, when branching at a route branch point (not shown) ahead of the traffic jam J7, road information to the effect of recommending traveling in the left lane 21 is provided.

  By providing such a road condition, the vehicle X branched at a route branch point ahead of the traffic jam J 7 travels in the left lane 21.

  As shown in FIG. 8, even when traffic congestion occurs due to vehicles waiting for a right turn on a road where there is no right turn lane, it is necessary for each vehicle to detect traffic congestion and determine the lane to be traveled. Rather, accurate road information is provided to the vehicle to determine whether to avoid a congested lane. As a result, the vehicle 10 capable of traveling automatically can determine more reliably whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not, and the traffic congestion can be alleviated even on the entire road.

  For example, although sensor 30, road information generation part 31, and communication machine 32 were installed in road 20 as one run supporting system, it is not limited to such an aspect. For example, the sensor 30 and the communication device 32 may be installed on the road 20, and the road information generation unit 31 may be installed at another place. In this case, a server device having the same function as the road information generation unit 31 can communicate with the sensor 30 and the communication device 32 wirelessly or by wire. Then, the information detected by the sensor 30 is transmitted to the server device, and after the road information is generated by the server device, the road information is transmitted to the communication device 32. Moreover, it is not necessary to be one server apparatus per one set of sensor 30 and communication apparatus 32, and may be one server apparatus per several sets of sensor 30 and communication apparatus. Further, information on traffic congestion detected by the sensor 30 may be shared among a plurality of server devices. By sharing, traffic congestion can be detected over a wider range.

  In addition, although the driving support system 1 has been described for a vehicle capable of automatic driving, the present invention is not limited to this, and is a driving support system that provides road information to a vehicle that a driver manually drives. May be In this case, the driver judges the road information to determine the lane to be traveled, but when it is likely to reach a traffic jam, it can be determined more reliably whether it is a traffic jam to be followed or not. It is possible to alleviate traffic congestion as a whole.

1, 1-1 to 1-5 ... driving support system, 10, A, B, D, V, W, X, Y, Z ... vehicle, 30 ... sensor (congestion detecting unit), 31 ... road information generating unit, 32: Communication device, 33: Automatic operation control unit, P1 to P5: Route branch point

Claims (3)

A travel support system that provides a vehicle with information on a road including a plurality of route junctions and a plurality of lanes, comprising:
A congestion detection unit that detects traffic congestion for each lane and detects the route branch point included in the traffic congestion section of the traffic lane where traffic congestion has occurred;
In case of branching at the route branch point included in the traffic congestion section of the lane where the traffic congestion occurred based on the lane where the traffic congestion occurred and the route branch point, it is recommended to travel in the lane where the traffic congestion occurred. A road information generation unit that generates road information;
A communication device for wirelessly providing the road information to the vehicle;
The travel support system, wherein the communication device installed at a road travel source rather than a traffic jam wirelessly provides the vehicle with the road information about the route branch point that is ahead of the communication device. . The driving support system according to claim 1,
The road information generation unit is configured to recommend the vehicle to travel in a lane where traffic congestion does not occur when branching at the route branch point ahead of the traffic congestion section of the traffic lane where traffic congestion has occurred. A driving support system characterized by generating. In the driving support system according to claim 1 or 2,
The driving support system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle can automatically drive to travel in a lane based on the road information received from the communication device.

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