JP2021111223A - Congestion detector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a congestion detector capable of accurately detecting congestion.SOLUTION: A congestion detector includes a processor having hardware, and identifies one vehicle form a plurality of vehicles and determines that congestion has occurred at a point where the vehicle is identified when the processor detects the plurality of vehicles within a predetermined distance where the speed of the vehicle after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than before the hazard lamp is turned on and the duration of the hazard lamp lighting is less than a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a traffic jam detection device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a traffic jam occurrence point based on the lighting of a hazard lamp of a vehicle traveling in the vicinity (hereinafter, referred to as "peripheral vehicle").

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-268798

Even when the hazard lamp is lit due to factors other than traffic congestion, there has been a demand for a technology that does not erroneously detect the occurrence of traffic congestion.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a traffic jam detecting device capable of accurately detecting the occurrence of a traffic jam.

The traffic jam detection device according to the present disclosure includes a processor having hardware, and the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on, and the duration of the hazard lamp lighting is a predetermined time. When a plurality of vehicles less than or equal to are detected within a predetermined distance, one vehicle is identified from among them, and it is determined that a traffic jam has occurred at the specified vehicle point.

According to the present disclosure, not only whether or not the hazard lamp is lit, but also the vehicle speed before and after the hazard lamp is lit and the lighting duration are taken into consideration in a complex manner to exclude the lighting of the hazard lamp due to factors other than traffic congestion. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the occurrence of traffic congestion and its location.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle to which the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a traffic jam detection method executed by the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment.

The congestion detection device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

In the conventional technology, the occurrence of traffic congestion is detected only based on whether or not the hazard lamps of surrounding vehicles are lit. Therefore, it is possible to erroneously detect the occurrence of traffic congestion when the hazard lamps are lit due to factors other than traffic congestion. There was sex. That is, in the conventional technology, it is distinguished whether the hazard lamps of the surrounding vehicles are lit at the end of the traffic jam to notify the occurrence of the traffic jam, for example, to notify that the vehicle is urgently stopped on the shoulder of the road. Couldn't. Therefore, the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment provides a technique capable of accurately detecting the occurrence of a traffic jam, distinguishing it from factors other than the traffic jam such as an emergency stop.

(Traffic jam detection device)
The configuration of the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The traffic jam detection device is for detecting the occurrence and location of traffic jam on, for example, an expressway. The vehicle 1 to which the traffic jam detection device is applied is a mobile body capable of communicating with the outside, and includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, a camera 14, and a sensor 15.

The control unit 11 includes a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a memory including a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). (Main memory) and.

Specifically, the control unit 11 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that comprehensively controls the operation of various components mounted on the vehicle 1. The control unit 11 loads the program stored in the storage unit 13 into the work area of the main storage unit and executes it, and controls each component or the like through the execution of the program to realize a function that meets a predetermined purpose. do. The control unit 11 functions as a hazard detection unit 111, a vehicle speed detection unit 112, and a traffic jam determination unit 113 through the execution of the program.

The hazard detection unit 111 detects the lighting of the hazard lamps of surrounding vehicles by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera 14. The vehicle speed detection unit 112 detects the vehicle speed of surrounding vehicles by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera 14. The vehicle speed detection unit 112 may acquire the vehicle speed of a peripheral vehicle based on the detection value of the sensor 15 instead of processing the image captured by the camera 14.

The traffic jam determination unit 113 determines whether or not the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on for the vehicle that has detected the hazard lamp lighting and the vehicle speed. When it is determined that the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is lit is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is lit, the traffic jam determination unit 113 calculates the lighting duration of the hazard lamp, and the lighting duration is a predetermined threshold value ( It is determined whether or not it is less than the predetermined time). This threshold can be set empirically or experimentally in advance.

When it is determined that the lighting duration of the hazard lamp is less than the threshold value, the traffic jam determination unit 113 determines that the lighting of the hazard lamp is the lighting for notifying the occurrence of the traffic jam at the end of the traffic jam. Further, the traffic jam determination unit 113 determines that the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is lit is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is lit, and the duration of the hazard lamp lighting is less than a predetermined time. Determine if there are multiple units. When it is determined that a plurality of such vehicles exist within a predetermined distance, the traffic jam determination unit 113 identifies one vehicle from among them, and determines that a traffic jam has occurred at the specified vehicle point.

The communication unit 12 is composed of, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module) or the like, and communicates with another vehicle (for example, a rear vehicle) by wireless communication via a network. This network is composed of, for example, an Internet line network, a mobile phone line network, and the like.

The storage unit 13 is composed of a recording medium such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a removable medium. Examples of the removable medium include a disc recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc). Further, the storage unit 13 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, and the like. The storage unit 13 may temporarily store, for example, an image captured by the camera 14, a detection value of the sensor 15, and the like.

The camera 14 is an image pickup means having a built-in image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (CMOS Image Sensor). The camera 14 is installed inside or outside the vehicle 1. The camera 14 is used when taking an image of a surrounding vehicle. The sensor 15 is for detecting the vehicle speed of surrounding vehicles. When the vehicle speed detection unit 112 acquires the vehicle speed of a peripheral vehicle by image processing, the sensor 15 is unnecessary.

(Traffic jam detection method)
The traffic jam detection method executed by the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the hazard detection unit 111 detects the lighting of the hazard lamps of the surrounding vehicles by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera 14 (step S1). Subsequently, the vehicle speed detection unit 112 detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle that has detected the lighting of the hazard lamp by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera 14 or based on the detection value of the sensor 15 (step S2). ..

Subsequently, the traffic jam determination unit 113 determines whether or not the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on for the vehicle that has detected the hazard lamp lighting and the vehicle speed (step S3). .. When it is determined that the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on (Yes in step S3), the traffic jam determination unit 113 calculates the lighting duration of the hazard lamp (step S4).

Subsequently, the traffic jam determination unit 113 determines whether or not the lighting duration of the hazard lamp calculated in step S4 is less than a predetermined threshold value (predetermined time) (step S5). When it is determined that the lighting duration of the hazard lamp is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S5), the congestion determination unit 113 determines that the lighting of the hazard lamp is lighting for notifying the occurrence of congestion at the end of the congestion. (Step S6).

When it is determined in step S3 that the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on is equal to or higher than the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on (No in step S3), and in step S5, the lighting duration of the hazard lamp is equal to or longer than the threshold value. When it is determined (No in step S5), the congestion determination unit 113 determines that the lighting of the hazard lamp is due to a factor other than the end of the congestion (for example, an emergency stop on the road shoulder) (step S7).

Subsequently, the traffic jam determination unit 113 determines that the vehicle speed after lighting is slower than before the hazard lamp is lit (Yes in step S3) and the lighting duration is less than the predetermined time (Yes in step S5). , It is determined whether or not a plurality of units are detected within a predetermined distance (step S8).

When it is determined that the vehicle speed after lighting is slower than before the hazard lamp is lit and the lighting duration is less than the predetermined time, it is determined that a plurality of vehicles are detected within the predetermined distance (Yes in step S8), there is a traffic jam. The determination unit 113 identifies one vehicle from among them, determines that a traffic jam has occurred at the point of the identified vehicle (step S9), and ends this flow. On the other hand, when it is determined that a plurality of vehicles for which the vehicle speed after lighting is slower than before the hazard lamp is lit and the lighting duration is less than the predetermined time are not detected within the predetermined distance (in step S8). No), the traffic jam determination unit 113 ends this flow.

In step S9, specifically, among the plurality of vehicles detected in step S8, the vehicle that turned off the hazard lamp last was specified, and the point where the vehicle last turned off the hazard lamp was determined. , Judged as the end of the traffic jam.

As described above, the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment collects information on the lighting status of the hazard lamps of surrounding vehicles and the vehicle speed before and after the hazard lamps are turned on, and among the surrounding vehicles that turn on the hazard lamps, the following The vehicles that satisfy the conditions (1) and (2) are narrowed down.
(1) The vehicle speed is slowing down before and after the hazard lamps are turned on.
(2) The lighting duration of the hazard lamp is shorter than a predetermined threshold value (predetermined time).

Generally, the hazard lamp is turned on for a short time to notify the occurrence of traffic jam at the end of the traffic jam, and the hazard lamp is turned on for a long time when the vehicle is urgently stopped on the shoulder of the road. It is possible to narrow down only the vehicles that notify the occurrence of traffic congestion at the end. Then, the traffic jam detection device detects the occurrence of traffic jam and its occurrence point by aggregating the vehicle information narrowed down in (1) and (2).

As described above, according to the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment, not only whether or not the hazard lamp is lit, but also the vehicle speed before and after the hazard lamp is lit and the lighting duration are taken into consideration in a complex manner, so that a factor other than the traffic jam can be used. Since it is possible to exclude the lighting of the hazard lamps of the above, it is possible to accurately detect the occurrence of traffic congestion and its occurrence point.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Thus, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.

For example, in the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment, the presence / absence of lighting of the hazard lamps of surrounding vehicles, the lighting duration, and the vehicle speed are acquired based on the image captured by the camera 14 and the detection value of the sensor 15. It may be acquired directly from surrounding vehicles by using inter-vehicle communication, or it may be acquired by using road-to-vehicle communication.

Further, in the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on for the surrounding vehicles (see step S3 in FIG. 2). ), Instead, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (predetermined vehicle speed).

Further, in the traffic jam detection device according to the embodiment, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on (step S3). "Average vehicle speed" may be used. In this case, for example, the average vehicle speed from that point to a point X1 [m] before (a point separated by X1 [m] opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle) is V1 [km] based on the point where the hazard lamp is turned on. It is calculated as / h], and the average vehicle speed from that point to a point after X2 [m] (a point separated by X2 [m] in the traveling direction of the vehicle) is calculated as V2 [km / h].

Regarding the relationship between X1 [m] and X2 [m], for example, when X1 [m] ≥ X2 [m], the distance for the hazard lamp to light can be increased, so that the vehicle speed is inevitably increased. .. On the other hand, for example, when X1 [m] ≤ X2 [m], the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on is inevitably low because the distance after the hazard lamp is turned on can be long. Here, in the case of traffic congestion, there are two types, one is to turn on the hazard lamp to decelerate, and the other is to turn on the hazard lamp after decelerating. By using the "average vehicle speed" in the determination in step S3, , The above two types of cases can be judged separately. As a result, the occurrence of traffic congestion can be detected more accurately.

1 Vehicle 11 Control unit 111 Hazard detection unit 112 Vehicle speed detection unit 113 Congestion judgment unit 12 Communication unit 13 Storage unit 14 Camera 15 Sensor

Claims (3)

Equipped with a processor with hardware
When the processor detects a plurality of vehicles within a predetermined distance, the vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is turned on is slower than the vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on and the duration of the hazard lamp lighting is less than a predetermined time. Identify one vehicle from the inside and determine that congestion has occurred at the specified vehicle point,
Congestion detector. The vehicle speed before the hazard lamp is turned on is the average vehicle speed from the point where the hazard lamp is turned on to a point separated from the point in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle.
The vehicle speed after the hazard lamp is lit is the average vehicle speed from the point where the hazard lamp is lit to the point separated from the point in the traveling direction of the vehicle.
The traffic jam detection device according to claim 1. The processor identifies the vehicle that turned off the hazard lamp last among the plurality of vehicles detected within the predetermined distance, and the point where the vehicle last turned off the hazard lamp is defined as the end of the traffic jam. judge,
The traffic jam detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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