JP3460658B2 - Traffic information estimation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a traffic information estimating apparatus for estimating and providing traffic information such as travel time, traffic jam information, or section speed in a road section, and more particularly to various parameters for traffic information estimation by a user. Relates to a means for easily and accurately setting / correcting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Travel time in a road section, traffic jam information,
Alternatively, to estimate traffic information such as section speed, it is common to process and use sensor information on the road,
For that purpose, an information estimation database including various parameters is required. Therefore, the conventional technology for estimating traffic information is dealt with as follows, for example, in the advanced traffic information providing system (see Proceedings of 18th Traffic Engineering Research Conference pp.25-28, 1998). There was something.

For example, in travel time estimation, parameters used for travel time estimation are created in advance for each road section as an information estimation database as shown in FIG. 2, and the travel speed is calculated by the following equation based on the database and sensor data. V is calculated, and the travel time of the relevant section is calculated by dividing the section length by the travel speed V.

[0004]

## EQU00001 ## V = .SIGMA.wi.vi (Equation 1) where wi is the weight (rate) of the sensor i, and vi is the speed output by the sensor i.

In traffic congestion estimation, parameters (threshold values) used for traffic congestion determination are prepared in advance as an information estimation database for each road section as shown in FIG. 3, and the travel speed is compared with the database. Determine the congestion of the section. The threshold value 1 in FIG. 3 is the boundary value between "non-congestion" and "congestion" in the traffic congestion state. Or "congestion", the threshold value 2 is a boundary value between "congestion" and "congestion", and if the sensor speed is equal to or lower than the threshold value 2, it is determined to be "congestion".

The above-mentioned database is created when the traffic information providing apparatus is introduced, and the accuracy of information estimation deteriorates if it becomes out of date with the passage of time, so it is necessary to correct it each time. As this information estimation database correction work,
The technique was to make corrections by making use of experience so that the skilled person could make the most of the actual situation while looking at the information estimation database, sensor data, and road map. This is because the parameters of the information estimation database for estimating travel time and traffic congestion are held for each target section, and are measured according to the road environment such as the installation position of the sensor such as near / far from the traffic signal and the presence or absence of the parking prohibited area. Different speed trends,
This is because, in order to estimate the traffic information of the entire target section in consideration of these situations, the estimation accuracy may be deteriorated unless a person who knows these know-how is involved.

[0007]

The above-mentioned conventional technique requires a skilled person who has a lot of experience in the information estimation database correction work, and the work itself is complicated.
In some cases, it was difficult to respond promptly when the database correction was necessary. In addition, since the correction work often depends on the experience of the operator, the quality of the correction work may vary. In addition, for highway and general road managers, the number of sections for which traffic information is to be managed generally ranges from several hundreds to several thousands, and the number of sections will increase with the improvement of services. Considering that and the necessity of increasing the update frequency of the information estimation database, it is virtually impossible to deal with each of these sections only by the experience of a skilled person.

[0008]

Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a traffic information estimating device which allows anyone to easily and accurately perform the information estimating database correction work while looking at a monitor screen including a road map.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

The above object is to provide a vehicle detector.
Sensor information data, road map data, and
Travel time using each data of information estimation parameter,
A system for estimating traffic information such as congestion degree, congestion length, and section speed.
It is a method of changing the parameter for information estimation in the system.
To collect the measured values of the traffic information,
From at least one from the user interface
Accepts input of information estimation parameters, and
Parameters for information estimation by input from the interface
In case of modification, the information based on the parameter before modification is applied.
The traffic information estimated based on the information and the actual measurement
While displaying the first error information from the measured value on the monitor,
Estimated based on the information based on the corrected parameters
Second error between the traffic information and the actually measured value
This is accomplished by displaying information on the monitor.

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a traffic information estimating apparatus and a traffic information providing system to which the same is applied according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the database will be referred to as DB.

FIG. 1 is a traffic information estimating apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a traffic information providing system including No. 3; FIG.

The traffic information estimation device 13 has a sensor information DB.
130, a road map DB 131, an information estimation DB 132, a traffic information estimation unit 133, a monitor 134, and a parameter adjustment unit 135. The traffic information providing system according to this embodiment includes a vehicle sensor 11 and a sensor information collection unit 12.
And the traffic information estimating device 13 according to the present invention, and the traffic information providing unit 14.

The processing flow of the present invention and the function of each unit constituting the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a vehicle detector (hereinafter, simply referred to as a detector) for detecting the passing vehicle 10, which is an ultrasonic sensor, an R sensor, a loop coil sensor, an image sensor, or an optical sensor. It can be replaced with all sensors that can measure sensor data such as traffic volume per unit time, time occupancy rate, vehicle average speed, etc. In the case of the sensor that cannot directly measure the vehicle average speed, the vehicle average speed V can be estimated by applying the traffic volume Q per unit time and the time occupancy rate Ot to the following equation.

[0021]

## EQU00002 ## V = Lc.Q / Ot (Equation 2) where Lc is the average vehicle length. In addition, the vehicle detector 11
Shows the measured sensor data regularly (eg every 5 minutes)
It also has a function of transmitting to the sensor information collecting unit 12.

The traffic information estimating apparatus and the traffic information providing system of the present invention may use a probe car 15 for measuring and transmitting traffic conditions instead of the vehicle detector, or both the vehicle detector and the probe car. May be used.
The probe car is equipped with a dedicated vehicle-mounted device, measures data on various traffic conditions such as travel time and congestion in a section, or the number of brakes, average speed, etc., which are obtained as the vehicle travels, and transmits radio waves to the sensor information collecting unit 12. It has a function of transmitting by a medium such as infrared rays. Although an example using only the vehicle detector will be described below, the basic flow of processing is the same even when the probe car is used, although the data to be handled may be different compared to the vehicle detector.

The sensor information collecting section 12 has a function of periodically collecting the sensor data measured by the vehicle sensor 11. FIG. 4 shows an example of the collected sensor data, which is updated regularly. Therefore, since the data collected by the sensor information collecting unit 12 is the latest, when the information is estimated by using the latest data, the data is transmitted to the traffic information estimating unit 133 of the traffic information estimating device 13, When a database is created as the statistical information of the traffic information, the sensor information DB 1 of the traffic information estimation device 13
Data is transmitted to 30.

The traffic information estimation device 13 has a detector information DB.
130, a road map DB 131, an information estimation DB 132, a traffic information estimation unit 133, a monitor 134, and a parameter adjustment unit 135, and the travel time or the traffic congestion based on the latest or past sensor data collected by the sensor information collection unit 12. It has a function to estimate traffic information such as and output it to the monitor.

Next, detailed functions of the respective parts constituting the traffic information estimation device 13 will be described.

The sensor information DB 130 is a database in which the latest data of each vehicle sensor collected by the sensor information collecting unit 12 is sequentially stored as time-series data, and the traffic information estimating unit 133 travel time and congestion. It is used to estimate traffic information such as. FIG. 5 shows an example of the form of the sensor data stored in the sensor information DB, in which the sensor data measured by all the vehicle sensors being managed are time-series data (in the example of FIG. Minute cycle).

The road map DB 131 is a digital road map database in which road maps are digitized. Specifically, a road section is represented by using a road point as a node and a section sandwiched between the nodes as a link, and a node coordinate, a link length, a link connection relationship, or a link attribute such as a tunnel is used to display the road on a computer. It covers the information required for use as a map. This road map DB1
Reference numeral 31 is used by the traffic information estimation unit 133 to estimate traffic information such as travel time and traffic jam, and the monitor 1
It is also used to display a road map at 34.

The information estimation DB 132 is a traffic information estimation unit 1.
It is used for estimating traffic information such as travel time and traffic congestion at 33, and has a data format as shown in FIG. 2 (combined travel time and traffic congestion estimation) and FIG. 3 (dedicated traffic congestion estimation), for example. In order to estimate travel time and traffic congestion, it is important to maintain these parameters individually because the tendency of speed measured by the road environment such as the location of the sensor near or far from the traffic light and the presence or absence of parking prohibited areas. This is because it is advantageous in terms of estimation accuracy to set parameters individually for estimating the traffic information of the entire target section. Also,
This information estimation DB 132 can be modified by the parameter adjustment unit 135.

The traffic information estimation unit 133 has the sensor information collection unit 12 or the sensor information DB 130 and the road map DB 13.
1 and the function of estimating traffic information such as travel time and congestion using each data of the information estimation DB 132. Further, a function of editing the information to be provided to the outside and transmitting the edited information to the traffic information providing unit 14, the traffic information estimated to the monitor 134, the editing information (information to be provided to the outside), and It has a function to display road maps.

Here, the flow of the process of estimating the travel time, which is one of the traffic information, in the traffic information estimating unit 133 will be sequentially described based on the flowchart of FIG. [1] For the target section, the sensor number for both travel time / congestion estimation and its weight from the information estimation DB 132 (see FIG. 2)
The sensor information collection unit 12 or the sensor information DB 130.
The data of the sensor corresponding to the sensor number and the section length data are read from the road map DB 131.
(60) [2] The travel speed is calculated based on (Equation 1) from the speed data from the sensor and the weight. In the case of a vehicle sensor that cannot directly measure the speed, the vehicle average speed is estimated by applying the traffic volume per unit time and the time occupancy rate to (Equation 2) and used as the speed data. (6
1) [3] The travel time is calculated by dividing the section length by the travel speed, but a waiting time at a signalized intersection or the like may be added to the calculated value. (62) [4] If the travel time calculation processing is completed for all the target sections, the estimation processing is ended, and if not, steps [1] to [3] are repeated. (63) In the example of FIG. 6, steps [1] to [3] are performed on each of the target sections after the estimation process is started. A method may be adopted in which steps [2] and [3] are repeated as the estimation processing of each section by reading from the above three databases. Since the travel speed of the section is obtained in the above step [2], it can be achieved by the processing excluding step [3] in the flow of the above processing.

The flow of processing for estimating traffic congestion, which is another type of traffic information, in the traffic information estimating unit 133 will be sequentially described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. [1] For the target section, the sensor number for travel time / congestion estimation and its weight (see FIG. 2) from the information estimation DB 132 and the threshold 1 and the threshold 2 dedicated to the congestion estimation (see FIG. 3)
Refer to the sensor information collection unit 12 or the sensor information DB.
The sensor data corresponding to the sensor number is read from 130, and the section length data is read from the road map DB 131. (70) [2] The travel speed is calculated from the speed data from the sensor and the weight based on (Equation 1). In the case of a vehicle sensor that cannot directly measure the speed, the vehicle average speed is estimated by applying the traffic volume per unit time and the time occupancy rate to (Equation 2) and used as the speed data. (7
1) [3] The degree of congestion of the corresponding section is determined by comparing the travel speed with the threshold 1 and the threshold 2 dedicated to congestion estimation. If the travel speed exceeds the threshold value 1, it is determined as "non-congestion". If the travel speed is less than or equal to the threshold value 1 and exceeds the threshold value 2, "congestion" is determined.
(72) [4] When the congestion degree is "non-congestion" in step [3], the congestion length is set to zero, and otherwise the congestion length is set to, for example, the entire section length. As another method of calculating the congestion length other than "non-congestion", the distance from the uppermost point of the section or the upstream intersection to the sensor installation position is used, or the travel speed (V) is determined by the following equation. A method of obtaining the congestion length (Lj) by normalizing with the value 1 (ε) and multiplying it by the section length (L) may be used. (73)

[0032]

[Equation 3] Lj = (1−V / ε) · L (Equation 3) [5] If the congestion calculation processing is completed for all the target sections, the estimation processing is terminated, and if not, the step [1 ]-[4] are repeated. (73) In the example of FIG. 7, the above steps [1] to [4] are performed for each target section after the estimation process is started. A method of repeating steps [2] to [4] as the estimation processing of each section by reading from the above three databases may be adopted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the database in the form of FIG. 2 is also used for travel time / congestion estimation, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and it is not limited to this, and is used for traffic information estimation of a certain target section. The sensor to be used or its weight may be different data depending on the type of traffic information, for example, dedicated to travel time estimation and dedicated to traffic congestion estimation.

Further, although the sensor information collecting unit 12 periodically collects the data from the vehicle detector 11 as described above, the traffic information estimating unit 133 uses the latest information of the sensor information collecting unit 12. In this case, information can be estimated with less time delay by synchronizing the use timing with the sensor data collection. The method of synchronizing the use timings of the two processes (process A to be processed first and process B to be processed later) is, for example, one of the following methods. Method 1: Process A and process B are the same process, and process B is always executed after process A. Method 2: Process A and process B are separate processes, and process A writes data indicating that the process has ended after the process A has ended (process end flag). The process B checks the processing end flag at regular intervals, and starts the processing B if it confirms that the processing is completed.

The above is the description of the traffic information estimating function of the traffic information estimating unit 133.

Next, another function of the traffic information estimating unit 133, that is, a function of editing the information to be provided to the outside and transmitting the edited information to the traffic information providing unit 14 will be described.

The traffic information estimating unit 133 also has a function of editing the traffic information estimated as described above into a prescribed format and transmitting the traffic information to the traffic information providing unit 14 in order to provide the traffic information to a driver or the like. FIG. 8 is an example of the edited traffic information transmitted to the traffic information providing unit 14, and the time when the information is issued may be clarified by adding the time when this information is issued. Further, by periodically transmitting to the traffic information providing unit 14 in synchronization with the cycle of sensor data collection and traffic information estimation, it is possible to provide information with less time delay.

Further, as another function of the traffic information estimation unit 133, the traffic information estimation unit 133 also has a function of displaying the estimated traffic information, the editing information (information provided to the outside), a road map, and the like. Road map DB for road maps
The data is read from 131 and displayed on the monitor 134, and the traffic information estimated as described above or the editing information (information provided to the outside) is displayed. If it is better to display it on the road map screen like traffic jam information, it is processed as such.

The monitor 134 has a function of displaying the traffic information estimated by the traffic information estimating unit 133, the editing information (information provided to the outside), a road map, and the like. In addition, the parameter adjustment unit 135 allows the user to perform information estimation DB1.
Related information for adjusting 32 is also displayed.

The parameter adjusting unit 135 is an information estimation DB.
A function of correcting the contents of 132 is provided. Specifically, for each database used for estimating traffic information such as travel time and traffic jam, the parameters are corrected automatically or manually by the user for the purpose of improving the estimation accuracy. A specific example is shown below.

First, an example of correcting the information estimation DB used for travel time / congestion estimation as shown in FIG. 2 as the information estimation DB will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

On-road communication device such as optical beacon or AV
Travel time can be automatically measured in a road section where I (Automatic Vehicle Identification) is maintained. The in-vehicle device collects the actual travel time by storing the travel time of the own vehicle every moment and transmitting it to the optical beacon (uplink). AVI uses the image processing technology to collect the license plate of the vehicle traveling on the road and its passage. The time is automatically recognized, and the actual travel time is calculated from the difference between the passing times at two locations. [1] Designate a target section and date and time to be adjusted in the information estimation DB. Regarding the date and time, for example, 10:00 on April 1st
It does not matter even if the time spans a plurality of data collection cycles, such as 20:00 on April 2nd. (90) [2] Information estimation DB for the target section and date and time
To the travel time / congestion estimation combined sensor number and its weight (see FIG. 2), the sensor information collection unit or the sensor information D
The sensor data corresponding to the sensor number is read from B, the section length data is read from the road map DB, and the actual travel time data is read. (91) [3] With respect to the target date and time of each target section, the estimated travel time is calculated from the sensor data, the weight, the section length, etc. in the same manner as the processing in the traffic information estimation unit 133, and the estimated travel time and the actual travel time data are calculated. The magnitude of the estimation error is evaluated by comparing with. (92) [4] Information estimation DB if the estimation error is within a predetermined allowable range
If the error is larger than the allowable range, the process proceeds to step [4]. (93) [5] Correct the contents of the information estimation DB. For example, the weight is modified so that the error is minimized without changing the sensor used. Alternatively, the sensor to be used is changed to another sensor in the vicinity, and the weight is corrected so that the error is minimized. (9
4) [6] If the travel time calculation processing is completed for all the target sections, the estimation processing is ended, and if not, steps [1] to [5] are repeated. (95) In this way, information estimation D used for travel time estimation
B can be adjusted.

With respect to the above adjustment, the monitor 134 can be used for manual adjustment, and the evaluation result for the adjustment can be confirmed by the user himself. FIG. 10 shows a screen display example of the parameter adjustment and the evaluation result for the adjustment on the monitor 134.

In FIG. 10, the left side of the screen is a map screen including the target section, and the user can freely determine the display area on the map screen by using the "enlarge" and "reduce" buttons or the scroll bar.

On the other hand, the right side of the screen is the input / output screen in the above adjustment work, and the inside of the square box is the data input box. The input / output screen will be described in detail below.

The upper part of the screen is where the target section and target date and time are input. When a number is entered in the input box of the target section No, the corresponding section is displayed with an arrow on the left map screen. Conversely, by designating the target section on the map screen with a pointing device such as a mouse, the corresponding number is automatically entered in the input box of the target section No. The date and time (or time zone) is entered in the target date and time input box, which is necessary to select when to use the data when performing the error evaluation later.

The box in the center of the screen corresponds to the section set in the above target section in the information estimation DB for use in estimating travel time / congestion as shown in FIG. The parameters that have already been set (before modification) have been entered in the respective boxes, and the user can modify these parameters.

Based on the values entered in the above input boxes, the traffic information estimating unit performs travel time estimation calculation, and the error evaluation result is automatically displayed on the lower side of the screen by comparison with the actual travel time. In this example, the average error before and after the correction is displayed as the error evaluation value, but the error evaluation value may be any other error-related standard deviation such as the standard deviation of the error. Alternatively, when the actual travel time cannot be collected, the estimated travel time at each time itself is used as the error evaluation value, so that the accuracy of the estimated travel time is good if the user is familiar with the traffic conditions of the section. You can make a decision. The user can repeatedly modify the parameters while looking at the error evaluation result, find the parameter that can be finally judged to be good, and press the “OK” button at the bottom of the screen to complete the parameter adjustment work for the relevant section. can do.
Also, by pressing the "Cancel" button during the adjustment work, the parameters can be returned to those before correction.

As described above, by using the monitor 134 in the parameter adjustment work, it becomes possible to easily and accurately adjust the parameters so that the user can specify a section that he / she should correct and can be convinced by the feeling. Further, even when the information estimation DB is newly created, the data creation becomes easy by using the above 10 user interface.

Next, the flow of processing when modifying the database used for traffic congestion estimation as shown in FIG. 3 as the information estimation DB is basically the processing for modifying the database used for travel time / traffic congestion estimation. This is similar to the example (FIG. 9).
The difference is that the actual travel time in the processing (91) is replaced by the actual traffic congestion degree or the traffic congestion length.
Instead of the travel time error evaluation in 2), it becomes a congestion degree or congestion length error evaluation. The actually measured congestion degree and the actually measured congestion length can be collected by an image sensor or can be collected even in a section where ultrasonic sensors are densely installed.

In addition, including the case where the measured congestion degree or the measured congestion length cannot be collected, for example, in FIG. 11 where it is effective to adjust the parameters on the screen shown in FIG. 11, the left side of the screen includes the target section as in FIG. It is a map screen. The right side of the screen is an input / output screen in the adjustment work related to the information estimation DB used for traffic congestion estimation, and a square box is a data input box. The input / output screen will be described in detail below.

The upper part of the screen is where the target section and the target date and time are input. When a number is entered in the input box of the target section No, the corresponding section is displayed with an arrow on the left map screen. Conversely, by designating the target section on the map screen with a pointing device such as a mouse, the corresponding number is automatically entered in the input box of the target section No. The date and time are entered in the target date and time input box, which is necessary to select when to use the data when performing the error evaluation later. In addition,
There are two arrow buttons on the right side of the target date and time input box as shown in the figure. By pressing these with a pointing device such as a mouse, the date and time are set to a predetermined pitch (for example, one day for the date and one for the time). You can easily change it every 5 minutes.

The box in the center of the screen corresponds to the section set in the target section in the information estimation DB for use in estimating travel time / congestion as shown in FIG. The parameters that have already been set (before modification) have been entered in the respective boxes, and the user can modify these parameters. Note that there is a slide bar under the input box for each parameter as shown in the figure, and you can easily change the parameter at a predetermined pitch (for example, 1 unit) by sliding it left and right with a pointing device such as a mouse. it can.

Based on the values input in the above input boxes, the traffic information estimation unit calculates the congestion degree or the congestion length, and the error evaluation result is automatically displayed on the lower side of the screen by comparison with the measured value. Is displayed. In this example, the average error of the congestion length before and after the correction is displayed as a display example of the error evaluation value, but the error evaluation value includes other standard values such as the standard deviation of the error. It doesn't matter. Alternatively, when the actual measurement value regarding traffic jam cannot be collected, the accuracy of the estimated value can be improved by setting the estimated congestion degree at each time or the estimated congestion length itself as the error evaluation value, if the user is familiar with the traffic situation of the section. It is possible to judge whether it is good or not. Further, the estimated value or both the estimated value and the actual measured value may be displayed with an arrow even in the corresponding section on the map screen on the left side of the screen.For example, in the case of a congestion length, the length is displayed with an arrow to indicate the degree of congestion. In this case, if the color of the arrow is color-coded according to the degree of congestion, it becomes easier for the user to judge the quality of the correction parameter. The user can repeatedly correct the parameters while looking at the error evaluation result and the estimated value display on the map screen, find the parameter that can be finally judged to be good, and press the “OK” button at the bottom of the screen. The parameter adjustment work for the relevant section can be completed. Also,
By pressing the "Cancel" button during the adjustment work, the parameters can be returned to those before modification.

As described above, by using the monitor 134 also in the parameter adjustment work related to the traffic jam, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the parameters so that the user can specify a section that he / she should correct and can be convinced. Becomes Further, even when the information estimation DB is newly created, the data creation becomes easy by using the above 10 user interface.

The CPU 136 is a central processing processor of the traffic information estimating device 13, and accesses data to the various databases described above, stores the data in the memory 137, draws the road map on the monitor 134, or calculates an error evaluation. It is equipped with a function to perform various kinds of arithmetic processing.

The memory 137 is a storage area for temporarily storing data necessary for the CPU 136 to perform arithmetic processing and the like.

The above is a description of each section constituting the traffic information estimating apparatus 13.

By the way, the parameter adjusting unit 135 is actually used.
When modifying the parameters of the information estimation DB 132 with
The timing of updating the modified parameters is important. This is because the traffic information estimation unit 133 requires a certain processing time, which is a fixed cycle (usually every 5 minutes), to perform the traffic information processing. Therefore, updating the correction parameter during the processing causes a serious problem. Because you get it. As one method of solving this problem, the parameters corrected once all the parameter adjustment work is completed are temporarily stored in the memory 137.
The information estimation DB 132 may be updated at the timing when the processing of the traffic information estimation device is finished.

The traffic information providing unit 14 is a traffic information estimating unit 1.
As shown in FIG. 12, various traffic information estimated in 33 is used for FM multiplex broadcasting station, wireless communication station, information bulletin board, beacon,
It has a function of delivering to various media such as the Internet (WWW), FAX, and cable TV.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 120 denotes an FM multiplex broadcasting station or a wireless communication station, which has a broadcast type information transmitting function for transmitting the traffic information to a dedicated receiver by wireless communication. An information bulletin board 121 is installed on the road, and has a function of providing the traffic information to the driver or the like in the form of characters or figures. 122 is a beacon on the road, which has a function of providing the traffic information to the vehicle 123 equipped with an in-vehicle device by characters, figures, voices, or the like. 124 is
An Internet (WWW) server, a FAX server, or a cable TV server. The traffic information is written in characters, figures, voices, or the like via the Internet network, public telephone network, or cable TV network 85, respectively.
Equipped with functions provided by moving images.

Further, by synchronizing the timing at which the traffic information is distributed from the traffic information providing unit 14 to various media with the sensor information collecting unit 12 and the traffic information estimating unit 133, the information providing with less time delay, that is, the accuracy of the information is also achieved. It can be provided without damage.

The above is the traffic information estimating apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
3 is a description of functions and specific processing of each part constituting one embodiment of the traffic information providing system including No. 3, and provides highly accurate traffic information to an unspecified large number including a driver by the traffic information providing system. be able to.

[0064]

[0065]

According to the present invention, the setting of anyone the information estimation database while watching the monitor screen, including the road map,
It is possible to accomplish the correction work easily and accurately.

[0066]

[0067]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a traffic information providing system including a traffic information estimating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table exemplifying a form of an information estimation database used for estimating travel time or traffic congestion for each target section.

FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the form of an information estimation database used to estimate congestion for each target section.

FIG. 4 is an example of sensor data collected by a sensor information collection unit.

FIG. 5 is an example of a sensor data format stored in a sensor information database.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for estimating travel time, which is one type of traffic information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of estimating traffic congestion, which is one type of traffic information.

FIG. 8 is an example of traffic information transmitted to a traffic information providing unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for correcting an information estimation database used for estimating travel time or congestion.

FIG. 10 is a screen display example in the adjustment of the information estimation database used for estimating the travel time or the traffic jam and the monitor of the evaluation result for the adjustment.

FIG. 11 is a screen display example on the monitor of the adjustment of the information estimation database used for traffic congestion estimation and the evaluation result for the adjustment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a form of a traffic information providing system corresponding to various media using the traffic information estimating device and the traffic information providing unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] 10 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Vehicle detector, 12 ... Sensor information collecting unit, 13 ... Traffic information estimating device, 14 ... Traffic information providing unit,
15 ... Probe car, 120 ... FM multiplex broadcasting station or wireless communication station, 121 ... Information bulletin board, 122 ... Beacon, 1
23 ... vehicle equipped with vehicle, 124 ... Internet (WW
W) server, FAX server, or cable TV server, 125 ... Internet network, public telephone line network, or cable TV network network, 130 ... Sensor information DB, 131 ... Road map DB, 132 ... Information estimation DB,
133 ... Traffic information estimating unit, 134 ... Monitor, 135 ... Parameter adjusting unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-9-212788 (JP, A) JP-A-10-124791 (JP, A) JP-A-9-69199 (JP, A) JP-A-10- 241096 (JP, A) JP 11-306480 (JP, A) JP 5-250594 (JP, A) JP 11-312289 (JP, A) JP 10-307983 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08G 1/00-1/16

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Traffic information such as travel time, congestion degree, congestion length, section speed, etc. is estimated by utilizing sensor information data obtained from a vehicle detector, road map data, and information estimation parameter data. A method for changing parameters for information estimation in a system, comprising collecting measured values of the traffic information, and using at least one of the vehicle detectors for a user interface.
Accepts input of information estimation parameters from the interface
For information estimation by input from the user interface
When the parameter is corrected , the first error information between the traffic information estimated based on the information based on the parameter before the correction and the actually measured value is displayed on the monitor, and after the correction, An information estimation parameter changing method for displaying, on the monitor, second error information between the traffic information estimated based on parameter information and the actually measured value. 2. A travel time, a congestion degree, a congestion length, using information data relating to traffic information obtained from a probe car, road map data, and information estimation parameter data.
A method for changing information estimation parameters in a system for estimating traffic information such as section speed, collecting actual measurement values of the traffic information, and inputting the information estimation parameters from a user interface for at least one of the probe cars. If the information estimation parameter is corrected by the acceptance and input from the user interface, the first error information between the traffic information estimated based on the information based on the parameter before the correction and the actually measured value. Is displayed on the monitor, and second error information between the traffic information estimated based on the information based on the corrected parameters and the actually measured value is displayed on the monitor. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second error information are displayed on the monitor, and a “decision button” and a “cancel button” are displayed on the monitor. There was complete the correction of the information estimation parameter by being pressed, or, to maintain the parameters before correction to cancel the modification of the information estimation parameter by the "cancel" button is pressed A method for changing characteristic information estimation parameters. 4. The information according to claim 1, wherein the estimated traffic information is provided with a time at which the traffic information is issued and the traffic information is provided to a driver or the like. How to change estimation parameters. 5. The map according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a left side of the monitor displays a map screen including a target section, and a right side of the monitor displays an input / output screen for correcting the information estimation parameter. A method for changing information estimation parameters, which is characterized in that