JP4929933B2 - Congestion factor judgment system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic jam factor determination system having a function of detecting the head of a traffic jam and determining the factor of the traffic jam.

  As a conventional technology for acquiring traffic conditions, vehicle speed information and acceleration / deceleration information of multiple vehicles are collected, traffic congestion is detected based on these information, and traffic information on traffic congestion is generated. Configurations to provide are known. In addition, a configuration (algorithm technique) is also conceived in which the top point (intersection or the like) of the generated traffic jam is detected by using position information of a plurality of vehicles.

On the other hand, from the analysis of past traffic jam information, a place where traffic jams are likely to occur (predetermined points on intersections and expressways) was identified, and a fixed-point observation camera was installed at this location, which was taken by the camera. A traffic situation providing service that provides image information to users via a mobile phone or the Internet is also in operation. In addition, the traffic condition providing service can be used for a vehicle equipped with a communication type car navigation device. An example of such a configuration is described in Patent Document 1.
JP 2003-123185 A

  In the case of each of the conventional configurations described above, the vehicle user can know the location where the traffic jam occurs based on the provided traffic information and the head of the traffic jam, and the traffic jam at the camera installation point based on the provided image information. It can be seen that has occurred. However, in these configurations, the user knows that a traffic jam has occurred, but does not know the cause (cause) of the traffic jam. For example, when the cause of the traffic jam is a traffic accident, if it is possible to identify the accident, it is possible to inform the user of this, which can contribute to safe driving of the following vehicle.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic jam factor determination system capable of detecting traffic jam and determining the factor of the traffic jam.

The traffic congestion factor determination system according to the present invention includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image around a vehicle, and a transmission that transmits image information acquired by the image acquisition unit, vehicle information including a vehicle position and a vehicle speed to an information collection center. And vehicle information including image information, vehicle position and vehicle speed transmitted from the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, respectively, and a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices each having a receiving means for receiving a command signal from the information collection center. Receiving means for receiving, transmitting means for transmitting command signals to a plurality of vehicles, and detecting means for detecting the head of a traffic jam based on vehicle information including vehicle positions and vehicle speeds from a plurality of in-vehicle devices. A system comprising an information collection center, and when the beginning of a traffic jam is detected at the information collection center, Number of direction of the vehicle to set the area of the transmission request so that the above predetermined number, and capturing an image as it passes through the top point of the traffic congestion to the in-vehicle device of a plurality of vehicles in this area, shooting The image information requested is transmitted to the information collection center, and then the image information transmitted from the plurality of in-vehicle devices is acquired and photographed when passing through the acquired traffic jam starting point. The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to determine the presence or absence of an appearance abnormality of a stopped vehicle based on image information in a plurality of directions, and to determine whether or not the cause of traffic congestion is an accident.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the traffic jam and the head of the traffic jam based on the vehicle information including the vehicle position and the vehicle speed from the in-vehicle devices of the plurality of vehicles. Then, when the head of the traffic jam is detected , the transmission request area is set so that the number of vehicles in a plurality of directions centering on the head point is equal to or more than a predetermined number, and the in-vehicle devices of the plurality of vehicles in this area are set. In contrast, the image is taken when passing the head point of the traffic jam, and the photographed image information is requested to be transmitted to the information collection center. Thereafter, the image information transmitted from the plurality of in-vehicle devices is received. Acquire and determine whether there is an abnormality in the appearance of the stopped vehicle on the basis of image information in a plurality of directions taken when passing through the acquired start point of the traffic jam, and determine whether the cause of the traffic jam is an accident. Can do.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a congestion factor determination system 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a congestion factor determination system 1 includes an in-vehicle device 2 (only one is shown) mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles, and an information collection center that transmits and receives data to and from the in-vehicle devices 2 of the plurality of vehicles. 3.

  The in-vehicle device 2 includes a CPU 4, a position detection unit 5, an image acquisition unit 6, a data storage unit 7, a main memory 8, a communication unit 9, a driver operation information detection unit 10, and a vehicle information acquisition unit 11. It consists of and. The CPU 4 has a function of controlling the entire vehicle-mounted device 2 and operates according to a control program stored in the main memory 8 to drive and control each of the above means.

  The position detection means 5 has substantially the same configuration as a known position detector used in a car navigation device, and includes a gyroscope, a distance sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a tilt sensor, and the like. It is configured. The position detecting means 5 can detect the current position of the vehicle with high accuracy while interpolating with each other by the four sensors. The detected location information is stored in the data storage means 7.

  The image acquisition means 6 is composed of a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, or the like mounted on the vehicle, and has a function of capturing and acquiring, for example, a front image around the vehicle. Image information captured by the image acquisition unit 6 is stored in the data storage unit 7. The data storage means 7 is composed of, for example, a hard disk or the like, and also stores map data used in the car navigation device. In the case of the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 2 is configured to operate as a known car navigation device based on the map data and the position information from the position detecting means 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to include a display, various operation switches, and a remote controller.

  The communication means 9 is composed of, for example, a mobile phone terminal or the like, and is configured to be able to communicate with the information collection center 3 or the Internet. The communication unit 9 constitutes a transmission unit and a reception unit.

  The driver operation information detection means 10 is means for detecting driver operation information such as a driver's steering operation, brake operation, and accelerator operation. The vehicle information acquisition means 11 is means for acquiring various vehicle information (for example, information such as vehicle speed information and acceleration / deceleration information) detected by various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The detected driver operation information, vehicle information, and the like are stored in the data storage means 7.

  Information such as the vehicle information and vehicle position information (that is, information called probe information) is periodically detected and transmitted to the information collection center 3. Further, when specifically configuring the in-vehicle device 2, for example, the communication type car navigation device is configured by incorporating the image acquisition unit 6, the driver operation information detection unit 10, and the vehicle information acquisition unit 11. May be.

  On the other hand, the information collection center 3 includes an information processing device 12 configured with a personal computer, WS, and the like, and a communication device 13 configured with, for example, a mobile phone terminal. The information processing device 12 is configured to be able to communicate with the in-vehicle device 2 of a plurality (many) of vehicles via the communication device 13. The information processing apparatus 12 includes an information database 14 and an accident information analysis unit 15. This accident information analysis part 15 has a function as a detection means. Further, the communication device 13 constitutes a transmission unit and a reception unit.

  Next, the control operation of the information processing apparatus 12 of the information collection center 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S10, the information processing device 12 receives and collects probe information (such as vehicle speed information and position information) periodically transmitted from the in-vehicle devices 2 of a plurality of traveling vehicles, and stores the information in the information database 14. To store. And the information processing apparatus 12 monitors a traffic condition based on the collected probe information of a plurality of vehicles.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S20, where the occurrence of a traffic jam is detected from a decrease in vehicle speed or a stop state. When the occurrence of the traffic jam is not detected, the process proceeds to “NO”, and the process returns to step S10 to continue collecting probe information. On the other hand, when the occurrence of a traffic jam is detected in step S20, the process proceeds to “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In this step S30, the information processing apparatus 12 estimates the cause of traffic congestion by comparing with the past traffic situation stored (accumulated) in the information database 14, and when the estimated traffic congestion factor is not an accident. , Go to “NO”, return to step S10, and continue collecting probe information. On the other hand, when the estimated congestion factor is an accident in step S30, the process proceeds to “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S40. When estimating traffic congestion factors, for example, when traffic jams occur on roads where the occurrence rate of traffic jams is low during normal times, or when traffic jams occur on roads where accidents occur frequently, the traffic congestion factor is an accident. I guess it is likely.

  If it is estimated that the congestion factor is likely to be an accident, the process proceeds to step S40, and processing for detecting the leading vehicle (leading point) of the congestion is performed. This traffic jam head detection process may be executed using a known algorithm. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S50, and a traffic jam point (that is, an intersection where the traffic jam occurs) is specified from the position information of the detected leading vehicle of the traffic jam.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S60, where a transmission request area for selecting a candidate vehicle for transmitting image information around a traffic jam point is set. In this case, when setting the area, the area is determined according to the number of vehicles (probe vehicles capable of transmitting probe information and image information) that are running in the vicinity of the traffic congestion point. For example, if the number of vehicles is near an intersection, the area range is narrowed. Conversely, if the number of vehicles is an intersection, the area range is widened in consideration of the possibility of vehicles passing through the intersection.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to set the area in consideration of the direction of the vehicle passing through the intersection. For example, as the direction of the vehicle passing through the intersection, vehicles in four directions are conceivable. Therefore, the range of the area is set so that all the vehicles in each direction are selected and the number of vehicles in each direction is equal to or more than a predetermined number. Set it. In addition, the minimum range of the area is determined in advance in consideration of the arrival time of the transmission request signal after setting the area and the delay due to the image acquisition time.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S70, and a signal requesting transmission of image information is transmitted to the probe vehicle traveling in the area (located in the area). This request signal is added with information on a point where image information is acquired (photographed), that is, position information on a traffic jam point (position information such as an intersection).

  After this, the process proceeds to step S80, waits for (receives) the transmission of image information from each vehicle, and determines whether the cause of the congestion is an accident based on the transmitted image information. The accident determination process will be described later. After this, the process returns to step S10 to continue collecting probe information.

  Next, the control operation of the vehicle-mounted device 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S <b> 110, the in-vehicle device 2 receives an image information transmission request signal from the information collection center 3. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S120, and a timer for measuring the set time is started.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S130, and whether or not the vehicle has reached an image acquisition point (information included in the image information transmission request signal) that is an image shooting point, that is, a traffic jam point (such as a specified intersection). Judging. Here, when the vehicle has not reached the image photographing point, the process proceeds to “NO” in step S130, and then proceeds to step S140. In step S140, it is determined whether or not the set time has been counted. When the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to “NO” in step S140, returns to step S130, and continues to determine whether or not the shooting point has been reached.

  In step S140, when the set time has passed without reaching the shooting point, the process proceeds to “YES”, the process proceeds to step S190, the image information transmission request is cleared, and the image information transmission process is canceled (end). It is the composition to do.

  Now, in step S130, when the vehicle reaches the image capturing point (for example, the specified intersection), the process proceeds to “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S150. Shoot (front). The photographed image information is stored (recorded) in the data storage unit 7 (step S160). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S170, and probe information, for example, information such as a photographing date and time, a photographing position (point), is added to the image information.

  In step S180, the in-vehicle device 2 transmits information obtained by adding the probe information to the image information to the information collection center 3. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S190, where the image information transmission request is cleared and the image information transmission process is terminated.

  Next, the information collection center 3 receives the image information (and probe information) transmitted from the vehicle and executes a process for determining an accident (see step S80 in FIG. 2). Hereinafter, this process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S210, image information (and probe information) transmitted from the vehicle is received and collected. Then, it progresses to step S220 and determines the advancing direction of the vehicle based on position information. In this case, when determining the traveling direction, it is possible to determine based on the position information at the time when the image information is acquired and the position information acquired immediately before that.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S230, and image information is classified and accumulated (registered) in the information database 14 for each traveling direction with respect to a traffic jam point (intersection). If the traffic congestion point is, for example, an intersection of a crossroad, image information is accumulated by classification into four directions. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, and image information in four directions at the intersection is searched. And it progresses to step S250, the external condition of the vehicle which stops at the intersection (congestion point) is confirmed using the image information of 4 directions searched, and it is determined whether it is an accident.

  In this case, it may be configured such that the four directions searched are automatically diagnosed and determined by image analysis, or configured so that a person (operator) visually determines while visually recognizing the image information. May be. In the case where all the image information in the four directions is not available, an accident is determined based on the searched image information in the three directions, two directions, or one direction. In addition, depending on the position of the travel lane of the vehicle that transmits the image information (for example, in the case of a road having a plurality of travel lanes on one side), the accident party's vehicle may not be photographed. Image information is acquired and stored.

  Here, when there is an abnormality in the appearance of the stopped vehicle, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S250, and the process proceeds to step S260, where it is determined that the cause of the traffic jam is an accident. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S270, and information on intersections (congestion points) determined to be accidents is immediately compiled as accident information (accident information is generated) so that the accident information can be viewed as traffic information on WEB or the like. To do.

  As a result, the driver (user) of the vehicle who is about to travel or the driver of the vehicle involved in the traffic jam can view the accident information (traffic information) on the web or the like. It can be avoided or escape from traffic jams, contributing to safe driving. When a vehicle driver views accident information (traffic information) on WEB or the like, information is transmitted via the Internet using the in-vehicle device 2 of this embodiment, a communication type car navigation device, a mobile phone, or the like. What is necessary is just to access the collection center 3.

  If there is no abnormality in the appearance in step S250, the process proceeds to “NO”, and the process proceeds to step S280 to determine whether all image information has been searched (or whether new image information has been accumulated). To do. If all the image information has not been searched, that is, if there is unsearched image information for image information in the same direction (or if new image information has been accumulated), “NO” in step S280. ”And return to step S210 to continue collecting and retrieving image information.

  On the other hand, if all the image information is searched in step S280 (or if no new image information has been accumulated), the process proceeds to “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S290 to determine that there is no accident.

  According to this embodiment having such a configuration, it is possible to detect a traffic jam and the leading vehicle (point) of the traffic jam based on vehicle information from the in-vehicle devices 2 of a plurality of vehicles. Then, when the head point of the traffic jam is detected, by acquiring the image information in a plurality of directions from the in-vehicle devices 2 of the plurality of vehicles around the head point, the factor of the traffic jam is determined based on the acquired image information. be able to. As a result, when the cause of the traffic jam is a traffic accident, it can be determined (specified) that the traffic is an accident, so that the user can be notified of this. Therefore, it can contribute to the safe driving of the following vehicle.

  In the above embodiment, when the information collection center 3 acquires image information in a plurality of directions, a predetermined area is set around the head point of the traffic jam, and a plurality of vehicles located in this area are set. On the other hand, since it is configured to instruct (request) image information to be taken and transmitted to the information collection center 3 when passing the head point of the traffic jam, the image information necessary for the accident determination is appropriately acquired. Can do.

  Furthermore, when setting the above area, the size of the area is increased or decreased according to the number of probe vehicles traveling near the head of the traffic jam, so the amount of image information to be collected becomes too large. Can be prevented.

  Further, by using the accident information provided by the above embodiment, it is possible to realize advanced route search and route guidance in the car navigation device. In the conventional route search, it is possible to set a route to detour by taking into account the congestion situation of the road at the time of the route search. However, in the event of an accident, the recovery procedure time is often prolonged. . Therefore, a route is set by performing an estimated arrival time diagnosis from the accumulated past recovery treatment time. By adding accident information, it is possible to perform highly accurate predicted arrival time diagnosis, and to realize highly practical route search and route guidance.

  On the other hand, the driver who has obtained the accident information can change the driving route based on his / her own judgment, and when driving as it is, he recognizes that the cause of the traffic congestion is an accident, It can be wiped off and can contribute to safe driving.

  In the above embodiment, when the accident information (traffic information) is canceled, the information collection center 3 makes a judgment when the traffic jam is resolved or when the traffic jam is alleviated by interlocking with the traffic jam information. The accident information is canceled (accident information is deleted from the traffic information).

The block diagram of the congestion factor judgment system which shows one Example of this invention Flow chart showing control contents of information collection center 3 (part 1) The flowchart which shows the control content of the vehicle equipment 2 Flow chart showing control contents of information collection center 3 (part 2)

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a congestion factor determination system, 2 is an in-vehicle device, 3 is an information collection center, 4 is a CPU, 5 is a position detection means, 6 is an image acquisition means, 7 is a data storage means, 8 is a main memory, and 9 is Communication means (transmission means, reception means), 10 a driver operation information detection means, 11 a vehicle information acquisition means, 12 an information processing device, 13 a communication device (transmission means, reception means), 14 an information database, 15 Indicates an accident information analysis unit (detection means).

Claims (1)

Image acquisition means for acquiring an image around the vehicle, transmission means for transmitting vehicle information including the image information acquired by the image acquisition means, the position of the vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle to the information collection center, and a command from the information collection center A plurality of in-vehicle devices each having a receiving means for receiving a signal;
Receiving means for receiving image information transmitted from a plurality of in-vehicle devices, vehicle information including vehicle position and vehicle speed, transmitting means for transmitting command signals to the plurality of vehicles, and vehicle information from the plurality of in-vehicle devices. A traffic congestion factor determination system comprising: an information collection center having a detection means for detecting the head of a traffic jam based on vehicle information including a position and a vehicle speed,
In the information collection center, when the head of a traffic jam is detected, a transmission request area is set so that the number of vehicles in a plurality of directions centering on the head point is equal to or more than a predetermined number, and a plurality of vehicles in this area The in-vehicle device is requested to take an image when passing through the start point of the traffic jam, and to send the taken image information to the information collecting center, and thereafter transmitted from the plurality of in-vehicle devices. Whether or not the cause of traffic congestion is an accident is determined based on the acquired multi-directional image information taken when passing through the acquired traffic jam start point . A congestion factor judgment system characterized in that it is configured to judge a traffic jam.

Images