JP5811898B2 - Traffic information receiving system, traffic information receiving program, traffic information receiving method, and traffic information system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information receiving system, a traffic information receiving program, and a traffic information receiving method that are mounted at least in part on a target vehicle and receive traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system. The present invention also relates to a traffic information system including such a traffic information receiving system and a traffic information distribution system.

  Interchanges and rampways, which are the connection points between roads designated as one way, such as expressways and motorway roads, and general roads are marked with traffic signs to prevent erroneous entry. is set up. However, due to oversight or misunderstanding of the driver, there is a case where a vehicle mistakenly enters from a connection point that is an exit to a general road and runs backward on an expressway. The presence of the vehicle that runs backward (reverse running vehicle) is not preferable not only for the backward running vehicle but also for other vehicles that run opposite to the backward running vehicle.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-210435 (Patent Document 1) uses information on a link in a map database used in a map matching process of a navigation device, and matches / mismatches the direction of the link with the traveling direction of the vehicle. A technique has been disclosed in which it is determined that the vehicle runs backward if there is a discrepancy (16th paragraph, etc.). Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-140008 (Patent Document 2) discloses an information providing system including an in-vehicle device and a ground processing center. The in-vehicle device is configured to be capable of uplinking information on the travel locus and speed of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device is mounted, information on whether or not the vehicle is traveling backward, and the like to the ground processing center. Yes. The ground processing center notifies the presence of a reverse running vehicle to a vehicle on which an in-vehicle device is mounted or an electric display board installed on a road. For example, the ground processing center transmits warning information to the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle approaching the reverse running vehicle (paragraphs 13-15, 29-34, FIG. 1, FIG. 6, etc.).

  By the way, a traveling road such as an expressway has a branch road that is connected to a general road such as an interchange or a rampway and a road that is connected to a service area. Therefore, even if a reverse running vehicle is approaching, there is a case where the traveling road is off a halfway branch. In addition, when the distance between the vehicle that receives the information on the reverse running vehicle and the reverse running vehicle is long, the reverse running state has already been resolved before the vehicle reaches the position where the reverse running vehicle exists. In some cases. In other words, even if the warning information of the reverse running vehicle is received, if there is a high possibility that the information cannot be utilized, the warning information may be notified to the user, and the user may be annoyed on the contrary. There is.

  In order to suppress this, it is also possible to set a notification range for reporting the reverse running vehicle information based on the reverse running vehicle position, for example, on the ground processing center side. However, a certain amount of computation time is required for setting such a notification range. Since the relative speed between the vehicle traveling in the correct traveling direction and the reverse traveling vehicle corresponds to the sum of the speeds of both the vehicles, both the vehicles approach rapidly. Therefore, it is preferable that provision of the information on the reverse running vehicle to the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device is mounted is performed quickly. Therefore, it is desired to transmit necessary information quickly and suppress unnecessary notification so that the user does not feel bothered.

JP 2010-210435 A JP 2009-140008

  In view of the above-described background, it is desirable to provide a technique for appropriately notifying a caution regarding a reverse running vehicle using information indicating the presence of the reverse running vehicle that has been provided quickly.

In view of the above problems, the characteristic configuration of the traffic information receiving system according to the present invention is as follows:
A traffic information receiving system for receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least part of which is mounted on a target vehicle,
A vehicle position specifying unit for specifying a target vehicle position that is a position where the target vehicle exists;
A travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ;
A traffic information receiving unit for receiving the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
Based on the traffic information, a notification unit for notifying the passengers of the target vehicle,
The traffic information receiving unit detects a reverse running vehicle running in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road in the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connection road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notification unit calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Further, the notification unit calculates an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other based on the target vehicle position and the traveling information, and includes the arrival time in the notes. It is in the point to inform .

  The traffic information receiving system can specify the target vehicle position, which is the position of the target vehicle. Moreover, since the traffic information receiving system receives the detection time and the reverse vehicle detection position for the reverse vehicle, for example, the position of the reverse vehicle according to the time at which the target vehicle position is specified is calculated. be able to. That is, the traffic information receiving system can acquire the position of the target vehicle and the position of the reverse running vehicle at approximately the same time. As a result, the traffic information receiving system can calculate the relative positional relationship between the reverse running vehicle and the target vehicle at the time. Furthermore, when the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction side of the target vehicle in this relative positional relationship, the traffic information receiving system determines that the backward running vehicle and the target vehicle are in the future from the time that is the reference of the relative positional relationship. It can be determined that there is a possibility of encounter. On the other hand, if the reverse running vehicle does not exist on the traveling direction side of the target vehicle in this relative positional relationship, the traffic information receiving system is likely to encounter the reverse running vehicle and the target vehicle in the future from that time. Can be determined to be low. Therefore, the traffic information receiving system can appropriately determine whether or not it is necessary to notify the precautions based on the reverse running vehicle information based on the relative positional relationship. On the side of the traffic information distribution system that distributes traffic information including reverse running vehicle information, it is not particularly necessary to select the distribution destination in detail, so that the reverse running vehicle information can be quickly provided to the target vehicle. In addition, on the side of the target vehicle, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the reverse running vehicle information provided quickly is necessary. That is, according to this characteristic configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the caution regarding the reverse running vehicle by using the information indicating the existence of the reverse running vehicle that is provided quickly.

As described above, the traffic information system according to the present invention includes a travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on a target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle, and the notification unit includes the target vehicle position and the target vehicle position. Based on the travel information, an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other is calculated, and the arrival time is included in the precautions and notified. Since the distance between the two vehicles is determined from the relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle, using the relative speeds of the two vehicles, the predicted time when the two vehicles will encounter in the future (the closest approach) and the predicted time The expected time (arrival time) can be obtained. Since the reverse running vehicle speed is included in the reverse running vehicle information, if the speed of the target vehicle is known, the traffic information receiving system can calculate the relative speed of both vehicles .

  In order to appropriately determine whether or not the reverse running vehicle information provided promptly is necessary in the target vehicle, it is preferable that various information is updated to the latest information. In particular, in calculating the relative positional relationship, it is preferable that the information on the target vehicle position indicating the position of the target vehicle is the latest information. As one aspect, the vehicle position specifying unit of the traffic information receiving system according to the present invention specifies the target vehicle position after the traffic information receiving unit receives the reverse running vehicle information, and the notifying unit It is preferable to calculate the relative positional relationship based on the target vehicle position.

  By the way, the relative positional relationship also changes according to the time elapsed while the relative positional relationship is being calculated in the target vehicle. Therefore, the relative positional relationship is preferably calculated as the relative positional relationship at a specific time. This specific time is preferably set in consideration of the calculation time of the relative positional relationship. Also, considering that the notification unit notifies the notice based on the relative positional relationship, if the specific time is the scheduled notification time by the notification unit, the reliability of the note becomes high and the convenience is also improved. improves. That is, as one aspect, a traffic information receiving system according to the present invention includes a travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on a target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle, and the notification unit includes the traffic It is preferable to calculate the relative positional relationship at a scheduled notification time at which the information receiving unit receives the reverse running vehicle information and is capable of reporting the precautions. According to this aspect, the traveling distance of the reverse running vehicle from the detection time to the scheduled notification time can be calculated from the detection position of the reverse running vehicle and the reverse running vehicle speed, and the target vehicle is calculated based on the target vehicle position and the target vehicle speed. The traveling distance of the target vehicle from the specific time of the position to the scheduled notification time can be calculated. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the relative positional relationship at the scheduled notification time with high accuracy.

  It is preferable that the traffic information system is constructed by including the traffic information receiving system of each aspect described above and the traffic information distribution system that distributes traffic information to the traffic information receiving system. As one aspect, in the traffic information system according to the present invention, the traffic information distribution system distributes the traffic information to the target vehicle, and a distribution target range for distributing the reverse running vehicle information. A distribution target range determination unit for determining the vehicle, and the distribution target range determination unit sets the distance between two adjacent branch points on the road as one road section, the reverse of the reverse running vehicle detection position. On the running direction side, the road section that includes at least a part in a predetermined reference range is set as the distribution target range, and the traffic information distribution unit adds the reverse running vehicle to the target vehicle existing in the distribution target range. It is preferable to distribute information.

  The traffic information distribution system can suppress unnecessary computation in the target vehicle existing at a position where it is not necessary to consider the existence of the reverse running vehicle at all by narrowing the range where the backward running vehicle information is distributed to some extent. it can. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication due to distribution of unnecessary reverse running information and an increase in the load on the communication network. In addition, the road section is highly likely to be able to divert information stored in road map information used in general navigation systems and the like (for example, information on links indicating roads between connection points). High compatibility with road map information. Therefore, the traffic information distribution system can determine the distribution target range with a very light calculation load. In other words, even if the distribution destination is narrowed down to some extent on the traffic information distribution system side, it is possible to suppress an increase in the lead time from the acquisition of the reverse running vehicle information to the distribution by calculation for determining the distribution target range, The reverse running vehicle information can be quickly distributed. As described above, the traffic information system according to the present invention can quickly use the provided information indicating the presence of the reverse running vehicle and appropriately notify the attention to the reverse running vehicle.

  On highways, there are often reverse runs due to erroneous entry from interchanges, rampways, and service area exits, which are connection points with ordinary roads. That is, the reverse running on the road of the expressway is mostly started from a connecting road connecting the road with the expressway facility such as an interchange or a service area, and the branch road. Of course, the target vehicle, which is a general vehicle, enters the travel path in a forward direction with respect to the traveling direction designated as a road from such a branch point. Therefore, when the road section is set based on such a branch point, it is possible to provide highly convenient information to the target vehicle. As one aspect, in the traffic information system according to the present invention, each of the road sections is set between two adjacent branch points on a highway road, and the branch point is an expressway including an interchange. It is preferable that the connecting road between the facility and the traveling road is a branch point between the traveling road.

  The various technical features of the traffic information receiving system according to the present invention described above can be applied to a traffic information receiving program and a traffic information receiving method. Therefore, the present invention can also cover such a traffic information receiving program and a traffic information receiving method. For example, the traffic information receiving program according to the present invention can cause a computer to execute various steps having the characteristics of the traffic information receiving system described above. The typical aspect is illustrated below. Of course, such a traffic information receiving program can also exhibit the effects of the traffic information receiving system described above. Furthermore, various additional features exemplified as a preferred embodiment of the traffic information receiving system can be incorporated into the traffic information receiving program, and the program can also exhibit operational effects corresponding to the respective additional features. . The same applies to the traffic information receiving method according to the present invention.

The characteristic configuration of the traffic information receiving program according to the present invention is as follows.
A traffic information receiving program that allows a computer to realize a function of receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least a part of which is mounted on a target vehicle,
A vehicle position specifying unit that specifies a target vehicle position that is a position where the target vehicle exists; and
A travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ; and
A traffic information receiving unit that receives the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
A notification unit that, based on the traffic information, realizes a notification function for notifying a caution to a passenger of the target vehicle;
The traffic information reception function detects a reverse running vehicle that runs in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road on the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connecting road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notification function calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Further, the notification function calculates an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other based on the target vehicle position and the traveling information, and includes the arrival time in the precautions. It is in the point to inform .

In addition, the feature of the traffic information receiving method according to the present invention is as follows.
A traffic information receiving method for receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least a part of which is executed in a target vehicle,
Vehicle position specifying unit, and the vehicle position specifying step of specifying the target vehicle position is a position where the target vehicle is present,
A travel information acquisition step in which the travel information acquisition unit acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ;
A traffic information receiving unit for receiving the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
Informing unit, based on the traffic information, and a notification step of notifying the precautions passenger of the subject vehicle,
In the traffic information receiving step, a reverse running vehicle running in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road is detected on the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connecting road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notifying step calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Furthermore, in the notification step, an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other is calculated based on the target vehicle position and the travel information, and the arrival time is included in the precautions. It is in the point to inform .

A bird's-eye view schematically showing the configuration of the traffic information system Schematic block diagram showing the relationship between the traffic information system and the navigation system Schematic block diagram of traffic information system and navigation system Diagram showing handshake communication between notification system and distribution system The figure which shows the handshake communication of a receiving system and a delivery system Flowchart showing an example of procedures for distributing and receiving reverse running vehicle information Explanatory drawing which shows the utilization form of reverse running vehicle information by the receiving system The flowchart which shows the other example of the delivery procedure by a delivery system Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the setting method of an alerting | reporting range

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overhead view schematically showing a configuration of a traffic information system 1 including a traffic information receiving system (receiving system 4) according to the present invention. The traffic information system 1 is a system that collects various traffic information such as traffic jam information, road state information, and travel information of a vehicle traveling on the road, and provides the traffic information to the vehicle. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the traffic information system 1 includes a notification system 2 (traffic information notification system), a distribution system 3 (traffic information distribution system), and a receiving system 4 (traffic information reception system). It is prepared for. The traffic information is collected by the notification system 2 including a fixed device installed on the road and a mobile device mounted on a vehicle (probe vehicle 80), and is transmitted to the distribution system 3 as a notification target. The distribution system 3 collects the traffic information notified from the notification system 2 and distributes the traffic information to the reception system 4 as necessary. The distribution system 3 is preferably configured with a computer functioning as a server in a fixed facility such as the management center 70 as a core. The distribution system 3 is configured to have a plurality of functional units as illustrated in FIG. 3, but each system includes hardware such as a microprocessor, a DSP (digital signal processor), a memory, a program, parameters, and the like. Realized by collaboration with software.

  The notification system 2 is mounted on, for example, a probe vehicle 80 shown in FIG. In other words, the probe vehicle 80 includes the notification system 2 that can transmit to the distribution system 3 using the driving state information DI such as the vehicle position (probe vehicle position), the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the traveling locus as the probe information PI. This probe information PI is distributed to the vehicle (target vehicle 90) equipped with the receiving system 4 as the traffic information TI through the distribution system 3. The probe vehicle 80 and the target vehicle 90 may include the notification system 2 and the reception system 4. That is, it is preferable that the navigation system 5 including the notification system 2 and the reception system 4 is mounted on each vehicle (80, 90) as shown in FIG. The distribution system 3 is preferably configured with a server as a core, whereas the navigation system 5 including the notification system 2 and the reception system 4 has a computer functioning as a client in each vehicle (80, 90) as a core. It is preferable to be configured as. Of course, each vehicle (80, 90) may be configured to include only one of the notification system 2 and the reception system 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the navigation system 5 includes the notification system 2, the reception system 4, and the route guidance system 6. The route guidance system 6 is a system that provides route guidance to a destination set by a user and provides various information along the route. Each system constituting the navigation system 5 is realized by cooperation of hardware such as a microprocessor, a DSP, and a memory, and software such as a program and parameters. Each system includes a plurality of functional units as illustrated in FIG. In the present embodiment, each functional unit is common to a plurality of systems.

  The route guidance calculation unit 61 is a functional unit that is the core of the navigation system 5 and the route guidance system 6. The route guidance calculation unit 61 performs route guidance to the destination and various information provisions at the vehicle position based on the position (vehicle position) where the navigation system 5 (or the probe vehicle 80 or the target vehicle 90) exists. . The route guidance calculation unit 61 includes, for example, a destination setting unit that sets a search destination, a route search unit that performs a route search from a search start position to a search destination, various route guides to the search destination, and various vehicle positions. And a route guidance information calculation unit (not shown).

  Moreover, although mentioned later for details, the route guidance calculating part 61 functions also as an alerting | reporting part which alert | reports the notes regarding a reverse running vehicle etc., for example. Guidance, information provision, and notification by the route guidance calculation unit 61 are provided to the user via the user interface unit 13 (user I / F unit) and the monitor device 59, for example. The monitor device 59 is also provided with a speaker, a touch panel, etc., and can provide voice guidance to the user or accept an instruction input from the user. For example, an instruction input such as a search destination setting or a change of the search destination type by the user is transmitted to the route guidance calculation unit 61 via the touch panel and the user interface unit 13. Note that the probe information PI (traveling state information DI) transmitted by the notification system 2 and the traffic information TI received by the receiving system 4 are also transmitted to the route guidance calculation unit 61 via the traffic information acquisition unit 42 and monitored. The user is notified via the device 59.

  The vehicle position specifying unit 11 specifies a vehicle position (probe vehicle position or target vehicle position) that is a position where the probe vehicle 80 or the target vehicle 90 exists. When the probe vehicle 80 is a reverse running vehicle, this vehicle position is the reverse running vehicle position. In the present embodiment, the vehicle position specifying unit 11 sequentially specifies the vehicle position and updates the vehicle position information. The vehicle position specifying unit 11 uses surveying by GPS (global positioning system) or autonomous control by Dead-Reckoning using information acquired by the GPS receiver 52, the direction sensor 53, the distance sensor 54, and the like. The vehicle position is specified by executing the calculated operation. When the camera 51 is mounted on the probe vehicle 80 or the target vehicle 90, the vehicle position specifying unit 11 may be further added with a feature recognition function in order to increase the position accuracy. That is, the vehicle position specifying unit 11 recognizes a feature such as a road marking (paint) provided on the road surface from image data obtained by photographing the periphery of the vehicle, and includes position information of road display stored in the road map database. You may identify a vehicle position by collating.

  The road map database 12 (road map DB) is a database storing road network information. For example, the road map database 12 includes connection information between roads (connection points: nodes and roads between connection points: links), road types (types such as highways, toll roads, national roads, prefectural roads), Information such as road length, road shape, road width, and traffic classification is stored. The traffic classification includes a traffic direction designated for the road on an expressway or the like. Information on various expressway facilities (service area, parking area, interchange, ramp, junction, etc.) is also stored in the road map database 12. In addition, the road map database 12 stores information on various features (for example, road markings, road signs, traffic lights, signs, overpasses, tunnels, etc.) provided on or around the road, that is, feature information. May be. For example, the vehicle position specifying unit 11 can specify the vehicle position using an image captured by the camera 51 and these feature information.

  The travel information acquisition unit 21 is a functional unit that acquires travel state information DI such as the travel speed of the probe vehicle 80 and the target vehicle 90. The travel information acquisition unit 21 may be a functional unit that acquires information (travel information) that is the basis of the travel state information DI (probe information PI) notified by the notification system 2. For example, the travel information acquisition unit 21 acquires the travel direction of the vehicle (80, 90) based on the detection result of the direction sensor 53, and the travel speed of the vehicle (80, 90) based on the detection result of the distance sensor 54. Get the mileage. The travel information acquisition unit 21 also acquires the vehicle position (probe vehicle position) specified by the vehicle position specification unit 11 as information that is the basis of the travel state information DI. When the reverse running state determination unit 23 to be described later determines whether or not the probe vehicle 80 is in the reverse running state, the traveling information acquired by the traveling information acquisition unit 21 (the probe vehicle 80 is traveling with respect to the traffic classification). Traveling information including information on the traveling direction that is the direction to travel).

  The road information acquisition unit 22 acquires road information from the road map database 12. In the present embodiment, in order to determine whether or not the probe vehicle 80 is in the reverse running state, the road information acquisition unit 22 determines the traveling direction specified for the road at the vehicle position specified by the vehicle position specifying unit 11. Road information including at least the information on the traffic category shown is acquired from the road map database 12. Information on the traffic classification acquired by the road information acquisition unit 22 is provided to the reverse running state determination unit 23.

  The reverse running state determination unit 23 determines whether or not the traveling state of the probe vehicle 80 is the reverse running state based on the road information, the traveling information, and the predetermined reverse running determination condition. The reverse running determination condition is, for example, that the traveling direction of the probe vehicle 80 is the reverse direction with respect to the traveling direction designated as the road, and the traveling speed of the probe vehicle 80 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed. . In this case, the reverse running state determination unit 23 is based on the traffic classification information provided from the road information acquisition unit 22 and the travel direction information and travel speed information provided from the travel information acquisition unit 21. Then, it is determined whether or not the traveling direction is the reverse direction. Of course, the traveling direction of the probe vehicle 80 may be only a condition that it is opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road. In this case, the reverse running state determination unit 23 determines the travel direction based on the information on the traffic classification provided from the road information acquisition unit 22 and the information on the travel direction provided from the travel information acquisition unit 21. It is determined whether or not the direction is reverse running.

  The traveling state information generation unit 24 generates traveling state information DI (probe information PI) including information indicating that the vehicle is in the reverse traveling state. The generated traveling state information DI is transmitted to a transmission control unit 44 (driving state information transmitting unit) that transmits the traveling state information DI to the distribution system 3. Further, in order to utilize the traveling state information DI inside the navigation system 5, the generated traveling state information DI is also transmitted to the traffic information acquisition unit 42. The probe information PI includes at least a detection time at which a reverse running vehicle (probe vehicle 80) running in a reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road is detected, and a reverse running vehicle at the detection time ( Information on the reverse running vehicle detection position, which is the position of the probe vehicle 80), and the reverse running vehicle speed, which is the speed of the reverse running vehicle (probe vehicle 80) at the detection time, is included. While the probe vehicle 80 is in the reverse running state, the transmission control unit 44 continuously transmits that the probe vehicle 80 is in the reverse running state every time a predetermined notification condition is satisfied. The notification condition can be, for example, a condition such as every time a predetermined time elapses after the first notification or every time a predetermined travel distance is traveled.

  In addition, when the probe vehicle 80 (reverse vehicle) in the reverse running state gets off the interchange from the general road, enters the service area or the parking area, or stops in the highway, The reverse running state on the travel path is canceled or the reverse running detection is terminated. In this case, traveling state information DI indicating that the notification of the reverse traveling state is ended is transmitted to the distribution system 3.

  Each time the transmission control unit 44 satisfies the “notification condition” as described above, the transmission control unit 44 transmits the traveling state information DI via the communication module 58 configured to include an antenna, a modulation circuit, and the like (not shown). The communication module 58 functions as a transmitter that transmits the traveling state information DI and also functions as a receiver that receives the traffic information TI distributed from the distribution system 3. That is, the communication module 58 receives the traffic information TI transmitted from the distribution system 3 and transmits it to the reception control unit 41. The reception control unit 41 receives the traffic information TI and the traveling state information DI transmitted from another vehicle via the communication module 58.

  The probe information PI (running state information DI) transmitted from the communication module 58 of the probe vehicle 80 is received by the reception control unit 34 (running state information receiving unit) of the distribution system 3 via the communication module 78 of the management center 70. Received. The communication module 78 of the management center 70 also functions as a receiver that receives probe information PI and request information REQ described later, and also functions as a transmitter that transmits traffic information TI. The probe information PI (traveling state information DI) received by the reception control unit 34 via the communication module 78 is stored in the traffic information database 36 (traffic information DB). The distribution system 3 includes a road section database 35 (road section DB) in which road map data similar to the navigation system 5 is stored. As will be described later, the distribution system 3 distributes the traffic information TI using information stored in the traffic information database 36 and the road section database 35.

  Here, a communication mode between the notification system 2 and the distribution system 3 and a communication mode between the reception system 4 and the distribution system 3 in the traffic information system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the communication mode between the notification system 2 and the distribution system 3 and the communication mode between the reception system 4 and the distribution system 3 are both handshake communication modes. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the notification system 2 that has generated the probe information PI transmits notification request information NREQ (request information REQ) to the distribution system 3 together with the probe information PI (running state information DI). The distribution system 3 accepts the transmitted probe information PI and returns response information ACK indicating acceptance to the notification system 2. The notification of the probe information PI may not necessarily be a handshake method, but may be a push method in which response information ACK is not transmitted. However, when the handshake method is adopted, the notification system 2 determines that the probe information PI is not properly notified when the response information ACK is not returned (when the response information ACK cannot be received within the specified time). And can be retransmitted.

  Similarly, the reception system 4 that requests acquisition of the traffic information TI transmits distribution request information TREQ (request information REQ) that requests distribution (transmission) of the traffic information TI to the distribution system 3, for example, as shown in FIG. To do. The distribution request information TREQ includes the type of traffic information TI requesting distribution, for example, information on a reverse running vehicle, information on road conditions, and the like. The distribution system 3 transmits response information ACK including traffic information TI including the type of information specified in the distribution request information TREQ to the reception system 4. At this time, if the designated type of information does not exist in the traffic information database 36, the traffic information TI is empty data (NULL), command information indicating that it is a response to the request information REQ, and the traffic information TI. Response information ACK including (NULL) is transmitted to the reception system 4. For example, the receiving system 4 repeatedly transmits the distribution request information TREQ at a predetermined transmission interval T1. Naturally, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the distribution system 3 distributes the traffic information TI regardless of the presence / absence of the distribution request information TREQ from the reception system 4. In the present embodiment described in detail below, a mode in which the distribution system 3 distributes the traffic information TI in response to the distribution request information TREQ from the receiving system 4 will be described as an example.

  In the embodiment described in detail below, the distribution system 3 distributes the traffic information TI in response to the distribution request information TREQ and receives the traffic information TI (reverse running vehicle information) using the flowchart of FIG. A case will be described as an example in which the receiving system 4 that has been notified of the precautions. Here, a case where “reverse running vehicle information” is distributed as the traffic information TI will be described as an example. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, # 40 indicates a series of processes in the receiving system 4, and # 30 indicates a series of processes in the distribution system 3.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when distributing the traffic information TI, first, the distribution request information TREQ is transmitted from the receiving system 4 to the distribution system 3 (# 41: request information transmission function / step). Specifically, the transmission control unit 44 of the target vehicle 90 on which the reception system 4 that requests reverse running vehicle information is mounted transmits the distribution request information TREQ to the reception control unit 34 of the distribution system 3. At this time, the transmission control unit 44 preferably transmits the distribution request information TREQ including the target vehicle position information. The transmission control unit 44 of the target vehicle 90 functions as a request information transmission unit, and the reception control unit 34 of the distribution system 3 functions as a request information reception unit. The reception control unit 34 of the distribution system 3 is waiting to receive the distribution request information TREQ (# 31), and when the distribution request information TREQ is transmitted from the receiving system 4, the distribution request information TREQ is received ( # 32: Request information receiving function / step).

  When the distribution request information TREQ is received, the traffic information generation unit 33 (the response information generation unit of the distribution system 3 acquires reverse running vehicle information from the traffic information database 36 (# 33: reverse running vehicle information acquisition function / step). The distribution request information TREQ includes vehicle position information (target vehicle position information) of the target vehicle 90 on which the receiving system 4 is mounted, information on a road on which the target vehicle 90 is traveling, etc. Traffic information generating unit 33 For example, based on these pieces of information included in the distribution request information TREQ, information on the reverse running vehicle (probe vehicle 80) in the vicinity of the target vehicle position or on the road on which the target vehicle 90 is traveling is acquired. If there is a reverse running vehicle and reverse running vehicle information that matches the conditions exists in the traffic information database 36, the traffic information generating unit 33 is designated in the distribution request information TREQ. The response information ACK including the traffic information TI including the type of information (here, the reverse running vehicle information) is generated, that is, the traffic information generation unit 33 functions as a response information generation unit. The response information ACK is transmitted to the reception system 4 (# 39a (# 39): traffic information distribution function / step) The transmission control unit 31 functions as a traffic information distribution unit and a response information transmission unit.

  On the other hand, when there is no reverse running vehicle or when there is no reverse running vehicle information that matches the conditions, the traffic information generating unit 33 generates empty data (NULL) as the traffic information TI. The transmission control unit 31 of the distribution system 3 transmits, for example, response information ACK including command information indicating traffic to the request information REQ and traffic information TI (NULL) to the reception system 4 (# 39b (# 39)) ).

  After transmitting the distribution request information TREQ, the receiving system 4 waits for reception of the response information ACK from the distribution system 3 (# 42). When the response information ACK is transmitted from the distribution system 3, the reception control unit 41 (traffic information receiving unit) of the target vehicle 90 receives the response information ACK (# 43: traffic information receiving function / step). When the traffic information TI (reverse running vehicle information) is included in the response information ACK, the information is transmitted to the route guidance calculation unit 61 (notification unit) via the traffic information acquisition unit 42. The route guidance calculation unit 61 (notification unit) that has received the traffic information TI determines whether or not the reverse traveling vehicle information is included in the traffic information TI (# 44). When the reverse running vehicle information is included, the route guidance calculation unit 61 (notification unit) calculates the relative positional relationship between the target vehicle 90 and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position (# 45: Relative positional relationship calculation function / step).

  Subsequently, the route guidance calculation unit 61 (notification unit) determines whether or not the reverse running vehicle 100 exists in front of the target vehicle 90 (traveling direction) based on the calculated relative positional relationship (# 46). : Relative positional relationship determination function / step). When it is determined that the reverse running vehicle 100 is present in front of the target vehicle 90, a warning based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified (# 48: warning notification function / step).

  Here, the relative positional relationship will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram in which a road on which the target vehicle 90 travels is projected on a number line that has the traveling direction Y1 of the target vehicle 90 as a positive direction. It is assumed that the reverse running vehicle 100 exists on this number line. The road on which the target vehicle 90 travels includes the road on which the target vehicle 90 travels (target road) and the road (connection road) that connects to the target road in the traveling direction of the target vehicle 90. Therefore, the road on which the target vehicle 90 travels is often not a straight line but a set of line segments having branches. However, here, in order to briefly explain the gist of the relative positional relationship, a straight road in which the road on which the target vehicle 90 travels is simulated as a single straight line without considering such a branch (connection road). Will be described.

  In the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, it is assumed that it is detected that the probe vehicle 80 is running backward at time “t1”. That is, the probe vehicle 80 is detected as the reverse running vehicle 100, and the probe information PI is transmitted to the distribution system 3 including the reverse running vehicle information. The detection time included in the reverse running vehicle information is “t1”. The reverse running vehicle detection position p81 indicating the position of the reverse running vehicle 100 at the detection time t1 is a coordinate X47 on the number line as shown in FIG. The reverse vehicle speed indicating the speed of the reverse vehicle 100 at the detection time t1 is “V2 [km / h]”.

The distribution system 3 distributes the reverse running vehicle information received from the probe vehicle 80 (reverse running vehicle 100) as the notification system 2 to the target vehicle 90. The target vehicle 90 receives the reverse running vehicle information at a time t4 after the detection time t1. The target vehicle position p9 at time t4 is “p94” as shown in FIG. 7, and is the coordinate X3 on the number line. The receiving system 4 calculates the relative positional relationship between the target vehicle 90 and the reverse running vehicle 100 based on the target vehicle position p9 and the reverse running vehicle information. As an example, the target vehicle 90 can calculate the relative positional relationship based on “p94”, which is the target vehicle position p9 at time t4, and the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 included in the reverse running vehicle information. For example, as a relative positional relationship, the relative distance B (B1) between the two vehicles can be calculated as follows.
B1 = p81−p94 = X47−X3 = 44X
Here, “X” is a basic unit representing a distance on a number line. In this way, when a number line having the traveling direction of the target vehicle 90 as the positive direction is used, in step # 46 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the relative distance B is a positive number, It can be determined that the reverse running vehicle 100 exists.

  By the way, as the target vehicle position p9 when calculating the relative distance B, in the above example, the position “p94” at the time t4 when the target vehicle 90 received the reverse running vehicle information is used. However, as the target vehicle position p9, a position specified before time t4, for example, a position “p91 (coordinate X1)” in FIG. 7 may be used. In this case, the relative distance B is “46X = X47−X1”, and calculation is performed so that the target vehicle 90 and the reverse running vehicle 100 are separated from each other. Such a relative distance B is preferably a small value (conservative value) in consideration of notifying the cautions so that the target vehicle 90 can take more reliable retreat behavior. Accordingly, the target vehicle position p9 specified by the vehicle position specifying unit 11 after the reception control unit 41 (traffic information receiving unit) of the receiving system 4 receives the reverse running vehicle information, for example, the position “p95 (coordinate X5) in FIG. It is preferable that the relative positional relationship (relative distance B) is calculated based on “”. In this case, the relative distance B is “42X = X47−X5”. In the present embodiment, the vehicle position specifying unit 11 sequentially specifies the vehicle position and updates the vehicle position information as described above. For this reason, the difference between the time t4 when the reverse running vehicle information is received and the time when the target vehicle position p9 is specified is not large. Therefore, even if the relative distance B is calculated by using the target vehicle position p9 specified after receiving the reverse running vehicle information to calculate the relative distance B, the difference is large. Don't be.

  Moreover, if the target vehicle 90 uses the relative distance B, it is also possible to calculate the arrival time until the target vehicle 90 and the reverse running vehicle 100 come closest. As the speed of the reverse running vehicle 100, at least the reverse running vehicle speed (V2) at the detection time t1 is acquired. The target vehicle speed which is the speed of the target vehicle 90 is acquired by the travel information acquisition unit 21 of the target vehicle 90 (V1 [km / h]). Accordingly, the relative speed V3 between the reverse running vehicle 100 and the target vehicle 90 is “V3 = V1 + V2”, and the arrival time can be obtained based on the relative speed V3 and the relative distance B (arrival time = B / V3).

  As described above, in step # 48 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, in addition to “the reverse running vehicle 100 exists in front”, “the distance (relative distance) between the reverse running vehicle 100 and the target vehicle 90 (own vehicle)”. B) ”,“ time until encountering reverse running vehicle 100 (arrival time) ”can be notified as“ notes ”.

  By the way, in practice, a certain amount of time elapses until the probe vehicle 80 detects that the host vehicle is in a reverse running state, generates reverse running vehicle information, and transmits it to the distribution system 3. Therefore, the time t2 at which the reverse running vehicle information is actually transmitted to the distribution system 3 is a time after e.g. time T20 has elapsed from the detection time t1. Furthermore, a certain amount of time elapses until the distribution system 3 receives the information transmitted from the probe vehicle 80 and distributes the reverse running vehicle information, and the target vehicle 90 (receiving system 4) receives the reverse running vehicle information. To do. For example, the target vehicle 90 receives the reverse running vehicle information at time t4 after time T40 has elapsed from time t2 when the probe vehicle 80 notified the reverse running vehicle information. During this period, that is, during the time (T20 + T40) from the detection time t1 to the time t4, the reverse running vehicle 100 continues to run backward toward the target vehicle 90. As shown in FIG. 7, at time t2 when the time T20 has elapsed, the reverse running vehicle position p8 is “p82 (coordinate X44)” closer to the target vehicle 90 than the reverse running vehicle detection position p81. Further, at time t4 when time T40 has elapsed, the reverse running vehicle position p8 is “p83 (coordinate X40)” which is closer to the target vehicle 90. Therefore, when calculating the relative distance B, it is preferable to consider the elapsed time from the detection time t1 to the time t4.

The detection time t1 is included in the reverse running vehicle information. The time t4 is known by the receiving system 4 because the receiving system 4 receives the reverse running vehicle information. Therefore, the time (T20 + T40) elapsed from the detection time t1 to the time t4 can be calculated as follows.
T20 + T40 = t4-t1
Further, as described above, the speed of the reverse running vehicle 100 (reverse running vehicle speed) at the detection time (t1) is “V2”, so the travel distance of the reverse running vehicle 100 during this time can be calculated as follows. is there.
Travel distance = (T20 + T40) × V2
Then, as shown below, the relative distance B is “B2” shorter than “B1” by this travel distance (see FIG. 7). Since the coordinate of “p83” which is the reverse running vehicle position p8 at time t4 is X40, “B2 = 37X = X40−X3”.

  In the above description, an example in which the relative positional relationship is calculated in consideration of the elapsed time from the detection time t1 when the reverse running state is detected until the target vehicle 90 receives the reverse running information has been described. However, the information processing calculation is executed in the target vehicle 90 from when the target vehicle 90 (reception system 4) receives the reverse running vehicle information to when it is actually notified as a precaution. Therefore, in order to further improve the accuracy, it is preferable that the calculation time (T90) in the target vehicle 90 is also taken into consideration. The time from when the reverse running vehicle information is received until the notice is notified can be made constant by the number of steps of the program. Therefore, the target vehicle 90 can set the time after elapse of this constant time (predetermined calculation time T90) from the time (t4) when the reverse running vehicle information is received as the scheduled notification time t7. . The scheduled notification time t7 may be set to a time obtained by adding the predetermined calculation time T90 to the time (t4) when the target vehicle 90 receives the reverse running vehicle information, or at the specified target vehicle position p9. It may be set to a time obtained by adding a predetermined calculation time T90 to the corresponding time. The target vehicle 90 has a distance that the reverse running vehicle 100 travels from the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 during a time (T80) from the detection time t1 to the scheduled notification time t7, and the target vehicle position p9 (predicted target vehicle position) p97) and the relative positional relationship (relative distance B) between the two vehicles can be calculated.

“P84”, which is the reverse vehicle position p8 of the reverse vehicle 100 at the scheduled notification time t7, can be calculated as follows.
p84 = p81−T80 × V2 = X47− (t7−t1) × V2 = X36
If the target vehicle position p9 at time t4 is specified as “p94”, the predicted target vehicle position p97 that is the target vehicle position p9 at the scheduled notification time t7 can be calculated as follows.
p97 = p94 + T90 × V1 = X3 + (t7−t4) × V1 = X7
Accordingly, “B3”, which is the relative distance B at the scheduled notification time t7, is obtained as follows.
B3 = p84−p97 = X36−X7 = 29X
Of course, based on this relative distance B (B3) and relative speed V3, it is also possible to calculate the time (arrival time) from the scheduled notification time t7 until the two vehicles are closest to each other.

  By the way, the distribution system 3 can suppress unnecessary computation in the target vehicle 90 that does not need to consider the existence of the reverse running vehicle 100 at all by narrowing the range in which the backward running vehicle information is distributed to some extent. . FIG. 8 extracts only process # 30 of the distribution system 3 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and adds steps (# 35 to # 37) for narrowing the range for distributing the reverse running vehicle information. Step # 31 to step # 34 and step # 39 are as described above with reference to FIG.

  When it is determined in step 34 that the reverse running vehicle 100 exists, that is, when appropriate reverse running vehicle information exists in the traffic information database 36, the distribution target range determination unit 32 (see FIG. 3) of the distribution system 3 Based on the reverse running vehicle information, information on the road section (reverse running section) where the reverse running vehicle exists is obtained from the road section database 35 (# 35: road section information obtaining function / step). As shown in FIG. 9, one road section S is set between two adjacent branch points on the road (traveling road H). In FIG. 9, a road H indicates a highway road, and a reference F indicates a highway facility such as a service area. A road connecting the service area F and the traveling road H is a connecting road. In FIG. 9, highway facilities such as interchanges are not shown, but connecting roads that connect the interchanges and the road H are shown.

  When the distribution target range determination unit 32 acquires information on the road section S (reverse running section R) where the reverse running vehicle 100 exists, the direction in which the reverse running vehicle 100 (for example, the probe vehicle 80) travels (reverse running direction). It is preferable that information on at least one road section S adjacent to the reverse running section R is also acquired in Z). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the reverse running vehicle 100 exists in the road section S2, the road section S2 becomes the reverse running section R. Then, at least information on the road section S3 adjacent to the reverse section R (road section S2) in the reverse direction Z is acquired. At this time, it is preferable that information on the road section S4 and the road section S5 adjacent to the road section S3 in the reverse running direction Z is also acquired according to the conditions. In particular, when the section length of the road section S adjacent to the reverse running section R (the road section S3 in this example) is short, information on the further road section S (the road section S4 in this example) is also acquired. It is preferable.

  When the information on the reverse running section R is acquired, the distribution target range determining unit 32 determines the distance D between the end points, which is the distance between the end point on the reverse running direction Z side in the reverse running section R and the reverse running vehicle detection position p81. It is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance (# 36: endpoint distance determination function / step). When the distance D between the end points is equal to or greater than the reference distance, the distribution target range determination unit 32 sets the reverse running section R as the distribution target range C (# 37a (# 37): distribution target range setting function / step). On the other hand, when the distance D between the end points is less than the reference distance, the distribution target range determination unit 32 determines at least one road section S and the reverse traveling section R adjacent to the reverse traveling section R on the reverse traveling direction Z side as the distribution target range. Set as C (# 37b (# 37): distribution target range setting function / step). The functions / steps # 36 and # 37 or # 34 to # 37 correspond to the distribution target range determination function / step executed by the distribution target range determination unit 32.

  Here, the setting conditions of the distribution target range C will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the reception system 4 mounted on the target vehicle 90 (90a) traveling on the road H of the highway as a road acquires the traffic information TI. On this traveling path H, the reverse traveling vehicle 100 travels in the reverse traveling direction Z opposite to the traveling direction Y designated as the road (traveling path H). The reverse running vehicle 100 exists in the road section S2, and the road section S2 becomes the reverse running section R. As shown in FIG. 9, the reverse running vehicle 100 is present on the road traveling direction Y side with respect to the target vehicle 90. When the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “p8a”, the distance D between the end points on the reverse running section R on the reverse running direction Z side and the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “ D1 ". On the other hand, the distance D between the end points when the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “p8b” is “D2” shorter than “D1” as shown in FIG. That is, when the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “p8b”, the reverse running vehicle 100 moves from the reverse running section R to the next road section S (in this case, the road section S3) earlier than the case of “p8a”. There is a possibility of entering. For this reason, the distribution target range determination unit 32 determines the distribution target range C to a length corresponding to the end point distance D.

  Here, it is assumed that the reference distance is defined in advance as a value shorter than “D1” and longer than “D2”. When the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “p8a”, the distance D between the end points is equal to or greater than the reference distance, and thus the distribution target range C is set to “C1” in a range that matches the reverse running section R. On the other hand, when the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is “p8b”, the distance D between the end points is less than the reference distance, so the distribution target range C includes the reverse running section R and the reverse running section on the reverse running direction Z side. It is set to a range that combines one or more road sections S adjacent to R. Most simply, “C2”, which is a range including the reverse running section R (road section S2) and the road section S (S3) adjacent to the reverse running section R on the reverse running direction Z side, is the distribution target range C. Set as However, since the road section S is set between two adjacent branch points on the road (traveling road H), the length thereof varies. Therefore, the distance between the end point on the reverse running direction Z side of the range (provisional distribution target range) that combines the reverse running section R and the adjacent road section S and the reverse running vehicle detection position p81 is still less than the reference distance. There is a possibility. In such a case, it is preferable that a range including the road section S adjacent to the reverse running direction Z side is further set as the distribution target range C. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the reverse running section R (road section S2) and the two road sections S (S3, S4) adjacent to the reverse running section R on the reverse running direction Z side are combined. “C3” is set as the distribution target range C.

  In this example, the distance between the end point on the reverse running direction Z side of the provisional distribution target range and the reverse vehicle detection position p81 is determined using the same value as the reference distance for determining the distribution target range. Of course, this does not preclude determination based on a value different from the reference distance. In the above description, the case where the value of the reference distance for determining the distribution target range is a constant value is exemplified, but it may be set as a variable value according to the traveling speed or the like of the reverse traveling vehicle 100. Similarly, the value for determining the provisional distribution target range is not limited to a fixed value, and may be a variable value.

  Further, without performing such calculation, the road segment S at least partially included in the reference range defined in advance in the backward running direction Z side from the backward running vehicle detection position p81 is simply determined as the distribution target range C. It is good. The above-mentioned “reference distance” is also a concept corresponding to this “reference range”.

  When the distribution target range C is thus determined, the transmission control unit 31 (traffic information distribution unit) determines that the target vehicle position is based on the target vehicle position information included in the distribution request information TREQ. (# 38: Response condition determination function / step). When the target vehicle position is within the distribution target range C, the transmission control unit 31 responds with the response information ACK including the traffic information TI (here, reverse running vehicle information) including the type of information specified in the distribution request information TREQ. Is transmitted to the receiving system 4 (# 39a (# 39): traffic information distribution function / step). On the other hand, when the target vehicle position is not within the distribution target range C, the transmission control unit 31 sets the traffic information TI as empty data (NULL) and command information and traffic information indicating that it is a response to the distribution request information TREQ. Response information ACK including TI (NULL) is transmitted to receiving system 4 (# 39b (# 39): traffic information distribution function / step). The function / steps # 38 and # 39 may be the traffic information distribution function / step.

  For example, when responding to the distribution request information TREQ from the target vehicle 90a (the target vehicle 90 traveling behind the reverse running vehicle 100 in the traveling direction Y) shown in FIG. 9, the response information ACK including the traffic information TI Is sent. On the other hand, when responding to the distribution request information TREQ from the target vehicle 90b traveling ahead of the reverse running vehicle 100 in the traveling direction Y, command information and traffic information TI indicating that the response is to the distribution request information TREQ. Response information ACK including (NULL) is transmitted. That is, since the reverse vehicle information is not distributed to the target vehicle 90 (here, the target vehicle 90b) that does not need to notify the user of the precautions regarding the presence of the reverse vehicle 100, unnecessary notification is made in the target vehicle 90b. This is preferable without being performed.

  In this way, by narrowing the distribution target range, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication load due to the distribution of unnecessary reverse running information and an increase in the load on the communication network. In addition, the road section is highly likely to be able to divert information stored in road map information used in general navigation systems and the like (for example, information on links indicating roads between connection points). High compatibility with road map information. Therefore, the distribution system 3 can determine the distribution target range with a very light calculation load. That is, it is possible to suppress an increase in the lead time from the acquisition of the reverse running vehicle information to the distribution by the calculation for determining the distribution target range, and the reverse running vehicle information can be quickly distributed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately notify the caution regarding the reverse running vehicle using the information indicating the existence of the reverse running vehicle that is provided quickly.

[Other Embodiments]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of each embodiment described below is not limited to being applied independently, and can be applied in combination with the configuration of other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.

(1) Each embodiment mentioned above explained as an example the form in which traffic information TI (reverse running vehicle information) is distributed in response to distribution request information TREQ from receiving system 4. However, regardless of the presence / absence of the distribution request information TREQ from the receiving system 4, the distribution system 3 may distribute the traffic information TI. In this case, when conforming to the form of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 (when the delivery destination is limited to the delivery target range C on the delivery system 3 side), the vehicle in the delivery target range C can be received. It is good to distribute traffic information TI. For example, it is preferable to distribute via an antenna (roadside antenna) or beacon installed on the road side of the traveling path H of the distribution target range C.

(2) In the above-described embodiments, the probe vehicle 80 is the reverse running vehicle 100, and the probe vehicle 80 itself notifies the delivery system 3 of the running state information DI indicating that it is in the reverse running state. However, the present invention is not limited to the form in which the reverse running vehicle 100 is the probe vehicle 80. For example, the probe vehicle 80 equipped with the camera 51 may detect another vehicle as the reverse running vehicle 100 and notify the distribution system 3. Moreover, the probe vehicle 80 which received the notification from the reverse running vehicle 100 by the inter-vehicle communication may notify the distribution system 3 of the information of the reverse running vehicle 100 based on the information acquired by the inter-vehicle communication.

  The present invention relates to a traffic information receiving system that receives at least a part of a target vehicle and receives traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system, and a traffic information system including the traffic information receiving system and the traffic information distribution system. Can be applied to.

1: Traffic information system 3: Distribution system (traffic information distribution system)
4: Reception system (traffic information reception system)
11: Vehicle position specifying unit 21: Travel information acquisition unit 31: Transmission control unit (traffic information distribution unit)
32: Distribution target range determination unit 41: Reception control unit (traffic information reception unit)
61: Route guidance calculation unit (notification unit)
90, 90a, 90b: target vehicle 100: reverse running vehicle B: relative distance (relative positional relationship)
C: Delivery target range H: Traveling path S, S1 to S6: Road section TI: Traffic information Y: Traveling direction Y1 specified for road: Traveling direction Z on the number line of the target vehicle Z: Reverse running direction p81: Reverse running Vehicle detection position p9: Target vehicle position p97: Expected target vehicle position t1: Detection time t7: Scheduled notification time

Claims (7)

A traffic information receiving system for receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least part of which is mounted on a target vehicle,
A vehicle position specifying unit for specifying a target vehicle position that is a position where the target vehicle exists;
A travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ;
A traffic information receiving unit for receiving the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
Based on the traffic information, a notification unit for notifying the passengers of the target vehicle,
The traffic information receiving unit detects a reverse running vehicle running in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road in the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connection road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notification unit calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Further, the notification unit calculates an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other based on the target vehicle position and the traveling information, and includes the arrival time in the precautions. A traffic information reception system that provides notifications . The vehicle position specifying unit specifies the target vehicle position after the traffic information receiving unit receives the reverse running vehicle information,
The traffic information receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit calculates the relative positional relationship based on the target vehicle position. A travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle;
The said alerting | reporting part is the time after the said traffic information receiving part received the said reverse running vehicle information, Comprising: The said relative positional relationship in the alerting scheduled time which can alert | report the said notes is calculated to Claim 1 or 2 The described traffic information receiving system. A traffic information system comprising the traffic information receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the traffic information distribution system,
The traffic information distribution system includes a traffic information distribution unit that distributes the traffic information to the target vehicle, and a distribution target range determination unit that determines a distribution target range for distributing the reverse running vehicle information,
The delivery target range determining unit includes at least a part of a reference range defined in advance as a road section between two adjacent branch points on a road, on the reverse running direction side from the reverse running vehicle detection position. The road section to be distributed is the distribution target range,
The traffic information distribution unit is a traffic information system that distributes the reverse running vehicle information to the target vehicle existing in the distribution target range. Each of the road sections is set between two adjacent branch points in the highway driving path,
The traffic information system according to claim 4 , wherein the branch point is a branch point between a road connecting a highway facility including an interchange and the road, and the road. A traffic information receiving program that allows a computer to realize a function of receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least a part of which is mounted on a target vehicle,
A vehicle position specifying unit that specifies a target vehicle position that is a position where the target vehicle exists; and
A travel information acquisition unit that acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ; and
A traffic information receiving unit that receives the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
A notification unit that, based on the traffic information, realizes a notification function for notifying a caution to a passenger of the target vehicle;
The traffic information reception function detects a reverse running vehicle that runs in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road on the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connecting road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notification function calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Further, the notification function calculates an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other based on the target vehicle position and the traveling information, and includes the arrival time in the precautions. A traffic information reception program to notify you . A traffic information receiving method for receiving traffic information distributed from a traffic information distribution system, at least a part of which is executed in a target vehicle,
Vehicle position specifying unit, and the vehicle position specifying step of specifying the target vehicle position is a position where the target vehicle is present,
A travel information acquisition step in which the travel information acquisition unit acquires travel information including information on the target vehicle speed that is the speed of the target vehicle ;
A traffic information receiving unit for receiving the traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution system;
Informing unit, based on the traffic information, and a notification step of notifying the precautions passenger of the subject vehicle,
In the traffic information receiving step, a reverse running vehicle running in the reverse running direction opposite to the traveling direction specified for the road is detected on the target road on which the target vehicle runs and the connecting road connected to the target road. Reverse running vehicle information including information on a detection time, a reverse running vehicle detection position that is the position of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time, and a reverse running vehicle speed that is a speed of the reverse running vehicle at the detection time. Received as the traffic information,
The notifying step calculates a relative positional relationship between the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle based on the target vehicle position, and the reverse running vehicle exists in the traveling direction of the target vehicle based on the relative positional relationship. When it is determined, the notice based on the reverse running vehicle information is notified ,
Furthermore, in the notification step, an arrival time until the target vehicle and the reverse running vehicle come closest to each other is calculated based on the target vehicle position and the travel information, and the arrival time is included in the precautions. A traffic information reception method that broadcasts information.

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