RU2477527C1 - Method and system for controlling traffic and device for monitoring road traffic - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: every motor vehicle 1 is equipped with mobile communication device 2 and navigator 3 to monitor motor vehicle current position, current speed and selected route, and to display gathered data and taken recommendations. Traffic control territorial center 5 is equipped with means 11 to define optimum recommendations and communication appliances 12. Data collected by every navigator 3 is transmitted to said traffic control territorial center 5 for it to be processed to define optimum recommendations for very motor vehicle 1. Defined optimum recommendations are directed from said center 5 to appropriate mobile communication devices 2 of motor vehicle 1 display optimum solution disclosed by said center 5 for this motor vehicle on appropriate navigator 3 of motor vehicle 1.

EFFECT: expanded operating performances.

22 cl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to traffic control, in particular to traffic control in a city, and can be used in the design of new and improvement of existing traffic control systems.

State of the art

Currently, various methods and systems for traffic management are known.

So, in RF patents No. 2269820 (publ. 02/10/2005) and No. 2377658 (publ. 12/27/2009), in the RF patent for utility model No. 104357 (publ. 05/10/2011), in US patents No. 7518260 (publ. 14.04 .2009) and No. 8031084 (publ. 04.10.2011), in German application No. 102005053461 (publ. 05.16.2007), in Japanese applications No. 07-029098 (publ. 31.01.1995) and No. 2004-021503 (publ. 22.01 .2004) describes methods and systems of traffic control in which information from each vehicle is transmitted using two-way communication systems to the traffic control center, where the optimal route for each transport medium is developed dstva.

The closest analogue to the present invention is described in RF patent No. 2444794 (publ. 10.03.2012). According to this document, a method for managing traffic flows is proposed, each vehicle comprising a mobile communication device for bi-directional communication with a territorial traffic control center and a navigation device for monitoring the current position of a given vehicle, while the territorial traffic control center has means finding the best recommendations for each vehicle and means of communication to implement two-way communication with mobile communication devices, by means of which information collected by each of the navigation devices is sent to the territorial traffic control center, where this information is processed to find the best recommendations for each of the mentioned vehicles and the found optimal recommendations are sent to the corresponding mobile communication devices to bring it to the driver.

Disclosure of invention

The present invention is made with the aim of obtaining a new method and a new system for controlling traffic flows, which provide a technical result in the form of an expansion of the arsenal of technical means.

To achieve this result, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling traffic flows, the method being that: each vehicle is equipped with a mobile communication device for two-way communication with a territorial traffic control center; equip each vehicle with a navigation device designed to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle, and to display collected information and recommendations; equip the territorial traffic control center with the means of finding the best recommendations for each vehicle and communication means for two-way communication with mobile communication devices; information collected by each of the navigation devices is transmitted via the corresponding mobile communication device to the territorial traffic control center; process in the territorial center of traffic control information received from all mobile communication devices with which the vehicles currently participating in traffic are equipped to find the best recommendations for each of the vehicles; send the found optimal recommendations from the territorial traffic control center to the corresponding mobile communication devices; display the optimal solution found by the territorial traffic control center for a given vehicle on the corresponding navigation device with which this vehicle is equipped; carry out optimal traffic control of traffic flows based on information received from mobile communication devices.

A feature of the method of the present invention is that the optimal control of traffic light control of traffic flows may include control of reverse lanes on multi-lane routes or control of automatic barriers.

Another feature of the method according to the present invention is that the means of finding the best recommendations for each vehicle can be performed in the form of universal computers, each of which has a driving program in view of the momentary traffic situation, updated on the basis of the assembly of each of the navigation devices information, and the program is created in advance using the model of traffic flows, developed and debugged to control traffic flows from the territorial about the motion control center.

Another feature of the method of the present invention is that the optimal recommendations found from the territorial traffic control center can regularly be brought to the attention of road users via the media.

Another feature of the method of the present invention is that a model of traffic flows can be developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: traditional traffic jams; traffic jams due to road works or construction; traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions; traffic jams in connection with public events; "weekend" traffic jams. Or, a model of traffic flows can be developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: traffic accident; vehicle breakdown on the road; illegal stop; illegal parking; creating an emergency on the road; gross violation of traffic rules.

Another feature of the method according to the present invention is that it can equip traffic routes with means for monitoring the traffic situation; send information collected by each of the means of tracking the traffic situation to the territorial traffic control center; and use the information collected by each of the means of tracking the traffic situation, to find the best recommendations for each of the vehicles.

Finally, another feature of the method of the present invention is that any means selected from the group consisting of surveillance cameras, video recorders and motion sensors, or any combination of these means, can be used as means for monitoring the traffic situation.

To achieve the same result, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic flow control system comprising: mobile communication devices, each of which is designed to equip a respective vehicle and configured to perform two-way communication with a territorial traffic control center; navigation devices, each of which is intended for the equipment of the corresponding vehicle and is configured to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle and display the collected information and recommendations; traffic lights on the routes of vehicles for optimal control of traffic lights regulation of traffic flows; territorial traffic control center, including means for finding optimal recommendations for each vehicle and communication means for two-way communication with mobile communication devices and configured to: receive information collected by navigation devices, process the received information to find optimal recommendations for each of the vehicles funds, send the found optimal recommendations to the relevant mobile communication devices, implementing optimal control of traffic light regulation of traffic flows based on information received from mobile communication devices.

A feature of the system of the present invention is that it can comprise reversible lanes on multi-lane tracks, and optimal control of traffic light regulation of traffic flows may include control of these reversible lanes.

Another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can contain automatic barriers, and the optimal control of traffic light regulation of traffic flows can include the control of these automatic barriers.

Another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can contain means for finding the best recommendations for each vehicle, which can be made in the form of universal computers, each of which has a drive-through program taking into account momentary traffic conditions, updated on based on the information collected by each of the navigation devices, and the program can be created in advance using the model of traffic flows, developed and debugged for management traffic flows from the territorial traffic control center.

Another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can contain the best recommendations found from the territorial traffic control center, which can be regularly brought to the attention of road users through the media.

Another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can contain a model of traffic flows, which can be developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: traditional traffic jams; traffic jams due to road works or construction; traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions; traffic jams in connection with public events; "weekend" traffic jams. Or, this model can be developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: traffic accident; vehicle breakdown on the road; illegal stop; illegal parking; creating an emergency on the road; gross violation of traffic rules.

Another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can contain traffic flow routes that can be equipped with traffic monitoring means for sending information collected by each of the traffic monitoring means to a territorial traffic control center; at the same time, the information collected by each of the means of tracking the traffic situation is intended to find optimal recommendations for each of the vehicles.

Finally, another feature of the system of the present invention is that it can comprise, as a means of monitoring the traffic situation, any of the means selected from the group including surveillance cameras, video recorders and motion sensors, or any combination of these tools.

To achieve the same result, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic monitoring device placed on a vehicle for use in a system according to the second aspect of the present invention and comprising: a mobile communication device configured to provide two-way communication with a territorial traffic control center; a navigation device connected to a mobile communication device and configured to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle, and to display collected information and recommendations.

A feature of the device of the present invention is that it may further comprise an image acquisition unit connected to a mobile communication device and configured to receive photo or video images of traffic accidents for immediate sending to at least a territorial traffic control center.

Another feature of the device of the present invention is that it may further comprise an emergency call unit connected to a mobile communication device and configured to send an emergency call signal to at least a territorial traffic control center in case of an emergency.

Finally, another feature of the device of the present invention is that it may further comprise a data reader connected to a mobile communication device and configured to read an appropriate storage medium storing information about a vehicle driver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which identical or similar elements are labeled with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a conditional block diagram of a traffic control system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the conditional scheme of operation of the traffic control system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The system of the present invention is shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 1 and disclosed in the description is purely illustrative and does not limit the scope of the claims of the present invention, which is determined only by the attached claims taking into account equivalents.

Figure 1 shows a conditional block diagram of a traffic control system according to the present invention. In this system, a vehicle 1, for example, a car — a passenger car or a truck, a bus, an ambulance, a fire engine or a police car and the like is equipped with a mobile communication device 2, a navigation device 3 and a radio receiver 4. As a mobile communication device 2 can be used ordinary mobile (cell) phone, and as a navigation device 3, a GPS navigator or Glonass can be used. The radio 4 may be one that is usually installed in a car, although it may be a specially designed device. Preferably, the mobile communication device 2 and the navigation device 3 can be implemented as a traffic monitoring device.

Such a device for monitoring a traffic situation can be supplemented with a photo or video camera (image acquisition unit), the purpose of which is to obtain photo or video images of traffic incidents. This image acquisition unit (not shown) is connected to the mobile communication device 2 for immediately sending the received images to the territorial traffic control center 5 described later, as well as to any other service (police, ambulance, etc.).

The traffic monitoring device may be supplemented by an emergency call unit connected to the mobile communication device 2. This emergency call unit (not shown) can be made in hardware as a separate device, but can be integrated into the mobile communication device 2 as a separate button, clicking on which launches a program entered in the memory of the mobile communication device 2 for automatically sending an emergency call signal to in case of emergency in the territorial traffic control center 5, described later, as well as in any other service (police, ambulance, etc.).

The traffic monitoring device may be supplemented by a data reader connected to the mobile communication device 2. This data reading unit (not shown) can be made in the form of a separate unit for reading the corresponding information from the corresponding medium, for example, from a driver’s license. Such information, i.e. information about the driver may be a barcode, or this information may be stored in a chip embedded in the certificate. Accordingly, the reader will be made either in the form of an optical reader known to specialists, or in the form of a so-called reader, used, for example, for reading credit cards. In addition to information about the driver, the data reader can also read the insurance policy (with a barcode or chip) of the driver of this vehicle 1.

Specialists understand that the described device for monitoring a traffic situation can be made as a single unit, for example, based on a modern iPhone.

The navigation device 3 is configured to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle 1, the current speed of the vehicle 1 and the selected route of the vehicle 1. The navigation device 3 is able to display the collected information, as well as recommendations received through the device 2 mobile communications from the territorial traffic control center 5, described later.

The traffic control system according to the present invention comprises a territorial traffic control center 5. This center 5 is conventionally shown with antenna 6 for receiving signals from mobile communication devices 2 of various vehicles 1, although, of course, such mobile communication is usually carried out using base stations (not shown) receiving signals from mobile communication devices 2 and transmitting received signals via wired or wireless communication lines (not shown) to the center 5. In addition, the center 5 is shown with an antenna 7 transmitting ordinary information messages to the radios 4 of the vehicles 1.

Included in the traffic flow control system shown in FIG. 1, navigation devices 3 use the signals of navigation satellites 8. On the other hand, they can also be other navigation devices, for example, video cameras installed on vehicles 1 and recognizing the field of view environment, for example, by comparing with images previously entered into memory from a search engine (Google or the like).

In addition, the traffic control system according to the present invention may include traffic lights 9 installed on the traffic routes of vehicles 1, as well as means for monitoring the traffic situation in the form of surveillance cameras, video recorders, motion sensors, or any combination of these means. Figure 1 as such a means of tracking the traffic situation conditionally shows a video camera 10 monitoring.

Figure 1 does not show the communication lines connecting the means 10 for monitoring the traffic situation with the center 5, as well as the communication lines connecting the center 5 with the traffic lights 9 or automatic barriers not shown in Figure 1.

The territorial traffic control center 5 includes means 11 for finding optimal recommendations for each vehicle 1 and communication means 12 for two-way communication with mobile communication devices 2. Center 5 is configured to:

- receive information collected by the navigation devices 3,

- process the received information to find the best recommendations for each of the vehicles 1 and

- send the found optimal recommendations to the respective mobile communication devices 2.

To process the received information in order to find the best recommendations in the center 5, the means 11 for finding the best recommendations for each vehicle can be made in the form of universal computers, in the memory of each of which a driving program is introduced taking into account the momentary traffic situation, updated on the basis of information collected each of the navigation devices 3. The program, entered into the memory of these universal computers, was created in advance using the model of traffic flows, developed the first and tuned to control the traffic flow from the territorial center traffic management 5. The means 11 for finding optimal recommendations can also be specially designed computers designed to solve only those problems that arise in the process of traffic control. For example, it can be a specialized analytical server that implements modern technologies for predicting the dynamics of traffic flows.

A model of traffic flows is developed taking into account, for example, situations such as traditional traffic jams, traffic jams due to road works or construction, traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions, traffic jams due to public events, “weekend” traffic jams . This may be such situations: a traffic accident, a vehicle breakdown on the road, an illegal stop, illegal parking, an emergency on the road, a gross violation of traffic rules. Of course, the situations on the roads are not limited to these examples, and the traffic model can take into account other situations that may occur in traffic.

The territorial traffic control center 5 can generate optimal recommendations for each vehicle 1 and transmit them to the corresponding mobile communication device 2 installed on this vehicle 1. In addition, the center 5 can transmit general recommendations for drivers through messages through the media, for example , using radio messages transmitted to radios 4, or over the Internet.

In addition, the center 5 is able to control traffic lights, as well as (if any) automatic barriers or other means of traffic control to ensure optimal traffic. In particular, by switching traffic lights, the center 5 can control reverse lanes on multi-lane routes to increase throughput in cases where the traffic intensity in one direction is much higher than the traffic intensity in the other direction and threatens the appearance of “traffic jams”.

In addition, the center 5 is capable of receiving the above-described snapshots of traffic accidents and emergency signals from the mobile communication devices 2 together with the identification data of the driver of the vehicle 1 (and possibly the data of his insurance policy) read by the traffic monitoring device.

The method of controlling traffic flows according to the present invention is as follows (see Figure 2).

Each vehicle 1 (cars and the like) is equipped with a mobile communication device 2 and a navigation device 3. Mobile communication devices 2 are registered in a motion monitoring system comprising at least one territorial traffic control center 5. In large cities there can be several such centers 5, then it is preferable to also have a citywide traffic control center. Each center 5 is equipped with means 11 for finding the best recommendations for each vehicle and communication means 12 for two-way communication with the above-mentioned mobile communication devices 2 installed on vehicles 1.

Traffic lights 9 are installed on the routes of traffic flows, as well as other means of traffic regulation (automatic barriers and the like). In addition, means of tracking the traffic situation (if necessary) are installed on the routes of traffic flows. Means 9 of traffic regulation and means 10 for monitoring the traffic situation provide communication with the territorial center 5 of traffic control. Means of 10 monitoring the traffic situation in the form of surveillance cameras, video recorders and motion sensors are installed, as a rule, at all significant (indirectly participating in traffic organization) objects: railway crossings, tunnels, junctions, busy intersections, entrances-exits from the suburbs.

Means 11 of finding optimal recommendations in the center 5 use in their work a program developed on the basis of, for example, the following algorithms:

- Algorithms for fixing and prompt response to the following situations: traffic accident (traffic accident), breakdown on the road, illegal parking, illegal stopping, creating an emergency on the road, gross violation of the rules of the road (traffic against the stream, going into the red light, crossing marking lines).

- Algorithms for statistical processing of repeated traffic situations: traditional traffic jams, traffic jams due to weather conditions, traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions, traffic jams due to public events, weekend traffic jams.

- Algorithms for processing special calls and calls to the analytical center from road users: calling an ambulance, calling the rescue service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, requesting help information about the city, helping to choose detour routes, helping to find free parking spaces, routes to intercepting parking lots and interchange bridges public transport.

During the trip, vehicles 1 constantly using navigation devices 3 determine their location, current speed and route (which is entered by the driver) and transmit the collected data through the mobile communication device 2 to the territorial traffic control center 5 (arrows 21). The center 5 in real time processes information received from all the mobile communication devices 2 with which the vehicles 1 currently participating in traffic are equipped to find the optimal recommendations for each of these vehicles 1. Such recommendations are found by applying algorithms calculation of the trajectories of vehicles 1 determine the optimal recommendations for vehicles and the response of the means 9 of traffic regulation (arrows 22). For example, if necessary, traffic lights 9 on multi-lane tracks can switch to change the direction of movement on the reverse lanes of these routes.

Further, through dispatchers (as shown in FIG. 2), either the corresponding messages are automatically sent to the mobile communication devices 2 of the respective vehicles 1 or transmitted via available media (arrow 23). Messages received via radios 4 or via the Internet help drivers of vehicles 1 to choose driving routes that are optimal taking into account the momentary traffic situation on the proposed route (from the starting point to the destination). Through mobile communication devices 2, drivers receive, in real time, upon request, service and reference information about free parking, detour schemes, temporary and intercepting parking lots, and other road services (bright arrows 24). This can be short informational messages and directions that guide drivers when choosing traffic routes and traffic jams, as well as sections where traffic is temporarily difficult. For example: "CAO st. Snezhnaya, house 1 - house 19: traffic stopped, road works are underway. ”

Of course, the described actions are not limiting. For example, you can use a paper bulletin (magazine) as a media, which periodically publishes tips for drivers on behavior in traffic jams, a statistical digest on traffic jams, memo tables of traditional traffic jams, special issues for visitors, and the like. You can also use specialized media, as well as messages in the general media, to advertise to the population, including short news releases (for example, under the heading: “The traffic control center reports”), the unconditional usefulness and even the fact of the center’s existence 5 .

In addition, the center 5, as already noted, can receive pictures of traffic accidents and emergency signals from mobile communication devices 2 along with the identification data of the driver of the vehicle 1 and the data of his insurance policy, read by the device for monitoring the traffic situation.

The description is only illustrative, but not limiting, of the invention, the scope of claims for which is determined only by the attached claims taking into account the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (22)

1. The method of traffic management, which consists in the fact that:
- equip each vehicle with a mobile communication device designed for two-way communication with the territorial traffic control center;
- equip each vehicle with a navigation device designed to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle, and to display collected information and recommendations;
- equip the territorial traffic control center with the means of finding the best recommendations for each vehicle and communication means for two-way communication with the mentioned mobile communication devices;
- forward the information collected by each of the aforementioned navigation devices by means of the respective said mobile communication device to said territorial traffic control center;
- they process in the mentioned territorial traffic control center information received from all mobile communication devices with which the vehicles currently participating in traffic are equipped to find the best recommendations for each of the mentioned vehicles;
- send the found optimal recommendations from the mentioned territorial traffic control center to the corresponding mobile communication devices;
- display the optimal solution found by the mentioned territorial traffic control center for a given vehicle on the corresponding navigation device with which this vehicle is equipped;
- carry out optimal control of traffic light regulation of the aforementioned traffic flows on the basis of said information received from said mobile communication devices. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said optimal traffic control control of said traffic flows includes reversing lane control on multi-lane tracks. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said optimal control of traffic light regulation of said traffic flows includes controlling automatic barriers. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the said means of finding optimal recommendations for each vehicle are in the form of universal computers, each of which has a driving program in view of the momentary traffic situation, updated on the basis of information collected by each of the aforementioned navigation devices moreover, the above-mentioned program is created in advance using the model of traffic flows, developed and debugged for the said traffic control from the said territory Foot traffic control center. 5. The method according to claim 1 or 4, in which the said optimal recommendations found from the aforementioned territorial traffic control center are regularly brought to the attention of road users through the media. 6. The method according to claim 4, in which said model of traffic flows is developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: traditional traffic jams on roads; traffic jams due to road works or construction; traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions; traffic jams in connection with public events; "weekend" traffic jams. 7. The method according to claim 4, in which the aforementioned model of traffic flows is developed taking into account at least the situations selected from the group including: vehicle breakdown on the road; illegal stop; illegal parking; creating an emergency on the road; gross violation of traffic rules. 8. The method according to claim 1, in which:
- equip the routes of said traffic streams with means for monitoring the traffic situation;
- forward the information collected by each of the aforementioned means of tracking the traffic situation to the said territorial traffic control center; and
- use the above information collected by each of the aforementioned means of tracking the traffic situation, to find the mentioned optimal recommendations for each of the vehicles. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which, as said means of monitoring the traffic situation, any of the means selected from the group including surveillance cameras, video recorders and motion sensors or any combination of these means is used. 10. A traffic management system comprising:
- mobile communication devices, each of which is intended for the equipment of the respective vehicle and is configured to perform two-way communication with the territorial traffic control center;
- navigation devices, each of which is intended for the equipment of the respective vehicle and is configured to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle, and display the collected information and recommendations;
- traffic lights on the traffic paths of said vehicles for optimal control of traffic lights regulation of said traffic streams;
- a territorial traffic control center, which includes means for finding optimal recommendations for each vehicle and communication means for two-way communication with the mentioned mobile communication devices and made with the possibility of:
- receive information collected by said navigation devices,
- process the received information to find the best recommendations for each of the mentioned vehicles, and
- send the found optimal recommendations to the corresponding mobile communication devices,
- to carry out optimal control of traffic light regulation of said traffic streams based on said information received from said mobile communication devices. 11. The system of claim 10, comprising reverse lanes on multi-lane routes, and said optimal traffic light control of said traffic streams includes controlling said reverse lanes. 12. The system of claim 10, comprising automatic barriers, and said optimal traffic control control of said traffic streams includes controlling said automatic barriers. 13. The system of claim 10, in which said means of finding optimal recommendations for each vehicle are made in the form of universal computers, each of which has a lane-laying program introduced taking into account momentary traffic conditions, updated on the basis of information collected by each of the aforementioned navigation devices moreover, the said program was created in advance using a model of traffic flows developed and debugged for the said traffic control from the said territory ceiling elements traffic control center. 14. The system of claim 10 or 13, in which the communication of the said found optimal recommendations from the said territorial traffic control center to the attention of road users is regularly carried out using the media. 15. The system according to item 13, in which the aforementioned model of traffic flows is developed taking into account at least the situations selected from the group including: traditional traffic jams; traffic jams due to road works or construction; traffic jams due to changes in weather conditions; traffic jams in connection with public events; "weekend" traffic jams. 16. The system according to item 13, in which the aforementioned model of traffic flows is developed taking into account at least situations selected from the group including: a traffic accident; vehicle breakdown on the road; illegal stop; illegal parking; creating an emergency on the road; gross violation of traffic rules. 17. The system of claim 10, in which:
- the routes of said traffic streams are equipped with means for monitoring the traffic situation, designed to send information collected by each of the said means for monitoring the traffic situation to the mentioned territorial traffic control center;
- while the above information collected by each of the aforementioned means of tracking the traffic situation, is intended to find the mentioned optimal recommendations for each of the vehicles. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein any of the means selected from the group including surveillance cameras, video recorders and motion sensors, or any combination of these means, is used as said means of monitoring the traffic situation. 19. A device for monitoring a traffic situation placed on a vehicle for use in the system of claim 10 and containing:
- a mobile communication device configured to perform two-way communication with a territorial traffic control center;
- a navigation device connected to the aforementioned mobile communication device and configured to monitor at least the current position of the vehicle, the current speed of the vehicle and the selected route of the vehicle, and to display collected information and recommendations. 20. The device according to claim 19, further comprising an image acquisition unit connected to said mobile communication device and configured to receive photo or video images of traffic accidents for immediate sending to at least the said territorial traffic control center. 21. The device according to claim 19, further comprising an emergency call unit connected to said mobile communication device and configured to send an emergency call signal to at least said territorial traffic control center in case of an emergency. 22. The device according to claim 19, further comprising a data reader connected to said mobile communication device and configured to read an appropriate storage medium storing information about the driver of the vehicle.

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