System for and method of monitoring real time traffic conditions using probe vehicles

• US 20070112503A1
• Filed: 11/11/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Richard, Ferman, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,112,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database.

Claims

1. A traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a thoroughfare, said system comprising:

a traffic information center configured to determine and store a first value of the condition; and

at least one probe device communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to determine a probed value of the condition;

said center being configured to transmit to said at least one probe device the first value of the condition,

said at least one probe device being further configured to compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value to the center, where the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold,

said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe device, and transmit the modified first value to said at least one receiving vehicle.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe device is a probe vehicle, and the center transmits the modified first value to a plurality of receiving vehicles, which include said at least one probe vehicle.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of probe devices receives the first value, determines a probe value and discrepancy, and transmits the probed value to the center.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said modified value is cooperatively determined by the plurality of probed values received.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each probe device is configured to determine and transmit to the center a current time, location, and heading, and said first value of the condition is based on the current time, current location and current heading.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first value of the condition is based on the day of the week, current or expected weather conditions, or occurrence of a construction, accident, or sporting event.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first value of the condition is based on historic data of the condition.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an intermediary probe station is communicatively coupled to the probe device and center, and configured to receive the probed value from the device and transmit it towards the center.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said at least one probe device is a probe vehicle, and the probe station is configured to communicate with a plurality of probe vehicles using SMS communication.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said at least one probe device is a probe vehicle, and the probe station is configured to communicate with a plurality of probe vehicles using a DSRC system.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe device and said at least one receiving vehicle are communicatively coupled to the center through broadcast technology.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the probe device and said at least one receiving vehicle are communicatively coupled to the center by FM or XM radio.

13. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe device and said at least one receiving vehicle are communicatively coupled to the center through cellular data channels.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe and receiving vehicles are communicatively coupled to the center by the Internet.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of communicatively coupled and spaced centers are communicatively coupled to a plurality of receiving vehicles, such that each center is coupled to a separate portion of the plurality of receiving vehicles, and each receiving vehicle is communicatively coupled to the most proximate center.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each receiving vehicle is further configured to adjustably determine the most proximate center.

17. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first or modified values of the condition are transmitted to the receiving vehicles periodically.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first or modified values of the condition are transmitted every five minutes.

19. An event-triggered traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a thoroughfare, said system comprising:

a traffic information center configured to determine and store a first value of the condition; and

at least one probe device communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to request the first value from the center, and determine a probed value of the condition;

said center being configured to transmit to said at least one probe device the first value of the condition upon receiving a request from the probe device,

said at least one probe device being further configured to compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value to the center, only when the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold,

said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe device, and transmit the modified first value to said at least one receiving vehicle upon receiving a request therefrom.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the condition is the anticipated travel speed of a vehicle traveling upon the thoroughfare, each probe vehicle is configured to transmit a destination input to the center, and the center includes a map database, and is configured to determine an average travel speed for a plurality of thoroughfares within the database, the current location of the probe vehicle, a recommended route based on the current location and destination input, and the estimated total travel time of the route.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the probe vehicle includes a GPS receiver, and the center and probe vehicle are cooperatively configured to locate the current position of the probe vehicle and destination upon the map.

22. A traffic control system for updating and communicating at least one condition to at least one receiving vehicle upon a link, said system comprising:

a traffic information center including a map database of a plurality of links, and configured to determine and store a first value of the condition for each link; and

at least one probe vehicle communicatively coupled to the center, and configured to determine a probed value of the condition;

said center being configured to periodically transmit to said at least one probe vehicle an electronic copy of the database,

said at least one probe device being further configured to determine its current position upon the map database, and compare the first and probed values of the condition, so as to determine a condition discrepancy, and transmit the probed value and current position to the center, when the probe vehicle is positioned upon a link, and the discrepancy is greater than a pre-determined discrepancy threshold,

said center being further configured to modify the first value of the condition upon receipt of the probed value from said at least one probe vehicle, and transmit the modified database to said at least one receiving vehicle.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the condition is the anticipated travel time along the link.

24. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the condition is the anticipated speed of a vehicle traveling upon the link, and said at least one probe vehicle is further configured to store a history of its location and speed for a given period, and transmit the history to the center, when the discrepancy is greater than the pre-determined discrepancy threshold.