Intelligent Redirection of Vehicular Traffic Due to Congestion and Real-Time Performance Metrics

• US 20070244627A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Twitter Inc (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Langford, John, Boss, Gregory, Waters, Timothy, Hamilton, Rick
• Granted Patent: US 7,689,348 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

Abstract

An automated traffic control system provides real time alternative traffic flow solutions to address traffic congestion on a roadway. A process will pick routes to scan for real-time statistics on the traffic conditions and calculate an average vehicle speed (AVS) for that route, road, highway, etc. If the AVS drops below a historical threshold, a decision matrix is created, whereby all the real-time data is compared with historical data and provides an ideal or best alternative route for “route X”. The operator is provided this information within seconds and is allowed to make a decision to “accept pr decline” the proposed changes in routes. If the proposed changes are accepted, the changes begin to occur automatically such as but not limited to updating electronic signage, changing traffic control signals (all green to keep traffic moving), moving electronic barriers, etc.

Claims

1. A system for intelligent redirection of vehicular traffic comprising:

a database containing various types of information that can influence the flow of track on a roadway, the information including specific information about each of selected number of roadways, real time weather, traffic and construction conditions on a selected roadway and a general configuration of roadways in the approximate vicinity of a particular roadway;

a monitor positioned at a location along an identified roadway for tracking the average vehicle speed of vehicles that pass said monitor;

a decision module capable of determining alternate roadway routes when there is congestion on a roadway;

an execution module generating a specific procedure for implementing a solution to congestion on the particular roadway that has the congestion; and

a switching mechanism in a piece of roadway equipment for changing information convey be such equipment.

2. The system as described in claim 1 wherein said decision module further comprises a decision matrix.

3. The system as described in claim 2 wherein said decision matrix further comprises a set of one or more condition inputs that describe factors that can cause congestion of traffic flow and a set of solutions which are corrective actions to implement to reduce the caused traffic congestion.

4. The system as described in claim 3 wherein the set of solutions comprise a solution for condition input.

5. The system as described in claim 1 further comprising road sensors positioned in a roadway or adjacent a roadway to measure characteristics of vehicles traveling on the roadway.

6. The system as described in claim 5 further comprising switching mechanisms located in roadway equipment to display information and instructions to direct motorists in alternative traffic routes to avoid congestion on the roadway on which the vehicles are traveling.

7. The system as described in claim 6 further comprising at least one additional monitor positioned at a location on the roadway, said additional monitor having the capability to communicate with said monitor.

8. A monitor device positioned at a location along an identified roadway for intelligent redirection of vehicular traffic in response to roadway congestion comprising:

an interface to communicate with a central traffic control system database, the database containing various types of information that can influence the flow of track on a roadway, the information including specific information about each of selected number of roadways, real time weather, traffic and construction conditions on a selected roadway and a general configuration of roadways in the approximate vicinity of a particular roadway;

at least one input receiver to gather information transmitted from roadway sensors;

a software module to determine average vehicle speed of vehicles traveling on the roadway;

a decision matrix to calculate one or more alternate routes when congestion is detected on the roadway; and

instruction sets for implementing alternative traffic routes calculated by said decision matrix.

9. The monitor device as described in claim 8 wherein said instruction sets comprise standard instruction sets and real time generated instruction sets.

10. The monitor device as described in claim 8 wherein said decision matrix further comprises a set of one or more condition inputs that describe factors that can cause congestion of traffic flow and a set of solutions which are corrective actions to implement to reduce the caused traffic congestion.

11. A method for intelligent redirection of vehicular traffic in response to roadway congestion comprising the steps of:

monitoring vehicle speed of vehicles traveling on a roadway and passing a detection device positioned on the roadway;

calculating average vehicle speed of vehicles traveling on the roadway;

comparing the calculated average vehicle speed with a previously defined threshold speed;

retrieving roadway characteristics information and information about conditions on the roadway from a central database when the calculated average vehicle speed is below the threshold speed;

automatically generating an action plan to reduce congestion on the roadway based on roadway characteristics and roadway conditions.

12. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising after said action plan generating step, the step of submitting the generated action plan for approval.

13. The method as described in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a response for the submitted action plan; and

implementing the generated action plan when the received response was an approval of the generated action plan.

14. The method as described in claim 11 wherein said automatically generating an action plan step further comprises using a decision matrix, having a set of one or more condition inputs that describe factors that can cause congestion of traffic flow and a set of solutions which are corrective actions to implement to reduce the caused traffic congestion, to generate the action plan.

15. The method as described in claim 14 further comprising before said monitoring step, the step of creating a decision matrix comprising a set of general roadway conditions and a set of solutions for the set of roadway conditions, wherein each combination of roadway conditions has a solution.

16. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said implementing step further comprises determining an equipment configuration of roadway equipment to display information and instructions to direct motorists in alternative traffic routes to avoid congestion on the roadway on which the vehicles are traveling.

17. The method as described in clam 16 wherein said implementing step further comprises automatically switching roadway equipment to direct motorists in alternative traffic routes to avoid congestion on the roadway on which the vehicles are traveling.