Goal-Driven Inference Engine for Traffic Intersection Management

• US 20090256721A1
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Glatfelter, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,973,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/056 with provision for distinguishing direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals

Abstract

A system includes a plurality of sensors that provide information regarding instantaneous traffic conditions incident to an intersection. An inference engine of the system receives the sensor information and processes user-defined traffic control algorithms and weighted management parameters. Control signals are derived in accordance with the processing. Multi-state signaling devices are driven in accordance with the control signals so as to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow at the intersection. Playback of historic traffic information permits analysis and verification of the traffic management strategies implemented by the system.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

one or more sensors configured to detect one or more characteristics of traffic incident to a roadway intersection and to provide corresponding signals;

a memory configured to store traffic information according to the signals provided by the sensors;

a knowledge base including one or more traffic control algorithms defined by a user;

an inference engine configured to derive one or more control signals using the traffic information stored in the memory and the traffic control algorithms stored in the knowledge base; and

a signal driver configured to actuate at least one multi-state traffic control signaling device according to the control signals.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface; and

a simulator configured to retrieve traffic information from the memory and to display historical traffic flow patterns by way of the user interface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the traffic control algorithms include one or more weighted traffic management parameters defined by a user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the traffic control algorithms are based on a cumulative momentum of vehicles moving in traffic incident to the roadway intersection.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the traffic control algorithms are based on a cumulative mass of vehicles waiting to proceed through the roadway intersection.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the traffic control algorithms give traffic flow preference to public transit or emergency vehicles.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sensors is configured to provide signals corresponding to:

a mass of a detected vehicle;

a velocity of a detected vehicle;

or

a pedestrian request to cross a roadway.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to facilitate user management of:

the one or more sensors;

the one or more traffic control algorithms within the knowledge base; and

one or more weighted traffic management parameters within the knowledge base.

9. An apparatus including an inference engine configured to:

receive sensor information corresponding to traffic incident to a roadway intersection;

access one or more traffic control algorithms defined by a user; and

provide one or more control signals derived using the traffic control algorithms and the sensor information.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inference engine is further configured such that the one or more control signals are configured for use with at least one multi-state traffic control signaling device.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inference engine is further configured to communicate with a user interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inference engine is further configured such that the one or more control signals are derived so as to optimize a mass flow rate of vehicular traffic through the roadway intersection.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inference engine is further configured to retrievably store one or more weighted traffic management parameters within a knowledge base.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inference engine is further configured to receive the traffic sensor information from a memory.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving sensor signals corresponding to traffic incident to a roadway intersection;

deriving at least one control signal using one or more traffic control algorithms and the sensor signals; and

actuating at least one multi-state traffic signaling device using the at least one control signal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more traffic control algorithms include at least one weighted traffic management parameter defined by a user.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving user input corresponding to a change in the one or more traffic control algorithms.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing traffic information corresponding to the sensor signals in a memory.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

retrieving at least some of the traffic information from the memory; and

displaying the traffic information to a user by way of a user interface.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one control signal is derived so as to optimize a mass flow rate of vehicular traffic through the roadway intersection.