Method for Analyzing Traffic Flow at an Intersection

• US 20130304365A1
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Trombley, Roger Arnold, Miller, Alex Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 9,218,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/163 involving continuous checking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A method for assisting a driver includes determining that a host vehicle and first and second surrounding vehicles are approaching an intersection on at least two different road segments; determining when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection; determining when the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection; and identifying an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection. Simultaneously or sequentially with determination of the actual order-of-progression, attempting to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and consulting an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory order-of-progression for the present geographic location. If the regulatory order-or-progression is identified, the driver is advised regarding the regulatory order-of-progression. If the attempt to identify the regulatory order-or-progression is not successful, the driver is advised regarding the actual order-of-progression.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a driver of a host vehicle comprising:

using a vehicle navigation system to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and that the host vehicle is approaching an intersection on a first road segment;

determining that a second vehicle is approaching the intersection on a second road segment;

accessing a database on-board the host vehicle to identify, with reference to its present geographic location, a location-specific regulatory order-of-progression of vehicles through the intersection; and

communicating information related to the regulatory order-of-progression to the driver.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining that a second vehicle is approaching the intersection comprises receipt by the host vehicle of the second vehicle'"'"'s location via a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using a vehicle navigation system comprises receiving signals from a satellite-based geolocation system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of communicating information to the driver comprises advising the driver whether the order-of-progression indicates that it is the host vehicle'"'"'s turn to proceed through the intersection.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of advising the driver whether it is the host vehicle'"'"'s turn to proceed comprises at least one of:

determining a time that the second vehicle has stopped at the intersection; and

determining a time that the host vehicle has stopped at the intersection.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of determining that the second vehicle has stopped comprises comparing a velocity of the second vehicle to a threshold velocity value.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising identifying the second vehicle as a lead vehicle on its road segment.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of identifying the second vehicle as the lead vehicle comprises comparing a distance from the intersection of the second vehicle to a threshold distance value.

9. A method for assisting a driver of a host vehicle comprising:

determining that a host vehicle, a first vehicle, and a second vehicle are approaching an intersection on at least two different road segments;

determining when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection;

determining when the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection; and

identifying an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection;

attempting to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and to consult an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory order-of-progression of vehicles through the intersection for the present geographic location;

if the attempt to identify the regulatory order-of-progression is successful, advising the driver whether the regulatory order-of-progression indicates it is the host vehicle'"'"'s turn to proceed through the intersection; and

if the attempt to identify the regulatory order-or-progression is not successful, advising the driver whether the actual order-of-progression indicates it is the host vehicle'"'"'s turn to proceed through the intersection.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein information regarding the intersection and road segments entering the intersection is obtained from an on-board map database in conjunction with a vehicle navigation system.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising identifying one of the vehicles as a lead vehicle on its respective road segment.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of identifying a lead vehicle comprises comparing a distance from the intersection of at least one of the vehicles to a threshold distance value.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising communicating information related to the identified order-of-progression to a driver of the host vehicle.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of detecting when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection comprises comparing a velocity of at least one of the vehicles to a threshold velocity value.

15. A method for assisting a driver of a host vehicle comprising:

determining that the host vehicle is approaching a stop-signed intersection on a first road segment;

determining a configuration of the intersection;

determining that a second vehicle is approaching the intersection on a second road segment;

determining respective stopping times at which the host vehicle and the second vehicle have stopped at the intersection;

determining a present geographic location of the host vehicle;

accessing a database on-board the host vehicle to identify a location-specific regulatory order-of-progression for vehicles through the intersection; and

advising the driver whether, according to the regulatory order-of-progression, it is the host vehicle'"'"'s turn to proceed through the intersection.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of determining the respective stopping times comprises recording time stamps for each of the vehicles.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of determining the respective stopping times comprises comparing a velocity of at least one of the vehicles to a threshold velocity value.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting respective headings of each of the vehicles at their respective stopping times.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising identifying at least one of the vehicles as a lead vehicle on its respective road segment.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of identifying at least one of the vehicles as a lead vehicle comprises comparing a distance from the intersection of at least one of the vehicles to a threshold distance value.