Multilane vehicle information capture system

• US 7,725,348 B1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transcore LP (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Harinath, Shyamnath, Reddy, Sangmesh, Banna, Balaraju, Sun, Fajie, Xie, Tiegang, Allen, Jim, Zhong, Sheng, Venugopal, Raghavan, Chawla, Brijesh Rai
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON BOYCE, AKIBA K
• Application Number:
  US11/138,271
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 705/13, 705/1, 701/1
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/92 Navigation

Abstract

A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.

Claims

1. A multilane vehicle information capture (MVIC) system for management of a road having a plurality of travel lanes in an open-road toll collection environment, the system comprising:

an MVIC unit, including at least one processor, that is configured to determine whether an indication of the existence of one or more vehicles traveling along the road corresponds to a single vehicle that is straddling two of the plurality of travel lanes;

a vehicle classification system comprising at least one first vehicle sensor configured to collect vehicle classification information of the one or more vehicles traveling along the road, the vehicle classification system configured to provide the collected vehicle classification information of the one or more vehicles to the MVIC unit;

an RF system comprising at least one first RF antenna disposed so as to create a first RF read zone in the first one of the plurality of travel lanes and at least one second RF antenna disposed so as to create a second RF read zone in the second one of the plurality of travel lanes, the at least one first RF antenna configured to receive a first plurality of RF reads of vehicle transponder information from an RF transponder coupled to the one or more vehicles traveling through both the first RF read zone and the second RF read zone, the at least one second RF antenna configured to receive a second plurality of RF reads of vehicle transponder information from the RF transponder coupled to the one or more vehicles traveling through both the first RF read zone and the second RF read zone, the RF system configured to provide the first plurality of reads and the second plurality of reads to the MVIC unit, wherein the first one of the plurality of travel lanes and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes are not separated by a lane barrier;

wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to;

determine that the one or more vehicles traveling along the road is a single vehicle based on the collected vehicle classification information,

determine that the single vehicle is straddling both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes by comparing the first plurality of RF reads with the second plurality of RF reads, and

determine, responsive to the determination that the single vehicle is straddling both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes, whether to manage a transaction for the single vehicle via the first RF antenna or via the second RF antenna.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a lane controller unit (LC), the LC configured to receive information from the MVIC unit, and to generate a unique transaction record for each passing vehicle; and

a database unit for storing transaction records received from the LC, and for generating reports and statistics based on the transaction records.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first loop sensor comprises a vehicle sensor layout configured to substantially match the first RF read zone in the first one of the plurality of travel lanes.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the vehicle sensor layout is an IVIS sensor layout that comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic induction loop sensors.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein an angle of the at least one first RF antenna is adjusted so that the first RF read zone covers about 80 percent of the vehicle sensor layout.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one lane straddling sensor, the lane straddling sensor configured to detect whether the vehicle is straddling the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes and positioned to sense the vehicle while the vehicle is within or after the vehicle passes through the first RF read zone.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle classification information received from the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises at least one of the following set:

speed of the vehicle;

axle spacing of the vehicle;

axle amplitude of the vehicle;

entry time of an axle of the vehicle;

exit time of an axle of the vehicle;

entry time of the vehicle; and

exit time of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vision tracking system (VTS) in communication with the MVIC unit, the VTS configured to provide vehicle position information associated with the passing vehicle to the MVIC unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the MVIC unit reports a violation if it determines that the vehicle does not have the privilege to use the road.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) in communication with the MVIC unit, wherein the VICU is configured to capture one or more images of the vehicle when the VICU receives a trigger.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the MVIC unit provides the trigger to the VICU if it determines that further vehicle data capture is needed.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the captured images include license plate information used to determine whether the vehicle is authorized to pay by plate.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the road comprises one of the following set:

a highway;

a local street;

a toll plaza;

a tunnel;

a bridge; and

a parking lot.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises a camera configured to collect vehicle classification information of the vehicle traveling in either or both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises:

a first camera configured to collect vehicle classification information of a vehicle traveling in a first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes; and

a second camera configured to collect vehicle classification information of a vehicle traveling in a second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is further configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first camera and the collected vehicle classification information from the second camera.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the vehicle classification system is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first camera and the collected vehicle classification, information from the second camera.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to provide an indication to the MVIC unit that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle classification system comprises a vision tracking system.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises a camera configured to collect vehicle position information of the vehicle traveling in either or both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises:

a first camera configured to collect vehicle position information of a vehicle traveling in a first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes; and

a second camera configured to collect vehicle position information of a vehicle traveling in a second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to determine that the vehicle traveling in both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same the vehicle based on the collected vehicle position information.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the vehicle classification system is configured to determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first camera and the collected vehicle classification information from the second camera.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to provide an indication to the MVIC unit that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the vehicle classification, system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same the vehicle based on the collected vehicle position information.

34. The system of claim 26, wherein the vehicle classification system is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first camera and the collected vehicle classification information from the second camera.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to provide an indication to the MVIC unit that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises at least one loop sensor configured to collect vehicle classification information of the vehicle traveling in either or both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the at least one loop sensor comprises:

a first loop sensor embedded in a first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes configured to collect vehicle classification information of a vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes; and

a second loop sensor embedded in a second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes configured to collect vehicle classification information of a vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is further configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first loop sensor and the collected vehicle classification information from the second loop sensor.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the vehicle classification system is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first loop sensor and the collected vehicle classification information from the second loop sensor.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to provide an indication to the MVIC unit that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

45. The system of claim 39, wherein the at least one loop sensor further comprises a third loop sensor straddling and embedded in both the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes and the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises at least one loop sensor configured to collect vehicle position information of the vehicle traveling in either or both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the at least one first vehicle sensor comprises:

a first loop sensor embedded in a first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes and configured to collect vehicle position information of a vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes; and

a second loop sensor embedded in a second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes and configured to collect vehicle position information of a vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to determine that the vehicle traveling in both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same the vehicle based on the collected vehicle position information.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the vehicle classification system is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes based on the collected vehicle classification information from the first loop sensor and the collected vehicle classification information from the second loop sensor.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to provide an indication to the MVIC unit that the vehicle traveling in the first one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same vehicle as the vehicle traveling in the second one of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein the vehicle classification system is further configured to:

determine a vehicle classification for the same vehicle; and

provide the vehicle classification for the same vehicle to the MVIC unit.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to:

determine that the vehicle traveling in both of the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes is the same the vehicle based on the collected vehicle position information.

14. A method for managing a toll road having a plurality of travel lanes in an open-road toll collection environment, the method comprising:

detecting a presence one or more vehicles in a first one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

detecting a presence of the one or more vehicles in a second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

collecting vehicle classification information associated with the one or more vehicles and transmitting the vehicle classification information to an MVIC unit;

receiving, via a first RF antenna, a first plurality of RF reads of an RF transponder of the one or more vehicles while the one or more vehicles passes through a first RF read zone in the first one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

receiving, via a second RF antenna, a second plurality of RF reads of the RF transponder of the one or more vehicles while the one or more vehicles passes through a second RE read zone in the second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road, wherein the first one of the plurality of travel lanes and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes are not separated by a lane barrier;

providing the first plurality of RF reads and the second plurality of RF reads to the MVIC unit;

determining, by one or more processors of the MVIC unit, that the one or more vehicles traveling in the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes is a single vehicle based on the collected vehicle classification information;

determining, by the one or more processors of the MVIC unit, that the single vehicle is straddling the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road by comparing the first plurality of RF reads with the second plurality of RF reads; and

determining, responsive to the one or more processors of the MVIC unit determining that the single vehicle is straddling the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road, whether to manage a transaction for the single vehicle via the first RF antenna or via the second RF antenna.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle classification information includes at least one of the following set:

speed of the vehicle;

axle spacing of the vehicle;

axle amplitudes of the vehicle;

entry time of an axle of the vehicle;

exit time of an axle of the vehicle;

entry time of the vehicle; and

exit time of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising one or more of the following set:

charging an appropriate toll to the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle has means to pay the toll;

generating a violation report if it is determined that the vehicle does not have means to pay the toll; and

capturing further vehicle data if the vehicle does not have means to pay the toll using an RF transponder.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein capturing further vehicle data comprises one or more of the following set:

capturing a vehicle license plate image; and

determining if the vehicle has the ability to pay by plate.

54. A multilane vehicle information capture (MVIC) system for management of a road having a plurality of travel lanes, the system comprising:

an MVIC unit including at least one processor;

an RF system comprising at least one first RF antenna disposed so as to create a first RF read zone in the first one of the plurality of travel lanes and at least one second RF antenna disposed so as to create a second RF read zone in the second one of the plurality of travel lanes, the at least one first RF antenna configured to receive a first plurality of RF reads of vehicle transponder information from an RF transponder coupled to a vehicle traveling through both the first RF read zone and the second RF read zone, the at least one second RF antenna configured to receive a second plurality of RF reads of vehicle transponder information from the RF transponder coupled to the vehicle traveling through both the first RF read zone and the second RF read zone, the RF system configured to provide the first plurality of reads and the second plurality of reads to the MVIC unit, wherein the first one of the plurality of travel lanes and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes are not separated by a lane barrier;

wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is configured to;

determine that the vehicle is straddling the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes by comparing the first plurality of RF reads with the second plurality of RF reads, and

determine, responsive to the determination that the vehicle is straddling the at least two of the plurality of travel lanes, whether to manage a transaction for the vehicle via the first RF antenna or via the second RF antenna.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is further configured to:

generate a first number of the first plurality of RF reads and a second number of the second plurality of RF reads, wherein the determination whether the vehicle is straddling the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes is based on the first number and the second number.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the processor of the MVIC unit is further configured to:

determine to manage the transaction for the vehicle via the first RF antenna when the first number is greater than the second number.

55. A method for managing a toll road having a plurality of travel lanes in an open-road toll collection environment, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of a vehicle in a first one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

detecting a presence of the vehicle in a second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

receiving, via a first RF antenna, a first plurality of RF reads of an RF transponder of the vehicle while the vehicle passes through a first RF read zone in the first one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

receiving, via a second RF antenna, a second plurality of RF reads of the RF transponder of the vehicle while the vehicle passes through a second RF read zone in the second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road;

providing the first plurality of RF reads and the second plurality of RF reads to an MVIC unit;

determining, by one or more processors of the MVIC unit, that the vehicle is straddling the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes of the toll road by comparing the first plurality of RF reads with the second plurality of RF reads; and

determining, responsive to the one or more processors of the MVIC unit determining that the vehicle is straddling the first one and the second one of the plurality of travel lanes, whether to manage a transaction for the vehicle via the first RF antenna or via the second RF antenna.