Method for analyzing traffic flow at an intersection

• US 9,218,739 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWANDROSKI, SARA J
• Application Number:
  US13/556,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20130304365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 701117-119, 701/301, 340/907, 340/916, 340/918
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 locality in which the host vehicle is operating, and that the host vehicle is approaching a stop-signed intersection on a first road segment;

determining that a first vehicle and a second vehicle are approaching the intersection on two different road segments;

determining respective stopping times at which the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection;

determining respective proceed times at which the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection;

using a drivers'"'"' assistance module, the module capable of identifying both a clockwise order-of-progression and a counter-clockwise order-of-progression based upon analysis of the respective stopping times and proceed times of the first and second vehicles, to identify an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection as being either clockwise or counter-clockwise;

consulting an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory right-of-way rule applicable to the locality for vehicles passing through the intersection, the regulatory right-of-way rule capable of dictating both a clockwise and a counter-clockwise order-of-progression;

if the attempt to identify the regulatory right-of-way rule is successful, advising the driver whether the regulatory right-of-way rule indicates the host vehicle has right-of-way to proceed through the intersection; and

if the attempt to identify the regulatory right-of-way rule is not successful, advising the driver whether the actual order-of-progression indicates the host vehicle has right-of-way to proceed through the intersection.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein information regarding the intersection and road segments entering the intersection is obtained from an on-board map database in conjunction with the vehicle navigation system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying one of the vehicles as a lead vehicle on its respective road segment.

4. The method of claim 3 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.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating information related to the identified actual order-of-progression to a driver of the host vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 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.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the respective stopping times comprises recording time stamps for each of the vehicles.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting respective headings of each of the vehicles at their respective stopping times.

9. A method comprising:

using a host vehicle electronic module, identifying an actual order-of-progression of first and second vehicles through an intersection;

using an on-board database, identifying a regulatory right-of-way rule capable of dictating both a clockwise and a counter-clockwise order-of-progression for a current locality; and

advising a host vehicle driver of having right-of-way to proceed through the intersection based on the right-of-way rule if indicated in the database, and based on the actual order-of-progression otherwise.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein information regarding 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 first and second vehicles as a lead vehicle on a respective road segment leading into the intersection.

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 actual order-of-progression to the driver.

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

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of identifying an actual order-of-progression comprises determining recording time stamps for respective stopping times of each of the vehicles.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising detecting respective headings of each of the vehicles at the intersection.