Method and apparatus for providing traffic flow signaling

• US 9,483,939 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Modica, Leo, Stenneth, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAIGE, TYLER D
• Application Number:
  US14/640,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20160260325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 701/118, 340/910
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0116 from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0145 for active traffic flow control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/08 according to detected number or speed of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/082 Controlling the time between beginning of the same phase of a cycle at adjacent intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/083 Controlling the allocation of time between phases of a cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/46 for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]

Abstract

An approach is provided for synchronizing traffic flow and/or traffic signals in alternate travel segments. The approach involves determining traffic congestion information for at least one travel segment that is classified in at least one first functional class. The approach also involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of the traffic congestion information to determine at least one alternate travel segment that is classified in at least one second functional class. The approach further involves determining at least one calculated traffic flow for the at least one alternate travel segment based, at least in part, on traffic flow information associated with the at least one first functional class. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a configuration of one or more traffic signaling parameters for the at least one alternate travel segment based, at least in part, on the calculated traffic flow.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining traffic congestion information for a travel segment;

determining an alternate travel segment based on the traffic congestion information;

mapping, respectively, the travel segment to a first jurisdiction and the alternate travel segment to a second jurisdiction, wherein the first jurisdiction is associated with a first traffic management center and the second jurisdiction is associated with a second traffic management center, and wherein the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center separately manage traffic signaling in each of the associated jurisdictions;

calculating traffic flow for the alternate travel segment based on traffic flow information associated with the travel segment; and

coordinating communication between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center to configure one or more traffic signaling parameters for the alternate travel segment based on the calculated traffic flow.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

classifying the travel segment in a first functional class; and

classifying the alternate travel segment in a second functional class,

wherein the calculated traffic flow is substantially comparable to traffic flow associated with the first functional class.

3. A method of claim 2, further comprising:

monitoring the alternate travel segment;

adjusting the one or more traffic signaling parameters to ensure the calculated traffic flow is substantially comparable to the traffic flow associated with the first functional class.

4. A method of claim 2, wherein the first functional class is associated with one or more highways, and the second functional class is associated with one or more arterial roads.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing one or more communication sessions between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center,

wherein the configuration of the one or more traffic signaling parameters is performed via the one or more communication sessions.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center include one or more physical signaling controllers and one or more virtual signal controllers for re-routing traffic from the travel segment to the alternate travel segment.

7. A method of claim 6, wherein one or more normal traffic signaling parameters of the one or more physical signaling controllers are overridden via the one or more virtual signal controllers.

8. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a transmission of one or more notifications regarding an availability of the alternate travel segment to a device associated with a vehicle on the travel segment.

9. A method of claim 1,

determining, by the first traffic management center, a signal phase, a signal timing, or a combination thereof for one or more traffic signals on the alternate travel segment;

and

transmitting the signal phase, the signal timing, or the combination thereof to the second traffic management center.

10. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a second alternate travel segment based on the traffic flow information; and

configuring the more or traffic signaling parameters for concurrent use of the alternate travel segment and the second alternate travel segment.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following;

determine traffic congestion information for a travel segment;

determine an alternate travel segment based on the traffic congestion information;

map, respectively, the travel segment to a first jurisdiction and the alternate travel segment to a second jurisdiction, wherein the first jurisdiction is associated with a first traffic management center and the second jurisdiction is associated with a second traffic management center, and wherein the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center separately manage traffic signaling in each of the associated jurisdictions;

calculate traffic flow for the alternate travel segment based on traffic flow information associated with the travel segment; and

coordinate communication between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center to configure one or more traffic signaling parameters for the alternate travel segment based on the calculated traffic flow.

12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least the following:

classify the travel segment in a first functional class; and

classify the alternate travel segment in a second functional class,

wherein the calculated traffic flow is substantially comparable to traffic flow associated with the first functional class.

13. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least the following:

establish one or more communication sessions between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center,

wherein the configuration of the one or more traffic signaling parameters is performed via the one or more communication sessions.

14. An apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center include one or more physical signaling controllers and one or more virtual signal controllers for re-routing traffic from the travel segment to the alternate travel segment.

15. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least the following:

cause, at least in part, a transmission of one or more notifications regarding an availability of the alternate travel segment to a device associated with a vehicle on the travel segment.

16. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least the following:

monitor the alternate travel segment;

adjust the one or more traffic signaling parameters to ensure the calculated traffic flow is substantially comparable to the traffic flow associated with the first functional class.

17. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform at least the following:

select a second alternate travel segment based on the traffic flow information; and

configure the more or traffic signaling parameters for concurrent use of the alternate travel segment and the second alternate travel segment.

18. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform:

determine traffic congestion information for a travel segment;

determine an alternate travel segment based on the traffic congestion information;

map, respectively, the travel segment to a first jurisdiction and the alternate travel segment to a second jurisdiction, wherein the first jurisdiction is associated with a first traffic management center and the second jurisdiction is associated with a second traffic management center, and wherein the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center separately manage traffic signaling in each of the associated jurisdictions;

calculate traffic flow for the alternate travel segment based on traffic flow information associated with the travel segment; and

coordinate communication between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center to configure one or more traffic signaling parameters for the alternate travel segment based on the calculated traffic flow.

19. A computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

classify the travel segment in a first functional class; and

classify the alternate travel segment in a second functional class,

wherein the calculated traffic flow is substantially comparable to traffic flow associated with the first functional class.

20. A computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

establish one or more communication sessions between the first traffic management center and the second traffic management center,

wherein the configuration of the one or more traffic signaling parameters is performed via the one or more communication sessions.