System for computing speeds and estimated arrival times for moving vehicles

• US 20030208313A1
• Filed: 05/01/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles Hilliary Wells, Russell L. Brand, Vinodh Kanchi
• Original Assignee: Charles Hilliary Wells, Russell L. Brand, Vinodh Kanchi
• Inventors: Brand, Russell L., Kanchi, Vinodh, Wells, Charles Hilliary
• Application Number:
  US10/135,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/204
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

A unique method of estimating real time traffic speeds using data from moving vehicles is described. The system uses low cost GPS receivers connected to wireless modems transmitting information to a central server. These data are then used to create speed forecasts for each roadway segment. Typically, roadway segments are 100-200 meters in length and the forecasts have time resolutions down to one minute for each day of the week, week of the month, and month of the year. An approach similar to finite element modeling (FEM) is used to compute the speed and travel time of any vehicle from any point to any destination using the information in the FEM like model. The speed estimates within each element are continually improved as more data is available in that cell. Standard recursive statistics are used for this purpose.

Claims

1. In a fast commute system for automotive vehicles driving on a roadway, an automatic vehicle locator for position, speed and direction data installed in a plurality of vehicles;

central processing means for receiving at least some of said locator data, over time from multiple vehicles and using both historical and real time data to compute estimated time enroute (ETE) of a particular vehicle.

2. A fast commute system as in claim 1 where said particular vehicle provides origin, destination, and route information to said central processing means.

3. A fast commute system as in claim 1 where said central processing means suggests and transmit to said particular vehicle alternate routes for a better ETE.

4. A method of recalling historical data and plotting it on a map showing position and speed (four dimensional data) time, speed, latitude, longitude and displaying this over the Internet using a browser.

5. A method of generating “

congestion”

maps and publishing these over the Internet.

6. A method of delivering information in the database to those without GPS data but having a PDA.

7. A method of delivering information to drivers with cell phones.

8. A method of delivering information to drivers knowing only location information (E911) phones.

9. A method of displaying speed as a function of latitude and longitude.

10. A method of displaying distance versus speed as a characterization of a commute.

11. A method of displaying speed and direction as a function of latitude and longitude.