Multilane vehicle information capture system
First Claim
1. A method for determination of a vehicle position in a multilane open road environment, comprising:
- determining first vehicle position information with respect to a pair of adjacent lanes using a plurality of induction loop sensors;
determining second vehicle position information with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes using a multiple read RF system;
consolidating the first and second vehicle position information determined from the induction loop sensor and the multiple read RF system; and
making a final determination of the vehicle position with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes, based on a result of the consolidating step.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
52 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for determination of a vehicle position in a multilane open road environment, comprising:
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determining first vehicle position information with respect to a pair of adjacent lanes using a plurality of induction loop sensors; determining second vehicle position information with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes using a multiple read RF system; consolidating the first and second vehicle position information determined from the induction loop sensor and the multiple read RF system; and making a final determination of the vehicle position with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes, based on a result of the consolidating step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 10)
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4. A method for determination of a vehicle position in a multilane open road environment, comprising:
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determining first vehicle position information with respect to a pair of adjacent lanes using a plurality of induction loop sensors; determining second vehicle position information with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes using a multiple read RF system; consolidating the first and second vehicle position information determined from the induction loop sensor and the multiple read RF system; determining third vehicle position information with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes using reports of activation of lane straddling sensors that straddle borders of adjacent lanes, including a border between the pair of adjacent lanes; receiving fourth vehicle position information from a vision tracking system; and making a final determination of the vehicle position with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes, based on a result of the consolidating step and the third and fourth vehicle position information. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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6. A method for determination of a vehicle position in a multilane open road environment, comprising:
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determining first vehicle position information with respect to a pair of adjacent lanes using a plurality of induction loop sensors, wherein the loops sensors are arranged in loop sensor layouts within each of the adjacent lanes, each loop sensor layout containing a gradient sensor; noting whether sensors in both adjacent lanes report entry/exit times; determining that the vehicle is not straddling between the pair of adjacent lanes if entry and exit times are not reported from gradient sensors in both lanes; if entry/exit times are reported from sensors in both of the pair of adjacent lanes, calculating a difference in entry/exit times between information recorded from sensors in each of the pair of adjacent lanes; if the difference in entry/exit times is greater than a predetermined value for based on the vehicle traveling at a given vehicle speed, determining that the vehicle is not straddling between the pair of adjacent lanes; determining second vehicle position information with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes using a multiple read RF system; consolidating the first and second vehicle position information determined from the induction loop sensor and the multiple read RF system; and making a final determination of the vehicle position with respect to the pair of adjacent lanes, based on a result of the consolidating step. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
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Specification