Patent ID: 8620847
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: G01C,G06F,G06N,G08G

Abstract:
1. A traffic situation prediction apparatus for predicting a traffic situation based on traffic situation statistical data created by collecting information on runs of vehicles on roads, the traffic situation prediction apparatus comprising: a map information storage storing map information; a determination section configured to determine, in response to an update of the map information stored in the map information storage, whether a specific traffic flow effect factor affecting a traffic flow has emerged based on a difference between the map information before and after the update; an effect identification section configured to identify an effect on the traffic flow resulting from emergence of the specific traffic flow effect factor when the determination section determines that the specific traffic flow effect factor has emerged; a traffic information prediction section configured to predict the traffic situation by incorporating (i) the effect identified by the effect identification section into (ii) the traffic situation predicted based on the traffic situation statistical data; and an effect prediction database storage storing a factor-by-factor traffic flow effect database that predicts the effect of each of various traffic flow effect factors on the traffic flow on a factor-by-factor basis, wherein: by referring to the factor-by-factor traffic flow effect database, the effect identification section identifies the effect on the traffic flow resulting from the emergence of the specific traffic flow effect factor.