English:
[0001] The invention relates generally to a system for providing law enforcement agencies with real time or near real time data of a traffic event, such as an accident, as well as provide data to companies, government agencies, various research institutions, etc, which study accidents such that new safety technologies may be developed, redesigned, and quickly implemented.
[0002] Currently, there are many types of systems in place, which are part of a vehicle, to make a driver of the vehicle aware of potential dangers with regard to collisions with pedestrians, other vehicles, and other objects along the side of a road, or on a road. Even with all of these advances in technology, accidents at both signalized and unsignalized intersections still occur. Most often, law enforcement agencies gather information regarding these accidents after they occur, oftentimes by interviewing witnesses, and the drivers of the vehicles. However, these accounts of the accident may not always be accurate, and the information is provided after the accident occurs, instead of providing a real-time accounting of the accident, as well as the events leading up to the accident.
[0003] Accordingly, there exists a need for a system which is able to obtain data of various traffic maneuvers leading up to a collision between two or more vehicles, as well as real time data of the accident between two or more vehicles.
[0004] Using object detection in potentially dangerous areas (such as road crossings, intersections, streets with high pedestrian or cyclist activity) and existing vulnerable road user EBA algorithms, the events leading up to a collision, as well as the actual collision event may be recorded such that an accurate account of the accident is achieved, and local law enforcement agencies may be immediately notified.
[0005] Since EBA systems have sensors that may accurately determine the location, speed, and direction of objects (pedestrians, cyclists, etc), and may be equipped with V2x technologies and communicate with the smart city infrastructures, key information may be obtained and sent to various servers for companies to determine pre-crash scenario accidents occurring in near real-time, such that developers of safety technologies may use this information quickly implement new safety technologies or improve existing ones.
[0007] In one embodiment, the at least one communication device is connected to the infrastructure component, where the infrastructure component may be a building, bridge, parking structure, support structure, or the like.
[0008] The signal device is used to send the signal to a law enforcement agency, alerting the law enforcement agency that an accident has occurred, or a hospital, such that an ambulance and paramedics may be sent to the location of the traffic event.
[0009] In one embodiment, the communication device records and saves data obtained by the sensor during a first predetermined time period occurring prior to the traffic event, and during a second predetermined time period occurring after the traffic event.
[0010] The traffic event may be any type of event, such as a collision between two or more vehicles, or a collision between at least one vehicle at least one vulnerable road user.
[0011] The sensor may be any type of suitable sensor, such as, but not limited to, long-range radar, short-range radar, LIDAR (Light Imaging, Detection, and Ranging), LADAR (Laser Imaging, Detection, and Ranging), camera, ultrasound, and sonar.
[0014] The Figure is a perspective view of a traffic intersection having a data collection system being part of an infrastructure component, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
[0016] An example of a data collection system for obtaining information regarding vehicle accidents is shown in the Figure generally at 10. There are also several vulnerable road users (VRUs), shown generally at 12, travelling near an intersection, shown generally at 14. More specifically, there are two vulnerable road users 1 2A,12B attempting to cross the intersection 14 at a cross-walk, shown generally at 1 6. A first vehicle 18A is stopped near the cross-walk 14, a second vehicle 18B is approaching the first vehicle 18A, and a third vehicle 18C is moving towards the intersection 16.
[0017] The data collection system 1 0 includes some type of infrastructure component, which in this embodiment is a post, shown generally at 20, having at least one type of detection device, which in this embodiment is a sensor 22, at least one communication device 24, and at least one signal device 26. While in this embodiment, the infrastructure component is the post 20, it is within the scope of the invention that the data collection system 10 may include any other type of infrastructure component, such as a building, bridge, parking structure, support structure, or the like. In this embodiment, the sensor 22, communication device 24, and the signal device 26 are integrated into a single component, but it is within the scope of the invention that the sensor 22, communication device 24, and the signal device 26 may be separate components in different locations. The sensor 22 in this embodiment is able to detect objects in a detection area, shown generally at 22A, such that various traffic events, such as accidents, are detected. In one embodiment, the sensor 22 is a long-range radar sensor 22, but it is within the scope of the invention that other types of sensors maybe used, such as, but not limited to LIDAR (Light Imaging, Detection, and Ranging), LADAR (Laser Imaging, Detection, and Ranging), other types of radar, a camera, ultrasound, or sonar.
[0018] In the example shown in the Figure, the first vehicle 18A is stopped at the intersection 14, and the second vehicle 18B has collided with the first vehicle 18A, with the impact being shown by the icon generally at 30. When the second vehicle 18B has collided with the first vehicle 1 8A in the detection area 22A, the collision 30 is detected by the sensor 22, and the sensor 22 sends a signal to the communication device 24, and the communication device 24 commands the signal device 26 to send a signal, shown generally at 28, to a local law enforcement agency, represented by icon 32, such that the local law enforcement agency 32 may respond appropriately. The signal 28 may also be sent to one or more local hospitals, such that an ambulance and paramedics may be sent to the location of the collision between the vehicles 18A,18B, if necessary.
[0019] The system 1 0 of the present invention also includes a data collection function. The sensor 22 is continuously detecting data regarding the location, as well as speed and direction of each vehicle 18A, 18B,1 8C and the location, speed, and direction of each VRU 12A.12B. The data for a specific time period is recorded, and stored in the communication device 24 for a predetermined period of time. In one embodiment, the time period is five minutes, but longer or shorter time periods may be used. The data may also be recorded using a time period that is a continuous moving window, such that data is recorded in real time, and the most recent data is what is stored in the communication device 24. For example, if data is collected for the most recent five-minute time period, the data is continuously changed. The oldest data is continuously deleted while new data is continuously collected. The communication device 24 therefore always has data representing all of the events that have occurred in the detection area 22A during the most recent five-minute time period.
[0020] In one embodiment, the data collection function may include two predetermined time periods. A first predetermined time period may represent data collected for a time period prior to the traffic event, and a second time period may represent data collected for a time period after the traffic event. This allows for all of the conditions which may have resulted in the traffic event and the resulting reaction by other drivers and pedestrians to the traffic event to be recorded and stored for analysis.
[0021] If no accidents or collisions occur in the detection area 22A, the data is deleted, and new data is collected. If an accident, or collision occurs, the data regarding the location, as well as speed and direction of each vehicle 18A,18B,18C and the location, speed, and direction of each VRU 12A, 12B is stored, and not deleted. In the example shown in the Figure, the second vehicle 18B has collided with the first vehicle 18A. The data regarding the location, speed, and direction of each vehicle 18A,18B for a predetermined time leading up to the collision (which in this example is five minutes), and for a predetermined time period after the collision is recorded and stored. The data regarding each of the vehicles 18A,18B involved in the accident, and data regarding the vehicle 18C not involved in the accident, as well as the information about the location, speed, and direction of any other vehicles or VRUs 12 may be included as well. All of this information may be sent by the signal device 26 to various servers owned by companies which review the circumstances around the location of the collision, and the events leading up to the collision. The data is then analyzed and used for developing new safety technologies, or improving existing ones.
[0022] In one embodiment, the communication device 24 is a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) device 24, or a 5g communication device 24, but it is within the scope of the invention that other types of communication devices maybe used.

中文:
[0001]本发明总体上涉及一种用于向执法机构提供交通事件(诸如事故)的实时或近实时数据、以及向研究事故的公司、政府机构、各种研究公共机构等提供数据的系统,使得可以开发、重新设计和快速实现新的安全技术。
[0002]当前,在适当的位置中存在许多类型的系统(这些系统是车辆的一部分),以使车辆的驾驶员意识到关于与行人、其他车辆和沿道路侧面或在道路上的其他对象发生碰撞的潜在危险。即使有了所有这些技术上的进步,有信号交叉路口和无信号交叉路口两者处仍然会发生事故。很多时候,执法机构会在事故发生后收集有关这些事故的信息,时常通过采访证人和车辆驾驶员来进行收集。然而,事故的这些报道(account)可能并不始终是准确的,并且信息是在事故发生之后提供的,而不是提供对该事故以及导致该事故的事件的实时报道。
[0003]因此,存在对于如下系统的需要:该系统能够获得导致两个或更多个车辆之间的碰撞的各种交通调度(maneuver)的数据,以及两个或更多个车辆之间的事故的实时数据。
[0004]通过在潜在危险区域(诸如,人行横道、交叉路口、行人或骑车者活动频繁的街道)中使用对象检测以及使用现有的易受伤道路用户EBA算法,可以记录导致碰撞的事件以及实际的碰撞事件,使得实现了对该事故的准确报道,并且可以立即通知本地执法机构。
[0005]由于EBA系统具有可以准确地确定对象(行人、骑车者等)的位置、速度和方向的传感器,并且可以配备有V2x技术并且与智能城市基础设施进行通信,因此可以获得关键信息并且将其发送到公司的各种服务器,以确定近实时发生的碰撞前场景事故,使得安全技术的开发人员可以使用该信息来快速实现新的安全技术或改进现有的安全技术。
[0007]在一个实施例中,至少一个通信设备连接到基础设施组件,其中基础设施组件可以是建筑物、桥梁、停车结构、支撑结构等等。
[0008]信号设备被用来将信号发送到执法机构,提醒执法机构或医院已经发生了事故,使得可以将救护车和医护人员发送到交通事件的位置。
[0009]在一个实施例中,通信设备记录并且保存在交通事件之前的第一预定时间段期间以及在交通事件之后的第二预定时间段期间由传感器获得的数据。
[0010]交通事件可以是任何类型的事件,诸如两个或更多个车辆之间的碰撞、或至少一个车辆与至少一个易受伤的道路用户之间的碰撞。
[0011]传感器可以是任何类型的合适传感器,诸如但不限于远程雷达、短程雷达、LIDAR(光成像、检测和测距)、LADAR(激光成像、检测和测距)、相机、超声波和声纳。
[0014]该图是根据本发明的实施例的具有数据收集系统的交通交叉路口的透视图,该数据收集系统是基础设施组件的一部分。
[0015](一个或多个)优选实施例的以下描述在本质上仅是示例性的,并且绝不意图限制本发明、其应用或使用。
[0016]该图中通常以10示出用于获取关于车辆事故的信息的数据收集系统的示例。还存在通常以12示出的若干个易受伤的道路用户(VRU),它们在通常以14示出的交叉路口附近行进。更具体地,存在两个易受伤的道路用户12A、12B,他们试图在通常以16示出的人行横道上穿过交叉路口14。第一车辆18A在人行横道14附近停止,第二车辆18B接近第一车辆18A,并且第三车辆18C朝向交叉路口16移动。
[0017]数据收集系统10包括某种类型的基础设施组件,该基础设施组件在该实施例中是通常以20示出的柱子,该柱子具有至少一个类型的检测设备(其在该实施例中是传感器22)、至少一个通信设备24和至少一个信号设备26。尽管在该实施例中,基础设施组件是柱子20,但是在本发明的范围内的是,数据收集系统10可以包括任何其他类型的基础设施组件,诸如建筑物、桥梁、停车结构、支撑结构等等。在该实施例中,传感器22、通信设备24和信号设备26被集成为单个组件,但是在本发明的范围内的是,传感器22、通信设备24和信号设备26可以是不同位置中的单独组件。在该实施例中,传感器22能够检测在一般以22A示出的检测区域中的对象,使得检测到各种交通事件,诸如事故。在一个实施例中,传感器22是远程雷达传感器22,但是在本发明的范围内的是,可能使用其他类型的传感器,诸如但不限于LIDAR(光成像、检测和测距)、LADAR(激光成像、检测和测距)、其他类型的雷达、相机、超声波或声纳。
[0018]在该图中所示的示例中,第一车辆18A在交叉路口14处停止,并且第二车辆18B已经与第一车辆18A碰撞,其中该撞击由通常以30的图标示出。当第二车辆18B已经在检测区域22A中与第一车辆18A碰撞时,传感器30检测到该碰撞30,并且传感器22将信号发送到通信设备24,并且通信设备24命令信号设备26将通常以28示出的信号发送到由图标32所表示的本地执法机构,使得本地执法机构32可以适当地做出响应。如果需要的话,信号28还可以被发送到一个或多个本地医院,使得可以将救护车和医护人员发送到车辆18A、18B之间发生碰撞的位置。
[0019]本发明的系统10还包括数据收集功能。传感器22连续地检测关于每个车辆18A、18B、18C的位置以及速度和方向,以及每个VRU 12A、12B的位置、速度和方向的数据。记录特定时间段内的数据,并且将其存储在通信设备24中长达预定的时间段。在一个实施例中,该时间段是五分钟,但是可以使用更长或更短的时间段。还可以使用作为连续移动窗口的时间段来记录数据,使得数据被实时记录,并且最近的数据是存储在通信设备24中的数据。例如,如果在最近的五分钟时间段内收集了数据,则数据会被连续地改变。连续地删除最旧的数据,同时连续地收集新数据。因此,通信设备24始终具有表示在最近的五分钟时间段期间在检测区域22A中已经发生的所有事件的数据。
[0020]在一个实施例中,数据收集功能可以包括两个预定时间段。第一预定时间段可以表示在交通事件之前的时间段内收集的数据,并且第二时间段可以表示在交通事件之后的时间段内收集的数据。这允许记录并且存储可能已经导致该交通事件以及其他驾驶员和行人对该交通事件的所得反应的所有条件以供分析。
[0021]如果在检测区域22A中没有发生事故或碰撞,则删除数据,并且收集新数据。如果发生事故或碰撞,则关于每个车辆18A、18B、18C的位置以及速度和方向,以及每个VRU 12A、12B的位置、速度和方向的数据被存储而不是被删除。在该图中所示的示例中,第二车辆18B已经与第一车辆18A发生碰撞。记录并且存储在导致碰撞的预定时间(在该示例中为五分钟)内、以及在碰撞之后的预定时间段内的关于每个车辆18A、18B的位置、速度和方向的数据。也可以包括关于事故中涉及的每一个车辆18A、18B的数据,以及关于事故中并不涉及的车辆18C的数据,以及关于任何其他车辆或VRU 12的位置、速度和方向的信息。所有此信息可以由信号设备26发送到公司所拥有的各种服务器,这些公司对碰撞位置周围的情况以及导致碰撞的事件进行审查。然后对数据进行分析,并且将该数据用于开发新的安全技术或改进现有的安全技术。
[0022]在一个实施例中,通信设备24是专用短程通信(DSRC)设备24或5g通信设备24,但是在本发明的范围内的是,可能使用其他类型的通信设备。