Real time estimation of vehicle traffic

A method and system for managing vehicle traffic is provided in which a request for traffic information of a traffic lane is received. Responsive to the request, a count of a number of vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane is determined, such that a wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane. In at least one embodiment, unique information associated with each of the vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane is collected. Further, at least one or more of the count of number of vehicles or the unique information associated with each of the vehicle is sent to a control unit that controls traffic signal indicators provided to the vehicles in the traffic lane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the estimation and management of vehicle traffic on roads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, the number of vehicles on roads is growing at an exponential rate. The growth of vehicles on roads is leading to traffic congestion. Generally, traffic congestion happens at an intersection (cross junction) of roads. To curb the traffic congestion, traffic signaling devices are installed at the intersection. The traffic signaling devices manage the movement of vehicle traffic at an intersection based on a signaling time associated with traffic signal indications generated from the traffic signal devices. The signaling time for each direction is either manually controlled or is programmed for a predefined time period based on a past history of vehicle traffic flow. For example, the time associated with traffic signal at a particular cross junction can be varied during different hours of the day based on the past history of the vehicle traffic flow.

In the case of manually controlled traffic signals, the time associated with the traffic signal is not predefined and is generally controlled manually by a traffic officer based on traffic conditions. However, when the time associated with the traffic signals is programmed, a fixed time period is associated with each indication of the traffic signals and the traffic signals operate based on the predefined time period. However, the fixed time period may not be effective for different hours of the day, for example during peak traffic hours. To overcome this problem various road traffic management methods are available.

In one road traffic management method, traffic conditions are determined through visualization technologies using real-time imaging and interactive displays. Images of moving vehicles in each traffic lane are captured using high resolution cameras and the captured images are shown on a display screen. Thereafter, the traffic condition in each traffic lane is analyzed, and the traffic is managed based on the displayed captured images. However, this method is expensive, time consuming and may not be accurate.

In another road traffic management method, the number of vehicles in each traffic lane is estimated using sensors provided at predefined locations. When a vehicle passes through a predefined location having a sensor, a vehicle counter is incremented or decremented based on the movement of the vehicle. Thereafter, the number of vehicles counted is shared with a traffic signal controller for managing traffic signal indications. However, this method also has limitations like cost, noise tolerance, coverage, and accuracy.

Hence, there exists a need to efficiently estimate traffic conditions and manage vehicle traffic.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing vehicle traffic is provided. The method includes receiving a request for traffic information of a traffic lane. Responsive to the request, the method determines a count or number of vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane, wherein a wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for managing vehicle traffic is provided. The system includes at least one processor and at least one transceiver. The transceiver is adapted to receive a request for traffic information of a traffic lane. The processor, responsive to the request, determines a count or number of vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane, wherein a wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing vehicle traffic is provided. The method includes receiving a request for traffic information of a traffic lane. The method then collects unique information associated with each of the vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane, wherein a wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane. Thereafter, the method sends the unique information to a control unit for managing traffic signals based on the unique information.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium is provided. The method includes receiving a request for traffic information of a traffic lane. The method then collects unique information associated with each of the vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane, wherein a wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane. Thereafter, the method sends the unique information to a control unit for managing traffic signals based on the unique information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that various embodiments of the invention described herein may be able to be practiced without one or more of the specific details of another embodiment described herein, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. without foregoing the inventiveness otherwise described herein. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The description now turns to the figures. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the figures. The following description is intended only by way of example and simply illustrates certain selected exemplary embodiments of the invention as claimed herein.

FIG. 1 through 4, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, etc., are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are nowhere intended to represent a chronological order, except where stated otherwise. A set is defined as a non-empty set including at least one element.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary representation of a group of vehicles establishing wireless communication links, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, an environment100is shown to include vehicles moving in different traffic lanes. The different traffic lanes include a first traffic lane, a second traffic lane and a third traffic lane. The different traffic lanes are associated with different traffic directions at an intersection of roads. For example, vehicles heading towards a straight direction from the intersection of roads moves in the first traffic lane. Further, the vehicles heading towards a left direction (taking a left turn) from the intersection of roads will move in the second traffic lane. Similarly, the vehicles heading towards a right direction (taking a right turn) from the intersection of road will move in the third traffic lane.

In the environment100, a vehicle102, a vehicle104, a vehicle106, a vehicle108and a vehicle110are associated with the first traffic lane and move towards the straight direction from the intersection of roads. Similarly, a vehicle112, a vehicle114and a vehicle116are associated with the second traffic lane and a vehicle118and a vehicle120are associated with the third traffic lane.

In an embodiment, the intersection of road is associated with a traffic signal controller. Thus, the vehicles will move from the intersection of roads based on traffic signal indications from the traffic signal controller. Generally, the traffic signal indications include a green color indication and a red color indication. The green color indication indicates “Go” permitting the vehicles to move from the intersection of roads. The red color indication indicates “Stop” requiring the vehicles to stop at the intersection of road.

The vehicles associated with the different traffic lanes will wait at the intersection of road or will move ahead from the intersection of roads based on the traffic signal indication provided by the traffic signal controller. In an embodiment, the traffic signals indications are managed in real time based on traffic information received from the vehicles waiting at the intersection of roads for traffic signal indications.

In the environment100, the vehicles102,104,106and108in the first traffic lane are waiting at the intersection of roads, and the vehicle110is moving towards the intersection of roads. In the second traffic lane, the vehicle112and114are waiting at the intersection and the vehicle116is moving towards the intersection. In the third traffic lane, the vehicle118is waiting at the intersection and the vehicle120is moving towards the intersection.

The traffic signal indication can be managed based on the traffic information received from the at least one vehicle from each traffic lane. In an embodiment, a vehicle from each traffic lane may send traffic information of each traffic lane to a traffic signal controller. This is explained in detailed in conjunction withFIG. 2.

The traffic information in each traffic lane is determined after establishing wireless communication links between the vehicles in the same traffic lane. In an embodiment, a wireless communication link is established between a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane. For establishing the wireless communication links between the vehicles in the first traffic lane, for example, the vehicle102will identify the surrounding vehicles using a wireless communication method. In an embodiment, the vehicle102will identify the surrounding vehicles based on wireless communication signals broadcasted by the surrounding vehicles. The surrounding vehicles are within a predefined communication range of the vehicle102. In an embodiment, the wireless communication links is established using a Dedicated Short Range wireless Communication (DSRC) protocols.

The DSRC is an Institute Of Electrical And Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 based wireless technology standard. The DSRC includes a one way or a two way short range wireless communication channels that are designed for vehicle use. The DSRC enables vehicle to vehicle (V2V) and vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communications in very short time frames. The DSRC also provide data communication between vehicles by using radio frequencies in the 5,725 MHz to 5,875 MHz band.

Hence, the vehicle102will identify the vehicles104,112and118based on the wireless communication signals received from the vehicles in the predefined wireless communication range. Thereafter, the vehicle102will determine the location of the vehicle104,112and118. In an embodiment, the location of the vehicles is determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS). In an embodiment, the GPS will identify longitude, latitude, elevation, velocity, and vehicular dimensions of the vehicles.

The vehicle102will then identify and select a vehicle that is behind the vehicle102and is also in the first traffic lane based on the determined location coordinates. Thus, the vehicle102will select the vehicle104that is towards the rear side and is in the first traffic lane. Thus, the vehicle102will not select the vehicle112and118that are in second traffic lane and third traffic lane respectively.

The vehicle102will then establish a wireless communication link with the selected vehicle104. In an embodiment, the wireless communication link is a bidirectional wireless communication link. Thereafter, the vehicle104will perform the same method as mentioned above and will identify a vehicle that is at the rear side of the vehicle104and is also in the first traffic lane. Hence, the vehicle104will select the vehicle106and will establish a wireless communication link. Similarly, the vehicle106will select the vehicle108and establishes the wireless communication link.

In the environment100, the vehicle108will not select any other vehicle as there is no vehicle around the vehicle108within the predefined communication range. Therefore, the vehicle110in the first traffic lane will not be a part of a wireless communication link122. This is because the vehicle108was not able to identify the vehicle110using the wireless communication method.

In an embodiment, information can be exchanged between the vehicles establishing wireless communication links. For example, the vehicle108can send an indication to the vehicle106regarding an end of the wireless communication chain. In an embodiment, the vehicle108will send a unique data set associated with the vehicle108. The vehicle106will then send the indication regarding the end of wireless communication chain, the unique data associate with the vehicle108, and a unique data set associated with the vehicle106to the vehicle104. The vehicle104will then send similar indication and information to the lead vehicle102. Hence, the vehicle102receives the indication regarding the end of the wireless communication chain and collects the unique data set associated with each vehicle establishing the wireless communication.

Hence, the wireless communication chain122is established between the vehicles102,104,106and108in the first traffic lane. In an embodiment, the wireless communication link122is a linear wireless communication link. Similarly, a wireless communication chain (link) is also established between the vehicle112and the vehicle114in the second traffic lane.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary representation of a group of vehicles establishing a wireless communication link and sending real-time traffic information to a control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, in an environment200, a wireless communication link is established between vehicles202,204and206in a traffic lane based on the wireless communication method and the location of the vehicles in the traffic lane. The method for establishing the wireless communication link in the traffic lane is already explained in conjunction withFIG. 1.

In the environment200, the vehicle208in the traffic lane will not be a part of the wireless communication link as it is not within a predefined communication range of the vehicle206and wireless signals broadcasted by the vehicle208are not received by the vehicle206. In an embodiment, the vehicles, after establishing the wireless communication link, will assign a unique order number to each vehicle establishing the wireless communication links. In an embodiment, the order number is based on a time of arrival of each vehicle at the intersection of roads. In another embodiment, the order number is based on the time of establishing the wireless communication link. For example, the vehicle202can be assigned an order number one, the vehicle204can be assigned an order number two and the vehicle206can be assigned an order number three in the wireless communication link.

Thereafter, a count of a number of vehicles establishing the wireless communication links in each traffic lane is determined and the count is thereafter sent to a traffic signal control unit210. In an embodiment, the count is sent to the traffic signal control unit210using a wireless communication method. An example of wireless communication includes Bluetooth®. In an embodiment, a unique data set associated with each vehicle establishing the wireless communication links in the traffic lane is sent to the control unit210. In an embodiment, the unique data set includes the count or number of vehicles wirelessly linked in that particular lane, the directions information of each vehicle, route map entered by each vehicle, and the like.

The traffic signal control unit210can then schedule the traffic signal indications based on the count of number of vehicles that are stationary at or approaching the intersection of roads in each traffic lane. In an embodiment, traffic signal control unit210can schedule the traffic signal indications based on the received unique data set associated with each vehicle. In an embodiment, the traffic signal control unit210will send traffic information to a main control center212. The main control center212can use the traffic information for vehicle data monitoring.

FIG. 3illustrates a flowchart diagram representing a method300to manage traffic, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, the method300is initiated at step302. At step304, a request is received for traffic information of a traffic lane. In an embodiment, the request is received at a lead vehicle (the vehicle102). In an embodiment, the request is sent by a control unit (the control unit210). The lead vehicle102is identified by the traffic control unit210based on the communication signals received from the surrounding vehicles. In an embodiment, the lead vehicle102is identified based on a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags. In another embodiment, the lead vehicle is identified by sensors installed at a predefined position on a lane.

In the method300, the lead vehicle102identifies one or more other vehicles in the traffic lane. To this end, the lead vehicle102first identifies all the vehicles that are surrounding the lead vehicle102based on the wireless communication signals broadcasted by the surrounding vehicles. Hence, in the wireless communication method, the lead vehicle will search for vehicles that are within a predefined communication range based on a wireless signals received from the surrounding vehicles.

The lead vehicle will then determine coordinates of each vehicle that are within the predefined communication range and are identified based on the received wireless communication signals. Thereafter, the lead vehicle102will identify and select a vehicle that is in the same traffic lane as the lead vehicle102, based on the determined location coordinates. Hence, the lead vehicle102will identify the vehicle104that is in the same traffic lane, for example. Thereafter, a wireless communication link is established between the lead vehicle102and the vehicle104. In an embodiment, the wireless communication link is short range wireless communication link. Examples of short range wireless communication include, but are not limited to, DSRC, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth®.

The selected vehicle, for example the vehicle104, will then perform the method as mentioned above and identify a vehicle that is behind the vehicle104in the first traffic lane. Thus, the vehicles in the first traffic lane will identify all the vehicles waiting for a traffic signal in the first traffic lane and will establish wireless communication links between the vehicles, until there is no vehicle within a predefined communication range of a vehicle in the traffic lane. Hence, the wireless communication link is established between the vehicles102,104,106, and108in the first traffic lane. In an embodiment, the wireless communication link is established between at least a consecutive pair of vehicles in the traffic lane.

At step306a count of number of vehicles establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane is determined. In an embodiment, the unique data set associated with each vehicle establishing wireless communication links in the traffic lane is collected. The traffic information is then sent to the control unit210. Thus the count of number of vehicles can then be used for controlling the traffic signals. At step308, the method300is terminated.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Billustrates a flowchart diagram representing a method400to manage traffic, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, the method400is initiated at step402. At step404, a lead vehicle, for example the vehicle102, in a traffic lane receives a traffic update request. At step406, the method400will check if there are any vehicles around the lead vehicle102. In an embodiment, the vehicles around the lead vehicle102are identified using a wireless communication method. In the wireless communication method, the lead vehicle102will identify the surrounding vehicles based on the wireless signals received from the surrounding vehicles.

If at step406, the lead vehicle102identifies any surrounding vehicles then a step408is performed, otherwise a step422is performed. In an embodiment, the surrounding vehicles are identified based on the wireless communication signals broadcasted by the surrounding vehicles. At step408, coordinates of the vehicles that are around the lead vehicle102is determined. For example, in the environment100, the lead vehicle102identifies the surrounding vehicles104,112, and118and thereafter determines the location of the vehicles104,112, and118. In an embodiment, the location of the vehicles is determined using location coordinates received from the GPS.

At step410, the lead vehicle102will check if there is any vehicle behind the lead vehicle102in the traffic lane. At step412, the lead vehicle102will select the vehicle104in the first traffic lane. At step414, the lead vehicle102will establish a wireless communication link with the selected vehicle104. In an embodiment, the wireless communication link is a Dedicated Short Range wireless Communication (DSRC). At step416, the selected vehicle104will check if there are any vehicles around the selected vehicle104using the wireless communication signals. At step416, if the selected vehicle104identifies any vehicle then step418is performed otherwise a step420is performed.

The selected vehicle106will then perform the same method that was performed by the lead vehicle102if there are any surrounding vehicles except the vehicle102. Hence, at step418the selected vehicle104will be set as the lead vehicle and thereafter the step406is again performed. At step420, a unique order number is assigned to each vehicle in the wireless communication link.

In an embodiment, the unique order number is assigned based on the time of arrival of the vehicles at the intersection of roads. In another embodiment, the unique order number is assigned based on the time of establishing the wireless communication link. For example, the vehicle102is assigned an order number one, the vehicle104is assigned an order number two and similarly the vehicle106and108is assigned an order number three and four consecutively.

At step422, a count of a number of vehicles associated with the established wireless communication link is determined. In an embodiment, the count is determined by the lead vehicle. Hence, the lead vehicle102will determine the number of vehicles establishing the wireless communication links122. In an embodiment, the count of number of vehicles is modified when a vehicle in the traffic lane establishes a wireless communication link in the traffic lane or abolishes an established wireless communication link. For example, in the first traffic lane, if the vehicle106moves out of the first traffic lane and abolishes the wireless communication link122then the order number is reassigned to the remaining vehicles in the first traffic lane and the count of number of vehicles is modified accordingly.

At step424, the count of the number of vehicles is sent in response to the traffic update request. In an embodiment, the count of number of vehicles is sent to the traffic signal control unit210. In the environment200, the vehicle202will send a count of three to the traffic signal control unit210. In an embodiment, the unique data set associated with each vehicle establishing the wireless communication links in the traffic lane is sent to the control unit210. In an embodiment, the unique data includes the count of vehicles in that particular lane, the directions information of each vehicle, route map entered by each vehicle, and the like. Hence, the control unit210will identify the count of number of vehicles based on the unique data set received.

In an embodiment, the traffic signal control unit210is also associated with the main control centre212for vehicle data monitoring. In an embodiment, the traffic signal control unit210will receive traffic information of each traffic lane from a vehicle associated with each traffic lane. The traffic signal control unit210will then analyze the number of vehicles associated with each traffic lane and can thereafter manage the time of the traffic signal indications for each direction of traffic movement. At step426, the method400is terminated.

Various embodiments of the present invention described above may provide at least, but are not limited to, the following advantages. The present invention provides a method for managing vehicle traffic. The method identifies traffic information, associated with each traffic direction, in real time. The method also allows scheduling of traffic signal indications based on the number of vehicles associated with each traffic lane. Further, the method assigns an order number to each vehicle based on the time of arrival of each vehicle at an intersection of roads. This allows a vehicle to take an alternate route if the order number associated with the vehicle is large. The method provides an inexpensive and accurate method of identifying vehicles in the traffic lanes.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, et cetera, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for various aspects may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a single computer (device), partly on a single computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on single computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to another computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made for example through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider.

Although illustrated example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those precise example embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.