Patent Description:
Traffic mitigation can be implemented by providing suggested driving operations to the operator of a transportation vehicle. For example, suggesting to the vehicle operator that reducing speed may reduce the likelihood of a traffic jam or backup, can improve throughput of roadways, reduce likelihood of unnecessary stopping, intense braking, and/or avoidable accelerations. However, vehicle operators may not be inclined to heed such suggestions, and opportunities to improve traffic flow may be missed.

<NPL> describes how different intelligent transportation systems (ITS), ranging from eco-routing to intelligent intersection management, can lead to a more efficient vehicle usage and enhanced efficiency on road network utilization. It is shown that ITS has the potential to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by smoothing the traffic flow, reducing the number of start-stops and reducing the total travel distance. As an example, traffic light optimal speed advisory systems are described in which traffic light state information is advertised to vehicles over wireless communications. Using the received information, optimal vehicle trajectory is determined and adjusted to reach the traffic light during the green phase. A number of parameters may be optimized, namely effective red-phase duration or acceleration/deceleration, and vehicle speed information may be displayed to the driver or enforced by vehicle control mechanisms.

<CIT> describes an artificial intelligence expert system for determination of preferred routes of travel for electric vehicles. Such route guidance is provided for the electric vehicles enroute to the destination and lacking sufficient battery energy to reach the destination from the current location of the electric vehicle. For this purpose, a route desirability rating matrix is generated which provides route desirability rating for a route based on parameters such as travel time and energy needed.

Further technological background is disclosed in <CIT>, in which it is described that a portion of an aerial image is analyzed to generate an identification of one or more objects in the area of interest related to a route of the vehicle.

Disclosed embodiments provide a method of incentivizing desirable driving habits for a user of a transportation vehicle as defined in claim <NUM> and a vehicle control system as defined in claim <NUM>.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

Transportation systems, including transportation vehicles and networks are increasing in sophistication. For example, transportation vehicles are providing computerized operation, including in autonomous features of operation, whether assistive, partly or fully autonomous, but also in terms of on-board user information resources and interfaces. One area of growth includes providing drivers with suggestions for operation.

For example, by determining the status of a traffic signal such as a traffic lamp, the driver may be suggested to reduce speed so as to allow a stop light (red) to progress to a go light (green), avoiding unnecessarily intense braking or stopping at the traffic signal, and subsequent reacceleration. However, merely providing such suggestions to drivers may not impart enough desire to the driver to consistently perform the suggested operation. Providing incentivization correlated with the operation to the driver can assist in prompting the suggested operation.

Referring to <FIG>, a traffic intersection <NUM> is shown as a four way intersection having a traffic signal <NUM> which may include traffic sensor loops <NUM> which may provide inputs to the traffic signal operation. A subj ect transportation vehicle <NUM> is approaching the intersection <NUM> and may be configured for providing suggested driving operations to the driver. The transportation vehicle <NUM> includes a control system <NUM> having processor <NUM> for executing instructions stored on a memory <NUM> to determine commands, and communication circuitry <NUM> for sending and receiving communication signals with other vehicle systems based on command of the processor <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is arranged in communication with a user interface <NUM>, illustratively embodied as a touch screen display.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control system <NUM> is arranged in communication (e.g., via communication circuitry <NUM>) with a traffic information system <NUM> to receive communication of traffic signal information. The traffic information system <NUM> may include servers, databases, and/or terminals for obtaining and/or developing traffic signal information and be formed as governmental traffic authority communication system and/or as a third-party system obtaining information from various traffic resources to assist in determining operation of traffic signal <NUM>. The control system <NUM> receives traffic signal information and determines a suggested driving operation based on the received traffic signal operation. In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> may estimate traffic signal operation with or without information from a traffic information system.

Referring to <FIG>, continuing from the example, the control system <NUM> determines operation of the traffic signal <NUM> for determining a suggested driving operation. In the example, the control system <NUM> has determined that the traffic signal <NUM> will turn to green for the transportation vehicle <NUM> in about <NUM> seconds. Based on the operation of the traffic signal <NUM> the control system <NUM> determines a suggested driving operation including a suggested speed of <NUM> mph which is determined to be a sufficiently low speed to allow the traffic signal <NUM> to advance to green and reduce and/or avoid the need for a stop by vehicle <NUM>. The control system <NUM> communicates with the user interface <NUM>, embodied to include a dashboard screen <NUM>, to indicate the <NUM> mph suggestion numerically <NUM>, and/or as a graphic <NUM> embodied as an indicator line on the speedometer <NUM>.

In the present example, the vehicle <NUM> is the only vehicle traveling in the lane and in the eastbound direction (left to right in <FIG>). Accordingly, for descriptive purposes the potential traffic impedance of requiring a stop at a stop light is relatively simple. However, when additional vehicles may be following behind the vehicle <NUM>, if the vehicle <NUM> follows the suggested driving operation to slow to <NUM> mph, the avoided traffic impedance is increased because additional vehicles may likewise reduce speed and may avoid unnecessary stops and/or excessive braking. Accordingly, the traffic impedance impact of one vehicle following suggested driving operations can echo among other vehicles and provide benefits greater than its individual contribution.

Referring now to <FIG>, the control system <NUM> determines a desirability of the suggested driving operation. The desirability may be determined as a quantitative value of desirability of the suggested driving operation based on the severity of traffic impedance and/or the potential for avoidance of traffic impedance. For example, if the transportation vehicle <NUM> is in a highly congested scenario, its driving choices make have greater effect on traffic impedance than at less congested times. In some embodiments, the severity of traffic may be determined according to various traffic information criteria, for example, the activity of traffic sensor loops <NUM> and/or social network-derived speed information. Moreover, the value of desirability may be determined based on the perceived inconvenience to the driver of the transportation vehicle <NUM>. For example, if the suggested driving operation requires a lane change or more pervasive change from the current driving status of the vehicle <NUM> it may be afforded greater weight of avoidance in traffic impedance.

The control system <NUM> communicates the desirability of the suggested driving operation to the driver. The control system <NUM> communicates with the user interface <NUM> to present the value of desirability, which may be displayed as within a graphical image <NUM> and/or a numerical score <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the graphical image <NUM> is illustratively displayed on an infotainment display <NUM> of the user interface <NUM> embodied as a depiction of an accumulated compliance score shown in solid line and presently indicated as <NUM> out of <NUM>. The value of the desirability of the suggested driving operation is presented to the user as an incremental increase in the accumulated compliance score indicated in broken line to suggest to the user the additional compliance score attainable by compliance with the suggested driving operation. The accumulated compliance score may be assigned to the vehicle <NUM> itself and/or may be assigned to the particular driver.

By presentation of the value of desirability of the suggested driving operation to the user, the user can be incentivized to comply with the suggested driving operation. The reinforcement of positive behavior with a visual reward can assist to establish psychological positivity of complying with the suggested driving operations, thus, increasing the likelihood of the driver heeding the suggestions. The presentation of the value of desirability can be accompanied by other positive reinforcement information such as indication <NUM> of fuel economy and/or carbon footprint information. In some embodiments, the value of desirability may be determined based on fuel consumption and/or carbon footprint reduction effects of compliance with the suggestion driving operation.

Referring now to <FIG>, compliance with the suggested driving operation is verified. In the illustrative example, the control system <NUM> determines whether the user has complied with the suggested driving operation by monitoring driving operations, such as speed and/or position, relative to predicted driving operations. In some embodiments, a global positioning system may provide vehicle position for comparison to determine whether the driver has complied with the suggested driving operation. In some embodiments, compliance with suggested driving operations may be determined by remote content provider <NUM> which may be formed as part of the traffic information system <NUM> in communication with the vehicle <NUM> via wireless network, e.g., cellular network.

Referring now to <FIG>, although the suggested driving operation has previously been exemplified as a reduction of speed, in some embodiments, the suggested driving operation may include any suitable driving maneuver to mitigate any suitable traffic impedance (e.g., zipper merge, exiting roadways, changing lanes, etc). Traffic impedance may including existing and/or impending traffic jams. For example, the suggested driving operation may include changes lanes and/or exiting the current road of travel for a detour as illustrated in <FIG>. In consideration of the existence on roadways of vehicles not having incentivized driving suggestions, the control system <NUM> may communicate a compliance indication to other vehicles on the roadway. For example, the vehicle <NUM> may include an indicator <NUM> embodied as a light source configured to illuminate with pleasurable color of light <NUM>, such as while, blue, or green responsive to compliance with a suggested driving operation to indicate that the vehicle <NUM> is performing a suggested driving operation. In some embodiments, the control system <NUM> may communicate directly with interconnected vehicles to indicate compliance with suggested driving operations, for example, by wireless signal for display of a message of compliance within the other interconnected vehicle.

Communication of compliance to other vehicles can provide a variety of benefits, particularly for vehicles without suggested driving operations. For example, vehicles following behind the vehicle <NUM> may not understand the logic behind the driving maneuvers taken by vehicle <NUM>, for example, if vehicle <NUM> reduces speed to delay arrival at the traffic signal <NUM> to avoid a red light, the other vehicle <NUM> may attempt to overtake or pass the vehicle <NUM> rather than to follow suit to reduce speed. Similarly, if vehicle <NUM> complies with a suggestion to take the off-ramp <NUM> to follow an alternative route, the other vehicle may not appreciate that the alternative route is intended to relieve and/or mitigate existing and/or impending traffic impedance. By communicating that the vehicle <NUM> is complying with suggested driving operations, the driver of the other vehicle <NUM> can be encouraged to follow the vehicle <NUM> to take a corresponding operating to the suggested driving operation, such as by forgoing overtaking of the vehicle <NUM> or following the vehicle <NUM> onto the alternative route.

Returning briefly to <FIG>, route changes included within suggested driving operations may be indicated to the user of the vehicle <NUM> via a navigation screen <NUM>. The navigation screen <NUM> may be presented with the representation of the value of desirability <NUM>, <NUM> in split screen on the infotainment display <NUM>. In some embodiments, navigation and incentivization indications may be provided on separate display screens.

Referring now to <FIG>, an operational sequence of incentivization is shown including boxes <NUM>-<NUM>. In box <NUM>, a determination of the suggested operation may be performed. The suggested operation may be determined by the vehicle control system <NUM> on-board the vehicle <NUM>, but in some embodiments, may be determined by remote content provider <NUM>. In box <NUM>, the suggested driving operation may be communicated to the user. In the illustrative embodiment, the user may be presented with the suggested driving operation via a display screen, but in some embodiments, the suggested driving operation may be communicated via any suitable manner, including but without limitation, audio, haptic, and/or other communication technique.

In box <NUM>, the desirability of the suggested driving operation may be determined. The desirability may be determined as a value by the control system <NUM> and/or the content provider <NUM>, based on any one or more of the features for consideration mentioned hereinabove, including but without limitation, the severity of the existing and/or impending traffic impedance, the potential for avoidance of traffic impedance, the perceived inconvenience to the user, and/or the likelihood that the user will comply with the suggested driving operation. The likelihood of compliance may consider factors such as the existing accumulated compliance rate.

In box <NUM>, the desirability may be presented to the user. For example, the control system <NUM> may communicate with the user interface to display a value of desirability as an image on a display. The value of desirability may be presented as a potential additional accumulated compliance rating if compliance with the suggested driving operation is undertaken. In box <NUM>, an optional verification may be performed. For example, the control system <NUM> may determine whether the speed, position, and/or RPM of the vehicle <NUM> indicates compliance with the suggested driving operation by comparison with predicted values. In some embodiments, the content provider <NUM> may determine whether compliance has occurred. In some embodiments, box <NUM> may include an authentication process, e.g., performed via the remote server <NUM> to authenticate that the vehicle <NUM> providing the information for verification is indeed the vehicle which performs the suggested driving operations.

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for incentivizing suggested driving operations by communicating benefits of compliance with the user of the vehicle. In some embodiments, compliance with the suggested driving operations may be linked to a material benefit to the user and/or vehicle <NUM>. For example, accumulated scores above threshold may be awarded with tangible awards, for example, preferred roadway conditions, such as access to exclusive lanes of travel (carpool, low emission vehicle lanes, etc.), preferred parking status (low emission parking, etc.), and/or even preferred traffic signal operations in which communication to the traffic information system <NUM> that highly-compliant vehicle <NUM> is approaching may afford better traffic signal timing to the vehicle <NUM>, further incentivizing other drivers to follow suit. In some embodiments, discounts and/or credits may be provided based on compliance, for example, payment may be afforded based on carbon offsets benefitting the vehicle fleet and/or traffic regulatory body. In some embodiments, the value of desirability may be determined according to the awards provided. Traffic flow control can be improved by such communications with the user of vehicle <NUM>, and/or other vehicles.

In disclosed embodiments, verifying compliance includes determining whether the suggested driving operation has occurred. Verifying compliance includes, in response to successful confirmation that the suggested driving operation has occurred, presenting an accumulated compliance value determined according to the value of desirability. In disclosed embodiments, verifying compliance includes monitoring at least one of speed and location of the transportation vehicle for a predetermined period of time.

In disclosed embodiments, determining a suggested driving operation may include determining a likelihood of compliance with a suggested driving operation based on historical compliance information. Presenting the value of desirability may include presenting an offer of accumulated credit to a user's account based on the value of desirability to encourage compliance with the suggested driving operation.

Disclosed embodiments provide a system for incentivizing desirable driving habits for a user of a transportation vehicle, as defined in claim <NUM>, which comprises at least one processor configured to determine a suggested driving operation of the transportation vehicle to reduce and/or avoid traffic impedance, to communicate the suggested driving operation to the user for execution, to determine a value of desirability of the suggested driving operation, and at least one user interface in communication with the at least one processor. The at least one user interface is configured to present the value of desirability to the user to encourage compliance with the suggested driving operation. In some embodiments, positive reinforcement for incentivizing operators to heed suggested driving operations may include pecuniary value, such as discounts on purchases, merchandise, and/or more direct value such as monetary compensation. In some embodiments, the value of desirability may include a correlation between the value of improvement to the traffic scenario, which can include the value of improvement to society at large, for example, carbon emission offsets generated as a result of compliance with the suggested driving operation may be correlated with the value of desirability, such as providing the complying operator with a portion of monetary value linked to the carbon offset credit attributed to the complying operation.

In disclosed embodiments, the at least one user interface includes a display for presenting the value of desirability to the user as a graphical image. Configuration to present the value of desirability includes presenting an accumulated compliance value determined according to the value of desirability.

In disclosed embodiments, configuration to determine the suggested driving operation includes configuration to determine a severity of the traffic impedance. The at least one processor is configured to determine the suggested driving operation based on the severity of the traffic impedance. The at least one processor is configured to verify compliance with the suggested driving operation.

In disclosed embodiments, configuration to verify compliance includes configuration to determine whether the suggested driving operation has occurred. Configuration to verify compliance includes, in response to successful confirmation that the suggested driving operation has occurred, communicating with the at least one interface to present an accumulated compliance value determined according to the value of desirability. In disclosed embodiments, configuration to verify compliance may include monitoring at least one of speed and location of the transportation vehicle for a predetermined period of time. Determining a suggested driving operation may include determining a likelihood of compliance with a suggested driving operation based on historical compliance information.

Disclosed examples, not covered by the scope of the claims, include a method of traffic control which may comprise determining, by a processor, preferred traffic operations to reduce and/or avoid traffic impedance, selecting one or more transportation vehicles for execution of suggested driving operation to achieve the preferred traffic operations, communicating at least one suggested driving operation to the user of each of the selected transportation vehicles for execution, determining a value of desirability of the at least one suggested driving operation corresponding to each selected transportation vehicle, and presenting to the user, via at least one user interface, the value of desirability for each selected transportation vehicle to encourage compliance with the at least one corresponding suggested driving operation.

Although examples within the present disclosure may include discussion of a signal vehicle having suggested driving operations, embodiments within the present disclosure may include coordinated operations of any plurality of vehicles in a given area having suggested driving operations and/or considering that some of such vehicles may not comply with suggested driving operation. Such plurality of vehicle may include the same or similar suggested driving operations and/or individual suggested driving operations according to the particular traffic scenario. The present disclosure includes traffic sensors, such as traffic sensor loops, which may provide traffic related information as inputs for determining traffic signal operations and/or for consideration in determining suggested driving operations. In some embodiments, any manner of sensors may communication with a traffic management system to provide input information for determining suggested driving operations, such as position, speed, and/or volume sensors, and/or cameras, among others.

Claim 1:
A method of incentivizing desirable driving habits for a user of a transportation
vehicle (<NUM>) for mitigating traffic impedance, the method performed by a vehicle control system on-board the vehicle (<NUM>), the method comprising the steps of:
receiving traffic signal information for consideration in determining a suggested driving operation
determining (<NUM>), by a processor comprised by the vehicle control system, based on the received traffic signal information the suggested driving operation of the transportation vehicle to reduce traffic impedance, wherein the determining of the suggested driving operation includes determining a suggested speed,
communicating (<NUM>) the suggested driving operation to the user for execution,
determining (<NUM>) a value of desirability of the suggested driving operation based on a severity of the traffic impedance and/or the potential for avoidance of traffic impedance,
presenting (<NUM>) the value of desirability, via at least one user interface (<NUM>), to the user to encourage compliance with the suggested driving operation,
verifying (<NUM>) compliance with the suggested driving operation, wherein verifying (<NUM>) compliance includes determining whether the suggested driving operation has occurred, and in response to successful confirmation that the suggested driving operation has occurred, presenting an accumulated compliance value determined according to the value of desirability.