Patent ID: 8060300

Claim:
A navigation system for a vehicle, comprising: a memory that stores map data including starting points for each of the following special purpose lanes: passing lanes, which are lanes that are specifically designated within the map data as being used for vehicles to pass other slower vehicles; climbing lanes, which are lanes that are specifically designated within the map data as being used for vehicles to move slowly uphill; and lanes for slower traffic, which are lanes that are specifically designated within the map data as being used for vehicles to move more slowly than vehicles in adjacent lanes; a vehicle position detector that detects a current position of the vehicle; a receiver for receiving traffic congestion information; and a controller that: determines whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of an approaching one of the stored starting points based on the detected current vehicle position and the map data; determines whether a link in which the vehicle is currently traveling is congested based on the received traffic congestion information; if the vehicle is within the predetermined distance of the approaching starting point, provides guidance regarding a passing lane, a climbing lane, or a lane for slower traffic corresponding to the approaching starting point based on a distance to another vehicle detected by a distance detector mounted on the vehicle; and does not provide the guidance regarding the corresponding passing lane, climbing lane, or lane for slower traffic if it is determined that the link in which the vehicle is currently traveling is congested.