Patent ID: 7671764

Claim:
A method for using an onboard computer system for navigating a vehicle to a destination point, comprising: setting a traffic flow data availability level in said onboard computer system; said onboard computer system calculating a first route from a vehicle starting point to the destination point; said onboard computer system receiving first traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along the first route, wherein said traffic flow data availability level identifies at least a minimum quantity of said traffic flow sensors that are transmitting traffic flow data; said onboard computer system determining whether the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level; said onboard computer system enabling a flow-based route guidance for the first route if the first traffic flow data meets the traffic flow data availability level, the flow-based route guidance comprising utilizing the first traffic flow data to calculate a first estimated time of arrival at the destination point along the first route; and said onboard computer system utilizing a first alternative route guidance to navigate the vehicle if the first traffic flow data does not meet the traffic flow data availability level.