Abstract: A navigation system and method incorporating the use of a navigation system that provides alternate routes to an initially selected route based upon updated, real time parameters. The system is provided with user preference data that is used when developing the initial route and alternate routes. The system may be programmed to only provide alternate routes if a predetermined improvement in efficiency is potentially available.

Abstract: An adaptive navigation system for a land vehicle is provided that incorporates learned segments of preferred routes into adaptive calculated routes. The navigation system preferably includes a global positioning system or other sources of locator system data and a data processor that may be programmed with destination data and current location data. The data storage apparatus is capable of recording current location data as the vehicle travels to a destination. The system automatically develops a database of a plurality of segments of preferred routes where those segments are different from the route normally calculated by the data processor. On future occasions when the navigation system is used, the data processor is able to incorporate segments of preferred routes in an adaptive calculated route determination when the segments are within a predetermined degree of similarity to the calculated route.

Abstract: A navigation system for automotive vehicles generates navigation routes between an initial location and a desired destination using a route criteria including a statistical risk index, such as a CAP crime index score. A user of the navigation system can customize their own desired risk threshold to be used in optimizing the navigation route. A particular route segment with a risk index above a risk threshold can be eliminated from potential routes except when the route segment contains the destination or is a freeway segment. In another embodiment, the weight or cost associated with including a route segment in a navigation route is adjusted according to its statistical risk index.