Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that allocate, arrange, and distribute certain types of functions and intelligence, for connected automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems, to facilitate vehicle operations and controls, to improve the general safety of the whole transportation system, and to ensure the efficiency, intelligence, reliability, and resilience of CAVH systems. The present invention also provides methods to define CAVH system intelligence and its levels, which are based on two dimensions: the vehicle intelligence and infrastructure intelligence.

Abstract: This invention provides a system-oriented and fully-controlled connected automated vehicle highway system for various levels of connected and automated vehicles and highways. The system comprises one or more of: 1) a hierarchical traffic control network of Traffic Control Centers (TCC's), local traffic controller units (TCUs), 2) A RSU (Road Side Unit) network (with integrated functionalities of vehicle sensors, I2V communication to deliver control instructions), 3) OBU (On-Board Unit with sensor and V2I communication units) network embedded in connected and automated vehicles, and 4) wireless communication and security system with local and global connectivity. This system provides a safer, more reliable and more cost-effective solution by redistributing vehicle driving tasks to the hierarchical traffic control network and RSU network.

Abstract: This invention describes the detailed implementation of a Connected Automated Vehicle Highway (CAVH) on all roadway types. As CAVH vehicles travel within a transportation network, they will pass through different types of facilities such as basic segment, freeway or arterial segment, traffic bottlenecks, weaving and merging segment, intersections, first- and last-mile segment, parking, bridges, tunnel, multi-modal terminals and etc. Those different segments and nodes within a transportation network sometimes have drastically different geometric, design, and infrastructure characteristics. In this invention, detailed subsystem design will be described for each type of roadway segment for CAVH system to execute the entire trip door-to-door.

Abstract: This invention provides a system-oriented and fully-controlled connected automated vehicle highway system for various levels of connected and automated vehicles and highways. The system comprises one or more of: 1) a hierarchical traffic control network of Traffic Control Centers (TCC's), local traffic controller units (TCUs), 2) A RSU (Road Side Unit) network (with integrated functionalities of vehicle sensors, I2V communication to deliver control instructions), 3) OBU (On-Board Unit with sensor and V2I communication units) network embedded in connected and automated vehicles, and 4) wireless communication and security system with local and global connectivity. This system provides a safer, more reliable and more cost-effective solution by redistributing vehicle driving tasks to the hierarchical traffic control network and RSU network.

Abstract: This invention provides a system-oriented solution for mobility sharing service providers to support reliable and safe operations of connected automated vehicles on major urban roads. This system can provide individual vehicles with detailed customized information and time-sensitive control instructions for vehicles to fulfill the driving tasks. The system comprises one or more of: 1) a hierarchical traffic control network of Traffic Control Centers (TCC's), local traffic controller units (TCUs), 2) A RSU (Road Side Unit) network (with integrated functionalities of vehicle sensors, I2V communication to deliver control instructions), 3) OBU (On-Board Unit with sensor and V2I communication units) network embedded in connected and automated vehicles, 4) wireless communication and security system with local and global connectivity, 5) the road network management system managing, 6) a cloud based computing and information platform, and 7) fleet operations and management subsystems.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for an Intelligent Road Infrastructure System (IRIS), which facilitates vehicle operations and control for connected automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems. IRIS systems and methods provide vehicles with individually customized information and real-time control instructions for vehicle to fulfill the driving tasks such as car following, lane changing, and route guidance. IRIS systems and methods also manage transportation operations and management services for both freeways and urban arterials. In some embodiments, the IRIS comprises or consists of one of more of the following physical subsystems: (1) Roadside unit (RSU) network, (2) Traffic Control Unit (TCU) and Traffic Control Center (TCC) network, (3) vehicle onboard unit (OBU), (4) traffic operations centers (TOCs), and (5) cloud information and computing services.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for an Intelligent Road Infrastructure System (IRIS), which facilitates vehicle operations and control for connected automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems. IRIS systems and methods provide vehicles with individually customized information and real-time control instructions for vehicle to fulfill the driving tasks such as car following, lane changing, and route guidance. IRIS systems and methods also manage transportation operations and management services for both freeways and urban arterials. In some embodiments, the IRIS comprises or consists of one of more of the following physical subsystems: (1) Roadside unit (RSU) network, (2) Traffic Control Unit (TCU) and Traffic Control Center (TCC) network, (3) vehicle onboard unit (OBU), (4) traffic operations centers (TOCs), and (5) cloud information and computing services.

Abstract: This invention provides a system-oriented and fully-controlled connected automated vehicle highway system for various levels of connected and automated vehicles and highways. The system comprises one or more of: 1) a hierarchical traffic control network of Traffic Control Centers (TCC's), local traffic controller units (TCUs), 2) A RSU (Road Side Unit) network (with integrated functionalities of vehicle sensors, I2V communication to deliver control instructions), 3) OBU (On-Board Unit with sensor and V2I communication units) network embedded in connected and automated vehicles, and 4) wireless communication and security system with local and global connectivity. This system provides a safer, more reliable and more cost-effective solution by redistributing vehicle driving tasks to the hierarchical traffic control network and RSU network.

Abstract: A traffic information system for predicting travel times utilizes Internet based collecting and disseminating of information. The system accounts for vehicle type, driver specific disposition, and its predictions of future traffic account for the effects of predictable events, particularly weather, on traffic patterns. The traffic information system includes a computer model of a transportation route map, the route map having a multiplicity of possible destinations points connected by route segments. An equation is developed for each route segment, the equation incorporating variables and constants which relate to the fixed and variable parameters which are indicative of the time it will take to travel along a particular route segment. Predicted travel time along the route segment can be improved over historical data for a time in the future for which there are reasonably accurate weather predictions.

Abstract: An Internet utility which receives information about a proposed trip, including trip origin, destination and time. The web based utility calculates at least one route and provides periodic automatic updates of information related to the route such as traffic and weather conditions. Other information which may be automatically periodically transmitted includes information about other transportation systems which may interface with a trip such as airline departure or arrival times. Specific information related to a trip or destination such as availability of parking at the destination also constitute the automatically transmitted information.

Abstract: A proactive vehicle safety device, a proactive exterior airbag system, is disclosed, which consists of a detection subsystem, a control subsystem and a deployment subsystem. The design of each of the subsystems is provided. The detection method, control method and deployment method of the proactive exterior airbag system are also provided. Two types of exterior airbags are disclosed.