Abstract: A method for improved traffic congestion estimation is provided using signal phase and timing data from traffic signals at intersections and probe data from vehicles traversing said intersections. An example method may include: identifying each of a plurality of paths through an intersection; identifying signal phase and timing data for each traffic light associated with each path through the intersection; receiving probe data for vehicles approaching or traversing the intersection; estimating a number of vehicles failing to traverse the intersection along a path through the intersection; estimating a congestion status of the path through the intersection based on the number of vehicles failing to traverse the intersection; and causing the congestion status to be provided to permit updating of a map to reflect the congestion status.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for dynamically detecting dangerous merging situations. The method includes obtaining speed information for one or more road segments. The speed information includes lane-level traffic speed information. The method also includes determining a source speed of a source lane and a target speed of a target lane based on the speed information. The method further includes determining that a merging instance from the source lane into the target lane would be a dangerous merging situation based on a comparison of the source speed and the target speed. The method still further includes providing a signal based on the determination of a dangerous merging situation. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product for determining a sign type of a road sign are disclosed herein. The system comprises a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to obtain sensor data associated with the road sign, wherein the sensor data comprises data associated with counts of road sign observations, determine one or more features associated with the road sign, based on the obtained sensor data, and determine the sign type of the road sign, based on the one or more features.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product may be provided for generating traffic congestion estimation data of one or more lanes in a region. A system may include a memory configured to store computer program code and a processor configured to execute the computer program code to obtain image data associated with the region. The processor may be configured to determine a count of one or more first movable objects in one or lanes, based on image data, calculate a lane object static capacity of the one or more lanes, based on one or more map free flow or speed limit attributes associated with the one or more lanes and generate the traffic congestion estimation data based on count of first movable objects in the one or more lanes, the moving speed of movable objects crossing multiple image frames, the lane object static capacity of lanes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for providing merging assistance for a vehicle. The method includes capturing a vehicle speed of the vehicle travelling in a lane of roadway. The method also includes receiving adjacent vehicle data relating to an adjacent vehicle in an adjacent lane. The method further includes receiving adjacent lane data relating to a speed of one or more vehicles in the adjacent lane. The method still further includes generating merger information for the vehicle based on the vehicle speed, the adjacent vehicle data, and the adjacent lane data. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to estimate the location of a vehicle based at least in part upon two or more road signs that are depicted by one or more images captured by one or more image capture devices onboard the vehicle. By relying at least in part upon the two or more road signs, the location of the vehicle may be refined or otherwise estimated with enhanced accuracy, such as in instances in which there is an inability to maintain a line-of-sight with the satellites of a satellite positioning system or otherwise in instances in which the location estimated based upon reliance on satellite or radio signals is considered insufficient. As a result, the vehicle may be navigated in a more informed and reliable manner and the relationship of the vehicle to other vehicles may be determined with greater confidence.

Abstract: Dynamic intersection map data is generated and provided. Traffic data is analyzed to identify an event. Responsive to identifying or receiving traffic data indicative of the event, it is determined whether the event affects one or more ingress or egress lanes of an intersection. Responsive to determining that the event affects at least one ingress or egress lane of an intersection, updated map data is generated for the intersection by updating map data corresponding to the at least one ingress or egress lane and, based on connection information corresponding to the at least one ingress or egress lane, further updating map data corresponding to one or more other lanes of the intersection. The updated map data is provided such that at least one vehicle apparatus receives the updated map data. The at least one vehicle apparatus uses the updated map data to perform one or more navigation functions.

Abstract: An approach is provided for detecting lane-level dangerous slowdown events based on probe data and/or sensor data. The approach, for example, involves splitting probe data, sensor data, or a combination thereof into at least one vehicle trajectory, wherein the data is collected from one or more vehicles traveling on a road segment. For each vehicle trajectory of the at least one vehicle trajectory, the approach also involves processing said each vehicle trajectory to detect a slowdown event based on a speed reduction greater than a threshold reduction. The approach further involves classifying a slowdown event type of the slowdown event based on a final driving location, a final driving speed, or a combination thereof of the at least one vehicle trajectory. The approach further involves providing the slowdown event, the slowdown event type, or a combination thereof as an output for the road segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for matching probe measurements to a path in a geographic location includes a receiver, a window manager, a location generator, a path calculator, and an output. The receiver is configured to receive a stream of probe measurements. The window manager is configured to fill a window with the measurements, to select an additional measurement from the stream, and to select an oldest measurement in the window. The location generator is configured to generate candidate locations for the measurements in the window and the additional measurement. The path calculator is configured to match the oldest measurement to a candidate location. The output is configured to output a path-matched probe measurement based on the oldest measurement and the candidate location matched to the oldest measurement.

Abstract: A method is provided for traffic light signal phase and timing control (SPaT) status and notification message delivery. The method includes collecting traffic flow, incident, and emergency vehicle information on a predetermined portion of a road geometry network. The method dynamically adjusts the SPaT information for a traffic light signal in the predetermined portion of the road geometry network based on the information collected, and delivers a normal or abnormal SPaT status change with the adjusted SPaT information.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing probe data accuracy while ensuring privacy. The approach includes receiving probe path consisting of multiple points from a vehicle, wherein each probe point includes a location of the vehicle and a timestamp indicating when the location was determined by a location sensor. The approach further includes determining a vehicle identifier from among a plurality of vehicle identifiers assigned to the vehicle based on the timestamp, wherein the plurality of vehicle identifiers are applicable for assigning at different respective time slots. The approach also involves generating a hashed vehicle identifier by using a hash function on the determined vehicle identifier and the timestamp. The approach also involves reporting the probe point using the hashed vehicle identifier to identify the probe point.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for calculating a lane maneuver delay for different lane maneuvers and different road segments at different times of the day to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay for use in routing and navigation services. A lane-level map-matcher identifies the lane a vehicle is driving on using positional sensors. Sensor data is obtained from vehicle sensors using the left-turn and right-turn signal lights sensor. A lane maneuver delay value is calculated from the time period a left-turn or right-turn signaling light was kept on before a vehicle completed a lane maneuver. The lane maneuver delay values are aggregated to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay that may be used in lane level routing instructions.

Abstract: An apparatus for matching probe measurements to a path in a geographic location includes a receiver, a window manager, a location generator, a path calculator, and an output. The receiver is configured to receive a stream of probe measurements. The window manager is configured to fill a window with the measurements, to select an additional measurement from the stream, and to select an oldest measurement in the window. The location generator is configured to generate candidate locations for the measurements in the window and the additional measurement. The path calculator is configured to match the oldest measurement to a candidate location. The output is configured to output a path-matched probe measurement based on the oldest measurement and the candidate location matched to the oldest measurement.

Abstract: A method is provided to generate vehicle lane speed patterns. A method may include: receiving probe data from a plurality of probes, where the probe data includes probe data point location and heading; matching probe data points to a road segment to generate map-matched probe data points; analyzing the probe data relative to the road segment to establish a multi-modal distribution of probe data representing a distance of the probe data points from a pre-defined reference position of the road segment; matching the analyzed probe data points to individual lanes of the road segment, where peaks in the established multi-modal distribution are associated with individual lanes; and generating a vehicle lane speed pattern for each lane of the road segment based on a speed associated with probe data that is map-matched to the individual lanes.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for calculating a lane maneuver delay for different lane maneuvers and different road segments at different times of the day to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay for use in routing and navigation services. A lane-level map-matcher identifies the lane a vehicle is driving on using positional sensors. Sensor data is obtained from vehicle sensors using the left-turn and right-turn signal lights sensor. A lane maneuver delay value is calculated from the time period a left-turn or right-turn signaling light was kept on before a vehicle completed a lane maneuver. The lane maneuver delay values are aggregated to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay that may be used in lane level routing instructions.

Abstract: Dynamic intersection map data is generated and provided. Traffic data is analyzed to identify an event. Responsive to identifying or receiving traffic data indicative of the event, it is determined whether the event affects one or more ingress or egress lanes of an intersection. Responsive to determining that the event affects at least one ingress or egress lane of an intersection, updated map data is generated for the intersection by updating map data corresponding to the at least one ingress or egress lane and, based on connection information corresponding to the at least one ingress or egress lane, further updating map data corresponding to one or more other lanes of the intersection. The updated map data is provided such that at least one vehicle apparatus receives the updated map data. The at least one vehicle apparatus uses the updated map data to perform one or more navigation functions.

Abstract: A plurality of instances of probe data are received. Each instance is matched to a link of a digital map. A distance parameter for each instance is determined based on the link. A most likely lane for each instance is determined based on the corresponding distance parameter. Probe trajectories are constructed based on sequences of instances of probe data identified in the plurality of instances of probe data. At least one of the probe trajectories is analyzed based at least in part on lane change probabilities to generate at least one lane level trajectory. Lane level traffic information is determined based on the at least one lane level trajectory and the corresponding instances of probe data. At least a portion of the lane level traffic information, which is configured for use in performing at least one navigation-related function, is provided.

Abstract: A method for providing alerts for a traffic slowdown includes receiving location data for at least a first vehicle of a plurality of vehicles, map matching the location data for at least the first vehicle to a road network, calculating an approaching speed for at least the first vehicle at a first time, calculating a final speed for at least the first vehicle at a second time, and generating a traffic slowdown message in response to the approaching speed and the final speed. The traffic slowdown message includes at least one characteristic of the traffic slowdown.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to selectively utilize one or more networks in order to reliably communicate the information regarding one or more traffic signals and one or more intersections controlled by respective traffic signals. In the context of a method, the method includes communicating with a first network in order to receive information with a mobile platform regarding one or more traffic signals and information regarding one or more intersections. At least one traffic signal is associated with a respective intersection. The method also includes identifying a first switching condition and communicating with a second network, different than the first network, in order to receive the information regarding the one or more traffic signals and the information regarding the one or more intersections following identification of the first switching condition.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for calculating a lane maneuver delay for different lane maneuvers and different road segments at different times of the day to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay for use in routing and navigation services. A lane-level map-matcher identifies the lane a vehicle is driving on using positional sensors. Sensor data is obtained from vehicle sensors using the left-turn and right-turn signal lights sensor. A lane maneuver delay value is calculated from the time period a left-turn or right-turn signaling light was kept on before a vehicle completed a lane maneuver. The lane maneuver delay values are aggregated to generate a predicted lane maneuver delay that may be used in lane level routing instructions.