Abstract: A probe-vehicle traffic information system for and method of gathering traffic data utilizing a host probe vehicle having onboard exterior sensors. The host vehicle is configured to detect at least one condition from at least one traveling target vehicle, aggregate and process the condition data, and report only the processed data to a traffic information center, so as to reduce the number of simultaneous communication channels typically required to report condition data from a plurality of probe vehicles.

Abstract: A method and system to control forward movement of a vehicle having adaptive control system and a localized communications system, including establishing communications with a target vehicle, identifying the target vehicle to the operator, verifying operator intent, and, executing an automatic following routine. The automatic following routine operates based upon operating parameters of the target vehicle and host vehicle, and, predetermined parameters for following. The operating parameters include vehicle heading, speed, acceleration, operator input to a brake pedal, and, difference in acceleration between the host vehicle and the target vehicle. Disengaging the automatic following routine occurs when one of the target vehicle operating parameters changes by a predetermined amount, e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a cluster of probe vehicles, aggregating and processing (e.g., averaging) data generated by the members of the cluster, and reporting only the processed data to a receiving center, such as a Traffic Management Center, thereby reducing the number of simultaneous communication channels required to report the data and reducing the amount of data which must be processed in real-time at the receiving center. Broadly, each cluster identifies one member to which all other members report. The identified member receives the individual reports, aggregates and processes the data, and then transmits it to the receiving center for further processing.

Abstract: A method for determining relative spatial information between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method including monitoring a communication channel at the first vehicle and receiving a current communication signal sent by the second vehicle on the communication channel. The current communication signal is received at a received power level. A relative position between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is calculated. Input to the calculating includes an actual or estimated transmitted power level, and the received power level.