Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for operating sources of electricity in an electrical grid having a forecasting error rate are described. In some implementations, a method includes selecting a forecast horizon based on the forecasting error rate; performing an optimization process for dispatch planning of the electrical grid for the selected forecast horizon; automatically operating one or more power sources of the electrical grid in accordance with the dispatch planning for a first time increment; and performing an optimization process for dispatch planning for subsequent time increments within the selected horizon after the first time increment has elapsed.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method performed by one or more data processing apparatus for mitigating wildfire ignition, the method including: obtaining first data identifying utility lines in a geographical region, obtaining second data characterizing operational and environmental factors related to the utility lines in the geographical region, determining a probability score that characterizes the likelihood of wildfire ignition caused by the utility lines in the geographical region, generating, based on the probability score, a cost function associating a wildfire-based cost to the current carried by the utility lines, and generating, using the cost function and a mixed-integer program solver, an output for the utility lines in the geographical region, where the output specifies an adjusted value of the current carried by the utility lines.

Abstract: A method for electrical grid monitoring using aggregated smart meter data includes receiving, from an electric grid monitoring device, electrical data aggregated from a plurality of electric meters each connected to a secondary side of at least one electrical transformer within a local geographic region. Each electric meter is configured to generate measurement data based on measurements taken at a respective electrical load. The electrical data indicates one or more characteristics of a secondary electrical distribution system connected to the at least one electrical transformer. The method includes determining, based on the electrical data aggregated from the plurality of electric meters, one or more characteristics of the primary electrical distribution system connected to the electrical transformer.

Abstract: A driver safety system estimates a time that a traffic signal transitions (e.g., from red to green) by obtaining location information from a user device in the vehicle at various times and using a physical model of the movement of the vehicle to estimate when the vehicle began to move.

Abstract: A driver safety system includes traffic signals communicating with a municipal controller via a first network and user devices communicating with a third party controller via a second network. Communications from the first network are provided to the second network via a repeater server providing one-way communications to avoid the possibility of hacking devices on the first network.

Abstract: A traffic routing display system provides a visual display of a speed or series of speeds suggested to the driver such that the driver may pass through multiple consecutive traffic signal devices without stopping at a red light. In one aspect, the display depicts the expected state of an upcoming traffic light. In another aspect, the display is an icon colored to correspond to the expected state. In another aspect, the time remaining before the state of a traffic light changes is displayed. The effect that an indicator has on driver behavior is used to determine the type of indicator to provide to the driver. Certain indicators may not be displayed by the system depending on the effect they have on the driver.

Abstract: A safety system determines a correspondence between a vehicle and an upcoming traffic signal, and predicts a state of the traffic signal when the vehicle is expected to reach the signal's location. Based on proximity to the signal and speed of the vehicle, the system provides a warning if it determines that the vehicle is likely to proceed contrary to the signal (e.g., a driver is likely to run a red light). The warning is issued to the vehicle about to illegally enter the intersection, to other nearby vehicles and pedestrians, and to the traffic signal itself.

Abstract: A driver safety system includes traffic signals communicating with a municipal controller via a first network and user devices communicating with a third party controller via a second network. Communications from the first network are provided to the second network via a repeater server providing one-way communications to avoid the possibility of hacking devices on the first network.

Abstract: A traffic routing display system provides a visual display of a speed or series of speeds suggested to the driver such that the driver may pass through multiple consecutive traffic signal devices without stopping at a red light. In one aspect, the display depicts the expected state of an upcoming traffic light. In another aspect, the display is an icon colored to correspond to the expected state. In another aspect, the time remaining before the state of a traffic light changes is displayed. The effect that an indicator has on driver behavior is used to determine the type of indicator to provide to the driver. Certain indicators may not be displayed by the system depending on the effect they have on the driver.

Abstract: A driver safety system includes traffic signals communicating with a municipal controller via a first network and user devices communicating with a third party controller via a second network. Communications from the first network are provided to the second network via a repeater server providing one-way communications to avoid the possibility of hacking devices on the first network.

Abstract: A system and method for flight planning determines an optimal route by setting an initial departure weight or range of such weights for an aircraft traveling from a departure airport to a destination airport, defining a network of nodes for potentially legal routes, labeling each node with a graph of fuel needed to reach that node either as a function of flight duration or as a function of flight duration and departure weight, selecting or discarding routes when conditions at a node of that route are favorable or violated, selecting a preferred route, departure weight and duration for the desired payload and minimizing fuel for the desired route and payload.

Abstract: A driver safety system includes traffic signals communicating with a municipal controller via a first network and user devices communicating with a third party controller via a second network. Communications from the first network are provided to the second network via a repeater server providing one-way communications to avoid the possibility of hacking devices on the first network.

Abstract: Traffic information readings corresponding to a vehicle are received, the readings including at least a location. The traffic information readings are compared to information already within a map database, and are used to derive additional map information augmenting or correcting that already within the database, the additional map information subsequently being stored in the database. Additional information that is derived includes the presence of stop signs and traffic lights at intersections, the legality of turns at certain times of day, and the connectedness or non-connectedness of road segments.

Abstract: A system and method for flight planning determines an optimal route by setting an initial departure weight or range of such weights for an aircraft traveling from a departure airport to a destination airport, defining a network of nodes for potentially legal routes, labeling each node with a graph of fuel needed to reach that node either as a function of flight duration or as a function of flight duration and departure weight, selecting or discarding routes when conditions at a node of that route are favorable or violated, selecting a preferred route, departure weight and duration for the desired payload and minimizing fuel for the desired route and payload.

Abstract: An electronic map system obtains a vehicle's GPS fix from a GPS receiver and compares the fix with nearby map features such as road segments. Due to GPS inaccuracies, several such map features may correspond to a GPS fix. To determine which map feature should be shown as the location of the vehicle on the electronic map, the system infers a best fit among the map features that are close to the GPS fix by considering both distance and inferred characteristics of each map feature, such as prior GPS fixes and typical vehicle direction and speed on such feature. Some of these characteristics may be retrieved from a database and may be based on historical observations while others may be obtained in real time, for instance from on-board vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A safety system determines a correspondence between a vehicle and an upcoming traffic signal, and predicts a state of the traffic signal when the vehicle is expected to reach the signal's location. Based on proximity to the signal and speed of the vehicle, the system provides a warning if it determines that the vehicle is likely to proceed contrary to the signal (e.g., a driver is likely to run a red light). The warning is issued to the vehicle about to illegally enter the intersection, to other nearby vehicles and pedestrians, and to the traffic signal itself.

Abstract: The characteristics of two intersecting roadways are compared to determine whether an inference can be made as to whether there are traffic controls (e.g., stop signs) on one of the roadways. If a larger road with characteristically higher speed intersects with a small road with lower speed, the small road is determined to have a stop sign. A map database is updated with the information regarding the inferred traffic control, and that information is then usable for purposes such as trip planning.

Abstract: A driver safety system determines a correspondence between a vehicle and an upcoming traffic signal, and predicts a state of the traffic signal when the vehicle is expected to reach the signal's location. Based on proximity to the signal and speed of the vehicle, the system provides a warning to the vehicle if it determines that the vehicle is likely to proceed contrary to the signal (e.g., a driver is likely to run a red light). The warning becomes progressively stronger as the prediction becomes more certain.

Abstract: A system for automatic detection of road conditions reduces emissions from vehicles by determining whether proposed routes may be less efficient due to weather conditions. In one aspect, the system chooses routes not only based on overall distance to travel, but also based weather conditions. The determination is made by information received from various sources, including other vehicles and roadside sensors. In-vehicle warnings are also provided by combining data from in-vehicle sensors with data from other sources, such as conditions currently sensed at upcoming locations and historical and forecast weather data.

Abstract: A system and method for flight planning determines an optimal route by first assuming that the gross payload of a plane is used for fuel, determining legal routes based on to-capacity fueling, determining available payload for possible flight segments by removing unneeded fuel, selecting an optimal route for a desired payload, and minimizing fueling for the selected route.