Abstract: A system for supporting a user of an electrically driven vehicle comprises position information obtaining unit for obtaining, during traveling, position information indicating a position of the vehicle, electric power amount estimating unit for estimating, during traveling, a remaining electric power amount of an electric power source of the vehicle, shortage risk estimating unit for estimating, during traveling, an estimated risk of electric power amount shortage on the basis of the estimated remaining electric power amount, and notifying unit for notifying a user in case the estimated risk of electric power amount shortage estimated by the shortage risk estimating unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A traffic reporting system and method for geographic area of interest. The system includes standard wireless telecommunication components configured to establish search criteria, determine a sample size, collect traffic information, calculate additional traffic information, and generate reports.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a mobile device provides mobile device attribute data to a traffic monitoring subsystem, receives traffic condition data generated by the traffic monitoring subsystem based at least in part on the mobile device attribute data, presents, by way of a user interface, the traffic condition data for consideration by a user of the mobile device, and provides an interface tool configured to be used by the user to report a traffic condition to the traffic monitoring subsystem. In certain embodiments, the mobile device receives, by way of the interface tool, user input indicating a user observance of the traffic condition and provides, in response to the receiving of the user input, a notification of the user observance of the traffic condition to the traffic monitoring subsystem.

Abstract: Velocity information can be beneficial to various entities including other vehicles and a central traffic monitoring and routing system. Vehicles with sensors can serve as velocity probes to update speeds that are shared via a more global service. However, individuals may be reluctant to provide location and velocity information given privacy preferences. Local policies about sharing personal data are described that can be harnessed to enhance privacy while minimizing communication costs. The local data-sharing policies allow devices to monitor their own speeds and locations and to employ models and analyses that determine the value of sharing flow information with a larger service in accordance with privacy preferences, and to make local decisions as to when to respond to broadcasted queries for specific information, while minimizing the redundancy of signals from multiple vehicles.

Abstract: A method for detecting a traffic zone using an on-board sensor system. Objects from the surroundings of the host vehicle are detected using the sensor system. The course of the traffic lanes is derived from the performance characteristics of the objects detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A targeted area audio distribution system for Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services Receivers (“SDARS”) provides specific content to listeners based on location. A service provider can facilitate delivery of local content using a telematics device installed in the listener's vehicle. The telematics device uses a content database indexed on an identifier formed from coordinates of a desired geographical area to target particular content for users in a targeted area as small as a few blocks. In addition, interstate drivers can receive location specific advertisements for exits that they may be approaching. Digital audio content can be queued up for insertion into the audio stream based on specific locations. The identifier can also be used to report vehicle performance information from a plurality of vehicles to facilitate providing real-time traffic conditions for many traffic corridors.

Abstract: Methods for estimating annual average daily traffic for a road segment from historical traffic counts are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a control unit configured to be disposed on-board at least one of a first vehicle or a second vehicle. The control unit also is configured to receive an updated time of an event involving the first vehicle and the second vehicle traveling in a transportation network. The control unit also is configured to change a speed of said at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle in response to the updated time to arrive at the event. A method is provided that includes, at one of a first vehicle or a second vehicle, receiving an updated time of an event involving the first vehicle and the second vehicle in a transportation network. The method also includes changing a speed of said one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle in response to the updated tune to arrive at the event.

Abstract: A traffic condition detection system is provided for accessing traffic detection units and obtaining traffic data from the accessed traffic detection units. By analyzing the obtained traffic data, an end to a traffic congestion pattern may be estimated.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating street parking availability for a user is disclosed. The system comprises a communication module and a parking probability generator. The communication module receives data describing a set of traces for a group of vehicles associated with a group of users. The parking probability generator assigns the set of traces to one or more street segments based at least in part on street segment data describing the one or more street segments. The parking probability generator generates one or more parking probabilities for the one or more street segments based at least in part on one or more user densities in the one or more street segments.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for forecasting a vehicle traffic condition in a near future. The system comprises a traffic prediction tool, a turning percentage prediction module and a simulation tool. The traffic prediction tool estimates a traffic speed and volume in a traffic link. A traffic link refers to a portion of a traffic road where the traffic prediction tool is installed. The turning percentage prediction module estimates a turning percentage in the traffic link based on the estimated traffic speed and traffic volume. The simulation tool computes, based on the estimated turning percentage, the estimated traffic speed and the estimated traffic volume, an expected traffic volume in the traffic link.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating traffic information by using integration of location update events and call events uses a sample capturing and analyzing device to associate location area update (LAU) and call sample data of a plurality of mobile users. The sample data at least includes at least one LAU event of at least one mobile user of the plurality of mobile users, and call arrival (CA) or call completion (CC) events of at least one call. Based on the sample data, a computation device is used to determine the location information and time information of the at least one LAU event and the CA or CC event of the at least one call, and estimate traffic information of one or more designated roads according to the location information and time information.

Abstract: A cellular-based live traffic service that does not require pre-deployment of infrastructure or GPS-enabled devices uses signals provided by cellular devices to determine course resolution localization and tracking information of the cellular devices. Specialized statistical analysis is performed on the course resolution data to infer the fine resolution positions of the cellular devices. In an example embodiment, the localization and tracking information is provided on a map, or the like, to show relative position and/or trajectory of cellular devices.

Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a speed measuring device, a light controller, and an alarm. The light support is installed at one lane at the intersection; the three traffic lights are installed on the light support to control traffic. The speed measuring device is installed on guardrails on the lane to measure current speed of vehicle. When one of the traffic lights changes its color to indicate stopping, the light controller synchronously controls the speed measuring device to detect the current speed of the vehicle that is passing through the speed measuring device, and compares the measured speed of the vehicle with a preset speed limit. The alarm outputs warning signals when the measured speed is above the preset speed limit.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and programs determine whether a vehicle has exited a link based on map information. If so, the devices, methods, and programs acquire a travel traffic congestion level of the exited link based on travel information within the exited link, and determine whether the travel traffic congestion level of the exited link coincides with a distributed traffic congestion level at a time when the vehicle exited. If not, the devices, methods, and programs determine whether the traffic information has been updated and the distributed traffic congestion level has been changed within the exited link, and if so, acquire a distribution time rate of each distributed traffic congestion level within the exited link. The devices, methods, and programs determine a traffic congestion level of the exited link based on the distribution time rate of each acquired distributed traffic congestion level and the travel traffic congestion level of the exited link.

Abstract: Various embodiments can predict a user's intended driving route in order to provide the user with traffic warnings for traffic conditions along the same. A user's driving route, in at least one embodiment, is predicted by collecting travel data, such as information associated with the date, time, location, and direction for trips made within a network of roads over time. Instead of keeping the travel data anonymous, the travel data is associate or linked to the user's account or stored in a user profile in order to build a history of travel patterns for the user over time. The travel patterns can then be used to predict when a user is going to travel or make a trip and, upon identifying a context indicative of a travel pattern, traffic information for a route associated with the pattern is obtained and provided to the user's computing device.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a road-to-vehicle communication device which acquires information regarding the volume of traffic in a predetermined section on a road where a vehicle travels and which transmits the traffic volume information to a determination section; a deceleration acquisition section which acquires deceleration of a vehicle in front in the predetermined section and transmits information regarding the deceleration to the determination section; the determination section which determines whether or not a lane change is necessary on the basis of the traffic volume information acquired by the road-to-vehicle communication device and the deceleration acquired by the deceleration acquisition section; and an instruction section which instructs at least either the host vehicle or a vehicle behind to change lane when the determination section determines that a lane change is necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for lateral control of a host vehicle (F) during travel in a vehicle platoon. The apparatus and method include acquiring a control signal u and a lateral error ? relative to a target vehicle (L) of a preceding vehicle (T) travelling in the vehicle platoon, filtering the received lateral error ?, filtering the received control signal u, and executing via a processor a control algorithm for actuating lateral control of the host vehicle (F).

Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a bracket, a number of indicators and a light controller. The light support is installed at one side of one lane at the intersection; the traffic lights are fixed on the light support and above the lane. The bracket is installed at one side of another lane at the intersection, and a number of stop lines are formed on the lane. The indicators are fixed on the bracket and above the stop lines to control traffic. The light controller controls to synchronously turn on or off the plurality of indicators and the traffic lights, and the indicators emit the same color light as the traffic lights.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs is disclosed. The invention determines the direction of a moving object, such as a vehicle on a roadway, based on inputs provided by sensors along the object's path. The methods involve monitoring state changes of the inputs as the object passes the sensor and comparing the magnitude of state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state. For each state change comparison, a direction variable is adjusted to indicate forward or reverse movement. After passage of the object, a direction of movement is assigned to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable. The invention provides a high degree of accuracy, is simple to reconfigure, and more economical than other methods.

Abstract: The automated lane management assist method, data structure and system receive unprocessed lane-specific limited-access highway information, including lane use and speed limits, from freeway transportation management centers or traffic management centers, process and convert the unprocessed information to a form that assists in the selection of driving lanes and target speeds for vehicles, and communicate the processed information to the vehicles by suitable means.

Abstract: A road side data exchange net and method thereof is provided. The road side data exchange net includes a plurality of road side data exchange devices set on neighboring roads separately. The road side data exchange device includes a positioning system for receiving satellite data regularly, a calculator for calculating a calibration value of the satellite data to generate an analyzed result data, and a database for storing the analyzed result data. Further, each of the road side data exchange devices broadcasts the analyzed result data from its database to all of neighboring road side data exchange devices to provide the analyzed result data to an electronic device.

Abstract: A user device may be configured to output, to a server device, a request for traffic congestion information, receive audio or visual information regarding an identified occurrence of traffic congestion; and present a visual representation of the occurrence of traffic congestion. The visual representation may include a selectable option to access at least a portion of the received audio or visual information regarding the occurrence of traffic congestion. The user device may further be configured to present, based on a selection of the selectable option, the at least a portion of the received audio or visual information regarding the occurrence of the traffic congestion.

Abstract: A device is provided tor use with a vehicle and with a communication device. The communication device can transmit a first vehicle mode signal and a subsequent signal. The device includes a processing component, an indicator component, a transmitting component and a receiving component. The processing component can operate in a vehicle mode and can operate in a second mode. The indicator component can provide a vehicle mode indication signal when the processing component is operating in the vehicle mode. The transmitting component can transmit a second vehicle mode signal based on the vehicle mode indication signal. The receiving component can receive the first vehicle mode signal and can receive the subsequent signal. The processing component can further perform a function while in the vehicle mode and based on the first vehicle mode signal and the subsequent signal.

Abstract: Future travel times along links are predicted using training and prediction phases. During training, seasonal intervals, a seasonal component of the training inflows are learned. The seasonal component is subtracted from the training inflows to obtain training deviations from the training inflows to yield statistics, which along with the seasonal components form a model of traffic flow on the link. During prediction, current travel times on the link are collected for current seasonal intervals to determine current inflows. A most recent travel time is subtracted from a most recent inflow to obtain a current deviation. For a future time, a predicted deviation is estimated using the statistics. The seasonal component is added to the predicted deviation to obtain a predicted inflow from which the future travel time is predicted.

Abstract: A traffic congestion resolution and driving assistance system and method include obtaining the acceleration of a vehicle; calculating a power spectrum corresponding to frequencies from the acceleration; calculating a simple regression line of the power spectrum, and calculating the maximum value of the amount of change in the slope of the simple regression line. The system and method also include detecting the intervehicular distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle; estimating the intervehicular distance distribution from the detected intervehicular distance using a distribution estimating method; and calculating the minimum value of the covariance from the estimated intervehicular distance distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting traffic on a transportation network where real time data points are missing. In one embodiment, the missing data is estimated using a calibration model comprised of historical data that can be periodically updated, from select links constituting a relationship vector. The missing data can be estimated off-line whereafter it can be used to predict traffic for at least a part of the network, the traffic prediction being calculated by using a deviation from a historical traffic on the network. The invention further discloses a method for in-vehicle navigation; and a method for traffic prediction for a single lane.

Abstract: Traffic management reports are created from data provided by vehicle sensor devices placed at different fixed locations in a region. Data of vehicles that pass each of the vehicle sensor devices are captured and communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, traffic management reports are periodically created from the vehicle data. Each traffic management report incorporates vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data is for a plurality of previous, non-current times so as to allow for analysis of past vehicle data.

Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.

Abstract: A traffic preemption system comprising an intersection control module, an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and a remotely located electronic device comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage. The system further comprises a cable coupling the intersection controller, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device, the cable comprising a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device, a ground wire, and a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection controller.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a traffic information generating method for generating traffic information about a road on which a vehicle travels. A vehicle speed is detected by a vehicle speed sensor at predetermined distance or time intervals. By referring to a prescribed speed, a prescribed distance, and a link determination distance, a congestion degree associated with the vehicle speed is detected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining vehicular speeds over various travel routes that includes the steps: (a) for a plurality of mobile communication devices, determining a respective first geographic location at a first time and a second geographic location at a second later time; (b) determining a respective velocity for each cellular communication device over the distance between the first and second geographic locations; and (c) based on the respective velocities, providing to a driver at least one of (I) a velocity over a selected travel route, (ii) a traffic volume over the selected travel route, and (iii) an estimated time of travel over the selected travel route.

Abstract: Techniques are described for assessing road traffic conditions in various ways based on obtained traffic-related data, such as data samples from vehicles and other mobile data sources traveling on the roads and/or from one or more other sources (such as physical sensors near to or embedded in the roads). The road traffic conditions assessment based on obtained data samples may include various filtering and/or conditioning of the data samples, and various inferences and probabilistic determinations of traffic-related characteristics of interest from the data samples. In some situations, the inferences include repeatedly determining current traffic flow characteristics and/or predicted future traffic flow characteristics for road segments of interest during time periods of interest, such as to determine average traffic speed, traffic volume and/or occupancy, and include weighting various data samples in various ways (e.g., based on a latency of the data samples and/or a source of the data samples).

Abstract: This traffic simulator is provided with a simulator engine unit for performing computation on the basis of a formula representing a movement model for a vehicle, a traffic volume calculation unit for calculating a generated traffic volume and a removed traffic volume on the basis of a given OD traffic volume, an estimated congestion length calculation unit for calculating (estimating) an estimated congestion length for each link on the basis of the calculated traffic volume thereof, an origin and destination generation unit for generating an origin traffic volume and an destination traffic volume to adjust the estimated congestion length on the basis of the difference between the estimated congestion length and the measured congestion length, a storage unit for storing predetermined information, and an evaluation condition setting unit for setting evaluation conditions for evaluating the traffic various quantities metrics.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and using information regarding road traffic in various ways, including by obtaining and analyzing road traffic information regarding actual behavior of drivers of vehicles on a network of roads. Obtained actual driver behavior information may in some situations be analyzed to identify decision point locations at which drivers face choices corresponding to possible alternative routes through the network of roads (e.g., intersections, highway exits and/or entrances, etc.), as well as to track the actual use by drivers of particular paths between particular decision points in order to determine preferred compound links between those decision point locations. The identified and determined information from the analysis may then be used in various manners, including in some situations to assist in determining particular recommended or preferred routes of vehicles through the network of roads based at least in part on actual driver behavior information.

Abstract: A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for communicating the vehicle status determination to an outside entity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for an orderly and well-considered evacuation of a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in the event of declared emergency. It describes the mapping of evacuation points and subsequent routing of PRT vehicles according to both the nature/location of the emergency and outflow capacity at each evacuation point. If an emergency is declared within a PRT system, which does not cause widespread power loss, but which does require an orderly evacuation (e.g., smoke or flooding), PRT vehicles will be routed to an evacuation point capable of handling such outflow in an orderly manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting load of traffic of vehicles that are travelling according to non reference route plan, provided with Dynamic Route Guidance capability of their PMS, in a Forward Time Interval related Route Segment and according to a predetermined protocol between mobile systems and a non mobile system platform of a SODMS. Using mobile units, a traffic prediction query is receiving according to a predetermined differential traffic load match process.

Abstract: A drive supporting device includes a GPS, a front camera, and a communication device that acquire traffic signal information related to the time-series on/off state of a traffic signal and an ECU that supports the driving of a vehicle on the basis of the traffic signal information acquired by, for example, the communication device. The ECU changes a driver support aspect on the basis of the level of proficiency of the driver of the vehicle in a region in which the vehicle is currently located. In this way, even when the driver is in a strange place, it is possible to appropriately support the driving of the vehicle.

Abstract: A road network analysis system detects major changes in a road network based on probe information from a plurality of vehicles. The probe information is tabulated and the change in the amount of traffic is calculated for each road with a predetermined time interval. If a remarkable change in the amount of traffic is detected for a road before and after a specific baseline day, it is determined that a major change in the road network affecting the traffic has occurred in the vicinity of the road, and the road is specified as a change-related road. A path search may be performed between the endpoints of a plurality of change-related roads, and the searched paths that have the most overlap with the searched paths are selected so as to identify the change-related roads which are commonly affected by the same cause and the endpoints thereof.

Abstract: A traffic congestion prediction method including the steps of: detecting an acceleration of a vehicle; calculating a power spectrum corresponding to a frequency from a frequency analysis of the detected acceleration; calculating a simple linear regression line of the power spectrum and calculating a maximum value of an amount of change in a gradient of the simple linear regression line in a predetermined frequency range as a maximum gradient value; detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead; estimating an inter-vehicle distance distribution from the detected inter-vehicle distance by using a distribution estimation method; calculating a minimum value of covariance value from the estimated inter-vehicle distance distribution; estimating a distribution of a group of vehicles ahead from a correlation between the minimum value of covariance value and the maximum gradient value; and performing a real-time traffic congestion prediction based on the distribution of the group of vehic

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the location of a vehicle in an electronic toll collection system employing a wide area communication protocol. The vehicle includes a transponder that sends reports regarding the position of the vehicle and the time at which the position was determined. The system includes a vehicle position predictor for estimating the future position of the vehicle within a roadway based on two or more reports of past positions and the times at which they were recorded. Speed data or other data impacting likely future position may also be reported and factored into the estimate. The estimate of future position may be used in connection with triggering enforcement measures, timing a toll transaction, integrating wide area toll communications into a legacy toll transaction system, or for other applications.

Abstract: According to a method of vehicular traffic management, a computer system receives, from devices distributed in a plurality of roadway segments of a physical roadway system, real-time traffic information individually describing vehicular traffic in each the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system determines from the real-time traffic information an advised speed for a particular roadway segment among the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system transmits, via a communication network, a speed advisory command specifying the advised speed to a device in the particular roadway segment for presentation.

Abstract: Animation and visualization of roadway performance analytics in a dashboard presentation in an integrated performance measurement system comprises analyzing collected traffic data to generate measured congestion information that reflects current conditions in one or more links, segments, or corridors comprising a roadway. The measured congestion information is presented in one or more sets of indicia on a graphical user interface so that current congestion conditions can be viewed and analyzed by a user. The measured congestion information is represented as gauges displaying percentage increases or decreases relative to a particular time, as animated maps showing a selectable set of current congestion conditions, as one or more graphs of current congestion conditions over time, as chart-based displays of costs and causes of current congestion conditions, and a data feed listing textual live updates.

Abstract: A speed limit assistant (SLA) system includes a camera based SLA, a map based SLA, and a fusion unit. The camera based SLA is configured to determine a first set of probabilities for an input image, wherein the probabilities indicate how likely the image includes a discrete set of speed limit signs. The map based SLA is configured to determine a second set of probabilities for an input coordinate, wherein the probabilities indicate how likely the coordinate is to correspond to one of a discrete set of speed limits. The fusion unit is configured to perform a Bayesian fusion on the first and second set of probabilities to determine a final speed limit from the discrete set of speed limits.

Abstract: Current and predicted traffic information is provided from incident data, traffic flow data, and media related to traffic received from multiple sources. The crowd sourced data may be provided passively by applications on remote mobile devices or actively by users operating the remote mobile devices. An application on a mobile device may receive the multiple data types, aggregate and validate the data, and provides traffic information for a user. The traffic information may relate to the current position and route of the user or a future route. The present technology may also provide driving efficiency information such as fuel consumption data, carbon footprint data, and a driving rating for a user associated with a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for employing roadside acoustics sensing in ascertaining traffic density states. Traffic monitoring input is received from a road segment, the traffic monitoring input including traffic audio input. The traffic monitoring input is processed and the processed traffic monitoring input is classified with a predetermined traffic density state. The classified traffic monitoring input is combined with other classified traffic monitoring input.

Abstract: A traffic signal cycle estimation device 2 is provided, which includes a travel time acquisition unit 4 acquiring a traffic signal section travel time, a frequency distribution calculation unit 5 calculating a frequency distribution of the traffic signal section travel times on the basis of the traffic signal section travel times, a travel time group determination unit 6 determining a first travel time group in which the vehicle does not stop at the traffic signal and a second travel time group in which the vehicle stops at the traffic signal on the basis of the frequency distribution of the traffic signal section travel times, and a traffic signal cycle estimation unit 7 estimating cycle information of the traffic signal on the basis of a difference between the first travel time group and the second travel time group.

Abstract: A cellular-based live traffic service that does not require pre-deployment of infrastructure or GPS-enabled devices uses signals provided by cellular devices to determine course resolution localization and tracking information of the cellular devices. Specialized statistical analysis is performed on the course resolution data to infer the fine resolution positions of the cellular devices. In an example embodiment, the localization and tracking information is provided on a map, or the like, to show relative position and/or trajectory of cellular devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a way to decrease the certainty of a piece of information. In at least some embodiments, a certainty factor and a decay rate are associated with the piece of information. The certainty factor indicates the certainty of a piece of information. As time passes, the decay rate is applied to the certainty factor to reduce the certainty factor, thereby providing an indication that the certainty of the information has decreased.