EP0879460B1 - Process and device for obtaining traffic situation data - Google Patents

Process and device for obtaining traffic situation data Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0879460B1
EP0879460B1 EP97914127A EP97914127A EP0879460B1 EP 0879460 B1 EP0879460 B1 EP 0879460B1 EP 97914127 A EP97914127 A EP 97914127A EP 97914127 A EP97914127 A EP 97914127A EP 0879460 B1 EP0879460 B1 EP 0879460B1
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Prior art keywords
traffic
speed
vehicle
traffic situation
data
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EP97914127A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0879460A1 (en
Inventor
Ulrich Fastenrath
Markus Becker
Rainer Ogger
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Vodafone GmbH
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Mannesmann AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
    • G08G1/096708—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
    • G08G1/096716—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
    • G08G1/0104—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
    • G08G1/096733—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place
    • G08G1/096758—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
    • G08G1/096766—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission
    • G08G1/096775—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission where the origin of the information is a central station
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
    • G08G1/096766—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission
    • G08G1/096791—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission where the origin of the information is another vehicle

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for acquiring data about the traffic situation in a road network, with a central office of a plurality of vehicles operating on Participate in road traffic and are equipped with a sensor system for detection traffic-relevant sensor data, which at least one the current speed v (t) size of the respective vehicle include, at time intervals Individual messages about the one arranged in the respective vehicle Data processing device recognized current on the basis of the detected sensor data Traffic situation in the vehicle environment can be transmitted wirelessly.
  • the invention further relates to a device in a vehicle for detection and submission of such individual reports. Such a method is known from the DE 4 105 584 known.
  • the recording and description of the traffic situation is an essential task in the Area of traffic telematics, the aims of which include road users to provide the most up-to-date and meaningful information possible so that the Avoid traffic congestion situations if possible and in the If necessary, switch to less congested roads.
  • stationary detection devices installed on the street (e.g. Beacons, induction loops or similar). This is not just very high Costs associated with creating and maintaining the necessary infrastructure, but also has the disadvantage that these facilities only due to the system have an extremely narrow local area of application. For one Comprehensive traffic situation detection is therefore the installation of a huge one Number of detection devices necessary.
  • a traffic situation assessment without making permanently installed street-side facilities by using the Vehicles in a sample vehicle fleet suitable collection points (e.g. traffic control center). It deals it is about measuring stations that are floating in traffic ("floating cars") relevant data (especially vehicle speed) via a mobile wireless communication device (e.g. a radio telephone) to the respective Transfer data collection point for further processing and evaluation.
  • the evaluation can then be carried out by a large number of road users in the sense of Traffic information and avoidance recommendations are transmitted so that the Depending on the traffic situation, a favorable decision on the road users can choose the chosen route.
  • the results can also be used in automatic route planning and route guidance systems.
  • a problem with the "floating cars" is that a continuous transmission of the current speed of a variety of vehicles an extraordinarily strong Load on the transmission channels of the communication device used represents and also a significant cost factor when using a fee-based communication system. Therefore one tries to replace the Transmission of individual measured values to the compressed data if possible Central to transmit, in which the traffic information collected and for the End users are prepared. For example, you could at intervals the average speed of the respective vehicle to the control center to transfer. But this is still very expensive.
  • a decision could be made about whether the data is more or less important for the traffic situation, and data transfer may only be limited to meaningful data. In this regard, it would be of great interest to focus on, for example Transmission of information about a traffic jam could restrict.
  • a traffic situation detection system based on "floating cars” in which automatically large amounts of reports from the point of view of the individual "floating cars” generated unusual and therefore significant events these reports are first subjected to a thorough check before they are used in traffic services, such as route planning, Route guidance of vehicles, traffic planning or traffic forecasts
  • traffic services such as route planning, Route guidance of vehicles, traffic planning or traffic forecasts
  • sensor technology is used for the mechanical evaluation of sensed sensor data inevitably confuse different types of events.
  • a particularly drastic example is the confusion between the "traffic jam” event and the Event "Stop at a rest area" during a motorway trip. In both cases the vehicle speed is detected by the sensors.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a generic method to further develop that an at least largely automated control of Event reports can take place in the headquarters with sufficient reliability. Furthermore, a device in a vehicle is to be proposed, which for Collection and transmission of traffic situation data within the framework of a method according to the invention can be used.
  • the invention is based on a device that has a sensor system for recording data, which includes data (speed variables) representative of at least the current vehicle speed, and a data processing device that is connected to this sensor system is. Furthermore, this device comprises a communication device for the wireless transmission of individual messages, which are characteristic of the current traffic situation in the vehicle environment, to a central office.
  • the programming of the data processing device is set up in the following manner: On the basis of the detected speed variables, the data processing device carries out a classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle surroundings, this interpretation comprising at least the class "traffic-related disruption" (traffic jam).
  • the data processing device also forms a confidence factor F on the basis of the detected speed variables, which represents a measure of the ripple of the temporal profile of the speed variables for the period to which the individual message relates, that is to say in particular for the time interval for driving through a traffic jam.
  • the data processing device compiles the individual messages to be transmitted to the control center via the communication device in such a way that they each include at least the classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle environment and the confidence factor F.
  • the diagram of a traffic situation detection system shown in FIG. 1 is divided in function blocks belonging to a control center for recording the traffic situation data and in function blocks that are assigned to the individual "floating cars".
  • the starting point is the acquisition of sensor data using appropriate sensors in the respective "floating car”.
  • the connected to the sensors Data processing device of the "floating car” determines from these sensor data that preferably consist in the current speed of the respective vehicle, a confidence factor F, preferably according to the formula described above.
  • the values required for the reference speed v min and, if appropriate, the length of the measuring interval and the measuring frequency f can vary from the Data processing device of the "floating car" can be taken from a memory which is referred to in FIG. 1 as "default configuration". Via a transmitter / receiver (communication) for wireless data exchange with the control center, the default settings can be changed if necessary.
  • the data processing device of the "floating car” makes a classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle surroundings on the basis of the speed variables detected by the sensors and determines the confidence factor F for this purpose.
  • the interpretation of the traffic situation, in particular the class "traffic-related disruption" Traffic jam messages are transmitted to the head office as individual messages together with the confidence factor determined via the "Communication" function block.
  • the transmitter / receiver of the control center which is also symbolized by a "Communication" function block, records the individual messages transmitted and saves them. If required, a data record for a change in the preset values in the "floating cars" can be taken from the function block of the central station designated with "preset configuration".
  • the data processing device which is not shown in more detail in the head office, checks each individual message received on the basis of the associated confidence factor transmitted in each case, as to whether the interpretation of the traffic situation made by the "floating car" was probably correct or whether it appears doubtful.
  • the vehicle speed zero can occur not only in the case of a traffic jam caused by high traffic volume, but also in the case of a scheduled stop at a rest stop or in a parking lot of a freeway.
  • a congestion caused by a high volume of vehicles usually announces itself through characteristic fluctuations in the speed profile.
  • a scheduled stop in a parking lot or at a rest area usually has a relatively smooth speed profile immediately before this stop. But it can also happen that there is a sudden traffic jam due to an accident followed by a full blockage of the road, whereby a relatively smooth speed profile is also present until the traffic jam is reached.
  • the method of the present invention would determine a comparatively large confidence factor F (near the maximum value 1) in the case of traffic-related traffic jams, the comparatively low confidence factor F would result in the cases of a scheduled stop at a rest stop or a sudden accident stop mentioned in the example
  • a large number of the individual messages arriving at the control center is therefore provided for the data processing device of the control center to automatically evaluate the individual reports based on the trust factor, with all individual reports whose trust factor is above a threshold value of, for example, 0.4 being accepted as correctly interpreted (automatic Evaluation), while all individual reports that have a lower confidence factor are fed to a traffic editor for manual evaluation.
  • the traffic information that can be made available to the road users is then formed from the two partial flows of the automatically evaluated individual reports, which are revised or finally evaluated by a traffic editor.
  • the present invention enables a high reliability of the meaningfulness of Traffic information.
  • a largely automatic evaluation of the recorded individual information instead. Only for a much smaller part of the individual reports must be evaluated manually reliable input data for the traffic information to be derived guarantee. In this way, the profitability of a high quality Data acquisition ensured.
  • Fig. 2 the effectiveness of the method according to the invention is schematic, i.e. not shown to scale using frequency distributions.
  • the trust factor of which according to the above was calculated the frequency distributions were determined p (F) plotted as a function of the confidence factor F, with curve a those individual messages were evaluated in which the automatic The "traffic jam" rating was actually correct.
  • curve b shows the frequency distribution for those individual reports that due to the automatic evaluation in the "floating cars" not applicable as a traffic jam message have been interpreted.
  • congestion single messages with an extraordinarily high confidence factor of about 0.4 or greater Have reliability because very few single messages with higher Confidence factor F can be incorrectly classified in this category.

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE97/00229 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 10, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 10, 1998 PCT Filed Jan. 29, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/29471 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 14, 1997A method for obtaining data on the traffic situation in a road network, wherein a plurality of vehicles involved in road traffic ("floating cars") and equipped with sensory analysis equipment for collecting traffic-relevant sensor data, which include at least one variable representing the current speed v(t) of a given vehicle, wirelessly transmit to a center at chronological intervals individual reports concerning the current traffic situation in the vicinity of the given vehicle determined on the basis of collected sensor data by a data processing device arranged in the vehicle. The individual reports, in addition to containing a classifying interpretation of the traffic situation carried out by the data processing device based on the collected speed variables, which interpretation encompasses at least the class of "traffic-related hold-up" (traffic jam), also contain, as part of the report, a confidence factor F, which represents a measure for the waviness of the chronological profile of the speed variables, especially the vehicle speed v(t), for the period of time to which the given individual report relates.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Erfassung von Daten über die Verkehrslage in einem Straßennetz, wobei einer Zentrale von einer Mehrzahl von Fahrzeugen, die am Straßenverkehr teilnehmen und ausgestattet sind mit einer Sensorik zur Erfassung verkehrsrelevanter Sensordaten, die zumindest eine die aktuelle Geschwindigkeit v(t) des jeweiligen Fahrzeugs repräsentierende Größe umfassen, in zeitlichen Abständen Einzelmeldungen über die von einer im jeweiligen Fahrzeug angeordneten Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung anhand der erfaßten Sensordaten erkannte aktuelle Verkehrssituation in der Fahrzeugumgebung auf drahtlosem Wege übermittelt werden. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung eine Einrichtung in einem Fahrzeug zur Erfassung und Übermittlung solcher Einzelmeldungen. Ein solches Verfahren ist aus der DE 4 105 584 bekannt.The invention relates to a method for acquiring data about the traffic situation in a road network, with a central office of a plurality of vehicles operating on Participate in road traffic and are equipped with a sensor system for detection traffic-relevant sensor data, which at least one the current speed v (t) size of the respective vehicle include, at time intervals Individual messages about the one arranged in the respective vehicle Data processing device recognized current on the basis of the detected sensor data Traffic situation in the vehicle environment can be transmitted wirelessly. The invention further relates to a device in a vehicle for detection and Submission of such individual reports. Such a method is known from the DE 4 105 584 known.

Die Erfassung und Beschreibung der Verkehrslage ist eine wesentliche Aufgabe im Bereich der Verkehrstelematik, zu deren Zielen es gehört, die Verkehrsteilnehmer mit möglichst aktuellen und aussagefähigen Informationen zu versorgen, damit die Verkehrsteilnehmer Situationen mit Verkehrsstau nach Möglichkeit vermeiden und im Bedarfsfall auf weniger belastete Straßen ausweichen können. Es ist bekannt, zu diesem Zweck straßenseitig installierte stationäre Erfassungseinrichtungen (z.B. Baken, Induktionsschleifen o.ä.) zu verwenden. Dies ist nicht nur mit sehr hohen Kosten für die Schaffung und Erhaltung der erforderlichen Infrastruktur verbunden, sondern hat auch den Nachteil, daß diese Einrichtungen systembedingt jeweils nur einen lokal außerordentlich eng begrenzten Einsatzbereich aufweisen. Für eine flächendeckende Verkehrslageerfassung ist daher die Installation einer riesigen Anzahl von Erfassungseinrichtungen notwendig.The recording and description of the traffic situation is an essential task in the Area of traffic telematics, the aims of which include road users to provide the most up-to-date and meaningful information possible so that the Avoid traffic congestion situations if possible and in the If necessary, switch to less congested roads. It is known to For this purpose, stationary detection devices installed on the street (e.g. Beacons, induction loops or similar). This is not just very high Costs associated with creating and maintaining the necessary infrastructure, but also has the disadvantage that these facilities only due to the system have an extremely narrow local area of application. For one Comprehensive traffic situation detection is therefore the installation of a huge one Number of detection devices necessary.

In jüngerer Zeit sind auch Ansätze bekannt geworden, eine Verkehrslageerfassung ohne fest installierte straßenseitige Einrichtungen vorzunehmen, indem aus den Fahrzeugen einer Stichprobenfahrzeugflotte entsprechende Informationen an geeignete Sammelstellen (z.B. Verkehrsleitzentrale) übermittelt werden. Es handelt sich dabei quasi um im Verkehr mitschwimmende Meßstationen ("floating cars"), die relevante Daten (insbesondere die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit) über eine mobile drahtlose Kommunikationseinrichtung (z.B. ein Funktelefon) an die jeweilige Datensammelstelle zur Weiterverarbeitung und Auswertung übertragen. Das Ergebnis der Auswertung kann dann einer Vielzahl von Verkehrsteilnehmern im Sinne von Verkehrshinweisen und Ausweichempfehlungen übermittelt werden, so daß die Verkehrsteilnehmer verkehrslageabhängig eine günstige Entscheidung über die zu wählende Fahrtroute treffen können. Die Ergebnisse können auch Eingang finden in automatische Routenplanungs- und Zielführungssysteme.In recent times approaches have also become known, a traffic situation assessment without making permanently installed street-side facilities by using the Vehicles in a sample vehicle fleet suitable collection points (e.g. traffic control center). It deals it is about measuring stations that are floating in traffic ("floating cars") relevant data (especially vehicle speed) via a mobile wireless communication device (e.g. a radio telephone) to the respective Transfer data collection point for further processing and evaluation. The result The evaluation can then be carried out by a large number of road users in the sense of Traffic information and avoidance recommendations are transmitted so that the Depending on the traffic situation, a favorable decision on the road users can choose the chosen route. The results can also be used in automatic route planning and route guidance systems.

Ein Problem der "floating cars" liegt darin, daß eine fortlaufende Übermittlung der aktuellen Geschwindigkeit einer Vielzahl von Fahrzeugen eine außerordentlich starke Belastung für die Übertragungskanäle der benutzten Kommunikationseinrichtung darstellt und darüber hinaus einen bedeutenden Kostenfaktor bei der Benutzung eines gebührenpflichtigen Kommunikationssystems bildet. Daher versucht man, anstelle der Übermittlung von einzelnen Meßwerten nach Möglichkeit verdichtete Daten an die Zentrale zu übertragen, in der die Verkehrsinformationen gesammelt und für die Endbenutzer aufbereitet werden. Beispielsweise könnte man in zeitlichen Abständen die Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit des jeweiligen Fahrzeugs an die Zentrale übermitteln. Aber auch dies ist immer noch sehr aufwendig. Sehr viel effektiver wäre es, wenn bereits im Fahrzeug, in dem die Datenerfassung mittels einer geeigneten Sensorik durchgeführt wird, eine Entscheidung darüber getroffen werden könnte, ob es sich um für die Verkehrslage mehr oder weniger bedeutsame Daten handelt, und die Datenübertragung möglicherweise nur auf bedeutsame Daten beschränkt wird. In dieser Hinsicht wäre es von großem Interesse, wenn man sich beispielsweise auf die Übertragung lediglich von Informationen über einen festgestellten Verkehrsstau beschränken könnte.A problem with the "floating cars" is that a continuous transmission of the current speed of a variety of vehicles an extraordinarily strong Load on the transmission channels of the communication device used represents and also a significant cost factor when using a fee-based communication system. Therefore one tries to replace the Transmission of individual measured values to the compressed data if possible Central to transmit, in which the traffic information collected and for the End users are prepared. For example, you could at intervals the average speed of the respective vehicle to the control center to transfer. But this is still very expensive. Would be much more effective it, if already in the vehicle, in which the data acquisition by means of a suitable Sensor technology is carried out, a decision could be made about whether the data is more or less important for the traffic situation, and data transfer may only be limited to meaningful data. In In this regard, it would be of great interest to focus on, for example Transmission of information about a traffic jam could restrict.

Generell gilt, daß ein auf "floating cars" basierendes Verkehrslageerfassungssystem, in welchem automatisch große Mengen an Meldungen über aus der Sicht des einzelnen "floating cars" ungewöhnliche und daher bedeutsame Ereignisse erzeugt werden, diese Meldungen zunächst einer gründlichen Kontrolle unterzogen werden müssen, bevor diese in Verkehrsdienstleistungen, wie etwa Routenplanungen, Zielführung von Fahrzeugen, Verkehrsplanungen oder Verkehrsprognosen, einfließen Aufgrund der in den "floating cars" aus Kostengründen möglichst einfach gehaltenen Sensorik wird es nämlich bei einer maschinellen Bewertung von erfaßten Sensordaten unvermeidlich zu Verwechslungen verschiedener Typen von Ereignissen kommen. Ein besonders drastisches Beispiel stellt die Verwechslung des Ereignisses "Stau" mit dem Ereignis "Stop an einer Raststätte" während einer Autobahnfahrt dar. In beiden Fällen wird von der Sensorik die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit Null detektiert. Wegen der Vielzahl von gemeldeten Ereignissen in einem auf "floating cars" basierenden Verkehrslageerfassungssystem ist im Falle einer rein manuellen Lösung des Problems der Kontrolle und ggf. Korrektur von Ereignismeldungen, die in der Zentrale eingehen, die Wirtschaftlichkeit eines solchen Systems von vornherein in Frage gestellt.In general, a traffic situation detection system based on "floating cars" in which automatically large amounts of reports from the point of view of the individual "floating cars" generated unusual and therefore significant events these reports are first subjected to a thorough check before they are used in traffic services, such as route planning, Route guidance of vehicles, traffic planning or traffic forecasts Because of the simplest possible in the "floating cars" for cost reasons This is because sensor technology is used for the mechanical evaluation of sensed sensor data inevitably confuse different types of events. A A particularly drastic example is the confusion between the "traffic jam" event and the Event "Stop at a rest area" during a motorway trip. In both cases the vehicle speed is detected by the sensors. Because of the multitude of reported events in a "floating cars" based Traffic situation detection system is in the case of a purely manual solution to the problem the control and, if necessary, correction of event reports that arrive at the headquarters, questioned the economic viability of such a system from the outset.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, ein gattungsgemäßes Verfahren dahingehend weiterzubilden, daß eine zumindest weitgehend automatisierbare Kontrolle von Ereignismeldungen in der Zentrale mit hinreichender Zuverlässigkeit stattfinden kann. Ferner soll eine Einrichtung in einem Fahrzeug vorgeschlagen werden, die zur Erfassung und Übermittlung von Verkehrslagedaten im Rahmen eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens benutzt werden kann.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a generic method to further develop that an at least largely automated control of Event reports can take place in the headquarters with sufficient reliability. Furthermore, a device in a vehicle is to be proposed, which for Collection and transmission of traffic situation data within the framework of a method according to the invention can be used.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe für ein gattungsgemäßes Verfahren dadurch, daß die von den "floating cars" an die Zentrale übermittelten Einzelmeldungen in einer bestimmten Weise zusammengesetzt werden. Sie umfassen als Bestandteil jeweils nicht nur eine klassifizierende Interpretation der in der Fahrzeugumgebung bestehenden Verkehrssituation, die von der in dem Fahrzeug jeweils mitgeführten Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung anhand der erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen vorgenommen wird, sondern beinhaltet darüber hinaus auch einen Vertrauensfaktor F, der von der Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung aus den erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen gebildet wird. Dieser Vertrauensfaktor F wird in der Weise gebildet, daß er ein Maß für die Welligkeit des zeitlichen Profils der erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen für den Zeitraum darstellt, auf den sich die Einzelmeldung jeweils bezieht. Diese Geschwindigkeitsgrößen sind vorzugsweise die aktuellen Geschwindigkeiten v(t) des Fahrzeugs. Selbstverständlich ist es ohne weiteres möglich, hierfür auch andere Größen mit entsprechender Aussagekraft heranzuziehen. Beispielsweise könnte die jeweils für das Durchfahren einer vorgegebenen Wegstrecke benötigten Zeit oder aber auch die in einer vorgegebenen Zeit zurückgelegte Wegstrecke übermittelt werden. Mit der Welligkeit des Profils der Geschwindigkeitsgrößen ist eine Vergleichsgröße gemeint, die eine Aussage über die "Intensität" der zeitlichen Schwankungen der jeweiligen Geschwindigkeitsgröße darstellt. Hierfür lassen sich eine Reihe von Ansätzen verwenden. Vorzugsweise wird der Vertrauensfaktor F dadurch gebildet, daß die angenäherte Länge des Graphen v(t), also der aktuellen Geschwindigkeit des jeweiligen "floating cars", über den Zeitraum, auf den sich die Einzelmeldung bezieht, berechnet und anschließend die Länge dieses Graphen v(t) mit Hilfe einer vorgegebenen Referenzgeschwindigkeit und der bei der Sensordatenermittlung (d.h. der Ermittlung der Geschwindigkeitsgrößen) angewendeten Meßfrequenz f normiert wird. Als Referenzgeschwindigkeit kann im Grundsatz ein beliebiger Geschwindigkeitswert herangezogen werden. Es empfiehlt sich jedoch, hierfür die minimale Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit vmin zu verwenden, die gleichzeitig als Schwellenwert zur Erkennung einer verkehrsbedingten Störung (Stau) dient. Das bedeutet, daß die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung im jeweiligen "floating car" erst dann von einem verkehrsbedingten Stau ausgeht, wenn die Sensorik eine Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit v(t) ermittelt, die kleiner oder gleich dem vorgegebenen Schwellenwert vmin ist. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, daß diese Referenzgeschwindigkeit von der Zentrale bei Bedarf verändert und auf drahtlosem Wege an die einzelnen "floating cars" übermittelt wird. Auf diese Weise läßt sich die Empfindlichkeit des Verfahrens gezielt verändern. Dies kann beispielsweise sinnvoll sein, um den Erfordernissen einer überregionalen Autobahn mit üblicherweise höheren Geschwindigkeiten im Unterschied zu einer Stadtautobahn in einem Ballungsgebiet mit entsprechend geringeren Geschwindigkeiten gerecht zu werden. In praktischen Versuchen besonders bewährt hat sich die Bildung des Vertrauensfaktors F nach folgender Beziehung:

Figure 00040001
darin bedeuten:

S
die Indexmenge der Geschwindigkeitsmessungen im Zuge der Sensordatenermittlung (vorzugsweise die einem Stauereignis zugeordnete Indexmenge),
N
die Mächtigkeit dieser Indexmenge und
ti
die Zeiten, zu denen Geschwindigkeitsmessungen durchgeführt wurden.
The invention solves this problem for a generic method in that the individual messages transmitted from the "floating cars" to the central office are put together in a certain way. As a component, they not only include a classifying interpretation of the existing traffic situation in the vehicle environment, which is carried out by the data processing device carried in the vehicle on the basis of the recorded speed variables, but also includes a confidence factor F, which is determined by the data processing device from the recorded speed variables is formed. This confidence factor F is formed in such a way that it represents a measure of the ripple in the time profile of the recorded speed variables for the period to which the individual message relates. These speed variables are preferably the current speeds v (t) of the vehicle. Of course, it is also easily possible to use other sizes with appropriate information. For example, the time required in each case for driving through a predetermined distance or else the distance covered in a predetermined time could be transmitted. The ripple of the profile of the speed variables means a comparison variable that provides information about the “intensity” of the temporal fluctuations of the respective speed variable. A number of approaches can be used for this. The confidence factor F is preferably formed by calculating the approximate length of the graph v (t), ie the current speed of the respective "floating car", over the period of time to which the individual message relates, and then the length of this graph v ( t) is standardized with the aid of a predetermined reference speed and the measuring frequency f used in the sensor data determination (ie the determination of the speed variables). In principle, any speed value can be used as the reference speed. However, it is advisable to use the minimum vehicle speed v min for this, which also serves as a threshold value for the detection of a traffic-related disturbance (traffic jam). This means that the data processing device in the respective "floating car" only assumes traffic-related congestion when the sensor system determines a vehicle speed v (t) that is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value v min . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that this reference speed is changed by the control center if necessary and transmitted to the individual "floating cars" by wireless means. In this way, the sensitivity of the method can be changed in a targeted manner. This can be useful, for example, in order to meet the requirements of a national highway with usually higher speeds in contrast to a city highway in a metropolitan area with correspondingly lower speeds. The formation of the confidence factor F according to the following relationship has proven particularly useful in practical experiments:
Figure 00040001
mean:
S
the index quantity of the speed measurements in the course of the sensor data determination (preferably the index quantity assigned to a traffic jam event),
N
the thickness of this index set and
t i
the times at which speed measurements were made.

Im Hinblick auf die Einrichtung zur Übermittlung von Einzelmeldungen zur Verkehrslageerfassung geht die Erfindung aus von einer Einrichtung, die eine Sensorik zur Erfassung von Daten, die zumindest für die aktuelle Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit repräsentative Daten (Geschwindigkeitsgrößen) umfassen, sowie eine Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung aufweist, die an diese Sensorik angeschlossen ist. Ferner umfaßt diese Einrichtung eine Kommunikationseinrichtung für die drahtlose Übermittlung von Einzelmeldungen, die für die aktuelle Verkehrslage in der Fahrzeug umgebung kennzeichnend sind, an eine Zentrale. Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, daß die Programmierung der Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung in folgender Weise eingerichtet ist:
Anhand der erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen nimmt die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung eine klassifizierende Interpretation der Verkehrslage in der Fahrzeugumgebung vor, wobei diese Interpretation zumindest die Klasse "verkehrsbedingte Störung" (Stau) umfaßt. Femer bildet die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung anhand der erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen einen Vertrauensfaktor F, der ein Maß für die Welligkeit des zeitlichen Profils der Geschwindigkeitsgrößen für den Zeitraum darstellt, auf den sich die Einzelmeldung jeweils bezieht, also insbesondere für das Zeitintervall zum Durchfahren eines Staus. Schließlich stellt die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung die über die Kommunikationseinrichtung an die Zentrale zu übermittelnden Einzelmeldungen in der Weise zusammen, daß diese mindestens jeweils die klassifizierende Interpretation der Verkehrslage in der Fahrzeugumgebung und den Vertrauensfaktor F umfassen.With regard to the device for the transmission of individual messages for traffic situation detection, the invention is based on a device that has a sensor system for recording data, which includes data (speed variables) representative of at least the current vehicle speed, and a data processing device that is connected to this sensor system is. Furthermore, this device comprises a communication device for the wireless transmission of individual messages, which are characteristic of the current traffic situation in the vehicle environment, to a central office. According to the invention, the programming of the data processing device is set up in the following manner:
On the basis of the detected speed variables, the data processing device carries out a classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle surroundings, this interpretation comprising at least the class "traffic-related disruption" (traffic jam). The data processing device also forms a confidence factor F on the basis of the detected speed variables, which represents a measure of the ripple of the temporal profile of the speed variables for the period to which the individual message relates, that is to say in particular for the time interval for driving through a traffic jam. Finally, the data processing device compiles the individual messages to be transmitted to the control center via the communication device in such a way that they each include at least the classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle environment and the confidence factor F.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand der Figuren weiter erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
Schema eines Verkehrslageerfassungssystems,
Fig. 2
Häufigkeitsverteilungen für wahre und unwahre Staumeldungen in Abhängigkeit vom Vertrauensfaktor F.
The invention is further explained below with reference to the figures. Show it:
Fig. 1
Scheme of a traffic situation detection system,
Fig. 2
Frequency distributions for true and untrue traffic reports depending on the trust factor F.

Das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Schema eines Verkehrslageerfassungssystems ist unterteilt in Funktionsblöcke, die zu einer Zentrale zur Erfassung der Verkehrslagedaten gehörig sind, und in Funktionsblöcke, die den einzelnen "floating cars" jeweils zugeordnet sind. Ausgangspunkt ist die Erfassung von Sensordaten durch eine entsprechende Sensorik im jeweiligen "floating car". Die an die Sensorik angeschlossene Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung des "floating car" ermittelt aus diesen Sensordaten, die vorzugsweise in der aktuellen Geschwindigkeit des jeweiligen Fahrzeugs bestehen, einen Vertrauensfaktor F, vorzugsweise nach der vorstehend beschriebenen Formel. The diagram of a traffic situation detection system shown in FIG. 1 is divided in function blocks belonging to a control center for recording the traffic situation data and in function blocks that are assigned to the individual "floating cars". The starting point is the acquisition of sensor data using appropriate sensors in the respective "floating car". The connected to the sensors Data processing device of the "floating car" determines from these sensor data that preferably consist in the current speed of the respective vehicle, a confidence factor F, preferably according to the formula described above.

Die dabei benötigten Werte für die Referenzgeschwindigkeit vmin sowie ggf. der Länge des Meßintervalls und der Meßfrequenz f können von der
Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung des "floating car" einem Speicher entnommen werden, der in Fig. 1 mit "Voreinstellung Konfiguration" bezeichnet ist. Über einen Sender/Empfänger (Kommunikation) für den drahtlosen Datenaustausch mit der Zentrale können die Voreinstellungen bei Bedarf geändert werden. Die Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung des "floating car" nimmt anhand der über die Sensorik erfaßten Geschwindigkeitsgrößen im Sinne der vorliegenden Erfindung eine klassifizierende Interpretation der Verkehrssituation in der Fahrzeugumgebung vor und ermittelt hierfür den Vertrauensfaktor F. Die Interpretation der Verkehrssituation, insbesondere die zur Klasse "verkehrsbedingte Störung" gehörenden Staumeldungen werden als Einzelmeldungen jeweils zusammen mit dem ermittelten Vertrauensfaktor über den Funktionsblock "Kommunikation" an die Zentrale übermittelt. Der Sender/Empfänger der Zentrale, der ebenfalls durch einen Funktionsblock "Kommunikation" symbolisiert ist, nimmt die übermittelten Einzelmeldungen auf und speichert sie. Aus dem mit "Voreinstellung Konfiguration" bezeichneten Funktionsblock der Zentrale kann bei Bedarf ein Datensatz für eine Änderung der Voreinstellwerte in den "floating cars" entnommen werden. Die in der Zentrale vorhandene nicht näher dargestellte Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung überprüft jede eingegangene Einzelmeldung anhand des jeweils mit übermittelten zugehörigen Vertrauensfaktors, ob die von dem "floating car" vorgenommene Interpretation der Verkehrslage wahrscheinlich richtig gewesen ist oder ob diese zweifelhaft erscheint. Wie bereits vorstehend erwähnt, kann die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit Null nicht nur bei einem durch hohes Verkehrsaufkommen verursachten (verkehrsbedingten) Stau, sondern auch bei einem planmäßigen Halt an einer Raststätte oder auf einem Parkplatz einer Autobahn auftreten. Ein durch hohes Fahrzeugaufkommen entstandener Stau kündigt sich in der Regel durch charakteristische Schwankungen des Geschwindigkeitsprofils an. Dagegen liegt bei einem planmäßigen Halt auf einem Parkplatz oder an einer Raststätte meistens ein relativ glattes Geschwindigkeitsprofil unmittelbar vor diesem Halt vor. Es kann aber auch vorkommen, daß ein plötzlicher Verkehrsstau durch einen Unfall mit anschließender Vollsperrung der Fahrbahn auftritt, wobei bis zum Erreichen des Staus ebenfalls ein relativ glattes Geschwindigkeitsprofil vorliegt. Während das Verfahren der vorliegenden Erfindung im Falle des verkehrsbedingten Staus einen vergleichsweise großen Vertrauensfaktor F (nahe dem Maximalwert 1) ermitteln würde, ergäbe sich bei den beispielhaft erwähnten Fällen eines planmäßigen Halts an einer Raststätte oder eines plötzlichen Unfallstopps ein vergleichsweise niedriger Vertrauensfaktor F. Bei der Vielzahl der in der Zentrale eingehenden Einzelmeldungen ist daher vorgesehen, daß automatisch von der Datenverarbeitungseinrichtung der Zentrale eine Bewertung der Einzelmeldungen anhand des Vertrauensfaktors erfolgt, wobei alle Einzelmeldungen, deren Vertrauensfaktor über einem Schwellenwert von z.B. 0,4 liegt, als richtig interpretiert akzeptiert werden (automatische Auswertung), während alle Einzelmeldungen, die einen geringeren Vertrauensfaktor aufweisen, einer Verkehrsredaktion zur manuellen Bewertung zugeführt werden. Aus den beiden Teilströmen der automatisch ausgewerteten und den von einem Verkehrsredakteur überarbeiteten bzw. abschließend bewerteten Einzelmeldungen werden dann in der Zentrale die Verkehrsinformationen gebildet, die den Verkehrsteilnehmern zur Verfügung gestellt werden können.The values required for the reference speed v min and, if appropriate, the length of the measuring interval and the measuring frequency f can vary from the
Data processing device of the "floating car" can be taken from a memory which is referred to in FIG. 1 as "default configuration". Via a transmitter / receiver (communication) for wireless data exchange with the control center, the default settings can be changed if necessary. The data processing device of the "floating car" makes a classifying interpretation of the traffic situation in the vehicle surroundings on the basis of the speed variables detected by the sensors and determines the confidence factor F for this purpose. The interpretation of the traffic situation, in particular the class "traffic-related disruption" Traffic jam messages are transmitted to the head office as individual messages together with the confidence factor determined via the "Communication" function block. The transmitter / receiver of the control center, which is also symbolized by a "Communication" function block, records the individual messages transmitted and saves them. If required, a data record for a change in the preset values in the "floating cars" can be taken from the function block of the central station designated with "preset configuration". The data processing device, which is not shown in more detail in the head office, checks each individual message received on the basis of the associated confidence factor transmitted in each case, as to whether the interpretation of the traffic situation made by the "floating car" was probably correct or whether it appears doubtful. As already mentioned above, the vehicle speed zero can occur not only in the case of a traffic jam caused by high traffic volume, but also in the case of a scheduled stop at a rest stop or in a parking lot of a freeway. A congestion caused by a high volume of vehicles usually announces itself through characteristic fluctuations in the speed profile. On the other hand, a scheduled stop in a parking lot or at a rest area usually has a relatively smooth speed profile immediately before this stop. But it can also happen that there is a sudden traffic jam due to an accident followed by a full blockage of the road, whereby a relatively smooth speed profile is also present until the traffic jam is reached. While the method of the present invention would determine a comparatively large confidence factor F (near the maximum value 1) in the case of traffic-related traffic jams, the comparatively low confidence factor F would result in the cases of a scheduled stop at a rest stop or a sudden accident stop mentioned in the example A large number of the individual messages arriving at the control center is therefore provided for the data processing device of the control center to automatically evaluate the individual reports based on the trust factor, with all individual reports whose trust factor is above a threshold value of, for example, 0.4 being accepted as correctly interpreted (automatic Evaluation), while all individual reports that have a lower confidence factor are fed to a traffic editor for manual evaluation. The traffic information that can be made available to the road users is then formed from the two partial flows of the automatically evaluated individual reports, which are revised or finally evaluated by a traffic editor.

Die vorliegende Erfindung ermöglicht eine hohe Zuverlässigkeit der Aussagekraft von Verkehrsinformationen. Dabei findet eine weitgehend automatische Bewertung der erfaßten Einzelinformationen statt. Lediglich für einen erheblich kleineren Teil der erfaßten Einzelmeldungen muß eine manuelle Bewertung vorgenommen werden, um zuverlässige Eingangsdaten für die abzuleitenden Verkehrsinformationen zu gewährleisten. Auf diese Weise wird die Wirtschaftlichkeit einer qualitativ hochwertigen Datenerfassung sichergestellt.The present invention enables a high reliability of the meaningfulness of Traffic information. A largely automatic evaluation of the recorded individual information instead. Only for a much smaller part of the individual reports must be evaluated manually reliable input data for the traffic information to be derived guarantee. In this way, the profitability of a high quality Data acquisition ensured.

In Fig. 2 ist die Wirksamkeit des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens schematisch, d.h. nicht maßstabsgetreu anhand von Häufigkeitsverteilungen dargestellt. Für eine Vielzahl von Einzelmeldungen, deren Vertrauensfaktor jeweils nach der vorstehend angegebenen Berechnungsformel ermittelt wurde, wurden die Häufigkeitsverteilungen p(F) in Abhängigkeit vom Vertrauensfaktor F aufgetragen, wobei als Kurve a diejenigen Einzelmeldungen ausgewertet wurden, bei denen die automatische Bewertung "verkehrsbedingter Stau" tatsächlich zutreffend war. Demgegenüber ist in der Kurve b die Häufigkeitsverteilung für diejenigen Einzelmeldungen dargestellt, die durch die Bewertungsautomatik in den "floating cars" unzutreffend als Staumeldung interpretiert wurden. Man entnimmt der Darstellung, daß Stau-Einzelmeldungen mit einem Vertrauensfaktor von etwa 0,4 oder größer eine außerordentlich hohe Zuverlässigkeit besitzen, da nur sehr wenige Einzelmeldungen mit höherem Vertrauensfaktor F unrichtig in diese Kategorie eingeordnet werden.In Fig. 2 the effectiveness of the method according to the invention is schematic, i.e. not shown to scale using frequency distributions. For one Large number of individual reports, the trust factor of which according to the above was calculated, the frequency distributions were determined p (F) plotted as a function of the confidence factor F, with curve a those individual messages were evaluated in which the automatic The "traffic jam" rating was actually correct. In contrast, in curve b shows the frequency distribution for those individual reports that due to the automatic evaluation in the "floating cars" not applicable as a traffic jam message have been interpreted. One can see from the illustration that congestion single messages with an extraordinarily high confidence factor of about 0.4 or greater Have reliability because very few single messages with higher Confidence factor F can be incorrectly classified in this category.

Claims (6)

  1. A method for acquiring data relating to the traffic situation within a network of roads, individual messages being transmitted wirelessly at intervals to a central unit from a plurality of vehicles, which are out in the traffic and are equipped with sensor systems for acquiring sensor data relevant to the traffic situation, said data including at least one variable representing the current speed v(t) of the respective vehicle, said individual messages relating to the current traffic situation in the vicinity of the vehicle detected by a data processing device arranged in the respective vehicle from the sensor data acquired,
    characterised in that,
    in addition to a categorising interpretation of the traffic situation effected by the data processing device with the aid of the detected speed variables, said traffic situation interpretation comprising at least the category "traffic hold-up", the individual messages each also contain as a component a confidence factor F, which constitutes an indication of the ripple of the profile over time of the speed variables, in particular the vehicle speed v(t), for the period to which each individual message relates.
  2. A method according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the confidence factor F is formed in that the approximate length of the graphs v(t) over the period to which the individual message relates is calculated and the length of the graphs v(t) is then normalised with the aid of a predetermined reference speed and the measuring frequency f used in sensor data detection.
  3. A method according to claim 2,
    characterised in that
    a predetermined minimum vehicle speed vmin is used as the reference speed, said predetermined minimum vehicle speed vmin serving at the same time as the threshold value for detecting a traffic hold-up.
  4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3,
    characterised in that
    the reference speed is modified by the central unit if necessary and transmitted wirelessly to the vehicles.
  5. A method according to claim 3 or claim 4,
    characterised in that
    the confidence factor F is determined according to the following equation: F = fN - 1 Σi,i + 1∈ S min(vmin, v(ti+1) - v(ti))vmin (ti + 1 - ti) in which
    S
    is the index value of the speed measurements in the course of sensor data detection, in particular the index value associated with a traffic jam,
    N
    is the magnitude of this index value and
    ti
    is the times at which speed measurements were carried out.
  6. A device in a vehicle for acquiring and transmitting data relating to the traffic situation, comprising
    a sensor system for detecting data at least including data representing the current vehicle speed,
    a data processing device connected to the sensor system and
    a communication device for the wireless transmission to a central unit of individual messages characteristic of the current traffic situation in the vicinity of the vehicle,
    characterised in that
    the data processing device is so programmed that it
    carries out a categorising interpretation of the traffic situation in the vicinity of the vehicle, which includes at least the category "traffic hold-up", from the speed variables acquired,
    detects a confidence factor F with the aid of the speed variables acquired, which confidence factor F constitutes a measure of the ripple of the profile over time of the speed variables for the period to which each individual message relates, and
    ensures that the individual messages transmitted via the communication device each comprise at least the categorising interpretation and the confidence factor F.
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ES2131268T3 (en) * 1994-11-28 1999-07-16 Mannesmann Ag PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE REDUCTION OF A QUANTITY OF VEHICLE DATA TO BE TRANSMITTED BY VEHICLES FROM A FLEET OF ARBITRARY CHECK VEHICLES.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9552725B2 (en) 2000-08-28 2017-01-24 Inrix Global Services Limited Method and system for modeling and processing vehicular traffic data and information and applying thereof
US8818380B2 (en) 2004-07-09 2014-08-26 Israel Feldman System and method for geographically locating a cellular phone

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WO1997029471A1 (en) 1997-08-14
ATE188059T1 (en) 2000-01-15
US6092020A (en) 2000-07-18
DE59700887D1 (en) 2000-01-27
EP0879460A1 (en) 1998-11-25
JP2000504860A (en) 2000-04-18

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