Methods and systems for efficient and timely transportation of heavy-duty trucks

US10502578B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong · CN

Inventors

• Minghua Chen · Daguantang, CN
• Lei Deng · Hubei, CN
• Mohammad Hassan Hajiesmail · Tehran, IR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2017
• Grant date: Dec 10, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 13, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/047
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Optimal routes and speeds for a heavy-duty truck traversing a network of roads can be automatically determined so as to minimize fuel costs (and optionally other operating costs) while still making on-time delivery of freight to a destination. Route and speed optimization can be based on a network model in which edges correspond to road segments and each edge has an associated cost function that reflects fuel consumption for a truck traversing the corresponding road segment. Given a starting location, destination location, delivery deadline, and truck information, an efficient search algorithm can be executed by a computer to determine an optimal path and speed through the network model, subject to the constraint of arriving at the destination by the delivery deadline. A truck operator can follow the route to the destination, driving at the optimal speed.