Traffic flow at intersections

US11164450B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Arkadiy O. Tsfasman · Wappingers Falls, US
• John S. Werner · Fishkill, US
• Pasquale A. Catalano · Wallkill, US
• Andrew G. Crimmins · Montrose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2019
• Grant date: Nov 2, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/065
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for improving traffic flow at an intersection includes determining spacing data for a plurality of vehicles within traffic lanes that enable the plurality of vehicles to proceed to an intersection from a common direction, determining whether traffic flow proximate to the intersection is hindered due to spacings between the plurality of vehicles, and sending a request to at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles to move forward to improve the traffic flow proximate to the intersection. The spacing data may be derived from spacing-related sensor data captured by one or more vehicles of the plurality of vehicles. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product for executing the above method are also disclosed herein.