Method and apparatus for obtaining traffic situation data

US6092020A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mannesmann AG · DE

Inventors

• Ulrich Fastenrath · Bonn, DE
• Markus Becker · Paderborn, DE
• Rainer Ogger · Kaarst, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 18, 2000
• Expiry date: Aug 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/096791
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A 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.