Method and system for merge control in an automated vehicle system
US8145368B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L15/0027
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of controlling merging of a plurality of streams of vehicles in an automated vehicle system. The method comprises: Defining a merge control zone associated with a merge point, the merge control zone defining at least respective sections of the upstream tracks leading to the merge point; detecting a vehicle entering the merge control zone on a first one of the upstream tracks; allocating a passage time to the vehicle, the passage time being indicative of a time at which the vehicle is scheduled to pass the merge point; wherein allocating the passage time is based on a merge priority assigned to the vehicle according to a predetermined set of merge priority rules; controlling a speed of the vehicle responsive to the allocated passage time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.