Route optimization

US8825395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Gregory J. Boss · American Fork, US
• Michele P. Brignull · South Burlington, US
• Rich Allen Hamilton · Charlottesville, US
• Pamela A. Nesbitt · Ridgefield, US
• Anne R. Sand · Colorado Springs, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 2, 2014
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/096866
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one embodiment, there is provided visibility to future predicted traffic situations, based on all reserved routes in a system at a given point in time. This allows city planners, for example, to know where traffic will be to adjust traffic flow accordingly. Additional value comes into play by being able to calculate and publish aggregated savings from using this system, such as driver time, mileage, and gas. This information may be added to a database and made available to individuals via their GPS. In a typical implementation, a request for a route is received from a requester. Based on the request, an optimized route and a potential position of the requester within the optimized route are determined and then proposed to the requester. The requester can then select an option from the proposal.