JP5068703B2 - Traffic information provision system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information providing system that provides traffic information such as congestion mitigation information to a vehicle traveling on an expressway or an automobile exclusive road.

  Conventionally, many proposals have been made as means for alleviating traffic jams on highways and exclusive roads (for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the traffic congestion alleviating device 40 of Patent Document 1 includes a traffic flow sensor 45 provided in a first section 43 on a vehicle-only road 41 and a second section 44 downstream from the first section 43. When the roadside system 48 predicts the occurrence of a traffic jam based on the average traffic volume and the average speed of each lane, the information providing devices 46 and 47 are provided. It is designed to provide traffic congestion mitigation information.

JP 2006-309735 A

However, in the above-described conventional technology, since common information is provided to vehicles traveling in each lane, there are the following problems.
For example, when requesting a lane change to the left lane, it is irrelevant and meaningless information for a vehicle traveling in the first traveling lane, which may hinder the driver's concentration on driving.
For example, on a three-lane road, when requesting a lane change to the left lane, the vehicle traveling in the second lane and the overtaking lane receives information at the same time, so the vehicles traveling in both lanes change lanes all at once. There is a possibility of doing so, and traffic conditions may be confused. In addition, when the second lane has no room to accept a lane change vehicle from the overtaking lane, the vehicle in the overtaking lane does not change much lane, and information provision may not function effectively.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and by providing information for each lane, the concentration of driving to the driver is not hindered and the traffic state is appropriately maintained while being efficiently maintained. It is an object to provide a traffic information providing system that can provide traffic information.

In order to solve the above problems, the traffic information providing system of the present invention employs the following technical means.
(1) The present invention is a traffic information providing system that provides traffic information to a vehicle traveling on a road having a plurality of lanes, and creates and outputs traffic information for each lane, and the roadside And an information providing device capable of providing information to the vehicle for each lane in response to a command from the processing device.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the information providing device can provide information to the vehicle for each lane. For example, when requesting a lane change to the left lane, Information can be provided to vehicles traveling in one lane without providing information to vehicles traveling in other lanes. In addition, since traffic information can be provided by specifying a lane, concentration of a driver who drives a vehicle traveling in a non-target lane is not hindered.

(2) In the above traffic information providing system, the information providing device provides information step by step at a plurality of positions on the road for each lane.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, by providing traffic information in multiple stages for each lane, for example, on a three-lane road, in the first stage (first position) For the second stage (the second position downstream from the first position), the vehicle is requested to maintain the traveling in the first traveling lane. In the third stage (third position downstream from the second position), an operation such as requesting the lane change to the left side of the overtaking lane becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of causing confusion in traffic conditions due to the simultaneous reaction of drivers of vehicles traveling in each lane. In addition, by providing information step by step, it can be expected that a traffic state that facilitates cooperation with the request can be created, and the overall traffic smoothing effect can be enhanced.

(3) In the above traffic information providing system, the information providing device is a plurality of optical beacons installed for each lane, which transmits traffic information to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted device.

(4) In the traffic information providing system, the information providing device is a radio beacon that transmits traffic information to a vehicle equipped with an on-vehicle device.

(5) In the above traffic information providing system, the information providing device is installed for each lane on the downstream side of the road from the radio beacon and the radio beacon that transmits the traffic information to the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device. Traffic information having a plurality of optical beacons and transmitted from the radio beacon is output in the vehicle-mounted device using a signal from the optical beacon as a trigger.

(6) In the traffic information providing system, the information providing device is a plurality of display boards installed for each lane or a display board capable of displaying information for each lane.

  As in the configurations of (3) to (6) above, the information providing device can be configured with an optical beacon, a radio beacon, and a display board alone or in combination.

  According to the present invention, by providing information for each lane, it is possible to efficiently provide traffic information while maintaining the traffic state appropriately without obstructing the concentration of driving to the driver.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic information providing system 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
This traffic information providing system 10A realizes mitigation of traffic congestion by providing information for mitigating congestion to a driver of a vehicle 3 traveling on a road 1 having a plurality of lanes 1a, 1b, 1c. It is. The road 1 is an expressway or a vehicle exclusive road on which the vehicle 3 travels, and the vehicle 3 travels on the road 1 toward the right side in FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows a range in which traffic information is provided by the traffic information providing system 10A, and the first section S1 and the second section S2 are set in the range. The second section S2 is located on the downstream side of the first section S1. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, a terrain that changes from a downhill to an uphill called “sag” is formed in the second section S2. The driver loosens the accelerator on the downhill and does not step on the accelerator even on the uphill, so the speed drops and propagates to the following vehicle. Therefore, traffic congestion is likely to occur in sag.

  In this example, the lanes 1a, 1b, and 1c are a first traveling lane, a second traveling lane, and an overtaking lane, respectively. The number of lanes is not limited to 3, and may be 2 or 4 or more. Here, the “vehicle 3” refers to an automobile or a motorcycle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic information providing system 10 </ b> A includes a first traffic flow sensor 11, a second traffic flow sensor 12, a roadside processing device 22, and an information providing device 14.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the first traffic flow sensor 11 is installed in the first section S1. The 1st traffic flow sensor 11 is installed so that the traffic condition of the vicinity of the starting point of 1st area S1 can be measured. The traffic situation includes information such as the average traffic volume and average speed of the vehicle 3.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the second traffic flow sensor 12 is installed in the second section S2. The second traffic flow sensor 12 is installed so as to be able to measure and detect traffic conditions and traffic congestion in the vicinity of the start point of the second section S2, and the traveling state (position, speed, etc.) of the individual vehicle 3 to determine the traffic congestion. It has a function to measure.

  As the first traffic flow sensor 11 and the second traffic flow sensor 12, a three-dimensional laser radar or a camera can be applied. In the case of a three-dimensional laser radar, the position of each vehicle 3 is determined by scanning a pulse laser beam three-dimensionally with respect to the vehicle 3 traveling in a predetermined section and measuring the feedback time of the pulse laser beam reflected by the vehicle 3. Based on this, the average speed and average traffic volume can be calculated for each lane. In the case of a camera, it is possible to image a predetermined section and identify the vehicle 3 traveling there by image processing, calculate the position of each vehicle 3, and calculate the average speed and average traffic volume for each lane based on this. it can.

  In addition, as the first traffic flow sensor 11 and the second traffic flow sensor 12, it is also possible to apply traffic sensors provided in each lane. The traffic sensor is composed of a pair of coils embedded at intervals in the traveling direction, detects the vehicle 3 passing therethrough from the magnetic change, and simultaneously detects the speed of the vehicle 3 passing through the detection time difference, Average speed and average traffic volume can be calculated for each lane.

  The roadside processing device 22 is capable of wired communication or wireless communication with the first traffic flow sensor 11, the second traffic flow sensor 12, and the information providing device 14, and the roadside processing device 22 from the first traffic flow sensor 11 and the second traffic flow sensor 12. A detection signal is received, and the information providing apparatus 14 is controlled.

  For example, the roadside processing device 22 grasps the traffic conditions of the first section S1 and the second section S2 based on detection signals from the first traffic flow sensor 11 and the second traffic flow sensor 12, and based on the traffic conditions. It can be configured as a device that creates traffic congestion mitigation information (traffic information). In this case, for example, the roadside processing device 22 calculates the average traffic volume and the average speed for each lane for the first section S1, the congestion degree of the first section S1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the difference in the average traffic volume between the lanes When the difference in average speed becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is possible to create traffic congestion mitigation information and instruct the information providing apparatus 14 to start providing information. The predetermined degree of congestion is a degree of congestion that is likely to cause congestion.

  Further, the roadside processing device 22 may instruct the information providing device 14 to stop providing information in accordance with the traffic situation in the second section S2. For example, when there is a predetermined difference or more in the traffic situation between the first section S1 and the second section S2, the second ratio is when the ratio of vehicles that have changed lanes between the first section S1 and the second section S2 is more than a predetermined value. For example, when a traffic jam is detected in the section S2. As a result, merits such as avoidance of confusion due to provision of information not suited to the situation, suppression of excessive lane changes exceeding expectations, prevention of provision of meaningless information to the driver, and the like can be obtained.

  In this way, when the traffic flow sensors 11 and 12 are installed in the first section S1 and the second section S2, respectively, the upstream traffic situation detected by the first traffic flow sensor 11 and the downstream traffic condition detected by the second traffic flow sensor 12 Since it is possible to determine whether or not to provide information to the vehicle 3 based on the detected AC situation, a feed-forward control service based on the upstream traffic situation and a feedback control type based on the downstream traffic situation Services and a combination of both services can be provided.

  As another configuration of the roadside processing device 22, as in JP 2006-309735 A, the occurrence of traffic jam is predicted based on the average traffic volume and average speed of each lane, and congestion mitigation information (traffic information) is created. The generated traffic information may be provided to the vehicle 3 by the information providing device 14. In this case, the second traffic flow sensor 12 may be omitted. In the case of such a configuration, based on only the upstream traffic situation detected by the first traffic flow sensor 11, information is provided for a vehicle traveling downstream thereof, so that it becomes a feedforward control service. .

  Further, as yet another configuration example of the roadside processing device 22, the first traffic flow sensor 11 is omitted, and information installed in the first section based on the downstream traffic situation acquired by the second traffic flow sensor 12. You may comprise so that traffic information may be provided to the vehicle 3 by the provision apparatus 14 (15A-15C, 16A-16C). In the case of such a configuration, information is provided to the vehicle 3 traveling upstream based only on the traffic situation on the downstream side, which is a feedback control service.

The information providing device 14 can provide information to the vehicle 3 for each lane in response to a command from the roadside processing device 22.
In the first section, the information providing device 14 is installed so as to provide information step by step at a plurality of positions on the road 1 for each lane. In the configuration example of FIG. 1, each position of P1, P2, and P3 is provided. And a plurality of optical beacons 15A to 15C and a plurality of display boards 16A to 16C installed for each lane on a support structure 23 such as a gantry. The information providing device 14 (the optical beacon 15A and the display board 16A) at the most upstream position (P1) in the first section S1 moves the vehicle 3 at or near the position where the traffic condition is detected by the first traffic flow sensor 11. It should be installed at a location where information can be provided.

  Optical beacons (optical vehicle detectors) 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> C installed corresponding to each lane are capable of bidirectional communication with the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle 3 using infrared rays, and the communication area is 1 It can be limited to within one lane width. For this reason, it becomes possible to transmit traffic information for every lane by installing the optical beacons 15A to 15C for each lane.

  Information transmission by the vehicle-mounted device may use both character display and voice output, or may be either one. The vehicle-mounted device only needs to be mounted on the vehicle 3 at a certain rate, and need not be mounted on all the vehicles 3.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the display boards 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> C are separately installed for each lane so that each lane can be displayed. However, the display boards 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> C are configured to display each lane using a single display board. It is also possible. In addition, in the case of using one display board, it is necessary to display so that each display can be understood for which lane.

  According to the traffic information providing system 10A configured as described above, the information providing device 14 can provide information to the vehicle 3 for each lane, so that, for example, a lane change to the left lane is performed. When making a request, it is possible to provide information to the vehicle 3 traveling in the other lanes 1b and 1c without providing information to the vehicle 3 traveling in the first traveling lane 1a. In addition, since traffic information can be provided by specifying a lane, concentration of a driver who drives a vehicle traveling in a non-target lane is not hindered.

  Also, by providing traffic information in multiple stages for each lane, for example, in a three-lane road like the configuration example of FIG. 1, in the first stage (first position P1) A request is made to maintain the travel of the first travel lane 1a, and in the second stage (the second position P2 downstream from the first position P1), the vehicle 3 traveling in the second travel lane 1b is moved leftward. Operation such as requesting a lane change and requesting a lane change to the left side of the overtaking lane 1c in the third stage (a third position P3 downstream from the second position P2) becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of causing confusion in the traffic state due to the simultaneous reaction of the drivers of the vehicles 3 traveling in each lane. In addition, by providing information step by step, it can be expected that a traffic state that facilitates cooperation with the request can be created, and the overall traffic smoothing effect can be enhanced.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the optical beacons 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> C and the display boards 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> C are combined, but a configuration including only one of them is also possible.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, another display board 17 is installed as the information providing device 14 at a position where information can be provided near the start point of the second section S2. This display board 17 is installed on the road shoulder side, and is configured to display each lane individually by one display board. On the display board 17, for example, it is possible to provide information that prompts the user to keep the currently traveling lane with respect to the first traveling lane 1a and the second traveling lane 1b.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 1, another display board 18 is installed as the information providing device 14 at the end point of the second section S2. This display board 18 is installed on the road shoulder side, and is configured to individually display each lane with one display board. In the display board 18, for example, it is possible to provide information for informing that the expiration date of the information provided upstream from the display board 18 ends.

In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the display board 17 is a mobile type mounted on a vehicle, and the display board 18 is a fixed type fixed to a pillar, but each display board adopts any form. Also good.
Instead of the display boards 17 and 18, it is also possible to install one or both of a display board (such as 16A) and an optical beacon (such as 15A) for each lane as installed in the first section S1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic information providing system 10B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the traffic information providing system 10B of the second embodiment, instead of the optical beacons 15A to 15C and the display boards 16A to 16C in the first embodiment, the radio wave beacons 20A to 20C and the display board 19A are provided at positions P1, P2, and P3. -19C is installed. The radio wave beacons 20A to 20C can apply, for example, a narrow-band dedicated communication (DSRC) based on a 5.8 GHz band (millimeter wave band), which is a known system.

  The radio wave beacons 20A to 20C have a function of transmitting traffic information to the vehicle 3 equipped with the vehicle-mounted device. However, since the communication area is wide across multiple lanes compared to the optical beacon, the information is limited to a certain lane. It cannot be sent. Therefore, it is necessary that the contents of information provision be traffic information in which lanes and instruction contents are associated with each other. For example, traffic information is provided that keeps the lane for the first lane 1a and prompts the second lane 1b and the overtaking lane 1c to change to the left lane.

The display boards 19A to 19C are installed on the road shoulder side, and are configured to individually display the respective lanes with one display board at each position of P1, P2, and P3. Similarly, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a display plate is provided for each lane.
The provision of traffic information using the radio wave beacons 20A to 20C and the display boards 19A to 19C is preferably performed step by step by changing the contents of information provision at each of the positions P1, P2, and P3, as in the first embodiment.

  Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic information providing system 10C according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In the traffic information providing system 10C of the third embodiment, optical beacons 15A to 15C and display boards 19A to 19C are installed for each lane at positions P1, P2, and P3, and further, radio wave beacons are located upstream of the position P1. 20 is installed. In the case of this embodiment, the traffic information for the vehicle 1 is transmitted from the radio wave beacon 20 and received / stored by the vehicle-mounted device, and output from the vehicle-mounted device using signals from the optical beacons 15A to 15C as a trigger. In the configuration example of FIG. 1, the contents of information provision are changed at each position of P1, P2, and P3, and traffic information is provided step by step. Thereby, by providing the optical beacons 15A to 15C at desired positions, information can be provided at each position at an appropriate timing.

  For in-vehicle devices that receive and store traffic information transmitted from the radio beacon 20 and output information step by step triggered by a signal from the optical beacon, see “Joint Research Report on Next-Generation Road Service Provision System”. (Title), March 2006 (issue date), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Policy (issuer).

  Other configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by the third embodiment.

Although each embodiment was described above, in the traffic information providing systems 10A to 10C, for example, the following modifications can be added.
The information providing device 14 can be configured by combining an optical beacon, a radio wave beacon, and a display board alone or in any combination.
One or both of the display boards 17 and 18 may be omitted.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the traffic information provision system concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the traffic information provision system concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the traffic information provision system concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the prior art disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

S1 1st section S2 2nd section 1 Road 3 Vehicle 10 Traffic information providing system 11 First traffic flow sensor 12 Second traffic flow sensor 14 Information providing devices 15A to 15C Optical beacons 16A to 16C, 17, 18, 19A to 19C Plate 20, 20A-20B Radio wave beacon 22 Roadside processing device 23 Support structure

Claims (2)

A traffic information providing system for providing traffic information to a vehicle traveling on a road having a plurality of lanes,
A roadside processor that creates and outputs traffic information for each lane;
An information providing device that receives instructions from the roadside processing device and provides information to the vehicle in stages at a plurality of positions on the road for each lane ;
The information providing device includes a plurality of display boards installed for each lane, or a display board capable of displaying information for each lane,
Radio beacons that transmit traffic information to vehicles equipped with onboard equipment, and a plurality of optical beacons installed for each lane downstream of the radio beacons on the road,
The traffic information transmitted from the radio wave beacon is output from the vehicle-mounted device triggered by a signal from the optical beacon . The traffic information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information for the vehicle is transmitted from a radio beacon, received by the on-vehicle device, and stored in the on-vehicle device.

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