Traffic flow through an intersection by reducing platoon interference

摘要

Methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing automobile traffic flow through an intersection by detecting and reducing platoon interference. One method, performed in a computer product, includes steps of identifying a cluster in traffic information of a cycle of a traffic signal, determining that the cluster qualifies as an upstream platoon, calculating properties of the platoon, and generating an Enhanced Purdue Coordination Diagram (EPCD) for the cycle based on the calculated properties of the platoon. Another method includes obtaining, by a computer device, traffic information corresponding to an intersection; determining, by the computer device, platoon properties of the traffic information corresponding to each cycle of a traffic signal; and calculating, by the computer device, a timing change to make to the traffic signal to improve traffic flow through the intersection, the timing change being based on the platoon properties.

主权项

1. A computer system for monitoring traffic flow, comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following:
receive traffic information from one or more radar traffic sensors that are positioned along a roadway;identify a cluster of one or more vehicles from the traffic information that was received from the one or more radar traffic sensors, wherein identifying a cluster comprises:
creating a grid representative of the traffic information, the grid comprising entries corresponding to multiple zones of traffic for multiple time periods, wherein each cell of the grid is deemed to be occupied or unoccupied dependent on whether at least one vehicle was detected in the corresponding zone of traffic during the time represented by the cell; andidentify the clusters using cluster identification algorithms of the occupied cells;calculate properties of the one or more vehicles based on the traffic information received from the one or more radar traffic sensors, wherein the properties include a type of interference respectively experienced by the one or more vehicles; andgenerate an Enhanced Platoon Coordination Diagram (EPCD) based on the calculated properties of the one or more vehicles, wherein the EPCD displays an arrival times of the one or more vehicles relative to a signal cycle phase and further comprises:
a set of visual distinctions within the one or more vehicles that indicate the type of interference respectively experienced by the one or more vehicles, wherein the set of visual distinctions comprises a first visual indication for each vehicle that experiences hard interference and a second, different visual indication for each vehicle that experiences soft interference.