Patent Application
20210304596
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to devices for traffic reporting and analysis.
Many people use cars, busses and other forms of transportation on roads to travel and to get to and from work, etc. Traffic studies help engineers, states, etc. evaluate traffic on the roads.
Road construction projects have a significant effect on the operational performance of the roads (say, freeways) leading to an increase in congestion and delay during the construction period. The effect could vary by the type of road project, day-of-the-week, and time-of-the-day.
States, cities, municipalities and others may need to know the effects of construction on traffic flows, speeds, density, delay, etc.
Accordingly, one object of the present disclosure is to provide systems, methods, and software for traffic evaluation and analysis. In some preferred embodiments, one method of traffic evaluation and analysis may include receiving inputs from a user, where the inputs may include the road extent, geometric information, facility demand profile, type of road, work zone type, number of lanes closed, barrier type, work zone speed limits, etc. In these embodiments, the user inputs may be sent to a processor that may create output information, which may be calibrated and based at least in part on the user inputs, GIS database information, and information from other databases and other sources. In these embodiments, the output information may include level of service (LOS), demand/capacity ratio, volume/capacity ratio, speed, volume, flowrate, and density in time-space format.
In some preferred embodiments, systems and methods of traffic evaluation and analysis, comprise receiving initial parameters related to a highway construction project, obtaining additional information related to the highway construction project, based at least in part on the initial parameters, creating output information based at least in part on the initial parameters and the additional information, and presenting the output information. In these embodiments, the initial parameters include a geographical start point and end point of the highway construction project, which define a segment. In these embodiments, the geographical start and end point are user selectable from a map interface, and the additional information is contained in a single database.
The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary, as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description, and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The above-described benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations are not necessarily complete or exhaustive, and in particular, as to the patentable subject matter disclosed herein. Other benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations of the present disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, as set forth above and/or described in the accompanying figures and/or in the description herein below. Further details and other features will become apparent after review of the following Detailed Description and accompanying drawing figures.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
In the drawings:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. Thus, to acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the system is disclosed for the purpose of illustrating the nature of the invention. The exemplary method of installing, assembling and operating the system is described in detail according to the preferred embodiment, without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the art, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, subparagraph (f).
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a tool for traffic operations engineers, and transportation planners to use to approximate or estimate the effects of construction or other impediments will have on sections of roadways. The tool may use traffic studies, GIS information, particular information about the construction project, and other information to create an approximation or estimation of the effects. The output information may include level of service (LOS), demand/capacity ratio, volume/capacity ratio, volume, flowrate, speed, and density in time-space format. The tool may use modelling and calibrating techniques to provide better estimations or approximations of the effects of the construction project will have on traffic.
The received information 110 may include receiving information from a user via a user interface, such as depicted in
The input information may be used to obtain other information 120 about the project. The other information may include local conditions such as demand, urban or rural area, and terrain. The start and end point of the construction zone may be used to obtain specific other information. The other information may be obtained from a database, online resources, or other sources.
Output information may be created 130 based at least in part on the input information, other information, and calibration. The output information 130 may include parameters such as level of service (density-based), level of service (demand-based), speed, density, and volume. These parameters may be displayed as a space-time plot as shown in
In some preferred embodiments, level of service (“LOS”) may include a unit-less quantitative stratification of a performance measure or measures representing quality of service. The measures used to determine level of service for transportation system elements are called service measures. There may be six levels of service, ranging from A to F. LOS A represents the best operating conditions from the traveler's perspective and LOS F the worst. LOS may be reported as density based when density is used as the service measure. LOS may be reported as demand based when demand is used as the service measure.
In some preferred embodiments, speed may include rate of motion expressed as distance per unit of time, generally as miles per hour. To characterize the speed of a traffic stream in these embodiments, a representative value must be used because a broad distribution of individual speeds is observable in the traffic stream. In these embodiments, several speed parameters can be applied to a traffic stream.
In some preferred embodiments, density may include number of vehicles occupying a given length of a lane or roadway at a particular instant. In these embodiments, density may be averaged over time and is usually expressed as vehicles per mile or passenger cars per mile. In these embodiments, a sample unit may be represented by vehicles per mile.
In these embodiments, volume may include the total number of vehicles passing over a given point or section of a lane or roadway during a given time interval. In these embodiments, any time interval can be used, but volumes are typically expressed in terms of annual, daily, hourly, or sub-hourly periods. In these embodiments, a sample unit may be represented by vehicles per day.
In these preferred embodiments, other parameters may include flow rate, delay, capacity, que length, demand over capacity ratio, and demand to capacity ratio. In these embodiments, calibration may include the process by which the analyst selects the model parameters that result in the best reproduction of field-measured local traffic conditions by the model.
In some preferred embodiments, displaying the output information 140 may include displaying the graph shown in
In this embodiment, the input information may be received and used by server 220 to obtain other information, including information from GIS database 230. The input information may include the start point and end point of the project from the input information, which may define a segment. In this embodiment, there may be many different segments definable from the user interface via an interactive map (310 in
One advantage of the present system is that most, or all, needed information may be obtained in one database, thereby reducing time, errors, and complexity of the system. Another advantage may be that the system software resides on server 220, such that software upgrades may be completed more quickly and easily than if the software resided on the client device 210.
In these embodiments, server 220 may then create output information, which may then be displayed or presented 214 via client device 210. It will be appreciated that other device(s) and configurations may be used to implement the system and software.
In this embodiment, section 310 may allow a user to enter more parameters for the construction project. The parameters may include number of lanes closed, area type, work zone speed limit, closure start time, closure end time, type of day, and lateral distance. Other information may be entered and/or used in addition to the listed information.
In
Although computing system 710 includes one software module in the present example, it should be understood that one or more modules could provide the same operation.
Additionally, computing system 710 includes communication interface 718 that can be configured to transmit data to computing system 750 using communication network 705. Communication network 705 could include the Internet or any other form of communication network.
Referring still to
In this embodiment, storage system 714 can comprise any storage media readable by processing system 716, and capable of storing software 712. Storage system 714 can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Storage system 714 can be implemented as a single storage device but may also be implemented across multiple storage devices or sub-systems. Storage system 714 can comprise additional elements, such as a controller, capable of communicating with processing system 716.
Examples of storage media include random access memory, read only memory, magnetic disks, optical disks, flash memory, virtual memory, and non-virtual memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and that may be accessed by an instruction execution system, as well as any combination or variation thereof, or any other type of storage media. In some implementations, the storage media can be a non-transitory storage media. In some implementations, at least a portion of the storage media may be transitory. It should be understood that in no case is the storage media a propagated signal.
In this embodiment, user interface 720 can include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch input device for receiving a gesture from a user, and other comparable input devices and associated processing elements capable of receiving user input from a user. These input devices can be used for defining data about distribution units or equipment. Output devices such as a graphical display and a printer may also be included in user interface 720. The aforementioned user input and output devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here.
In this embodiment, application interface 730 can include data input 735 and image capture 737. In one example, data input 735 can be used to collect user inputs, information, and parameters regarding a construction project. It should be understood that although computing system 710 is shown as one system, the system can comprise one or more systems to collect data.
In this embodiment, computing system 750 includes processing system 756, storage system 754, software 752, and communication interface 758. Processing system 756 loads and executes software 752 from storage system 754, including software module 760. When executed by computing system 750, software module 760 directs processing system 710 to store and manage the data from computing system 710 and other similar computing systems. In this embodiment, although computing system 710 includes one software module in the present example, it should be understood that one or more modules could provide the same operation.
In this preferred embodiment, computing system 750 may also include communication interface 758 that can be configured to receive the data from computing system 710 using communication network 705.
Referring still to
In this embodiment, storage system 754 can comprise any storage media readable by processing system 756, and capable of storing software 752 and data from computing system 710. Data from computing system 710 may be stored in a word, excel, or any other form of digital file. Storage system 754 can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Storage system 754 can be implemented as a single storage device but may also be implemented across multiple storage devices or sub-systems. Storage system 754 can comprise additional elements, such as a controller, capable of communicating with processing system 756.
Examples of storage media include random access memory, read only memory, magnetic disks, optical disks, flash memory, virtual memory, and non-virtual memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and that may be accessed by an instruction execution system, as well as any combination or variation thereof, or any other type of storage media. In some implementations, the storage media can be a non-transitory storage media. In some implementations, at least a portion of the storage media may be transitory. It should be understood that in no case is the storage media a propagated signal.
In some preferred embodiments, computing system 750 may include a user interface. The user interface may include a mouse, a keyboard, a voice input device, a touch input device for receiving a gesture from a user, a motion input device for detecting non-touch gestures and other motions by a user, and other comparable input devices and associated processing elements capable of receiving user input from a user. Output devices such as a graphical display, speakers, printer, haptic devices, and other types of output devices may also be included in the user interface. The aforementioned user input and output devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here. It should be understood that although computing system 750 is shown as one system, the system can comprise one or more systems to store and manage received data.
The above-described benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations are not necessarily complete or exhaustive, and in particular, as to the patentable subject matter disclosed herein. Other benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, as set forth above and/or described in the accompanying figures and/or in the description herein below.
The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and drawing figures are to be understood as being approximations which may be modified in all instances as required for a particular application of the novel assembly and method described herein.
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.
It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description and in the appended drawing figures.
This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/022,932 filed Mar. 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63002932 | Mar 2020 | US |
