JP2004077360A - Traffic information providing method, traffic information providing center, and traffic information acquiring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide traffic information regardless of interchangeability of road maps and collectability of the traffic information for each road. <P>SOLUTION: A traffic information control part 31 of a traffic information providing center 10 receives traffic state information from a traffic control center T, an area definition part 32 specifies a bottle neck using a traffic state information data base 16a and a road network data base 16b. The starting point of a road, the end point of which is the specified bottle neck point, is specified, and the starting point is represented with longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate data, and defines a detour required area having a vertex of the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinate data. A future prediction part 34 predicts the future traffic state in the defined detour required area. A providing information creating part 33 creates regional traffic information based on the coordinate data, the traffic state information on the road, and the future traffic state. A communication control part 35 transmits the regional traffic information to external every terminals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００３６】
作成される地域交通情報は、表１に示すように、迂回必要地域を定義する点の数と、点を表す座標データと、前記特定した道路にて発生している渋滞方向および混雑度数（以下、渋滞情報という）とから構成される。ここで、点の数が１である場合には、座標データにて表される点からの所定距離が加えられる。また、渋滞方向および混雑度数については、それぞれを数値化して表す。すなわち、渋滞方向に関しては、例えば、北を「１」、北東を「２」、東を「３」、…、北西を「８」のように、方位を８方位にて表す。また、混雑度数に関しては、混雑具合を所定の基準に基づいて、例えば、１（空き）〜５（渋滞発生）のように５段階に数値化して表す。これにより、例えば、北行きにて渋滞が発生している場合には、ＣＰＵ１２は、北を表す「１」と渋滞を表す「５」を用いて、地域交通情報を作成する。なお、混雑度数については、その数値化が困難である場合には、例えば、「この道路は混雑している」などの文字情報として、表してもよい。このように、提供情報作成部３３は、ＣＰＵ１２、ＲＡＭ１４により実現される機能に対応する。
【００３７】
将来予測部３４は、前記エリア定義部３２にて定義された迂回必要地域内の道路であって、同定義部３２にて特定された各道路の今後の通行状態情報を予測する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、通行状態情報データベース１６ａを利用して、前記特定された各道路の過去の通行状態情報を検索する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、検索された過去の通行状態情報を、例えば、時刻に基づいて整理し、地域交通情報を提供する時刻以降における前記特定された各道路の通行状態がどのように変化するかを予測する。
【００３８】
具体的に説明すると、例えば、特定した道路に渋滞が発生していて、地域交通情報を午後３時に提供する場合において、ＣＰＵ１２は、通行状態情報データベース１６ａに蓄積されている過去の通行状態情報であって、午後３時３０分の通行状態情報を検索する。ＣＰＵ１２は、検索した過去の午後３時３０分の通行状態情報において、前記特定した道路で過去に渋滞や混雑が発生していたことを確認すると、３０分後に渋滞が解消されていないと予測する。一方、ＣＰＵ１２は、検索した過去の３時３０分の通行状態情報において、前記特定した道路で過去に渋滞や混雑が発生していなかったことを確認すると、３０分後に渋滞が解消していると予測する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、予測した通行状態情報をＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶する。このように、予測されてＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶された通行状態情報は、前記提供情報作成部３３にて作成される地域交通情報に組み込まれて、外部の端末装置に提供される。このように、将来予測部３４は、ＣＰＵ１２、ＲＡＭ１４、通行状態情報データベース１６ａにより実現される機能に対応する。
【００３９】
通信管理部３５は、前記提供情報作成部３３にて作成されてＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶された地域交通情報を管理するとともに、固定端末通信部分３５ａ、放送型通信部分３５ｂ、路車間通信部分３５ｃおよび公衆回線通信部分３５ｄの各部分を利用して、作成した地域交通情報を外部の各端末装置に対して一斉に送信する。固定端末通信部分３５ａは、キオスク型端末装置Ｋに対して、地域交通情報を送信する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、有線通信用インターフェース１８を介して、ネットワークＮＷに接続されているキオスク型端末装置Ｋに地域交通情報を送信する。
【００４０】
放送型通信部分３５ｂは、ナビゲーションシステムＮに対して、地域交通情報を送信する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、無線通信用インターフェース１７を介して、例えば、ＦＭ電波またはＡＭ電波を利用してナビゲーションシステムに地域交通情報を提供する。また、放送型通信部分３５ｂを利用することにより、例えば、ＢＳ電波を使用して放送局（テレビ局など）に、地域交通情報を提供することも可能である。路車間通信部分３５ｃもナビゲーションシステムＮに対して、地域交通情報を送信する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、有線通信用インターフェース１８を介して、ネットワークＮＷに接続されて道路に設置されたＤＳＲＣ（Ｄｅｄｉｃａｔｅｄ　Ｓｈｏｒｔ　Ｒａｎｇｅ　Ｃｏｍｍｕｎｉｃａｔｉｏｎ：狭帯域局所通信装置）から、走行中の車両に対して、例えば、赤外線を利用して地域交通情報を送信する。
【００４１】
公衆回線通信部分３５ｄは、パーソナルコンピュータＰまたは携帯電話Ｍに対して、地域交通情報を送信する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、有線通信用インターフェース１８を介して、例えば、インターネットに接続されたパーソナルコンピュータＰまたは携帯電話Ｍに地域交通情報を送信する。ここで、インターネットに接続されたパーソナルコンピュータＰまたは携帯電話Ｍは、ＣＰＵ１２と接続が確立すると、双方向での通信が可能である。このため、ＣＰＵ１２は、パーソナルコンピュータＰまたは携帯電話Ｍの接続情報（例えば、電子メールアドレスや電話番号など）や通信時刻、通信内容など（以下、これらをまとめてユーザー情報という）を通信ユーザー管理部分３５ｅに記憶する。そして、地域交通情報が更新された場合には、前記記憶されたユーザー情報に基づいて、自動的に地域交通情報を提供する。以上のように、通信管理部３５は、ＣＰＵ１２、ＲＡＭ１４、無線通信用インターフェース１７および有線通信用インターフェース１８により実現される機能に対応する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、送信した地域交通情報を外部記憶装置１５内の所定の記憶位置に記憶して管理する。
【００４２】
ここで、外部の各端末装置は、地域交通情報をセンター１０から受信すると、受信した地域交通情報を各端末装置にて利用可能に処理し、ユーザーに対して、地域交通情報を提示する。これについて、ナビゲーションシステムＮを例に挙げ、図５を用いて説明する。ナビゲーションシステムＮは、経路探索する際に、センター１０から提供された地域交通情報を利用する。すなわち、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、地域交通情報の提供を受けると、同情報に基づいて、迂回必要地域を特定し、迂回必要地域内の道路のリンクコスト（経路を決定する際の重み付け）を大きく設定する。
【００４３】
具体的に説明すると、いま、ナビゲーションシステムＮがセンター１０から前記表１に示した地域交通情報の提供を受けており、図５（ａ）に示すように、出発地Ａから目的地Ｂまでの北に向かう経路を探索する場合を考える。まず、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、表１に示した地域交通情報に基づいて、迂回必要地域を特定する。迂回必要地域の特定後、表１に示した地域交通情報によれば、迂回必要地域内では北行きの道路に渋滞が発生している。このため、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、迂回必要地域内の北行き道路のリンクコストを大きく設定し、迂回必要地域内を通る案内経路は探索しないようにする。そして、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、出発地Ａから目的地Ｂまでの太実線で示す案内経路Ｒ１を探索し、同案内経路Ｒ１を運転者に案内する。このように、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、車両の進行方向上の迂回必要地域内に渋滞や混雑が発生している地域交通情報を受信すると、この渋滞や混雑を回避するように経路を探索する。このため、運転者は、渋滞や混雑が発生した道路を通ることなく、目的地Ｂまで移動することができる。
【００４４】
一方、ナビゲーションシステムＮが出発地Ｂから目的地Ａまでの経路を探索する場合には、表１に示した地域交通情報によれば、迂回必要地域内では南行きの道路に渋滞が発生していない。このため、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、図５（ｂ）に示すように、迂回必要地域内を通る案内経路Ｒ２を探索し、運転者に対して同案内経路Ｒ２を案内する。また、ナビゲーションシステムＮが出発地Ｃから目的地Ｄまでの経路を探索する場合には、表１に示した地域交通情報によれば、迂回必要地域内では東行きの道路に混雑が発生している。この場合、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、図５（ｃ）に示すように、迂回必要地域内を通る案内経路Ｒ３と、迂回必要地域を通らない案内経路Ｒ４とを探索することができる。なお、この場合には、例えば、ナビゲーションシステムＮは、地域交通情報に含まれている混雑度数や経路長あるいは右左折回数などに基づいて、最適な案内経路を決定する。以上のように、外部の端末装置は、センター１０から提供された地域交通情報を、各端末装置にて利用可能に処理し、地域交通情報を反映させた結果をユーザーに提示する。
【００４５】
以上の示したように、センター１０は、外部の端末装置に対して、地域交通情報を提供する。そして、センター１０は、交通管制センターＴから更新された通行状態情報を受信すると、上記動作と同様にして、更新された通行状態情報に基づく更新地域交通情報を作成して外部の端末装置に提供する。このとき、センター１０は、更新地域交通情報と、前回提供した地域交通情報とを比較して、異なる部分の情報のみを外部の端末装置に提供する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、外部記憶装置１５の所定の記憶位置に記憶している前回送信した地域交通情報を構成する座標データおよび渋滞情報と、今回エリア定義部３２にて定義された座標データおよび更新された通行状態情報に基づく渋滞情報とをそれぞれ比較する。この比較により、ＣＰＵ１２は、座標データにおいて異なる部分を表す座標データと、渋滞情報において異なる部分を表す渋滞情報とをそれぞれ抽出する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、抽出された異なる部分を表す座標データおよび異なる部分を表す渋滞情報からなる地域交通情報を作成し、外部の端末装置に送信する。
【００４６】
以上の説明から理解できるように、上記第１実施形態の交通情報提供方法によれば、センター１０は、渋滞や混雑が発生している道路を含む地域を迂回必要地域として定義し、同迂回必要地域を表す情報および渋滞情報から構成される地域交通情報を外部の端末装置に提供する。また、今後の地域交通情報も予測して提供する。このため、外部の端末装置のユーザーは、確実に地域交通情報を利用することができて、渋滞や混雑が発生している地域（道路）を通行することなく、好適に通行することができる。
【００４７】
また、センター１０は、渋滞や混雑が発生している道路を含む迂回必要地域として定義し、同迂回必要地域を経度および緯度を用いた座標データとして外部の端末装置に提供する。このため、センター１０と外部の端末装置間で、事前に個別の道路を表すリンク情報を規定しておく必要がない。したがって、例えば、外部の端末装置が予め備えている道路地図情報に存在しない新規の道路に関する地域交通情報であっても、ユーザーは、好適に地域交通情報を利用することができる。また、外部の端末装置が予め備えている道路地図情報と、センター１０が有する道路地図情報とが互換性を有していなくても、ユーザーは好適に地域交通情報を利用することができる。また、センター１０は、交通情報を迂回必要地域内の地域交通情報として提供するため、車両の通行量を検出する検出装置が設置されていない道路であっても、詳細な交通情報を提供することができる。このため、外部の端末装置のユーザーは、迂回した先の道路にて、渋滞に巻き込まれることがなくなり、好適に移動することができる。
【００４８】
上記第１実施形態においては、エリア定義部３２がボトルネック地点を特定することにより、ボトルネック地点を終点とする道路の始点を特定して自動的に迂回必要地域を設定するようにして実施した。これに代えて、迂回必要地域を、センターの管理人が指定する予め記憶した渋滞や混雑に関する情報に基づいて、設定するようにして実施してもよい。以下に、この第２実施形態について説明するが、上記第１実施形態と同一部分については、同一の符号を付し、その説明を省略する。
【００４９】
第２実施形態においては、図６に示すように、センター１０’が地域交通情報を提供する。センター１０’には、センター１０’の管理人が、渋滞や混雑に関する情報すなわち情報提供管轄地域内に存在する特有の地形や交通事情により渋滞や混雑が発生する地点の情報（以下、通行障害地点情報という）を、予め記憶しておくエリア情報データベース１６ｃが設けられている。ここで、特有の地形とは、例えば、情報提供地域内に存在する河川や坂道など、車両の円滑な通行を妨げる要因となる地形である。また、交通事情とは、例えば、特定の曜日になると路上駐車が多い道路や、特定の時間帯になると通行量が一時的に増大する道路や、通行量調査の実施により特定の時刻になると通行量が極端に多くなる道路など、過去の経験や調査から、特定の曜日あるいは時刻において、車両の円滑な通行を妨げる要因が発生することが予め知られている事情である。このように、通行障害地点情報は、予め知識や経験によって得られる情報である。
【００５０】
また、センター１０’には、センター１０’の管理人が通行障害地点情報を入力するための入力部１９が設けられている。そして、センター１０’の管理人は、入力部１９を利用して、通行障害地点情報をエリア情報データベース１６ｃに記憶する。具体的には、センター１０’の管理人は、ＣＰＵ１２に対して、情報提供管轄地域内の道路を、図示しない表示器に表示するように指示する。ＣＰＵ１２は、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂを利用して、情報提供管轄地域内の道路を図示しない表示器に表示する。
【００５１】
次に、センター１０’の管理人は、情報提供管轄地域内の特有の地形および交通事情からなる通行障害地点情報を、対応する道路を指定して入力する。この入力は、例えば、対応する道路が河川にかかる橋に接続する道路である場合には、同道路が橋に接続する道路であることを表す識別記号「１」を入力する。同様に、例えば、対応する道路上に路上駐車が多い場合には、路上駐車が多いことを表す識別記号「１０」を入力する。ＣＰＵ１２は、管理人により、通行障害地点情報が入力されると、道路を表すリンク情報に入力された通行障害地点情報に対応する所定の識別情報を付加してエリア情報データベース１６ｃに記憶する。
【００５２】
次に、この第２実施形態の動作について詳細に説明する。この第２実施形態においては、センター１０’の管理人が、迂回必要地域に含まれる前記所定の識別情報が付加された道路の始点を特定して指示する。具体的には、センター１０’の管理人は、ＣＰＵ１２に対して、入力部１９を利用して曜日あるいは時刻を指定し、通行障害地点情報を反映した情報提供管轄地域内の道路を図示しない表示器に表示するように指示する。ＣＰＵ１２は、同指示に従って、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂおよびエリア情報データベース１６ｃを利用して、指定された曜日あるいは時刻に対応する通行障害地点情報を反映した道路を図示しない表示器に表示する。
【００５３】
次に、エリア定義部３２’は、図７に示すように、迂回必要地域を定義する。具体的には、センター１０’の管理人は、前記表示器の表示に基づいて、これから地域交通情報を提供するにあたり、渋滞や混雑が発生する可能性がある道路を特定するとともに、同特定した道路の始点を指定して入力する。ＣＰＵ１２は、入力された道路の始点を座標データとし、ＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、ＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶された座標データを用いて、上記第１実施形態と同様にして、迂回必要地域を定義する。このように、エリア定義部３２’は、ＣＰＵ１２、ＲＡＭ１４、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂおよびエリア情報データベース１６ｃにより実現される機能に対応しており、センター１０’の管理人により指定された道路の始点に基づいて、迂回必要地域を定義する。
【００５４】
以上の説明から理解できるように、この第２実施形態においても、上記第１実施形態と同様な効果が得られることに加えて、センター１０’の管理人により、知識や経験により知られている通行障害地点情報が入力され、通行障害地点情報を反映した地域交通情報を提供することができる。
【００５５】
上記第１実施形態においては、エリア定義部３２がボトルネック地点を特定することにより、ボトルネック地点を終点とする道路の始点を特定して自動的に迂回必要地域を設定するようにして実施した。また、上記第２実施形態においては、センター１０’の管理人が通行障害地点情報の付加された道路の始点を指定し、エリア定義部３２’が、前記指定された道路の始点に基づいて、迂回必要地域を定義するようにして実施した。これらに代えて、ボトルネック地点を終点とする道路の始点と、通行障害地点情報の付加された道路の始点とを自動的に特定して迂回必要地域を定義するようにして実施してもよい。以下に、この第３実施形態について説明するが、上記第１実施形態と同一部分については、同一の符号を付し、その説明を省略する。
【００５６】
この第３実施形態においては、図８に示すように、センター１０’’のエリア定義部３２’’は、通行状態情報データベース１６ａ、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂおよびエリア情報データベース１６ｃと通信可能とされており、エリア定義部３２’は、通行状態情報データベース１６ａ、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂおよびエリア情報データベース１６ｃに基づいて迂回必要地域を定義する。具体的には、ＣＰＵ１２は、上記第１実施形態と同様に、通行状態情報データベース１６ａおよび道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂを利用して、ボトルネック地点を特定する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、特定したボトルネック地点を終点とする道路を確認するとともに、同特定した道路の始点を特定する。そして、特定した始点の座標データをＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶する。
【００５７】
次に、ＣＰＵ１２は、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂおよびエリア情報データベース１６ｃを利用して、前記特定された道路の始点周辺の道路であって、通行障害地点情報が付加された道路を抽出する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、抽出された道路の始点を特定するとともに、同特定した始点の座標データをＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶する。続いて、ＣＰＵ１２は、ＲＡＭ１４に一時的に記憶されている前記ボトルネック地点を終点とする道路の始点と、前記通行障害地点情報が付加された道路の始点とから構成される迂回必要地域を、上記第１実施形態と同様に定義する。そして、上記第１実施形態と同様にして、提供情報作成部３５は、記憶された座標データを用いて、地域交通情報を作成する。以上のように、エリア定義部３２’’は、ＣＰＵ１２、ＲＡＭ１４、通行状態情報データベース１６ａ、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂ、エリア情報データベース１６ｃにより実現される機能に対応する。
【００５８】
以上の説明から理解できるように、この第３実施形態においても、上記第１実施形態と同様な効果が得られることに加えて、知識や経験により知られている通行障害地点情報を反映した迂回必要地域を自動的に定義し、地域交通情報を提供することができる。
【００５９】
また、上記各実施形態において、センター１０，１０’，１０’’は、交通管制センターＴから更新された通行状態情報を受信すると、地域交通情報を作成して、外部の端末装置に対して地域交通情報を送信するように実施した。これに対して、外部の端末装置から、必要とする地域交通情報の送信要求があったときに、同地域交通情報を作成して送信するように実施してもよい。この場合、外部の端末装置が必要とする地域交通情報としては、例えば、外部の端末装置のユーザーの進行方向、目的地、希望する地域または地点の地域交通情報などである。
【００６０】
具体的に説明すると、通信管理部３５は、外部の端末装置から必要とする地域交通情報の送信要求を受信する。すなわち、ＣＰＵ１２は、無線通信用インターフェース１７または有線通信用インターフェース１８を介して、外部の各端末装置から必要とする地域交通情報の送信要求を受信する。次に、エリア定義部３２，３２’，３２’’は、迂回必要地域を定義する。ここで、エリア定義部３２’が迂回必要地域を定義する場合には、上記第２実施形態と同様に、まず、センター１０’の管理人により、渋滞や混雑が発生する可能性がある道路を特定する。そして、特定した道路の始点が指定して入力されることにより、迂回必要地域が定義される。具体的には、ＣＰＵ１２は、例えば、ユーザーが進行方向または目的地を指定した場合には、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂまたはエリア情報データベース１６ｃを利用して、ユーザーの進行方向または目的地までの道路の接続状況を確認する。そして、ＣＰＵ１２は、確認した進行方向または目的地までの道路の接続状況に基づいて、上記各実施形態と同様に、迂回必要地域を定義する。
【００６１】
また、ＣＰＵ１２は、ユーザーが地域交通情報の提供を受けたい地域または地点を指定した場合には、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂまたはエリア情報データベース１６ｃを利用して、指定された地域内または指定された地点周辺の道路の接続状況を確認する。そして、上記各実施形態と同様にして、指定された地域内または指定された地点周辺に迂回必要地域を定義する。また、提供情報作成部３３は、定義された迂回必要地域内の地域交通情報を作成し、通信管理部３５は、作成された地域交通情報をユーザーに提供する。このように、外部の端末装置のユーザーから、必要とする地域交通情報の提供の要求があった場合であっても、上記各実施形態と同様の効果が得られるとともに、ユーザーが必要とする地域交通情報を提供することができる。
【００６２】
また、上記各実施形態においては、提供情報作成部３３にて、地域交通情報を迂回必要地域内の特定された各道路の渋滞方向および混雑度数を含んで作成している。これにより、迂回必要地域内全体の渋滞方向や混雑度数が提供される。しかしながら、迂回必要地域に流入する道路を利用しているユーザーにとって、迂回必要地域全体の渋滞方向や混雑度数は不必要な場合がある。
【００６３】
このような場合には、センター１０，１０’，１０’’は、迂回必要地域接続する道路の流入方向に応じて、地域交通情報を作成して外部の端末装置に提供することができる。すなわち、通信管理部３５が、外部の端末装置のユーザーから利用している道路を表す情報を受信すると、提供情報作成部３３は、道路ネットワークデータベース１６ｂを利用して、前記道路の迂回必要地域に流入する方向を確認する。続いて、提供情報作成部３３は、通行状態情報データベース１６ａを利用して、確認した方向の道路の混雑度数を数値化して表し、迂回必要地域を定義する座標の点の数、座標および混雑度数から構成される地域交通情報を作成する。この場合においても、上記各実施形態と同様の効果が得られるとともに、提供する地域交通情報の容量を小さくすることができる。
【００６４】
さらに、上記各実施形態において提供する地域交通情報は、迂回必要地域を定義する座標の点の数、座標および混雑度数から構成されるが、迂回必要地域内の道路の通行規制に関する規制情報も加えて構成して実施してもよい。この場合においても、上記各実施形態と同様の効果が得られるとともに、さらに規制情報を加えたより詳細な地域交通情報を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る交通管制センター、センターおよび外部の端末装置が接続された状態を示す概略ブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の第１実施形態に係るセンターの概略ブロック図である。
【図３】図２のセンターにて実行される交通情報提供方法の動作を示した機能ブロック図である。
【図４】（ａ）（ｂ）は、本発明の迂回必要地域の定義を説明するための概略図である。
【図５】（ａ）〜（ｃ）は、本発明の地域交通情報が提供された外部の端末装置において、同外部の端末装置が地域交通情報をユーザーに提示した状態を説明するための概略図である。
【図６】本発明の第２実施形態に係るセンターの概略ブロック図である。
【図７】図６のセンターにて実行される交通情報提供方法の動作を示した機能ブロック図である。
【図８】本発明の第３実施形態に係るセンターにて実施される交通情報提供方法の動作を示した機能ブロック図である。
【図９】（ａ）〜（ｃ）は、従来のナビゲーションシステムが交通情報に基づいて行う経路探索を説明するための概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１０，１０’，１０’’…センター、１２…ＣＰＵ、１３…ＲＯＭ、１４…ＲＡＭ、１５…外部記憶装置、１６ａ…通行状態情報データベース、１６ｂ…道路ネットワークデータベース、１６ｃ…エリア情報データベース、３１…通行状態情報管理部、３２，３２’，３２’’…エリア定義部、３３…提供情報作成部、３４…将来予測部、３５…通信管理部。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a traffic information providing method and a traffic information providing method for sequentially providing traffic information including traffic congestion information to an external terminal device based on traffic condition information indicating a traffic condition of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a traffic information providing center that obtains a traffic condition of a vehicle detected by a detection device such as a vehicle sensor or an optical beacon installed on a roadside of a road and provides traffic information based on the traffic condition has been developed. Are known. The traffic information provided by the traffic information providing center is composed of link information indicating a road (link) where a traffic jam is currently occurring, and traffic information indicating a distance and a direction of the traffic jam. Also, a navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-38597 is known as a navigation system for providing a route by receiving the traffic information. This navigation system is based on traffic information provided from the traffic information center in units of roads (links), based on the number of roads (links) in which traffic congestion occurs for each predetermined divided area of the road map. Calculate the traffic congestion ratio. Then, a route that passes through a divided area having a high traffic congestion ratio is not searched for.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the traffic information provided by the conventional traffic information providing center includes link information and traffic congestion information. Therefore, the navigation system needs to recognize the link information provided by the traffic information providing center. That is, the traffic information providing center provides the traffic information as indicated by the thick broken line in FIG. 9A to the navigation system. Thus, when the navigation system searches for a route from the departure point A to the destination B, the navigation system may determine that traffic congestion has occurred on the road cf and the road fi based on the traffic information. it can.
[0004]
However, when the navigation system cannot recognize the link information of the road be, the road eh, and the road hi, as shown in FIG. 9B, the traffic information of the road cannot be reflected in the route search. That is, as shown by the thick solid line in FIG. 9C, the navigation system searches for the search route R, and guides the search route to the driver. In this case, congestion actually occurs on the search route R, and the driver cannot move to the destination B smoothly. For this reason, the navigation system that receives the provision of the traffic information needs to preliminarily define the link information provided by the traffic information providing center and recognize the link information while maintaining the compatibility of the road map. Further, in the conventional navigation system, since the presence or absence of traffic congestion is generally determined in a predetermined area, the reliability of traffic information provided to the driver is low.
[0005]
Further, it is very difficult to install the detection device on all roads due to restrictions such as an installation place and an installation budget, and the traffic information providing center can acquire only the traffic condition of the road on which the detection device is installed. There is. As a result, the traffic information providing center cannot provide traffic information on all roads to the navigation system. For this reason, when the navigation system does not provide the driver with, for example, route guidance for avoiding traffic congestion according to the traffic information provided by the traffic information providing center, the traffic condition of the avoided road cannot be acquired. May have congestion on the same road. Thus, there is a case where the traffic information provided from the traffic information providing center cannot be effectively used.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-described problem, and has as its object the ability to collect traffic information for each road (link) without considering the compatibility of road maps. To provide traffic information.
[0007]
The present invention obtains traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of a vehicle traveling on a road, and sequentially provides external traffic information composed of road information representing the road and traffic congestion information representing the distance and direction of traffic congestion. The aim is to improve the method of providing traffic information at the center.
[0008]
The feature of the present invention resides in the following. That is, the center stores and stores the traffic condition information, and based on the stored traffic condition information, indicates a required detour area including at least the road where traffic congestion has occurred at one point of coordinates using longitude and latitude or Point traffic information defined by a plurality of points and indicating point of coordinates defining the detour required area, and regional traffic information composed of traffic congestion information based on the traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area. Create and provide the created regional traffic information to the outside.
[0009]
Further, another feature of the present invention is that the center stores and accumulates the traffic condition information, and determines a detour required area including at least the road where traffic congestion occurs based on the accumulated traffic condition information based on the longitude and the center. Defined as one or more points using coordinates using latitude, point information indicating points of coordinates that define the detour required area, and the inflow direction of the road flowing into the detour required area based on the traffic state information. There is also a case where local traffic information including traffic congestion information indicating a corresponding traffic congestion distance and direction is created.
[0010]
In this case, the detour required area is identified on the basis of the accumulated traffic condition information on the road where smooth traffic of the vehicle is impeded, and the detour required area including at least the identified detour required point is identified. The coordinates may be defined by one or more points using longitude and latitude. The traffic obstruction point may be a point where a road with a large traffic volume of a vehicle and a road with an extremely small traffic volume of a vehicle are connected, and where a smooth traffic of the vehicle is hindered. In addition, the traffic obstruction point is at least one of a point where smooth traffic of the vehicle is hindered by the shape of the terrain on which the road is laid, or a point where an obstacle that hinders smooth traffic of the vehicle exists on the road. It is good to Further, the detour required area may be defined as a polygon having a plurality of points of the coordinates as vertices. Further, the detour required area may be defined as an ellipse having two points as the focal points or a circle having one point as the center.
[0011]
Further, the center calculates a tendency of a traffic amount change of the road in the detour required area based on previously stored traffic state information among the accumulated traffic state information, and calculates the calculated traffic amount change. Predict the future traffic condition of the road in the detour required area based on the tendency, point information representing points of coordinates that define the detour required area, and the road of the road included in the detour required area It is preferable to create local traffic information including traffic congestion information based on the traffic condition information and predicted traffic congestion information based on the predicted traffic condition information indicating the future traffic condition.
[0012]
Further, the center, when the traffic condition information of the vehicle on the road changes and the traffic condition information is updated, the detour required area reflecting the change in the traffic condition is represented by one or more coordinates using longitude and latitude. A point representing a different coordinate point is defined by re-defining the point and comparing the point information representing the coordinate point defining the detour necessary area again with the point information representing the coordinate point defining the previously required detour area. Only the information is extracted, and the updated traffic information composed of the point information representing the points of the extracted different coordinates and the traffic congestion information based on the updated traffic condition information of the road included in the detour required area is obtained. It is preferable that the updated traffic information is automatically provided to the outside. In addition, when there is an instruction from the outside regarding the traveling direction, destination, required detour area, and other traffic information required by the outside, the center includes, among the created local traffic information, the local traffic information required by the outside. Only select and provide. Further, the local traffic information to be provided may include point information representing points of coordinates defining the detour required area, traffic congestion information based on the traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area, and And the regulation information on the traffic regulation of the road included in the information.
[0013]
According to these, the center defines the area required for detour including the road where the traffic is congested as coordinates of longitude and latitude and provides it to the outside. Thus, the user can suitably move to the destination by circumventing the required detour area without passing through the congested road. In addition, since the traffic information is provided to the outside as local traffic information in the detour required area, there is no need to preliminarily define link information between the center and the outside. Therefore, traffic information can be effectively used even if the center does not have compatibility with the road map used.
[0014]
In addition, the detour required area is defined in consideration of a point of impediment. For this reason, for example, it is possible to reflect a point such as a river or a slope that is empirically known to prevent smooth topographical traffic in the detour required area. Also, by conducting a site survey, for example, if it is known in advance that on-street parking will increase on a specific day of the week or at a specific time, and this will be an obstacle that hinders smooth traffic of vehicles, this point can be used as a detour-necessary area. It can also be reflected. This makes it possible to change the detour required area depending on, for example, the day of the week and the time, and to provide accurate local traffic information according to the traffic condition. Further, when the traffic condition information is updated, only the updated traffic information can be provided to the outside. Therefore, the capacity of the provided traffic information can be reduced.
[0015]
In addition, since the traffic information is provided as local traffic information in a detour-necessary area, the traffic information can be compressed as compared with the case where traffic information is created and provided for each road. For this reason, more detailed traffic information can be provided to external users. Further, since the traffic information is provided as the local traffic information in the detour required area, detailed traffic information can be provided even on a road on which a detection device for detecting the traffic volume of a vehicle is not installed. In other words, when defining the area required for detour, by taking into account the points of impediment of traffic, it is possible to provide local traffic information without detecting the traffic volume of individual roads. For this reason, the user can move favorably on the road that has been detoured according to the traffic information without being caught in traffic.
[0016]
Further, another feature of the present invention is applied to a terminal device used by a user, and externally outputs traffic information composed of road information indicating a road in which congestion occurs and traffic information indicating a distance and a direction of the congestion. In the traffic information providing method obtained from the user and provided to the user, one or more points using externally created coordinates using longitude and latitude that define a required detour area including at least a road where traffic is congested , And sequentially obtains local traffic information including traffic congestion information of roads included in the detour required area, specifies the detour required area based on the obtained local traffic information, and specifies the same. At least one of the required detour area, the distance and direction of the congestion occurring in the specified detour area, or the detour path for detouring the specified detour required area. One is to display the.
[0017]
Further, another feature of the present invention is applied to a terminal device used by a user, and externally outputs traffic information composed of road information indicating a road in which congestion occurs and traffic information indicating a distance and a direction of the congestion. In the traffic information providing method obtained from the user and provided to the user, one or more points using externally created coordinates using longitude and latitude that define a required detour area including at least a road where traffic is congested Point traffic information and traffic information indicating the distance and direction of traffic congestion corresponding to the inflow direction of the inflow road flowing into the detour required area, sequentially acquiring local traffic information, and the acquired local traffic information The required detour area and the inflow road are identified based on the specified detour required area and the inflow road, and the traffic generated in the specified detour required area and the inflow road Also to display at least one of the distance and direction or the identified bypass requires regional and bypass path for bypassing the inlet road.
[0018]
According to these, the terminal device used by the user can acquire the local traffic information from the outside and present the acquired local traffic information to the user. Furthermore, the terminal device used by the user can also present a detour route that detours the detour required area based on the acquired local traffic information. For this reason, the user can effectively utilize the local traffic information, and can move appropriately without traffic congestion. Note that the terminal device used by the user includes a navigation system, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a kiosk-type terminal device, and the like.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a traffic control center T that is communicably connected and provides a traffic state of a road, a kiosk-type terminal device K as a traffic information acquisition device, a navigation system N, a personal computer P, and a mobile phone M. A block diagram shows a center 10 as a traffic information providing center that provides local traffic information to each terminal device.
[0020]
The traffic control center T indicates information indicating the presence or absence of a vehicle stopped on the road, which is detected by a vehicle sensing device (not shown), an automatic vehicle recognition device, an optical beacon device, or the like, installed on the road, and indicates a traffic amount of the vehicle. Information such as information and information indicating the speed of a passing vehicle (hereinafter, such information is collectively referred to as traffic state information) is acquired at a predetermined frequency. Then, the traffic control center T provides the center 10 with the link information indicating the road on which the respective devices are installed and the acquired traffic condition information.
[0021]
The kiosk-type terminal device K, the navigation system N, the personal computer P, and the mobile phone M process the local traffic information provided from the center 10 so that the local traffic information can be used by each terminal device. Present local traffic information. Here, the kiosk-type terminal device K is installed in a service area, for example, and presents local traffic information to a user of the device. The navigation system N is mounted on a vehicle and presents local traffic information to a driver. Further, the personal computer P and the mobile phone M, for example, present local traffic information to a user while being connected to a communication network such as the Internet. In the following description, these terminal devices are collectively referred to as external terminal devices.
[0022]
The center 10 has a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, and an external storage device 15 connected to a bus 11, as shown in FIG. The CPU 12 controls the various operations of the center 10 by executing a program. The ROM 13 stores in advance system programs, some programs for realizing various functions of the center 10, various data, and the like. The RAM 14 temporarily stores the program, data used when executing the program, and data obtained by executing the program. The external storage device 15 is mainly configured by a hard disk, and can store and call up a large amount of data and various programs including the programs shown in FIG.
[0023]
In the hard disk of the external storage device 15, a traffic status information database 16a and a road network database 16b are constructed. The traffic condition information database 16a stores the latest traffic condition information provided from the traffic control center T and stores the past traffic condition information provided so far in a searchable manner. The road network database 16b stores, in a detailed and up-to-date state, road map information of the entire jurisdiction where the center 10 is to provide local traffic information (hereinafter referred to as an information provision jurisdiction). The bus 11 is also connected with a wireless communication interface circuit 17 and a wired communication interface circuit 18 for communicating with the outside. The wireless communication interface circuit 17 is connected to an antenna 17a for transmitting radio waves (for example, FM radio waves, AM radio waves, and the like). The wire communication interface circuit 18 is connected to a network NW such as the Internet, for example.
[0024]
Next, an operation in which the center 10 configured as described above provides local traffic information will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. When the center 10 receives a transmission start signal of traffic state information transmitted at a predetermined frequency from the traffic control center T via the network NW, the center 10 starts its operation.
[0025]
The traffic condition information management unit 31 receives the traffic condition information of the road provided from the traffic control center T, and stores the received traffic condition information in the traffic condition information database 16a. Specifically, when receiving the transmission start signal transmitted from the traffic control center T via the network NW and the interface circuit 18 for wired communication, the CPU 12 of the center 10 returns a transmission start request of the traffic state information. The traffic control center T transmits the latest traffic state information to the center 10 based on the transmission start request.
[0026]
Then, the CPU 12 receives the traffic state information transmitted from the traffic control center T via the wired communication interface circuit 18 and temporarily stores the received traffic state information in the RAM 14. Subsequently, the CPU 12 stores the traffic state information temporarily stored in the RAM 14 so as to be searchable in the traffic state information database 16a. As a result, the traffic condition information database 16a is in a state in which the traffic condition information received so far is sequentially accumulated. As described above, the traffic status information management unit 31 corresponds to the functions realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, the public line communication interface circuit 18, and the traffic status information database 16a.
[0027]
The area definition unit 32 automatically defines an area to which the local traffic information is to be provided according to a time at which the local traffic information is provided. More specifically, first, the CPU 12 uses the road network database 16b to check the connection state between roads in the information provision jurisdiction area, and determines a point where the connection is a bottleneck (hereinafter, this point). Is called a bottleneck point). Here, the bottleneck means that the traffic of the vehicle is sharply reduced, for example, when a two-lane road on one side is connected to a one-lane road on one side, and the traffic is narrowed. The point is the bottleneck point. At this bottleneck point, traffic congestion and congestion are likely to occur because the traffic of vehicles is concentrated in one place. In particular, as the bottleneck point flows from a road with a large traffic volume to a road with a small allowable traffic volume, the traffic congestion increases. And congestion are likely to occur.
[0028]
When extracting a bottleneck point existing in the information providing jurisdiction area, the CPU 12 searches the latest and past traffic state information on the road around the extracted bottleneck point by using the traffic state information database 16a. At this time, when retrieving the past traffic state information, the CPU 12 searches the past traffic state information stored in the traffic state information database 16a for the past traffic at the same time as the time at which the local traffic information is to be provided. Search for state information. Utilizing the latest and past traffic status information obtained by this search, particularly the information indicating the traffic volume of the vehicle, the CPU 12 determines, among the bottleneck points in the extracted information provision jurisdiction area, the current traffic congestion and congestion. Identify the bottleneck point that is the cause and the bottleneck point that has caused traffic congestion and congestion in the past.
[0029]
As a result, a bottleneck point which is a bottleneck point but does not cause traffic congestion or congestion when providing local traffic information is excluded. In addition, bottleneck points that are bottleneck points but do not actually cause traffic jams and congestion, for example, bottleneck points where the number of vehicles passing through the bottleneck points is small and traffic jams and congestion do not occur, are Excluded. For this reason, the CPU 12 can accurately identify a bottleneck point where traffic congestion or congestion occurs.
[0030]
Next, the CPU 12 utilizes the traffic condition information database 16a and the road network database 16b to cause traffic congestion or congestion due to the retrieved traffic condition information among all the roads ending at the identified bottleneck point. Identify the starting point of a road that has or has been congested or congested in the past. Thus, by specifying the starting point of the road ending at the bottleneck point, it is possible to specify the direction of the vehicle flowing into the bottleneck point, and thus it is possible to specify the direction of congestion or congestion. Then, the CPU 12 sets the start point of the specified road as coordinate data expressed by longitude and latitude, and temporarily stores the coordinate data in the RAM 14.
[0031]
Subsequently, if the number of pieces of coordinate data temporarily stored in the RAM 14 is three or more, the CPU 12 defines an area surrounded by a polygon having each coordinate data as a vertex as a detour required area. When the coordinate data are so close to each other that it is impossible to form a polygon having the respective coordinate data as vertices, the CPU 12 generates a polygon including the point represented by the respective coordinate data. The area surrounded by the polygon is defined as the area required for detour. If there are two sets of coordinate data, the CPU 12 defines an area surrounded by an ellipse having the two sets of coordinate data as focal points as a detour required area. If there is only one piece of coordinate data, the CPU 12 defines an area surrounded by a circle represented by a predetermined radial distance (for example, 1 km) around the same point as a detour required area. In this way, by defining the detour required area using the coordinate data of the starting point of the road ending at the bottleneck point, the road where congestion or congestion occurs is included in the detour required area, and the detour required area is included. Can be defined.
[0032]
The above-described definition of the area required for detour by the area definition unit 32 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 12 uses the traffic state information database 16a and the road network database 16b to specify points d, e, f, and i as bottleneck points where traffic congestion or congestion has occurred now or in the past. Then, the CPU 12 is a road ending at the specified bottleneck point d, e, f, i, and a road where traffic congestion or congestion has occurred at present or in the past, that is, roads ad, be, cf, hi, jf and The road ki is specified. Subsequently, the CPU 12 temporarily stores the specified starting point of each road, that is, the starting points a, b, c, h, i, j, and k, in the RAM 14 as coordinate data represented by longitude and latitude, respectively. Then, the CPU 12 uses the coordinate data stored in the RAM 14 to define a detour required area. In this case, since the coordinate data are close to each other, the CPU 12 determines the vertices P1, P2, P3 including the starting points a, b, c, h, i, j, k as shown in FIG. , P4, and P5 are defined as pentagonal areas having vertices as necessary detour areas.
[0033]
In this manner, when the detour required area is defined, the CPU 12 temporarily stores information indicating the detour required area in the RAM 14. That is, when the detour required area is represented by a polygon, the CPU 12 temporarily stores the coordinate data representing each vertex in the RAM 14. When the detour required area is represented by an ellipse, the CPU 12 temporarily stores the coordinate data of the two specified start points in the RAM 14. When the detour required area is represented by a circle, the CPU 12 temporarily stores, in the RAM 14, coordinate data of a start point serving as a center and information indicating a predetermined radial distance. Therefore, the area definition unit 32 corresponds to a function realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, the traffic condition information database 16a, and the road network database 16b.
[0034]
Returning to FIG. 3 again, the provided information creating unit 33 creates local traffic information to be provided to an external terminal device. The local traffic information created by the provided information creation unit 33 includes information indicating the detour required area defined by the area definition unit 32 and the traffic state information of the road in the required detour area, and a future prediction described later. The traffic condition information predicted by the unit 34 is included. To be more specific, first, the CPU 12 utilizes the traffic state information database 16a to execute the latest traffic on the road in the required detour area defined by the area definition unit 32 and the specified road. The state information is acquired, and the acquired traffic state information is temporarily stored in the RAM 14. As a result, the RAM 14 is in a state in which the information indicating the detour required area stored in the area definition unit 32 and the latest traffic state information are stored. Then, the CPU 12 creates local traffic information as shown in Table 1 based on each information stored in the RAM 14.
[0035]
[Table 1]

[0036]
As shown in Table 1, the created local traffic information includes the number of points defining the area required for detour, coordinate data representing the points, the direction of congestion occurring on the specified road, and the number of congestions (hereinafter, referred to as the number of points). , Traffic information). Here, when the number of points is 1, a predetermined distance from the point represented by the coordinate data is added. In addition, the traffic congestion direction and the congestion frequency are represented by numerical values. That is, with respect to the congestion direction, for example, the azimuth is represented by eight directions, such as "1" for north, "2" for northeast, "3" for east, ..., "8" for northwest. In addition, the congestion degree is expressed as a numerical value in five stages, for example, 1 (vacant) to 5 (occurrence of congestion) based on a predetermined standard. Thus, for example, when traffic congestion occurs to the north, the CPU 12 creates local traffic information using “1” representing north and “5” representing congestion. When it is difficult to quantify the congestion frequency, the congestion frequency may be represented as character information such as "This road is congested". As described above, the provided information creation unit 33 corresponds to the function realized by the CPU 12 and the RAM 14.
[0037]
The future prediction unit 34 predicts future traffic state information of each of the roads in the necessary detour area defined by the area definition unit 32 and specified by the definition unit 32. That is, the CPU 12 searches the past traffic state information of each of the specified roads by using the traffic state information database 16a. Then, the CPU 12 sorts the retrieved past traffic condition information based on, for example, time, and determines how the traffic condition of each of the specified roads after the time at which the local traffic information is provided changes. Predict.
[0038]
More specifically, for example, when traffic is occurring on the specified road and local traffic information is provided at 3:00 pm, the CPU 12 uses the past traffic state information stored in the traffic state information database 16a. Then, the traffic condition information at 3:30 pm is searched. The CPU 12 confirms that the traffic congestion or congestion has occurred in the past on the identified road in the past traffic state information at 3:30 pm, and predicts that the traffic congestion will not be resolved after 30 minutes. . On the other hand, the CPU 12 confirms that no traffic jam or congestion has occurred in the past on the specified road in the past traffic state information at 3:30, and finds that the traffic jam has been resolved 30 minutes later. Predict. Then, the CPU 12 temporarily stores the predicted traffic state information in the RAM 14. In this way, the predicted traffic condition information temporarily stored in the RAM 14 is incorporated into the local traffic information created by the provided information creating unit 33 and provided to an external terminal device. Thus, the future prediction unit 34 corresponds to a function realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, and the traffic status information database 16a.
[0039]
The communication management unit 35 manages the local traffic information created by the provided information creation unit 33 and temporarily stored in the RAM 14, and also includes a fixed terminal communication unit 35a, a broadcast communication unit 35b, and a road-vehicle communication unit 35c. Using the respective sections of the public line communication section 35d, the created local traffic information is simultaneously transmitted to the external terminal devices. The fixed terminal communication unit 35a transmits local traffic information to the kiosk type terminal device K. That is, the CPU 12 transmits the local traffic information to the kiosk-type terminal device K connected to the network NW via the wired communication interface 18.
[0040]
The broadcast communication section 35b transmits local traffic information to the navigation system N. That is, the CPU 12 provides local traffic information to the navigation system via the wireless communication interface 17 using, for example, FM radio waves or AM radio waves. In addition, by using the broadcast communication section 35b, it is possible to provide local traffic information to a broadcasting station (such as a television station) using, for example, BS radio waves. The road-to-vehicle communication section 35c also transmits local traffic information to the navigation system N. That is, the CPU 12 transmits a signal from a Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) connected to the network NW and installed on the road to the traveling vehicle via the wired communication interface 18, for example, to a traveling vehicle. Send local traffic information using infrared.
[0041]
The public line communication section 35d transmits local traffic information to the personal computer P or the mobile phone M. That is, the CPU 12 transmits the local traffic information to, for example, the personal computer P or the mobile phone M connected to the Internet via the wired communication interface 18. Here, the personal computer P or the mobile phone M connected to the Internet can perform bidirectional communication when the connection with the CPU 12 is established. For this reason, the CPU 12 stores the connection information (for example, an e-mail address and a telephone number) of the personal computer P or the mobile phone M, the communication time, and the communication contents (hereinafter collectively referred to as user information) in a communication user management section. 35e. When the local traffic information is updated, the local traffic information is automatically provided based on the stored user information. As described above, the communication management unit 35 corresponds to the function realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, the wireless communication interface 17, and the wired communication interface 18. Then, the CPU 12 stores and manages the transmitted local traffic information in a predetermined storage location in the external storage device 15.
[0042]
Here, upon receiving the local traffic information from the center 10, each external terminal device processes the received local traffic information so that it can be used by each terminal device, and presents the local traffic information to the user. This will be described with reference to FIG. 5, taking the navigation system N as an example. The navigation system N uses the local traffic information provided from the center 10 when searching for a route. That is, when receiving the local traffic information, the navigation system N specifies the detour required area based on the information and sets a large link cost (weight when determining a route) of the road in the detour required area. I do.
[0043]
More specifically, the navigation system N is now provided with the local traffic information shown in Table 1 from the center 10, and as shown in FIG. Consider the case of searching for a route heading north. First, the navigation system N specifies a detour required area based on the local traffic information shown in Table 1. After specifying the detour required area, according to the regional traffic information shown in Table 1, traffic congestion occurs on the northbound road in the detour required area. For this reason, the navigation system N sets a large link cost of the northbound road in the detour required area, and does not search for a guide route that passes through the detour required area. Then, the navigation system N searches for a guide route R1 indicated by a thick solid line from the departure place A to the destination B, and guides the guide route R1 to the driver. As described above, when receiving the local traffic information in which traffic congestion or congestion occurs in the detour required area in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the navigation system N searches for a route so as to avoid the traffic congestion or congestion. For this reason, the driver can move to the destination B without passing through a road where traffic congestion or congestion has occurred.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the navigation system N searches for a route from the departure point B to the destination A, according to the regional traffic information shown in Table 1, traffic congestion occurs on the southbound road in the detour required area. Absent. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5B, the navigation system N searches for a guide route R2 passing through the detour required area and guides the driver to the guide route R2. When the navigation system N searches for a route from the departure point C to the destination D, according to the regional traffic information shown in Table 1, the eastbound road is congested in the detour required area. I have. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the navigation system N can search for a guide route R3 passing through the required detour area and a guide route R4 not passing through the required detour area. In this case, for example, the navigation system N determines an optimal guidance route based on the congestion frequency, the route length, the number of right / left turns, and the like included in the local traffic information. As described above, the external terminal device processes the local traffic information provided from the center 10 so that it can be used by each terminal device, and presents the result reflecting the local traffic information to the user.
[0045]
As described above, the center 10 provides local traffic information to an external terminal device. When the center 10 receives the updated traffic condition information from the traffic control center T, the center 10 creates updated local traffic information based on the updated traffic condition information and provides it to the external terminal device in the same manner as the above operation. I do. At this time, the center 10 compares the updated local traffic information with the previously provided local traffic information, and provides only the different information to the external terminal device. That is, the CPU 12 stores the coordinate data and the traffic congestion information constituting the previously transmitted local traffic information stored in the predetermined storage location of the external storage device 15, the coordinate data defined by the current area definition unit 32, and the updated coordinate data. And the traffic congestion information based on the traffic condition information. By this comparison, the CPU 12 extracts coordinate data representing different parts in the coordinate data and traffic information representing different parts in the traffic information. Then, the CPU 12 creates local traffic information including the extracted coordinate data representing the different portions and the congestion information representing the different portions, and transmits the information to an external terminal device.
[0046]
As can be understood from the above description, according to the traffic information providing method of the first embodiment, the center 10 defines an area including a road with congestion or congestion as a detour required area, and Local traffic information including information indicating a region and traffic congestion information is provided to an external terminal device. In addition, it forecasts and provides future regional traffic information. Therefore, the user of the external terminal device can surely use the local traffic information, and can appropriately travel without passing through an area (road) where traffic congestion or congestion occurs.
[0047]
In addition, the center 10 defines an area required for detour including a road where traffic congestion or congestion occurs, and provides the area required for detour to an external terminal device as coordinate data using longitude and latitude. For this reason, it is not necessary to preliminarily define link information indicating individual roads between the center 10 and the external terminal device. Therefore, for example, the user can suitably use the local traffic information even if the local traffic information is related to a new road that does not exist in the road map information provided in the external terminal device in advance. Further, even if the road map information provided in the external terminal device in advance and the road map information held by the center 10 are not compatible, the user can suitably use the local traffic information. In addition, since the center 10 provides traffic information as local traffic information in a detour-necessary area, it is necessary to provide detailed traffic information even on a road on which a detection device for detecting a traffic volume of a vehicle is not installed. Can be. Therefore, the user of the external terminal device does not get caught in traffic on the detoured road, and can move appropriately.
[0048]
In the first embodiment, the area definition unit 32 specifies the bottleneck point, specifies the start point of the road ending at the bottleneck point, and automatically sets the detour required area. . Instead of this, the area required for detour may be set based on information on traffic congestion and congestion stored in advance designated by the manager of the center. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0049]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a center 10 'provides local traffic information. In the center 10 ′, information on traffic congestion and congestion, that is, information on points where traffic congestion and congestion occur due to specific terrain and traffic conditions existing in the information provision jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as a traffic obstruction point) (Referred to as information) is provided in the area information database 16c. Here, the specific terrain is, for example, a terrain such as a river or a slope existing in the information providing area, which is a factor that hinders smooth traffic of the vehicle. In addition, traffic conditions include, for example, roads with a lot of on-street parking on certain days of the week, roads whose traffic volume temporarily increases during certain hours, and traffic at certain times due to traffic volume surveys. This is a situation in which it is known in advance from a past experience or a survey that a factor that hinders smooth traffic of a vehicle occurs on a specific day of the week or at a specific time of day, such as a road having an extremely large amount of traffic. As described above, the traffic obstruction point information is information obtained in advance by knowledge and experience.
[0050]
Further, the center 10 'is provided with an input unit 19 for the manager of the center 10' to input the information on the obstacles to the traffic. Then, the manager of the center 10 ′ uses the input unit 19 to store the traffic obstruction point information in the area information database 16 c. Specifically, the manager of the center 10 'instructs the CPU 12 to display the road in the information provision jurisdiction on a display (not shown). The CPU 12 uses the road network database 16b to display the roads in the information providing jurisdiction on a display (not shown).
[0051]
Next, the manager of the center 10 ′ designates the corresponding road and inputs the obstacle information including the specific terrain and traffic conditions in the information provision jurisdiction area by designating the corresponding road. For example, when the corresponding road is a road connected to a bridge over a river, the input is an identification code “1” indicating that the road is a road connected to the bridge. Similarly, for example, when there is a lot of on-street parking on the corresponding road, an identification code “10” indicating that there is a lot of on-street parking is input. When the manager inputs the traffic obstacle point information, the CPU 12 adds predetermined identification information corresponding to the input traffic obstacle point information to link information indicating a road and stores the information in the area information database 16c.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in detail. In the second embodiment, the manager of the center 10 'specifies and specifies the starting point of the road to which the predetermined identification information is added, which is included in the detour required area. Specifically, the manager of the center 10 ′ designates a day of the week or time using the input unit 19 to the CPU 12, and displays a road in the information providing jurisdiction area that reflects the traffic obstacle point information (not shown). To be displayed on the container. In accordance with the instruction, the CPU 12 displays the road reflecting the obstacle information corresponding to the designated day of the week or time on the display (not shown) using the road network database 16b and the area information database 16c.
[0053]
Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the area definition unit 32 'defines a detour required area. Specifically, the manager of the center 10 ′, based on the display of the display, specifies a road where traffic congestion or congestion may occur in providing local traffic information from now on, and specifies the same. Specify and enter the starting point of the road. The CPU 12 temporarily stores the input starting point of the road in the RAM 14 as coordinate data. Then, the CPU 12 uses the coordinate data temporarily stored in the RAM 14 to define the detour required area in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As described above, the area definition unit 32 'corresponds to the function realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, the road network database 16b, and the area information database 16c, and is based on the starting point of the road designated by the manager of the center 10'. To define the required detour area.
[0054]
As can be understood from the above description, in the second embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment is known by the manager of the center 10 ′ based on knowledge and experience. The traffic obstruction point information is input, and local traffic information reflecting the traffic obstruction point information can be provided.
[0055]
In the first embodiment, the area definition unit 32 specifies the bottleneck point, specifies the start point of the road ending at the bottleneck point, and automatically sets the detour required area. . Further, in the second embodiment, the manager of the center 10 'specifies the starting point of the road to which the traffic obstruction point information is added, and the area defining unit 32' determines the starting point of the specified road based on the starting point of the specified road. It was implemented to define the area required for detour. Instead, the start point of the road ending at the bottleneck point and the start point of the road to which the traffic obstruction point information is added may be automatically specified to define a detour required area. . The third embodiment will be described below. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0056]
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the area definition unit 32 '' of the center 10 '' can communicate with the traffic state information database 16a, the road network database 16b, and the area information database 16c. The area definition unit 32 'defines a required detour area based on the traffic state information database 16a, the road network database 16b, and the area information database 16c. Specifically, the CPU 12 specifies the bottleneck point using the traffic condition information database 16a and the road network database 16b, as in the first embodiment. Then, the CPU 12 confirms the road ending at the specified bottleneck point and specifies the starting point of the specified road. Then, the coordinate data of the specified starting point is temporarily stored in the RAM 14.
[0057]
Next, using the road network database 16b and the area information database 16c, the CPU 12 extracts a road around the start point of the specified road, to which the road obstruction point information is added. Then, the CPU 12 specifies the starting point of the extracted road and temporarily stores the coordinate data of the specified starting point in the RAM 14. Subsequently, the CPU 12 determines a detour-necessary area composed of a start point of a road ending at the bottleneck point temporarily stored in the RAM 14 and a start point of a road to which the traffic obstruction point information is added, The definition is made in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, similarly to the first embodiment, the provided information creating unit 35 creates local traffic information using the stored coordinate data. As described above, the area definition unit 32 ″ corresponds to a function realized by the CPU 12, the RAM 14, the traffic state information database 16a, the road network database 16b, and the area information database 16c.
[0058]
As can be understood from the above description, in the third embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, a detour reflecting traffic obstacle point information known from knowledge and experience is also provided. Necessary areas can be automatically defined and local traffic information can be provided.
[0059]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, upon receiving the updated traffic state information from the traffic control center T, the centers 10, 10 ', and 10''create local traffic information and transmit the local traffic information to an external terminal device. Implemented to send traffic information. On the other hand, when an external terminal device requests transmission of necessary local traffic information, the local traffic information may be created and transmitted. In this case, the local traffic information required by the external terminal device includes, for example, the traveling direction of the user of the external terminal device, the destination, the local traffic information of a desired area or point, and the like.
[0060]
More specifically, the communication management unit 35 receives a required local traffic information transmission request from an external terminal device. That is, the CPU 12 receives a request for transmitting required local traffic information from each external terminal device via the wireless communication interface 17 or the wired communication interface 18. Next, the area definition units 32, 32 ', and 32''define a detour required area. Here, when the area definition unit 32 'defines a detour-necessary area, as in the second embodiment, first, the manager of the center 10' identifies a road on which traffic congestion or congestion may occur. Identify. Then, by specifying and inputting the start point of the specified road, a detour required area is defined. Specifically, for example, when the user specifies the traveling direction or the destination, the CPU 12 uses the road network database 16b or the area information database 16c to connect the road to the traveling direction or the destination of the user. Check the situation. Then, the CPU 12 defines the detour required area based on the confirmed traveling direction or the connection status of the road to the destination, as in the above embodiments.
[0061]
Further, when the user specifies an area or a point where the user wants to receive the local traffic information, the CPU 12 uses the road network database 16b or the area information database 16c to use the inside of the specified area or around the specified point. Check the road connection status. Then, in a manner similar to the above-described embodiments, a detour required area is defined within the designated area or around the designated point. Further, the provided information creating unit 33 creates local traffic information in the defined detour required area, and the communication managing unit 35 provides the created local traffic information to the user. As described above, even when the user of the external terminal device requests the provision of the necessary local traffic information, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained, and the area required by the user can be obtained. Traffic information can be provided.
[0062]
In each of the above embodiments, the provided information creating unit 33 creates the local traffic information including the traffic congestion direction and the congestion frequency of each of the specified roads in the detour required area. Thereby, the direction of congestion and the degree of congestion in the entire area requiring detour are provided. However, for a user who is using a road that flows into the required detour area, the direction of congestion and the degree of congestion in the entire required detour area may not be necessary.
[0063]
In such a case, the centers 10, 10 ', and 10''can create local traffic information in accordance with the inflow direction of a road connecting to a detour-necessary area and provide the information to an external terminal device. That is, when the communication management unit 35 receives the information indicating the road used from the user of the external terminal device, the provided information creation unit 33 uses the road network database 16b to set the area where the road needs to be detoured. Check the inflow direction. Subsequently, using the traffic condition information database 16a, the provided information creating unit 33 quantifies and expresses the congestion frequency of the road in the confirmed direction, and expresses the number of points, coordinates, and congestion frequency of the coordinates that define the detour required area. Create regional traffic information consisting of Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained, and the capacity of the provided local traffic information can be reduced.
[0064]
Furthermore, the local traffic information provided in each of the above embodiments is composed of the number of points of coordinates that define the detour required area, the coordinates, and the degree of congestion. It may be configured and implemented. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained, and more detailed local traffic information to which regulation information is added can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a state in which a traffic control center, a center, and an external terminal device according to the present invention are connected.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a center according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an operation of a traffic information providing method executed in the center of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining the definition of a detour required area according to the present invention.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining a state in which the external terminal device provided with the local traffic information of the present invention presents the local traffic information to the user; FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a center according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an operation of the traffic information providing method executed in the center of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an operation of a traffic information providing method performed in a center according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A to 9C are schematic diagrams illustrating a route search performed by a conventional navigation system based on traffic information.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10 ', 10''... center, 12 ... CPU, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... external storage device, 16a ... traffic state information database, 16b ... road network database, 16c ... area information database, 31 ... Traffic state information management unit, 32, 32 ', 32''... area definition unit, 33 ... provided information creation unit, 34 ... future prediction unit, 35 ... communication management unit.

Claims (18)

The traffic of the center which acquires traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of vehicles running on the road, and sequentially provides the outside with traffic information composed of the road information representing the road and the traffic congestion information indicating the distance and direction of traffic congestion. In the information provision method,
The center stores and accumulates the traffic status information,
Define a detour required area including at least the road where traffic congestion has occurred based on the accumulated traffic state information at one or more points using coordinates using longitude and latitude,
Create regional traffic information composed of point information representing points of coordinates defining the detour required area, and traffic congestion information based on the traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area,
A traffic information providing method characterized by sequentially providing the created local traffic information to the outside. The traffic of the center which acquires traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of vehicles running on the road, and sequentially provides the outside with traffic information composed of the road information representing the road and the traffic congestion information indicating the distance and direction of traffic congestion. In the information provision method,
The center stores and accumulates the traffic status information,
Define a detour required area including at least the road where traffic congestion has occurred based on the accumulated traffic state information at one or more points using coordinates using longitude and latitude,
Point information representing points of coordinates defining the detour necessary area, and traffic information indicating the distance and direction of traffic corresponding to the inflow direction of the road flowing into the detour required area based on the traffic state information. Traffic information providing method characterized by creating regional traffic information. In the traffic information providing method according to claim 1 or 2,
Identifying a traffic obstruction point on a road where smooth traffic of the vehicle is impeded based on the accumulated traffic state information of the detour required area,
A traffic information providing method, wherein a required detour area including at least the specified obstacles is defined as one or more points using coordinates using longitude and latitude. The traffic obstruction point is
A point where a road with a large traffic volume of a vehicle is connected to a road with an extremely small traffic volume of a vehicle,
4. The traffic information providing method according to claim 3, wherein the traffic information is a point where smooth traffic of the vehicle is obstructed. The traffic obstruction point is
The vehicle according to claim 3, which is at least one of a point where smooth traffic of the vehicle is obstructed by the shape of the terrain on which the road is laid, or a point where an obstacle that obstructs smooth traffic of the vehicle exists on the road. Traffic information provision method. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The detour required area is:
The traffic information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information providing method is defined as a polygon having a plurality of points of the coordinates as vertices. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The detour required area is:
The traffic information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information providing method is defined as an ellipse having two points as the focal points or a circle having one point as a center. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The center is
Among the accumulated traffic condition information, the tendency of the traffic volume change of the road in the detour required area is calculated based on the traffic condition information stored in the past,
Predict the future traffic state of the road in the detour required area based on the calculated tendency of the traffic amount change,
Based on point information representing points of coordinates defining the detour required area, traffic congestion information based on the traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area, and predicted traffic state information representing the future traffic state A traffic information providing method comprising creating regional traffic information including predicted traffic congestion information. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The center is
When the traffic condition of the vehicle on the road changes and the traffic condition information is updated,
The detour required area reflecting the change in traffic conditions is defined again as one or more points using coordinates using longitude and latitude,
Compare the point information representing the points of the coordinates that re-defined the detour necessary area, and the point information representing the points of the coordinates that previously defined the detour required area, and extract only the point information representing the points of different coordinates,
Creating updated area traffic information composed of point information representing the extracted points of different coordinates, and congestion information based on updated traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area,
A traffic information providing method, wherein the updated local traffic information is automatically provided to the outside. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The center is
When there is an instruction from the outside about the traveling direction, destination, detour required area and other traffic information required by the outside,
A traffic information providing method, wherein only the local traffic information required by the outside is selected and provided from the created local traffic information. In the traffic information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Provide local traffic information
Point information indicating points of coordinates defining the detour required area, traffic congestion information based on the traffic state information of the road included in the detour required area, and traffic regulation of the road included in the required detour area A traffic information providing method characterized by being created from regulation information. Receiving means for receiving traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of vehicles traveling on the road;
Information storage means for storing and storing the received traffic state information;
Definition means for defining a predetermined detour required area based on one or more points using coordinates of longitude and latitude based on the traffic state information accumulated by the storage means,
Point information representing points of the coordinates of the detour required area defined by the definition means, and traffic congestion information of the road included in the detour required area based on the traffic state information accumulated by the information storage means. Traffic information creating means for creating local traffic information
A traffic information providing center for transmitting the local traffic information created by the traffic information creating means to the outside. Receiving means for receiving traffic condition information indicating the traffic condition of vehicles traveling on the road;
Information storage means for storing and storing the received traffic state information;
Definition means for defining a predetermined detour required area based on one or more points using coordinates of longitude and latitude based on the traffic state information accumulated by the storage means,
Point information representing points of coordinates of the detour required area defined by the definition means, and a distance of congestion corresponding to an inflow direction of a road flowing into the detour required area based on traffic state information accumulated by the information storage means. Traffic information creating means for creating local traffic information composed of traffic information indicating traffic directions and
A traffic information providing center for transmitting the local traffic information created by the traffic information creating means to the outside. In the traffic information providing center according to claim 12 or 13,
Further, of the accumulated traffic condition information, a tendency of a traffic volume change in the detour required area is calculated based on traffic condition information stored in the past, and the detour is performed based on the calculated traffic volume change tendency. A traffic information providing center provided with prediction means for predicting a future traffic condition in a necessary area. Traffic information applied to a terminal device used by a user and obtained from outside to provide the user with traffic information composed of road information indicating a road in which congestion occurs and traffic information indicating a distance and a direction of the congestion. In the provision method,
Point information representing one or a plurality of coordinates created using longitude and latitude defining at least a detour necessary area including at least a road where traffic congestion is generated outside, and included in the detour required area It sequentially obtains local traffic information composed of road congestion information,
Identify the required detour area based on the acquired regional traffic information, and detour the specified detour required area, the distance and direction of the congestion occurring in the specified detour required area, or the specified detour required area A traffic information providing method, wherein at least one of the alternative routes is displayed. Traffic information applied to a terminal device used by a user and obtained from outside to provide the user with traffic information composed of road information indicating a road in which congestion occurs and traffic information indicating a distance and a direction of the congestion. In the provision method,
Point information that represents one or more points that are created externally and that use coordinates of longitude and latitude to define a required detour area including at least a road where traffic is congested, and an inflow that flows into the required detour area Sequentially obtain local traffic information composed of traffic congestion information indicating the distance and direction of traffic congestion corresponding to the inflow direction of the road,
Based on the acquired regional traffic information, the necessary detour area and the inflow road are specified, and the specified detour required area and the inflow road, and the distance and direction of the congestion occurring in the specified detour necessary area and the inflow road Alternatively, at least one of the specified detour required area and a detour route for detouring the inflow road is displayed. Point information representing one or more points using coordinates of longitude and latitude defining at least a detour necessary area including at least a road where traffic congestion occurs, and congestion information of roads included in the detour necessary area Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring regional traffic information to be obtained,
A local traffic information storage means for storing the obtained local traffic information,
A detour required area specifying means for specifying a detour required area based on the local traffic information stored by the traffic information storage means,
Route search means for searching for a detour path for bypassing the detour required area specified by the detour required area specifying means,
A display for displaying at least one of the required detour area specified by the required detour area specifying means, the distance and direction of the congestion occurring in the required detour area, or the detour path searched by the path searching means. Means for obtaining traffic information. Point information indicating one or more points using coordinates of longitude and latitude defining at least a detour necessary area including at least a road where traffic congestion occurred, and corresponding to an inflow direction of an inflow road flowing into the detour necessary area. Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring regional traffic information composed of traffic congestion information indicating the distance and direction of traffic congestion;
A local traffic information storage means for storing the obtained local traffic information,
A detour required area specifying means for specifying a detour required area based on the local traffic information stored by the traffic information storage means,
Inflow road identification means for identifying an inflow road flowing into the detour required area based on the local traffic information stored by the traffic information storage means,
Route search means for searching for a detour path for bypassing the detour required area specified by the detour required area specifying means,
The required detour area specified by the required detour area specifying means and the inflow road specified by the inflow road specifying means, the distance and direction of the congestion occurring in the specified required detour area and the inflow road or the route Display means for displaying at least one of the detour routes searched by the search means.

Images