SE1250443A1 - Support system and method for forming vehicle trains - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for forming a vehicle train, which comprises an identification unit adapted to identify a first vehicle and a second vehicle for being part of a common vehicle train, and to determine vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle and to generate an identification signal in dependence. thereof, an analysis unit adapted to receive said identification signal and to determine at least one ratio parameter describing at least one ratio between said identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters; the analysis unit is further adapted to analyze said ratio parameter with respect to predetermined criteria, and generate a qualification signal indicating the result of said analysis; and a relay unit adapted to receive said qualification signal and relay the result of said analysis to form a vehicle train. (Figure 1)

Description

10 15 20 25 30 2 and performed as a unit. It is a well known fact that fuel consumption is drastic decreases with the distance to the vehicle in front due to that the air resistance decreases.

Studies show that fuel consumption on the leading vehicle can be reduced by 2 to 10% and for the following vehicle 15 to 20% compared to a single vehicle. This under provided that the distance between the trucks is 8 - 16 meters and that they travel at SEK 80 / h.

The reduced fuel consumption results in a corresponding reduction in C02 emissions.

Drivers are already taking advantage of this well-known fact today, with reduced road safety as a result.

A basic question about vehicle trains is how the time gap between vehicles can be reduced from the recommended 3 sec down to between 0.5 and 1 second without affecting road safety. The recommended time slot is currently based on 0 Driver reaction time I Delays in the vehicle's braking system 0 Vehicle stopping distance With distance sensors and cameras, the driver's reaction time can be eliminated, a type of technology is already used today by systems such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LKA (Lane) Keeping Assistance).

One limitation, however, is that distance sensors and cameras require a clear view of the target, which makes it difficult to detect events more than a couple of vehicles ahead in the queue. Further limitation is that they can not react proactively, ie. react to events that have not had any significant effect on the traffic rhythm.

Communication between vehicles, however, provides an opportunity to solve these problems, thereby vehicles in front of the vehicle train can 0 Send information about the condition of your own vehicle, ie. weight, speed, engine power, position. 0 Send information about measures that affect surrounding traffic, eg if you breaks. 10 15 20 25 30 3 0 Act probes for vehicles behind by reporting observed traffic incidents backwards in the vehicle train.

This enables the vehicle train to act as a unit, which results in damping of oscillations in the train caused by speed changes. Consequently, shorter is possible distance and better global traffic fl destiny.

Wireless communication between vehicles (V2V) and communication between vehicles and infrastructure (V21) are technologies that begin through the work on standardization work realized. In international projects, the technology has been used to create driver warning functions as well as route planning and route optimization.

US-2010/0256852 relates to a method for checking a number of vehicles included in one vehicle train, where a leader vehicle with the help of V2V communication communicates with the other vehicles in the vehicle train. The communication refers, among other things, to the position of the vehicles included in the vehicle train, and the distances between the vehicles.

US-2010/0256836 and DE-102007024877 relate to a method for forming a vehicle train by, among other things, comparing the vehicles' route.

US-7894982 describes a method and a system for forming a vehicle train based on vehicle identification.

US-7813843 relates to a system for exchanging information between vehicles to control them.

As can be seen from the above review of background technology, much of the work is as made related to vehicle trains linked to technical solutions to create optimally controlled vehicle trains. Another important aspect is linked to how to generate vehicle trains and how it should be administered. However, there are no examples of how the creation of vehicle trains initiated. Trucks can travel at 1 km intervals without any support system to form a vehicle train. 10 15 20 25 30 The object of the present invention is thus to provide a system for initiating the formation of vehicle trains.

Summary of the invention The object described above is achieved according to one aspect by a system for forming one vehicle trains. The system includes an identification unit that is adapted to identify one first vehicle and a second vehicle to be part of a common vehicle train, and that determining vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle and generating an identification signal depending thereon. Furthermore, the system comprises an analysis unit which is adapted to receive said identification signal and to determine at least one relationship parameters that describe at least one relationship between the identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters. The analysis unit is also adapted to analyzing said ratio parameters with respect to predetermined criteria, and generate a qualification signal indicating the result of said analysis. The system also includes a switching unit adapted to receive said qualification signal and convey the result of the analysis to form a vehicle train.

The object is achieved according to another aspect by a method for forming a vehicle train, which comprises: A) identifying a first vehicle and a second vehicle to be part of a common vehicle train and B) determine vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicles. The method further comprises step C) to determine at least one relationship parameters that describe at least one relationship between the identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters; and to D) analyze said ratio parameters with respect to predetermined criteria and E) form a vehicle trains depending on the result of said analysis.

Through the system and method, it is possible to find vehicles that are suitable to be part of a common vehicle train, even if the vehicles are located at a great distance from each other. Several kilometers gap between the vehicles is possible when the formation of vehicle trains initiated. The formation also does not need to be planned in advance, but can be initiated while traveling.

The system can, for example, operate along transport routes or driveways and thereby get different vehicles to cooperate in vehicle trains. 10 15 20 25 30 By formation of a vehicle train is meant here that the creation of a vehicle train is initiated.

The vehicles that are to be included in the vehicle train do not need to have the capacity to communicate with each other, which means that the invention also works for vehicles without this logic, for example, older vehicles.

The system and method are exemplified here with reference to a first and a second vehicle. However, the invention is also applicable to a larger number of vehicles. It is too possible to form several vehicles at the same time.

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims and in the detailed one the description.

Brief description of the accompanying figures In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, by which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the invention in the use of communication between vehicles and infrastructure according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the invention in the use of communication between vehicles and server according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a circuit diagram of the method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 illustrates the system according to the invention, and will next be described in detail with reference to this figure. As shown in the figure, the system comprises one identification unit adapted to identify a first vehicle and a second vehicle for be part of a common vehicle train. By the first vehicle is meant a vehicle that is placed before the other vehicle along the route. By identification is meant here that the identification unit detects that there is a vehicle in its vicinity. The registration can for example by the identification unit comprising sensing means in the form of for example photo sensor, IR sensor, camera etc that can detect or identify that one 10 15 20 25 30 vehicles pass. According to another embodiment, the identification unit is adapted to wirelessly receive information from vehicles. The information includes, for example, the vehicle's position, speed, planned route, and vehicle characteristics such as model and size. Then the identification unit can detect that there is a vehicle nearby the identification unit based on its position, thus identifying the vehicle.

The identification unit can thus be adapted to determine the position of the vehicle relatively identification unit.

The identification unit is further adapted to determine vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle and to generate an identification signal in dependence thereof.

By vehicle parameters is meant here, for example, information mentioned above as such vehicle positions, speeds, planned routes, and vehicle characteristics as a model and size, and times when the vehicles passed the identification unit.

The identification unit is advantageously adapted to act as a measuring point, and different vehicle parameters can then be determined in relation to this.

The system also comprises an analysis unit which is adapted to receive the said identification signal and to determine at least one ratio parameter that describes the least a ratio between the identified vehicles based on the determined ones vehicle parameters. According to one embodiment, the analysis unit is adapted to determine one ratio parameter comprising a time t between said identified vehicles.

The identification signal then comprises, for example, two times which describe when mentioned identified vehicles passed the identification unit. The analysis unit can then decide the time t between said vehicles from the two times. According to another embodiment, the analysis unit adapted to determine a ratio parameter which includes a distance d between the identified vehicles. The identification signal then comprises, for example, the first the speed of the vehicle and the time when it passed the identification unit, as well as the time when it the other vehicle passed the identification unit. The analysis unit can then decide the distance d between the first and second vehicle by multiplying the time t between vehicles at the speed of the first vehicle. 10 15 20 25 30 The analysis unit is further adapted to analyze the relationship parameter or the relationship parameters with respect to predetermined criteria, and generate a qualification signal indicating the result of said analysis. According to one embodiment said predetermined criteria include ranges of relationship parameters, within which the vehicles are considered qualified to be part of a common vehicle train. If a ratio parameter determined which includes a distance d between the vehicles, is the analysis unit according to an embodiment adapted to compare d with an interval for the distance within which the vehicles are considered eligible to be part of a common vehicle train.

If the distance d is within the range, the vehicles are considered to be qualified to be included in one common vehicle train. If a ratio parameter is determined which includes a time t between the vehicles, the analysis unit is according to one embodiment adapted to compare the time t with an interval for the time within which the vehicles are considered eligible to be part of a common vehicle train. If the time t is within the range, the vehicles are considered qualified to be part of a common vehicle train, which the qualification signal then indicates.

The system also comprises a drying unit which is adapted to receive the said qualification signal and convey the result of said analysis to form a vehicle trains. The result can be conveyed in different ways, which will be explained in more detail below.

As described above, the identification unit may also be adapted to determine vehicle parameters including vehicle characteristics for each vehicle, wherein the identification signal indicates this. The analysis unit is according to an embodiment then adapted to analyze whether said vehicles are qualified to be part of a vehicle train based on criteria for the respective characteristics of the vehicles. Examples of vehicle characteristics are: vehicle model, vehicle size, vehicle weight, load size, load weight. There are different known criteria for when two vehicles are suitable for being part of a common vehicle train.

For example, the first vehicle should be a larger or at least as large vehicle as the other vehicle in order for it to be profitable to form the vehicle train.

According to one embodiment, the identification unit is adapted to determine vehicle parameters including the respective route of the vehicles, the identification signal indicating this. 10 15 20 25 30 The analysis unit is then adapted to analyze whether the said vehicles are qualified to be part of a vehicle train based on criteria for the vehicles' respective vehicle route. The criteria may, for example, include that the vehicles must drive the same route in whole or in part. The analysis unit is then adapted to compare the route of each vehicle with each other. In this way, vehicles can to drive the same route is performed in a more economical way.

According to one embodiment, the analysis unit is adapted to take into account several different ones vehicle parameters and criteria for determining a qualification signal.

The system will now be explained with reference to Figure 2, which shows an embodiment of the invention. In the figure, the vehicle marked with “l” is the first vehicle, and the vehicle marked with “2” the other vehicle. The figure shows a roadside unit “P1” which in this embodiment comprises the identification unit according to the invention.

In the figure there is a further road side unit "P2" which in this embodiment comprises the mediation unit. The roadside units “P1” and “P2” are according to one embodiment adapted to communicate wirelessly with vehicles through so-called infrastructure communication. The vehicles that are intended to be part of a common vehicle train must then be adapted to be able to communicate in this way. If the result of the analysis made shows that vehicle “1” and vehicle “2” are qualified to be part of a joint vehicle train, this can be transmitted wirelessly to vehicle “1” by road side unit “P2”. Vehicle “l” may, for example, be asked to wait for vehicle “2”. For example, the result can be displayed as one automatic message in the form of a text message via a display in the driver's instrument panel, which is communicated by the transmission unit to the vehicle “l” then the vehicle “L” passes or is near the roadside unit “P2”. The roadside unit “P2” is then adapted to identify that the vehicle “l” is passing or is in the vicinity of the roadside unit íGP279.

Vehicle communication between vehicle and infrastructure, so-called VZI communication, is one technology developed in a number of global projects between a number of actors in the automotive industry. Examples of such projects are CVIS (Cooperative Vehicle Infrastructure Systems), Safespot and CoCAR (Cooperative Cars). These systems are based 10 15 20 25 30 on communication with WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). The communication includes two-way communication, that is communication from a vehicle to infrastructure, or from infrastructure to vehicle.

The roadside units “P1” and “P2” are preferably adapted to communicate with each other wirelessly or via cable.

According to another embodiment, the switching unit is adapted to determine a control signal depending on the qualification signal, and transmitting the control signal to a control unit in the first the vehicle, the vehicle being regulated accordingly. For example, the vehicle seat speed is reduced, so that vehicle “l” has to wait for vehicle “2”. The mediation unit is then adapted to generate a control signal to the vehicle's cruise control.

The result may also include more information such as information about which vehicle “2” as vehicle “l” is asked to wait, how far apart the vehicles are, and / or expected waiting time until vehicle “2” has caught up with vehicle “l”.

According to another embodiment not shown in the figures, the identification unit is adapted to identify said vehicle by using a camera unit and / or a radar unit.

The identification unit can then be comprised of a roadside unit which comprises a camera unit and / or a radar unit adapted to identify said first and second vehicles.

Alternatively, the identification unit comprises said camera unit and / or radar unit.

The results of the analysis can then be communicated as already explained via wireless communication to vehicle "l".

According to a further embodiment, the communication unit is adapted to convey the result to the first vehicle via a screen located adjacent to the road as the vehicles travel on. The screen can be integrated in a roadside unit, alternatively be a stand-alone unit.

The result can also be transmitted to the other vehicle "2" via any of the means provided described above. For example, the communication unit may be adapted to convey the result 10 15 20 25 30 lO via a display in the other vehicle “2”. The driver of the other vehicle can then be notified that the vehicle is qualified to be part of a vehicle train, and with which vehicle. The driver can also instructed to, for example, increase the speed to catch up with the first vehicle.

An advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is that the system can be used by many different types of vehicles.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention, and similar to the embodiment as shown in Figure 2, a first vehicle “1” and a second vehicle “2” are illustrated. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 comprises at least said identification unit a virtual measuring point which is here marked as “P3” adapted to identify the said vehicle. The vehicles are then adapted to communicate between vehicle and server (V2S), as well includes positioning equipment. The positioning equipment includes, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). The system is preferably also adapted to communicate with and obtain information from a so-called “fleet management system”, a system that handles a set of different vehicles and related information. The system is thus adapted to monitor vehicles via information from GPS and “management eet management system” and match them against one or fl your virtual measuring points P3, P4.

V2S communication includes two-way communication, ie communication from one vehicle to server, or from server to vehicle.

According to this embodiment, the server comprises the system according to the invention, and is adapted to generate at least one virtual measuring point P3. The advantage of having a virtual measuring point is, among other things, that the measuring point can be chosen arbitrarily and does not require any roadside units. The cost of having virtual measuring points will then be lower than using fixed roadside units as measuring points as previously described. A virtual measuring point can for example, is selected by entering the coordinates of the point in the system, whereby measurements related to this point. The measuring point is set up in a suitable place along the road, for example at or before a longer stretch of road without exits. 10 15 20 25 30 ll Measurement of time and / or distance is started when the first vehicle “l” passes the virtual one measuring point P3. The time and / or distance to the other vehicle “2” is determined and assessed according to the said predetermined criteria. The assessment takes into account whether the vehicles are qualified to be part of a common vehicle train. The system can also assess if they benefits from collaborating by, for example, examining whether their destinations and routes coincide.

The server preferably includes information about the various vehicles identified by identification unit. Thus, the result of the analysis can be conveyed to the first or the other vehicle by, for example: sending a message to the haulier who may call the driver of the first vehicle "1" and ask him to slow down and wait for vehicle "2", or send an automatic message to vehicle "l" urging the driver to slow down, or send a control signal to the cruise control in vehicle "l" indicating that of the vehicle The seat speed must be reduced, whereby the vehicle's cruise control regulates the vehicle accordingly.

The transmission takes place according to an embodiment at measuring point P4.

According to another aspect, the invention comprises a method of forming a vehicle train, illustrated by a fl fate diagram in Figure 4. The method comprises in a first step A) that identify a first vehicle and a second vehicle to be part of a common vehicle train. IN a second step B) determining vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle, and in a third step C) at least one ratio parameter is described which describes at least one ratio of said identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters. IN a fourth step D) analyzes said ratio parameters with respect to predetermined ones criteria, wherein a vehicle train is formed depending on the result of said analysis in one fifth step E). The different steps described here can be performed in different ways as explained in connection with the system. Said ratio parameters may for example comprise one distance d and / or time t between said vehicle. The predetermined criteria then include preferably ranges of ratio parameters, within which the vehicles are considered qualified to be part of a common vehicle train.

According to one embodiment, step B comprises determining vehicle parameters which include vehicle characteristics for each vehicle. Step D then includes analyzing if said 10 15 20 25 30 12 vehicles are qualified to be part of a vehicle train based on the criteria of the vehicle respective characteristics. In this way, the method can take into account, for example, vehicle size in the analysis.

According to another embodiment, said step B comprises determining vehicle parameters including the route of each vehicle. Step D then includes analyzing if said vehicle are qualified to be part of a vehicle train based on criteria for the vehicles' respective vehicle route. In this way, the method can take into account whether the vehicles will drive completely or partly the same route, and if they have the same destination.

Step E comprises, according to one embodiment, communicating the result of said analysis to at least one of said vehicles via a display, an automatic message, telephone call or control signal to the vehicle's cruise control, whereby the vehicle is controlled accordingly hence.

The method can use different ways to communicate. According to one embodiment, the method of identifying said vehicle by using a camera unit and / or a radar unit. In this way, the method can identify vehicles without the need for vehicles have some built-in communication equipment. According to one embodiment, the method comprises arranging at least one virtual measuring point for identifying said vehicle in step A, wherein said vehicles are adapted to communicate between vehicle and server (V25). IN In this embodiment, the vehicles also have positioning equipment. According to another embodiment comprises the method of using at least one measuring point in the form of a roadside unit adapted for communication between vehicle and infrastructure to identifying said vehicle in step A, said vehicle being adapted to communicate between vehicle and infrastructure. Different ways of communicating have also been explained in connection with the system, and these methods are also applicable to the method.

The invention also includes a computer program product, comprising computer program instructions to cause a computer system to perform the steps according to the method above, when the computer program instructions are run on said computer system. The invention relates 13 also to a computer program product in which the computer program instructions are stored a medium readable by a computer system.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents can be used. Therefore, they do not limit the above-mentioned embodiments the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims loraven.

Claims (22)

10 15 20 25 30 14 Patent claims A vehicle train forming system, comprising - an identification unit adapted to identify a first vehicle and a second vehicle to be part of a common vehicle train, and to determine vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle and to generate an identification signal accordingly, an analysis unit adapted to receive said identification signal and to determine at least one ratio parameter describing at least one ratio between said identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters; the analysis unit is further adapted to analyze said ratio parameter with respect to predetermined criteria, and generate a qualification signal indicating the result of said analysis; a transmission unit adapted to receive said qualification signal and transmit the result of said analysis to form a vehicle train. The system of claim 1, wherein said analysis unit is adapted to determine a ratio parameter that includes a distance d between said identified vehicles. A system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said analysis unit is adapted to determine a ratio parameter comprising a time t between said identified vehicles. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification unit is adapted to determine vehicle parameters including vehicle characteristics for each vehicle, the identification signal indicating this, and the analysis unit is adapted to analyze if said vehicles are qualified to be included in a vehicle train based on vehicle criteria. respective characteristics. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification unit is adapted to determine vehicle parameters comprising the respective route of the vehicles, the identification signal indicating this, and the analysis unit is adapted to analyze whether said vehicles are qualified to be included in a vehicle train based on criteria vehicle route. 10 15 20 25 30 15 A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said predetermined criteria comprise intervals for said ratio parameters, within which the vehicles are considered qualified to be part of a common vehicle train. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission unit is adapted to transmit the result of said analysis to at least one of said vehicles via a display, or by an automatic message, or is adapted to generate a control signal to the vehicle's cruise control, the vehicle being controlled in accordingly. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification unit comprises at least one virtual measuring point adapted to identify said vehicle, said vehicles being adapted to communicate between vehicle and server (V2S), and comprising positioning equipment. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification unit is adapted to be comprised of a roadside unit adapted for communication between vehicle and infrastructure to identify said vehicle in step A, wherein said vehicle is adapted to communicate between vehicle and infrastructure. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification unit is adapted to identify said vehicle by using a camera unit and / or a radar unit. ll. A method of forming a vehicle train, which comprises A) identifying a first vehicle and a second vehicle to be part of a common vehicle train; B) determining vehicle parameters related to said identified vehicle; C) determining at least one ratio parameter describing at least one ratio between said identified vehicles based on said vehicle parameters; D) analyzing said ratio parameters with respect to predetermined criteria; E) forming a vehicle train depending on the result of said analysis. 10 15 20 25 30 16 The method of claim 11, wherein said ratio parameter comprises a distance d between said vehicle. A method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said ratio parameter comprises a time t between said vehicle. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said step B comprises determining vehicle parameters comprising vehicle characteristics of each vehicle, said step D comprising analyzing whether said vehicles are qualified to be included in a vehicle train based on criteria for the vehicle respective characteristics. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said step B comprises determining vehicle parameters comprising the respective vehicle route, said step D comprising analyzing whether said vehicles are qualified to be included in a vehicle train based on criteria for the respective vehicle route. . A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said predetermined criteria comprise intervals for said relationship parameters, within which the vehicles are considered qualified to be part of a common vehicle train. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein step E comprises communicating the result of said analysis to at least one of said vehicles via a display, an automatic message, telephone call or control signal to the vehicle's cruise control, the vehicle being controlled accordingly. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, comprising arranging at least one virtual measuring point for identifying said vehicle in step A, wherein said vehicles are adapted to communicate between vehicle and server (V2S), and have said vehicle positioning equipment. 10 15 17 A method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, comprising using at least one measuring point in the form of a roadside unit adapted for communication between vehicle and infrastructure to identify said vehicle in step A, said vehicle being adapted to communicate between vehicle and infrastructure. . A method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, comprising identifying said vehicle using a camera unit and / or a radar unit. A computer program product, comprising computer program instructions for causing a computer system to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20, when the computer program instructions are run on said computer system. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer program instructions are stored on a computer system readable medium.