US 2012/0072096 A1Published application

Dynamic prediction of road traffic conditions

AssigneeInrix, Inc.

InventorsCraig H. Chapman, Christopher L. Scofield

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Abstract

Techniques are described for generating predictions of traffic conditions at one or more indicated times, such as by using probabilistic techniques to assess various input data while producing predictions for each of one or more road segments (e.g., in a real-time manner based on changing current conditions for a network of roads in a given geographic area). In some situations, one or more predictive Bayesian models and corresponding decision trees are automatically created for use in generating the traffic condition predictions for each geographic area of interest, such as based on observed historical traffic conditions for those geographic areas. Predicted traffic condition information may then optionally be used in a variety of ways to assist in travel and for other purposes, such as to plan optimal routes through a network of roads based on predictions about traffic conditions for the roads at multiple times.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving information describing a network of multiple roads in a geographic area, each of the roads having multiple road segments for which traffic congestion is distinctly tracked;
and
automatically facilitating navigation of vehicles over the network of roads based on predicted traffic congestion of the roads by, for each of multiple users:
receiving, by one or more configured computing systems of a predictive traffic information provider system, a request from the user for information indicating predicted traffic conditions of roads of the network for travel to an indicated destination;
identifying, by the one or more configured computing systems, a plurality of road segments along one or more routes over the roads of the network to the indicated destination from at least one possible starting position, each of the one or more routes including multiple of the identified road segments;
retrieving, by the one or more configured computing systems, information indicating current conditions that affect traffic on the identified road segments, the indicated current conditions including current weather for the geographic area, current events that are scheduled to occur in the geographic area, current school sessions that are scheduled to occur in the geographic area, and current levels of traffic on other road segments of the roads that are distinct from the identified road segments;
predicting, by the one or more configured computing systems, an expected level of traffic congestion at an indicated time for each of the identified road segments based at least in part on the indicated current conditions;
for each of the one or more routes, determining, by the one or more configured computing systems, a predicted travel time for the route based on the predicted expected traffic congestion levels for the multiple road segments of the route;
and
providing, by the one or more configured computing systems, information to the user that indicates the determined predicted travel time for at least one of the routes to the indicated destination, to enable the user to navigate a vehicle over the network of roads based on predicted traffic congestion levels.

7 more elements

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by one or more configured computing systems, information indicating current traffic conditions at a first time for each of one or more of a plurality of road segments of multiple related roads, and information indicating other current conditions at the first time that affect traffic on the plurality of road segments, the other current conditions including multiple of current weather conditions, current events that are scheduled to occur, and current schedules for school sessions;
automatically predicting, by the one or more configured computing systems, multiple distinct levels of traffic congestion at an indicated time for multiple of the plurality of road segments, the automatic predicting being based on the indicated current traffic conditions for the first time and the indicated other current conditions for the first time, and one or more of the predicted traffic congestion levels being distinct from historical average traffic congestion levels corresponding to the indicated time;
and
using at least some of the predicted traffic congestion levels to facilitate travel on the roads.

1 more element

A computing system, comprising:

one or more processors;
a first component configured to, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, predict traffic conditions at an indicated time for each of one or more of multiple road segments of one or more roads based at least in part on obtained information indicating current conditions related to the multiple road segments, the indicated current conditions including multiple of current weather conditions, current scheduled events, current school schedules, and current traffic conditions for at least one of the multiple road segments;
and
a second component configured to, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, provide one or more indications of at least one of the predicted traffic conditions for use in facilitating travel on the one or more roads.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/211,177Filed 16 Aug 2011
Priority: 3 Mar 2006
Published: 22 Mar 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G08G 1/0141
For specific applications: for traffic information dissemination
G08G 1/0133
Traffic data processing: for classifying traffic situation
G08G 1/096811
Where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route: where the route is computed offboard
G08G 1/096838
Where different aspects are considered when computing the route: where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route…

Family

Application11/367,463Continuation · filed 3 Mar 2006
Application12/897,621Continuation in part · filed 4 Oct 2010
Application13/211,177Continuation in part
Application12/897,621Continuation
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.