Importance

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Abstract

Real time vehicle guidance by central traffic unit is provided by a system which includes a central traffic unit, a plurality of vehicles equipped with mobile guidance units, and communication system based on GSM/GPS technology. The central traffic unit maintains the perpetually updated database of travel times for all sections of roads, while mobile guidance units include mobile cell phone handset units communicatively linked to the central traffic unit computer server. Mobile guidance units also comprise smart card capable to detect when a mobile cell phone unit is located in the mounting receptacle. To detect a bottleneck situation when it arises and to estimate a current travel time for a corresponding section of road, the central traffic unit maintains a list of probe vehicles that have recently exited that section. If the times those vehicles have spent on the section differ considerably from a regular travel time stored in the database, the central traffic unit uses statistical tools for forecasting the future travel time along this section. By appropriately combining those travel times, the central traffic unit calculates the fastest route based on the most updated information on traffic load disposition. The guidance system also allows the driver to enter alternative time schedules for the same destination and receive alternative travel time estimates reflecting different estimated travel times along the roads at different times.

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First Claim