Tomtom Traffic B.v.

Tomtom Development Germany Gmbh

Christian Lorenz

Nikolaus Witte

Stefan Lorkowski

Arne Kesting

Robin Tenhagen

Sören Sonnenburg

Vinh Tho Ma

There is provided a method for generating traffic data indicative of a traffic volume and/or traffic density within a navigable network in an area covered by an electronic map, the electronic map comprising a plurality of segments representing navigable elements of the navigable network. The method generally comprises obtaining positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along the navigable elements represented by the segments of the electronic map; determining, using (at least) positional data relating to one or more congested segments within a region of the navigable network, an estimate of one or more average penetration rates for the region; determining a sample volume for a non-congested segment within the region based on the obtained positional data; and estimating, using the determined sample volume and a selected one of the average penetration rates for the region, a traffic volume and/or traffic density for the non-congested segment. Also provided are systems for performing the method. Accordingly, traffic volume and/or traffic densities can be estimated from probe data.

Methods and systems for generating traffic volume or traffic density data

A method of determining whether one or more navigable elements of a navigable network within a geographic area are still affected by a precipitation weather event. A quantity parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates the amount of precipitation remaining on the navigable element or portion thereof represented by the segment. The value of the quantity parameter increases in the presence of any precipitation weather event, and decreases ac cording to a predefined function with respect to time in the absence of any such precipitation weather event. A speed of travel of one or more devices along the navigable element or portion thereof represented by a segment is determined and compared to an expected speed of travel for the segment; the value of the quantity parameter being decreased based on the comparison. The value of quantity parameter can be used to generate weather events and/or attribute the cause of a congestion event as being the precipitation weather event.

Methods and systems for identifying navigable elements affected by weather conditions

A method of detecting the closure and/or opening of a navigable element forming part of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area. A passability parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates a likelihood of closure of the element represented by the segment. The value of the passability parameter decays over time. When a device is detected on the element represented by the segment, the passability parameter is increased, and when a closure report is received relating to the segment, the parameter is decreased. In one set of embodiments, when the passability parameter decreases below a first threshold value, the element represented by the segment is determined to be potentially closed. In another set of embodiments, when the passability parameter increases above a second threshold value, the closed element represented by the segment is determined to be opened.

Methods and systems for detecting a closure and/or opening of a navigable element

A method of determining whether one or more navigable elements of a navigable network within a geographic area are still affected by a precipitation weather event. A quantity parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates the amount of precipitation remaining on the navigable element or portion thereof represented by the segment. The value of the quantity parameter increases in the presence of any precipitation weather event, and decreases according to a predefined function with respect to time in the absence of any such precipitation weather event. A speed of travel of one or more devices along the navigable element or portion thereof represented by a segment is determined and compared to an expected speed of travel for the segment; the value of the quantity parameter being decreased based on the comparison. The value of quantity parameter can be used to generate weather events and/or attribute the cause of a congestion event as being the precipitation weather event.

Live vehicle probe data is obtained relating to the movement of vehicles with respect to time along a navigable element. The probe data is used to determine a current speed of travel along the navigable element, which is compared to the free flow speed of travel for the navigable element. When the current speed of travel along the element is reduced relative to the free flow speed for the navigable element by less than a threshold associated with identifying a congestion event, and obtained weather data indicates the navigable element is affected by one or more adverse weather conditions, then a weather event is generated. If the reduction in speed of travel is of a size sufficient to trigger the generation of a congestion event, and obtained weather data again indicates the navigable element is affected by one or more adverse weather conditions, then one or more attributes of the congestion event can be used to determine if the cause of the congestion can be attributed to the adverse weather.

A method of detecting the closure of a road element is disclosed; the road element being one of a set of alternative incoming or outgoing elements at a node in a network of navigable elements. A server obtains positional data relating to the position of a plurality of devices with respect to time traversing the node. A count is determined of the number of devices in a consecutive sequence of device selecting a given one of the navigable elements from among the set of elements. The count is compared to a predetermined threshold to determine whether another one of the elements is closed. The threshold is based upon the relative probability of the element to which the count relates being taken from the set of road elements.

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Berlin, Germany

Christian Lorenz