Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Susanne Breitenberger

Martin Hauschild

A method provides traffic condition data in the context of a traffic condition recognition by a motor vehicle, in particular traffic condition data for detecting the position of traffic, preferably for detecting traffic jams. In a first step the type of road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined by use of a position recognition device and a digital road map. In a second step, the category of road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined by use of the position recognition device and the digital road map. A third step utilizes assignments, in particular a table, which assigns at least one lower speed threshold, one upper speed threshold and preferably also a normal speed to both the relevant road type and the relevant road category of the road along which the vehicle is traveling. Finally, in a fourth step, at least the lower speed threshold and the upper speed threshold are used to determine the traffic condition.

Determination of an expected speed level

A method for providing traffic status information as part of a traffic status detection by a motor vehicle, in particular traffic information for detecting traffic jams is provided. To provide high-quality traffic status information at an acceptable cost, it is proposed that a first step should verify whether the vehicle is currently participating in public road traffic. A second step verifies whether the vehicle has been operated otherwise for more than a predetermined period of time, and optionally in a third step the traffic status detection is interrupted.

Verifying the validity of traffic status information

A method for providing traffic status information as part of a traffic status detection system using a traffic status detection device provided in the vehicle, in particular traffic status information for ascertaining the traffic situation, including traffic status information for detecting congested traffic is provided. To provide high-quality traffic status information at an acceptable cost, it is proposed that in a first step a traffic status is detected repeatedly by the traffic status detection device. In a second step, a change in traffic status is detected by the traffic status detection device. In a third step, a data record describing the change in traffic status is generated by the traffic status detection device, in particular a program-controlled computer, and in a fourth step, the data record is transmitted from the traffic status detection device to a receiver that receives the data record, via Short Message Service.

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Munich, Germany

Susanne Breitenberger