High resolution encoding and transmission of traffic information

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for increasing the geospatial resolution of traffic information by dividing known location intervals into a fixed number of sub-segments not tied to any one map providers format, efficient coding of the traffic information, and distribution of the traffic information to end-user consuming devices over one or more of a satellite based broadcast transport medium and a data communications network. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention detail a nationwide traffic service which can be encoded and distributed through a single broadcast service, such as, for example, an SDARS service, or a broadcast over a data network. Exemplary embodiments include aggregating the traffic data from segments of multiple location intervals, into predefined and predetermined flow vectors, and sending the flow vectors within a data stream to users. Confidence levels obtained from raw traffic data can both (I) be disclosed to drivers/users to supplement a very low signal (or no signal) speed and congestion report, and (ii) can also be used in various system algorithms that decide what local anomalies or aberrations to filter out as noise, or to disclose as accurate information and thus more granularly depict the roadway in question (and use additional bits to do so) as an actual highly localized traffic condition.