Accurate mobile traffic information acquisition with minimal transmission cost and optional v2v extension

Abstract

A system (and method) includes at least one traffic server to receive traffic information reports transmitted from vehicles located on a traffic network serviced by the at least one traffic server. The traffic network is segmented into a plurality of predefined links, each predefined link associated with a priority level, a reporting latency, and an identification code. An onboard unit in a vehicle transmits traffic information reports to the at least one traffic server. The onboard unit is configured: to determine a current location of the vehicle; based on the current location, to determine on which of a link of the predefined links in the traffic network the vehicle is currently located; to determine a link identification code that corresponds to the link on which the vehicle is currently located; and to generate a traffic data packet to be potentially transmitted by the onboard unit to the at least one traffic server. The determined link identification code serves as indicia of location in the traffic data packet.