CLIAMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A system providing road traffic information in real-time , the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is capable of executing instructions within a plurality of modules stored in the memory, and wherein the plurality of modules comprise:
a collection module configured to collect traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
an evaluation module configured to:
define a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of the number of vehicles within the route of interest;
calculate one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest , wherein the traffic rate parameters provides information about traffic rate within the route of interest; and
compare the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one source comprise tracking devices embedded on public transport and one or more vehicles registered with a server, wherein the one or more vehicles are associated with an identity number, and wherein the identity number is associated with one or more information about the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the geo coordinate data comprises latitude and longitude values of the vehicle moving within the route of interest, and number of vehicles moving within the route of interest, wherein the number of vehicles comprises of vehicles registered with a database at a server.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the route of interest is associated with a route identity, and wherein each route identity is associated with a speed limit with respect to each route of interest, a type of road and a condition of the road, wherein the type of road comprises at least one of an expressway, a state highway, one way road, narrow road, and muddy road, and wherein the condition of road comprises feedback obtained from one or more users travelled on the route of interest.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one time interval is a variable time interval, and wherein the variable time interval is inversely proportional to the number of vehicles.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the evaluation module is configured to:
update the traffic data at a predefined interval of time to create the pre-stored data; and
compare the traffic data with the pre-stored data to identify and display a conflicting data from the traffic data over the authentication band while calculating the one or more traffic rate parameters.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the evaluation module is configured to:
calculate a distance travelled by the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest by using the geo coordinate data associated with the one or more vehicle with respect to the time interval; and
divide the distance with the time stamp associated with the one or more vehicle to calculate the traffic rate parameter in terms of a speed value of the one or more vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the evaluation module is configured to:
display the traffic rate parameters scaled on the authentication band, wherein the authentication band represents the traffic rate parameter, affect of a conflicting traffic data over the traffic rate parameter, and one or more alerts associated with the conflicting traffic data.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic rate parameters comprises of a speed band, wherein the speed band comprises of at least one range of speed associated with vehicles on the route of interest along with a date time and a route id.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the traffic rate parameters comprises at least one of an average speed of the traffic over a time period, number of vehicles, type of vehicles, speed limit of the route of interest, traffic forecast.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the scale on the authentication band comprises at least one of a time scale, a distance range, a speed scale or a combination thereof.

12. The system of claim 1 is configured to provide traffic forecasting by using the pre-stored data, wherein the pre-stored data is used when real-time data is not available.

13. A system for reporting road traffic information in real-time, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is capable of executing instructions within a plurality of modules stored in the memory, and wherein the plurality of modules comprise:
an input module configured to enter a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
a selection module configured to select at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period;
a reporting module configured to generate the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the route of interest is associated with a route identity, and wherein each route identity is associated with a speed limit with respect to each route of interest, a type of road and a condition of the road, wherein the type of road comprises at least one of an expressway, a state highway, one way road, narrow road, and muddy road, and wherein the condition of road comprises feedback obtained from one or more users travelled on the route of interest.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one time interval is a variable time interval, and wherein the variable time interval is inversely proportional to the number of vehicles present within the route of interest.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the road traffic information comprises of a speed band, wherein the speed band comprises of at least one range of speed associated with vehicles on the route of interest along with a date time and a route id.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the road traffic information comprises at least one of length of an entire route, average speed on the route, number and type of vehicles reported the info on the route or a combination thereof.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the reporting module is configured to:
display at least one best route along with one or more routes with respect to the source and the destination point entered by the user, wherein the best route refers to an intensity of traffic situation between any two points in terms of number of vehicles or in terms of speed of vehicle or a combination thereof.

19. A method providing road traffic information in real time, the method comprising:
collecting traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
defining a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of number of vehicles within the route of interest;
calculating one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest, wherein the traffic rate parameters provide information about traffic condition within the route of interest; and
comparing the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the comparing comprising:
updating the traffic data at a predefined interval of time and creating the pre-stored data; and
comparing the traffic data with the pre-stored data to identify and display a conflicting data from the traffic data while calculating the one or more traffic rate parameters.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the calculating comprising:
calculating a distance travelled by the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest by using the geo coordinate data associated with the one or more vehicle with respect to the time interval; and
dividing the distance with the time stamp associated with the one or more vehicle to calculate the one or more traffic rate parameters in terms of a speed value of the one or more vehicle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the calculating comprising:
displaying the traffic rate parameters scaled on the authentication band, wherein the authentication band represents the traffic rate parameter, affect of a conflicting traffic data over the traffic rate parameter, and one or more alerts associated with the conflicting traffic data.

23. A method for reporting road traffic information in real-time, the method comprising:
entering a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
selecting at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period;
generating the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the reporting module is configured to:
display at least one best route along with one or more routes with respect to the source and the destination point entered by the user, wherein the best route refers to an intensity of traffic situation between any two points in terms of number of vehicles or in terms of speed of vehicle or a combination thereof.

25. A computer program product having embodied thereon a computer program for road traffic forecasting in real time, the computer program product comprising:
a program code for collecting traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
a program code for defining a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of number of vehicles within the route of interest;
a program code for calculating one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest, wherein the traffic rate parameters provide information about traffic condition within the route of interest; and
a program code for comparing the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.

26. A computer program product having embodied thereon a computer program for reporting road traffic information in real-time, the computer program product comprising:
a program code for entering a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point;
a program code for selecting at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period;
a program code for generating the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval. ,TagSPECI:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING TRAFFIC INFORMATION, FORECASTING AND TRAFFIC REPORTING IN REAL-TIME

Applicant
Tata Consultancy Services Limited
A company Incorporated in India under The Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Nirmal Building, 9th Floor,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application does not claim priority from any patent application.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure in general relates to a method and system for providing traffic information. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to traffic forecasting and traffic reporting in real-time.
BACKGROUND
[003] Monitoring of road traffic scenarios has become widely important. Forecasting of traffic situation at a particular time interval and for a particular route helps in providing smoother and planned travel. If a user may come to know traffic situation in advance, he may well choose a best possible option from alternate routes depending upon the traffic situation. Also, traffic monitoring helps in management of traffic on a day to day basis. The traffic monitoring may also helps in conducting future survey for analytical purposes.
[004] Forecasting of traffic may be performed in large number of ways. Basic way includes use of GPS devices or satellite based traffic information systems. The GPS devices gather information about movement of vehicles in terms of coordinates. The coordinates may then be used to forecast traffic situations. However, the merely use of GPS coordinates to forecast traffic may not be sufficient in some odd situations like construction, road blockage due to some activity or accident etc. Further, the satellite based information systems may not be available at most of the geographies. Also, data authenticity while providing forecasting results is also a matter of concern.
[005] Mobile towers based system are also used to provide traffic information. However, the mobile tower based systems are not accurate as such systems require cell switching that may fail to guarantee a complete reception of traffic information for a particular route.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to system(s) and method(s) providing traffic information, forecasting and traffic reporting in real-time and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[007] The present disclosure relates to a system providing road traffic information in real time. The system comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is capable of executing instructions within a plurality of modules stored in the memory. The plurality of modules comprises a collection module configured to collect traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point and an evaluation module. The plurality of modules further comprises an evaluation module configured to define a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of the number of vehicles within the route of interest, calculate one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest , wherein the traffic rate parameters provides information about traffic condition within the route of interest and compare the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.
[008] The present disclosure also relates to a system for reporting road traffic information in real-time. The system comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is capable of executing instructions within a plurality of modules stored in the memory. The plurality of modules comprises an input module configured to enter a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point, a selection module configured to select at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period and a reporting module configured to generate the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval.
[009] The present disclosure also relates to a method providing road traffic information in real time. The method comprises collecting traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point, defining a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of number of vehicles within the route of interest. The method further comprises calculating one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest, wherein the traffic rate parameters provide information about traffic condition within the route of interest and comparing the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.
[0010] The present disclosure also relates to a method for reporting road traffic information in real-time. The method comprises of entering a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point, selecting at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period and generating the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval.
[0011] The present disclosure also relates to a computer program product having embodied thereon a computer program providing road traffic information in real time. The computer program product comprises a program code for collecting traffic data for every preset time interval from at least one source for a route of interest, wherein the traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles, and wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point, a program code for defining a time interval band by using the traffic data, wherein the time interval band comprises at least one time interval, and wherein the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of number of vehicles within the route of interest and a program code for calculating one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest, wherein the traffic rate parameters provide information about traffic condition within the route of interest. The computer program code further comprises a program code for comparing the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band, wherein the authentication band provides traffic information analysis based on pre-stored traffic data for a predefined period, and wherein the traffic information analysis is performed by means of the scale.
[0012] The present disclosure also relates to a computer program product having embodied thereon a computer program for reporting road traffic information in real-time. The computer program product comprises a program code for entering a route of interest, wherein the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point, a program code for selecting at least one time interval from a time interval band, wherein the at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period and a program code for generating the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[0014] FIG 1 illustrates a network implementation of a system providing traffic information and forecasting in real-time is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] FIG 2 illustrates the system providing traffic information and forecasting in real-time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] FIG 3 illustrates a network implementation of a system providing traffic reporting in real-time is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] FIG 4 illustrates the system providing traffic reporting in real-time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] FIG 5 illustrates a method providing traffic information forecasting in real-time, accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] FIG 6 illustrates a method providing traffic information and reporting in real-time, accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] FIG 7(a) and 7(b) illustrates an authentication of traffic data to provide traffic information and forecasting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] FIG 8 illustrates a flowchart providing traffic information, forecasting and traffic reporting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] FIG 9 illustrates a mechanism to provide traffic information, forecasting and traffic reporting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] While aspects of described system and method providing traffic information and forecasting and traffic reporting in real time to may be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation 100 of system 102 to provide road traffic information and forecasting in real-time has been shown. The system 102 provides traffic forecasting in one or more cases when real-time data is not available. System 102 uses past data that is stored in the database for traffic forecasting. One or more sources provide information about one or more vehicles moving within a route of interest. Road traffic forecasting may be performed for a particular route selected or requested by the user by means of one or more communication device. The road traffic forecasting may be performed for a particular time interval. The present disclosure further provides road traffic forecasting by removing a conflicting data that may be received at some point of data as the traffic data from one or more sources. The traffic data is then displayed along with an authentication band and one or more traffic arte parameters are calculated.
[0025] Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the system 102 is implemented as an application on a server, it may be understood that the system 102 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. In one implementation, the system 102 may be implemented in a cloud-based environment. It will be understood that the system 102 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices 104-1, 104-2…104-N, collectively referred to as user 104 hereinafter, or applications residing on the user devices 104. Examples of the user devices 104 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user devices 104 are communicatively coupled to the system 102 through a network 106.
[0026] In one implementation, the network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network 106 can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 106 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[0027] Referring now to Figure 2, the system 102 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the system 102 may include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204, a memory 208. The at least one processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 202 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 208.
[0028] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 204 may allow the system 102 to interact with a user directly or through the client devices 104. Further, the I/O interface 204 may enable the system 102 to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[0029] The memory 208 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 208 may include modules 210 and data 212.
[0030] The modules 210 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 210 may include a collection module 212, an evaluation module 214 and other modules 216. The other modules 216 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the system 102.
[0031] The data 218, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 216. The data 218 may also include a database 220, and other data 224. The other data 224 may include data generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules in the other module 216.
[0032] Referring to figure 3, although the present subject matter is explained considering that the system 302 is implemented as an application on a server, it may be understood that the system 302 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. In one implementation, the system 302 may be implemented in a cloud-based environment. It will be understood that the system 302 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices 304-1, 304-2…304-N, collectively referred to as user 304 hereinafter, or applications residing on the user devices 304. Examples of the user devices 304 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user devices 304 are communicatively coupled to the system 302 through a network 306.
[0033] Referring to figure 3, in one implementation, the network 306 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network 306 can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 306 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 306 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[0034] Referring now to Figure 4, the system 302 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the system 302 may include at least one processor 402, an input/output (I/O) interface 404, a memory 406. The at least one processor 402 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 302 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 308.
[0035] The I/O interface 404 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 404 may allow the system 302 to interact with a user directly or through the client devices 304. Further, the I/O interface 404 may enable the system 302 to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface 404 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 404 may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[0036] The memory 408 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 408 may include modules 410 and data 420.
[0037] The modules 410 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 410 may include an input module 412, a selection module 414, a reporting module 416 and other modules 418. The other modules 418 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the system 302.
[0038] The data 420, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 410. The data 420 may also include a database 422, and other data 424. The other data 424 may include data generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules in the other module 418.
[0039] Referring to Figure 1 and 2, the present disclosure relates to a system(s) and method(s) for road traffic forecasting in real-time. One or more traffic data is collected from either a single source or many sources. The traffic data is used to calculate results. The results depict information about movement of vehicles over a route for which traffic forecasting has to be performed. The results may also be shared with external devices.
[0040] The collection module 212 is configured to collect traffic data from at least one source. The at least one source comprises tracking devices embedded on public transport and one or more vehicles registered with a server with the database 220. The one or more vehicles sharing the traffic data with the server are associated with an identity number. The identity number is associated with one or more information about the vehicle. The information may include vehicle type for example, two wheeler, three wheeler, four vehicle, heavy vehicle, light vehicle etc. The vehicle type may also comprise Cycle, Bike, Car or Bus. The vehicle sharing the information with the server may anytime share updated information with the server. Each device (for example mobile phone) of one or more users may be assigned a user ID and the user ID may be stored in the database 220 of the server.
[0041] The traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles within the route of interest. The route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point for which a traffic forecast has to be performed.
[0042] Each route of interest is associated with a route id. The route id also stores the information about the speed limit for vehicles on a type of road. The type of the road comprises expressway, state highway, one way road, narrow road, muddy road etc. The condition of the road comprises user feedback etc. The user feedback may be stored in the database 220 and may be used for future references while forecasting traffic. The user feedback may be explained by examples, On Dec 24, 2013 1600 hrs @ Mumbai Pune Expressway, traffic jam because a truck met with an accident blocked the road. No rescue till 2 hrs. Also, on Dec 23, 2013 1000 hrs @ Rohtang Pass: Heavy snowfall. Road blocked. Here the time stamp and location information are system 102 generated. User has the option to share the user id/name and a chat option is provided to enable communication among the users of the application.
[0043] The traffic data collected from the sources is updated after a particular interval of time. The traffic data is stored in the database 220 and is analyzed. The traffic data is analyzed to identify any major deviation of the traffic situation related to any route id. The updated data will overwrite the past data. This may be the case of widening the roads, underpass or flyover construction etc. The traffic data is updated to create a pre-stored traffic data. The major deviation of traffic situation which appears sustained that means the major deviation that continues for more than one month (example).
[0044] The sources for example, mobile devices or the GPS units installed on vehicles may send their coordinates to the server. The sources may keep sending this information after a fixed interval of time or for every preset time interval or after a particular displacement is covered, whichever is earlier. The collection module 212 may get the coordinates of the sources and the timestamp.
[0045] The evaluation module 214 uses the traffic data for further processing. By using the traffic data, the evaluation module 214 defines a time interval band for which the traffic information will be determined (or road traffic forecasting will be performed). The time interval band comprises at least one time interval. The time interval band is defined to forecast traffic in plurality of time ranges i.e. by forecasting traffic in plurality of time intervals.
[0046] The time intervals are not fixed and are dependent upon the variation of the traffic scenario between the source point and the destination point. For example, if a route is highly crowded in the morning, and evening hours but scarcely traversed during rest of the day then the time interval in the time interval band will have smaller intervals during rush hours and larger intervals during rest of the time of the day. Therefore, the time interval may be considered as a variable time interval and the variable time interval is inversely proportional to the number of vehicles.
[0047] By way of a non limiting example, it is assumed that in morning hours the traffic between point A and B starts building up at 7 am and ends up by 12 pm then the time interval band may have the intervals as 0700 to 0730, 0730 to 0750, 0750 to 0805, 0805 to 0815, 0815 to 0825, 0825 to 0835 and so on till peak time of the traffic and then time interval band may expand like 1030 to 1040, 1040 to 1055, 1055 to 1115, 1115 to 1130, 1130 to 1200.
[0048] The time intervals in the time interval band are not fixed but adaptive to the traffic conditions between any two points. The two points are used for defining the route of interest. The time intervals may be affected by change in traffic condition on any route of interest or between any source point and destination point.
[0049] In order to define time intervals in the time interval band, the traffic data is collected and is processed by simple mathematical algorithm to divide the time into some intervals based upon variance of number of vehicles with respect to the time.
[0050] The evaluation module 214 is configured to calculate one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval for the route of interest based on the authentication of traffic data. The traffic rate parameters provide information about the traffic condition for the route of interest. The traffic rate parameter comprises speed of vehicle or vehicles moving within the route of interest. The traffic rate parameter further comprises at least one of an average speed of the traffic over a time period, number of vehicles, type of vehicles, speed limit of the route of interest or traffic forecast.
[0051] The speed of vehicle(s) on an entire stretch (route of interest) is divided into one or more speed bands. These speed bands are then plotted over a map using some color patterns and are stored in the database 220. All these speed information in terms of speed bands is stored in the database 220 at the server side along with the date, time and the route id.
[0052] The evaluation module 214 is configured to calculate at least one traffic rate parameter by using the traffic data and displays traffic information by means of the authentication band. The traffic rate parameters may be calculated for one or more time intervals or for entire time interval band for the route of interest. The conflicting data is also displayed while calculating the one or more traffic rate parameters and the alerts.
[0053] The traffic data comprises two consecutive coordinate data associated with one or more vehicles. The consecutive data is then used by the evaluation module 214 to calculate the displacement travelled. The distance travelled by the vehicle or vehicles in one particular direction is divided by the difference of the timestamps associated with the vehicle or vehicles to get the velocity of the vehicle or vehicles between the two points. For example, the traffic data sent (while travelling in one particular direction) at the point A is lat/long = (79.000934, 91.986790) at time 09:15:31 am and the data sent at the point B is lat/long = (78.098934, 91.006790) at time 09:16:31 am. The speed velocity is calculated by calculating the distance between the these two points and dividing the distance by the time interval using the formula:
[sqrt((latA – lat B)2 + (long A – long B)2 )) divided by (time at B – time at A) (equation 1)
[0054] The speed calculated by equation (1) is stored in the database 220 along with the time, date, route info etc. Updation in data increases accuracy in the speed rate parameters so calculated and the speed rate is parameter is illustrated on the speed band and the authentication band.
[0055] The traffic forecasting (when data is not available in real time) on the road between two points comes from the information shared by plurality of vehicles (users) with the server on the real time basis. If there is some patch on the route for which the data is not available on real time basis then this part will be covered by the information coming from past data analysis. This way system 102 even cover those portions which do not have GPS access (e.g. tunnels) or the time during which GPS is down. For tunnels the calculation is done by using the data collected just before entering the tunnel and the data collected just after getting out of the tunnel. This data is then stored in the database like other data and analysis is done on that. It also takes care of the remote areas which are not so populated with vehicles.
[0056] The evaluation module 214 is configured to compare the traffic data with the pre-stored traffic data to scale the one or more traffic rate parameters with respect to an authentication band. The scale comprises at least one of a time scale, a distance scale or a speed scale. The traffic rate parameters provide information about traffic condition within the road (or route) of interest. The sources update the traffic data at a predefined interval of time and thus the pre-stored data is obtained. The evaluation module 214 then compares the traffic data with the pre-stored data to identify and display a conflicting data from the traffic data while calculating the one or more traffic rate parameters. The conflicting data is displayed along with the traffic rate parameters. The authentication is an analysis based element and is performed by defining the authentication band by using the scales. The time scale displays traffic information for one or more time periods, the distance scale displays the traffic information for one or more distance ranges and the speed scale displays the traffic information for one or more vehicles having different speed values.
[0057] By way of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the database is populated for last two months. A user A wants to travel from point A to B by his Maruti Alto at 10:15 hours. The maximum speed limit on the road is 60 Kmph. When a user wants to request for traffic forecasting, a user B with with a Ferrari crosses the road at a speed of 150 Kmph. The user B with Ferrari is registered with the server. Therefore, the database gets populated with an entry with speed 150 Kmph. Thus, it may be stated while determining the traffic information that the road is wide open and may be travelled with a speed of 150 Kmph and this may be conflicting or misleading information and may give incorrect forecasting. The evaluation module 214 checks in the pre-stored traffic data and forecasts the traffic information on that road from the last two months and comes up with the most consistent speed information and displays it in the authentication band area. The evaluation module 114 calculates the speed on that particular road and on that particular day of week and at that particular time interval and provides that speed has always been between 50-55 Kmph. Therefore, the entry by the Ferrari is considered as conflicting traffic information and is displayed while traffic information is provided to the user. The conflicting traffic information due to Ferrari is displayed to the user; however, authentication band at the same time displays the traffic information in normal scenario i.e. when Ferrari is not there. Thus here traffic information is scaled over the speed vehicle and displays speeds of various vehicles where the speed of Ferrari is conflicting.
[0058] By way of another non limiting exemplary embodiment, the same user A with Alto wants to go from point A to point B and on Sunday. Now the first user from whom the traffic data in terms of speed information is collected is a person whose car is having some problem and he is moving ahead with jerks looking for a mechanic. The speed collected from him is 10 kmph. Now when the user A with Alto check requests for sharing traffic forecast results (in terms of traffic rate parameters), it is observed by the user A that the authentication band on the lower side as the most consistent speed on the road on that particular road on Sunday has always been 75 kmph. So the authentication band will display this speed information also with an alert that the speed limit on the road is 60kmph. The traffic rate parameters are scaled on the speed scale. The authentication band may also illustrate that the traffic data use for calculating the current speed data is collected from a single four wheeler.
[0059] By way of another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, if the speed observed by the user on a particular day is 15 kmph on an entire stretch of the road which otherwise offers a speed of 70 kmph. This may include a special scenario when there is some procession going on, or some rally or any kind of mass gathering, or some road accident etc. Though the authentication band gets the speed of 70 kmph from the data analysis but it will still be on the higher side because of there are large numbers of vehicles which are sending the same speed info from the same point. The authentication band may display the information that though the average speed on this road is 70 kmph but the current information of 15 kmph is authentic because it is reported by 30 users (ten 4-wheelers and twenty 2-wheelers).
[0060] By way of another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, when the information is coming from only one vehicle which may include a bus and it reports the speed on the road as 30 kmph. It is the crowded road which offers the speed in the same range during the entire year. The evaluation module 214 checks from the data analysis and comes to the conclusion that though the data is collected from only one vehicle but it is in sync with the records (pre-stored data) and thus it’s authentic. So the authentication band will be on the higher side for a particular scale (time, distance or speed).
[0061] The evaluation module 214 handles special scenarios (when the traffic data is the conflicting data) as well on the road. The authentication band is defined based on the traffic data analysis and the number of vehicles from which the traffic data is collected. The authentication band uses combination of both i.e. traffic data analysis and number of vehicles from which the traffic data is collected to authenticate the traffic data while calculating one or more traffic rate parameters. The authentication band may display or report traffic rate parameters along with any deviation in the traffic rate parameters. The deviation in traffic rate parameters may be due to some conflicting traffic data. The conflicting traffic data may affect the calculation of traffic rate parameters and may lead into some deviation.
[0062] The evaluation band 214 is configured to display the one or more traffic parameters scaled by means of the authentication band. The authentication band represents the traffic rate parameter, affect of a conflicting traffic data over the traffic rate parameter, and one or more alerts. The alerts are displayed to provide information about the conflicting data and the effect of the conflicting data over the traffic rate parameters. By way of an example, the alert may include a notification that the conflicting data has been shared by n number of vehicle or the conflicting data has not been found in the pre-stored data. The n may be any value positive integer.
[0063] The conflicting traffic data coming from large number of vehicles has got higher priority over the data coming from the past data analysis. Also the traffic data coming from a single vehicle, if in sync with the data analysis of the past data, has got higher authentication. When the traffic data that is conflicting with the past analysis report (prepared by using the pre-stored data based on updates shared by sources) and is not backed up by the number of vehicle is considered special case and the authentication band displayed is on the lower side. The authentication band comprises of a predefined numeric scale for all the speed scale, distance scale and the time scale. For example, in a scale of 1-5, 1 is lowed side and 5 is higher side. Further for example, for the speed band, 1 will show vehicles with low speed or more traffic areas and 5 will show vehicles with high speed or less traffic areas. Similarly, for distance scale, 1 will show area or distance range with low traffic and 5 will show distance range or area with high speed of vehicles i.e. low traffic. These scaling values are exemplary and intend is not to limit the scope of the invention. Fig 7(a) and 7(b) shows authentication band.
[0064] The working of system 102 may be explained by way of an example and by referring to figure 9. In step 902, 904 and 906 traffic information end user devices are collected. The end user devices transmit their GPS data to server. The traffic data is processed and one or more traffic rate parameters are generated and are transmitted to end user device. The end user device receives the traffic information (step 908).
[0065] The present disclosure also relates to the system 402 providing traffic information reporting in real-time. The input module 412 is configured to enter a route of interest. The route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point. The route of interest is selected by a user so that traffic information with respect to that route of information may be reported to the user.
[0066] The selection module 414 is configured to enable a selection of at least one time interval from a time interval band. The at least one time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information from a server about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the user may use his mobile phone to request for obtaining information about the traffic situation between the two points in future time. The traffic information comprises the traffic situation on the same date in past and current traffic situations on the route, rise in the number of vehicles traversing the route etc.
[0068] The user as a first step transmits an information about his vehicle to some external server in order to request for obtaining traffic information. The information about vehicle comprises vehicle type for example, two wheeler, three wheeler, four vehicle, heavy vehicle, light vehicle etc. The vehicle type may also comprise Cycle, Bike, Car or Bus. The vehicle sharing the information with the server may anytime share updated information with the server. Each device of the user may be assigned a user ID and the user ID may be stored in the server for all future communications.
[0069] Referring to figure 7(a) and 7(b), the reporting module 416 is configured to display a best route to the user requesting for obtaining the traffic information. The best route refers to an intensity of traffic situation between any two points in terms of number of vehicles or in terms of speed of vehicle or a combination thereof. Further, the best route is any route with the minimum time taken for travel backed by authentication factor with respect to the authentication band. When the user enters the source and destination then all the routes between the two points are displayed to the user on the screen of his mobile device with the best route (with higher current average speed) selected. The user may touch and select through the user interface of his mobile device other routes as well and see the traffic condition on the other routes as well.
[0070] Also the user can tap on any point on the route and check the traffic information at that point. This information may be provided because the traffic information is divided into speed bands for a particular distance between two points.
[0071] The reporting module 416 is configured to display information after a pre-fixed distance. When the user taps on a point of the route then a pop up will display the speed observed at that particular point for the selected time interval. The reporting module 416 may display the number and type of vehicles present at that point. The reporting module 416 may also display the speed limit of the road on which the route of interest lies.
[0072] By way of a non limiting example, in a situation when the user taps on a point on the route which is a light point or square or railway crossing or bottleneck, etc, and finds the speed there is 10 kmph. But the average speed on the route is 50 kmph. But the authentication band will be on higher side and it will display that the speed on this point has always been in the currently displayed range.
[0073] The traffic information reported to the user may include but is not limited to length of the entire route, average speed on the route, number and type of vehicles reported the info on the route or a combination thereof.
[0074] The working of system 302 may be explained by way of an example and by referring to figure 8. In step 802, end user device (mobile device of the user) shares information like geo coordinates and type of vehicle with a traffic data receiver (an external server). The information shared by the end user device is stored in a database (step 804). Upon selection the time interval band, the traffic information is processed in a traffic information processor (step 806). Traffic Information transmitter then transmits the traffic information to the end user device (step 808) with respect to the time interval selected by the user.
[0075] Referring to figure 5 and 6, the order in which the method 500 and method 600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 500 and 600 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 500 and 600 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 500 and 600 may be considered to be implemented in the above described system 102 and 30 respectively.
[0076] Referring to figure 5, at block 502, traffic data is collected from at least one source. The traffic data comprises geo coordinate data of one or more vehicles moving within the route of interest along with a time stamp associated with movement of the one or more vehicles and the route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point.
[0077] At block 504, defining a time interval band by using the traffic data. The time interval band comprises at least one time interval and the at least one time interval varies in accordance with number of vehicles and movement of number of vehicles within the route of interest.
[0078] At block 506, calculating one or more traffic rate parameters for the at least one time interval associated with the movement of vehicles moving within the route of interest.
[0079] At block, 508, comparing the traffic data with a pre-stored traffic data to scale the traffic rate parameters on the authentication band.
[0080] Referring to figure 6, at block 602, a route of interest is entered by a user. The route of interest defines a distance between a predetermined source point and a predetermined destination point.
[0081] At block 604, at least one time interval is selected from a time interval band. The time interval is associated with a request for obtaining the road traffic information about the one or more vehicle moving within the route of interest for a particular time period.
[0082] At block 606, the road traffic information for the route of interest with respect to the at least one time interval is generated.
[0083] The written description describes the subject matter herein to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments of the invention. The scope of the subject matter embodiments is defined by the claims and may include other modifications that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have similar elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.