A counting device includes processing circuitry configured to store rectangular area definition information indicating positions and sizes of rectangular areas obtained by dividing an area where a number of mobile devices is counted, count the number of mobile devices present in each of the rectangular areas indicated in the rectangular area definition information, every predetermined time, based on position information of each of the mobile devices, and when it is determined based on a counting result of the number of mobile devices present in each of the rectangular areas that there are rectangular areas where the number of mobile devices is smaller than a first threshold, integrate the rectangular areas to generate a new rectangular area, when it is determined based on the counting result that there is a rectangular area where the number of mobile devices exceeds a second threshold, divide the rectangular area to generate new rectangular areas.

A counting device includes processing circuitry configured to store rectangular area definition information indicating positions and sizes of rectangular areas obtained by dividing an area where a number of mobile devices is counted, count the number of mobile devices present in each of the rectangular areas indicated in the rectangular area definition information, every predetermined time, based on position information of each of the mobile devices, and when it is determined based on a counting result of the number of mobile devices present in each of the rectangular areas that there are rectangular areas where the number of mobile devices is smaller than a first threshold, integrate the rectangular areas to generate a new rectangular area, when it is determined based on the counting result that there is a rectangular area where the number of mobile devices exceeds a second threshold, divide the rectangular area to generate new rectangular areas.

An approach is provided for automatically detecting a road closure during a probe anomaly. The approach, for example, involves determining a drop in an expected vehicle volume in a geographic area over a time epoch, wherein the expected vehicle volume represents an expected number of unique vehicles traveling in the geographic area over the time epoch. The approach also involves computing an adjusted expected vehicle volume for a road segment in the geographic area based on the drop and a historical expected vehicle volume for the road segment over the time epoch. The approach further involves determining a time window comprising at least the time epoch. The approach further involves performing an automatic road closure detection on the road segment using the time window.

A state estimation method executed by a state estimation apparatus including a processor and a memory storing program instructions that cause the processor to estimate a state related to congestion on a subject lane, includes acquiring a state related to congestion of a monitoring vehicle traveling on a non-subject lane, counting a number of vehicles traveling on the subject lane, the vehicles being overtaken by the monitoring vehicle or being oncoming vehicles passed by the monitoring vehicle, and estimating the state related to the congestion on the subject lane, using the state related to the congestion of the monitoring vehicle and the number of vehicles. In the estimating, when the number of the vehicles is equal to or greater than a threshold value according to the state related to the congestion of the monitoring vehicle, the state related to the congestion on the subject lane is estimated as traffic congestion.

A state estimation method executed by a state estimation apparatus including a processor and a memory storing program instructions that cause the processor to estimate a state related to congestion on a subject lane, includes acquiring a state related to congestion of a monitoring vehicle traveling on a non-subject lane, counting a number of vehicles traveling on the subject lane, the vehicles being overtaken by the monitoring vehicle or being oncoming vehicles passed by the monitoring vehicle, and estimating the state related to the congestion on the subject lane, using the state related to the congestion of the monitoring vehicle and the number of vehicles. In the estimating, when the number of the vehicles is equal to or greater than a threshold value according to the state related to the congestion of the monitoring vehicle, the state related to the congestion on the subject lane is estimated as traffic congestion.

A road tunnel security system includes a road security server system in communication with respective tunnel security client systems arranged and associated with respective cars. A specific tunnel security client system is configured to download a computer coded road map from the road security server system, including at least one tunnel. A first virtual gate is located in front of a first tunnel opening, and a second virtual gate is located In front of a second tunnel opening. When a car enters the tunnel, the first virtual gate submits the license number plate to the road security system, and when the car leaves the tunnel the registered license number plate is deleted on request from the second virtual gate. In this manner the road security server keep track of all cars and their license plate numbers that are inside the tunnel at any time.

A road tunnel security system includes a road security server system in communication with respective tunnel security client systems arranged and associated with respective cars. A specific tunnel security client system is configured to download a computer coded road map from the road security server system, including at least one tunnel. A first virtual gate is located in front of a first tunnel opening, and a second virtual gate is located In front of a second tunnel opening. When a car enters the tunnel, the first virtual gate submits the license number plate to the road security system, and when the car leaves the tunnel the registered license number plate is deleted on request from the second virtual gate. In this manner the road security server keep track of all cars and their license plate numbers that are inside the tunnel at any time.

This disclosure makes vehicle passage at a tollbooth on a vehicle road smoother. A plurality of candidate lanes are selected based on whether or not a first vehicle scheduled to pass through a tollbooth is an ETC vehicle, and the type of each lane at the tollbooth. Moreover, a predicted value in correlation with a required time predicted to be required for passing through the tollbooth is calculated for each candidate lane. Further, a recommended lane that is recommended for the first vehicle to travel is determined from the plurality of candidate lanes based on the predicted value for each candidate lane.

This disclosure makes vehicle passage at a tollbooth on a vehicle road smoother. A plurality of candidate lanes are selected based on whether or not a first vehicle scheduled to pass through a tollbooth is an ETC vehicle, and the type of each lane at the tollbooth. Moreover, a predicted value in correlation with a required time predicted to be required for passing through the tollbooth is calculated for each candidate lane. Further, a recommended lane that is recommended for the first vehicle to travel is determined from the plurality of candidate lanes based on the predicted value for each candidate lane.

A method for predicting traffic light information by using a LIDAR is provided. The method includes steps of: (a) on condition that each of metadata has been allocated for each of virtual boxes included in a region covered by the LIDAR, obtaining, by a server, at least part of start timing information and stop timing information of a plurality of vehicles for each of the virtual boxes; and (b) predicting, by the server, each of pieces of the traffic light information respectively corresponding to each of the virtual boxes by referring to at least part of the start timing information and the stop timing information of the vehicles for each of the virtual boxes.