The present invention relates to: an apparatus and system for detecting a road surface condition, wherein the road surface condition is determined through a sound signal; and a method for detecting a road surface condition by using same. The apparatus for detecting a road surface condition according to the present invention comprises: a sensor unit which is installed on a road and measures a sound signal generated according to a moving of a moving object on the road; and a control unit which distinguishes the sound signal measured by the sensor unit into normality or abnormality and determines, in case of the abnormality, the road surface condition including at least one of rainfall (wet), frozenness (icy), slush, and snow cover (snowy) so that a quick and accurate action corresponding to the road surface condition of a specific section can be made from a distanced place.

Specifically programmed, integrated motor vehicle dangerous driving warning and control system and methods comprising at least one specialized communication computer machine including electronic artificial intelligence expert system decision making capability further comprising one or more motor vehicle electronic sensors for monitoring the motor vehicle and for monitoring activities of the driver and/or passengers including activities related to the use of cellular telephones and/or other wireless communication devices and further comprising electronic communications transceiver assemblies for communications with external sensor networks for monitoring dangerous driving situations, weather conditions, roadway conditions, pedestrian congestion and motor vehicle traffic congestion conditions to derive warning and/or control signals for warning the driver of dangerous driving situations and/or for controlling the motor vehicle driver use of a cellular telephone and/or other wireless communication devices.

Specifically programmed, integrated motor vehicle dangerous driving warning and control system and methods comprising at least one specialized communication computer machine including electronic artificial intelligence expert system decision making capability further comprising one or more motor vehicle electronic sensors for monitoring the motor vehicle and for monitoring activities of the driver and/or passengers including activities related to the use of cellular telephones and/or other wireless communication devices and further comprising electronic communications transceiver assemblies for communications with external sensor networks for monitoring dangerous driving situations, weather conditions, roadway conditions, pedestrian congestion and motor vehicle traffic congestion conditions to derive warning and/or control signals for warning the driver of dangerous driving situations and/or for controlling the motor vehicle driver use of a cellular telephone and/or other wireless communication devices.

A crosswind effect estimation device is mounted in a vehicle and configured to estimate an effect on the vehicle due to a crosswind. The crosswind effect estimation device includes a processor configured to i) acquire information on the crosswind in a predetermined region forward of the vehicle in a traveling direction of the vehicle, ii) acquire information on a shielding object that is located on a windward side in a direction of the crosswind, and iii) estimate the effect on the vehicle due to the crosswind based on the acquired information on the crosswind and the acquired information on the shielding object.

A crosswind effect estimation device is mounted in a vehicle and configured to estimate an effect on the vehicle due to a crosswind. The crosswind effect estimation device includes a processor configured to i) acquire information on the crosswind in a predetermined region forward of the vehicle in a traveling direction of the vehicle, ii) acquire information on a shielding object that is located on a windward side in a direction of the crosswind, and iii) estimate the effect on the vehicle due to the crosswind based on the acquired information on the crosswind and the acquired information on the shielding object.

An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.

An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about road features. A server can receive reports from information sources associated with a road feature that can include a road intersection. Each report can include source data obtained at a respective time. The source data from the reports can be stored at the server. The server can construct a phase map, where the phase map is configured to represent a status of the road feature at one or more times. The server can receive an information request related to the road feature at a specified time. In response to the information request, the server can generate an information response including a prediction of a status related to the road feature at the specified time. The prediction can be provided by the phase map and is based on information request. The information response can be sent from the server.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing information about road features. A server can receive reports from information sources associated with a road feature that can include a road intersection. Each report can include source data obtained at a respective time. The source data from the reports can be stored at the server. The server can construct a phase map, where the phase map is configured to represent a status of the road feature at one or more times. The server can receive an information request related to the road feature at a specified time. In response to the information request, the server can generate an information response including a prediction of a status related to the road feature at the specified time. The prediction can be provided by the phase map and is based on information request. The information response can be sent from the server.

A station for the integrated monitoring of environment and traffic comprises a local unit (2) adapted to be positioned at an area to be monitored and comprising first means (10) for collecting first data (D1) relative to the concentration of pollutants in the air, second means (11) for monitoring the traffic flow in the monitored area and for collecting corresponding second data (D2), a data processing unit (13) adapted to receive the first data (D1) and the second data (D2) for the correlation thereof and for generating information relative to the traffic and to the air quality in the monitored area in a predetermined time period, third means (12) for collecting third data (D3) relative to the weather condition in the monitored area adapted to be transmitted to the data processing unit (13).