Systems and Methods for Monitoring Roadways

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for using magnetic signatures at predetermined positions along a roadway to monitor traffic travelling along the roadway by comparing the predetermined magnetic signatures with magnetic signatures being dynamically and continuously measured by each vehicle as they travel along the roadway. Magnetometers incorporated into mobile devices or otherwise incorporated within the vehicle measure magnetic signatures for comparison to the predetermined magnetic signatures that form a connection graph or database of points that correspond to possible paths along a roadway. When a magnetic signature match is made, the system recognizes that the vehicle has passed a particular point on a roadway and forwards that information to the appropriate entity for further processing, analysis, or toll assessment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring a vehicle traveling along a tollway comprising:
 means for recording geomagnetic coordinates along a tollway;   a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer executable instructions stored thereon executed by a processor that sends geomagnetic coordinates across a communications network; and   a server for receiving said geomagnetic coordinates and comparing said geomagnetic coordinates with previously recorded geomagnetic coordinates to determine the location of a vehicle along said tollway.   
     
     
         2 . The system for monitoring a vehicle traveling along a tollway of  claim 1  wherein said means of for recording geomagnetic coordinates along said tollway comprises at least one magnetometer and a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer executable instructions stored thereon executed by a processor configured to record said geomagnetic coordinates. 
     
     
         3 . The system for monitoring a vehicle traveling along a tollway of  claim 1  wherein said means for recording geomagnetic coordinates along said tollway is activated when said vehicle crosses over a geofence. 
     
     
         4 . A method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway comprising the steps of:
 receiving magnetic signature measurements of points along a roadway from one or more vehicles travelling along said roadway;   comparing said magnetic signature measurements with previously recorded magnetic signature measurements along said roadway;   determining distances independently travelled by one or more vehicles along said roadway based on comparison of said magnetic signature measurements with previously recorded magnetic signature measurements; and   aggregating vehicle miles traveled by said one or more vehicles by adding said distances independently travelled by one or more vehicles along said roadway.   
     
     
         5 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 4  further comprising the step of identifying said one or more vehicles travelling along said roadway. 
     
     
         6 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 5  further comprising the step of identifying one or more vehicles not transmitting magnetic signature measurements of points along said roadway. 
     
     
         7 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 6  further comprising the step of extrapolating aggregated vehicle miles traveled to include estimates of said vehicles not transmitting said magnetic signature measurements of points along said roadway. 
     
     
         8 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 4  further comprising the step of sending a signal to said one or more vehicles to begin measuring magnetic signatures of points along said roadway. 
     
     
         9 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 4  further comprising the step of activating a means for measuring magnetic signatures when said one or more vehicles crosses over a geofence. 
     
     
         10 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 9  wherein said means for measuring magnetic signatures comprises a magnetometer. 
     
     
         11 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 4  further comprising further comprising the step of activating a means for measuring magnetic signatures when said one or more vehicles comes within range of a beacon. 
     
     
         12 . The method for calculating aggregate vehicle miles traveled along a roadway of  claim 11  wherein said means for measuring magnetic signatures comprises a magnetometer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road comprising the steps of:
 receiving unique numerical values associated with distinct points on a road from said vehicle moving along said road; and   matching said unique numerical values associated with distinct points along said road with previously identified unique numerical values to track the movement of said vehicle moving along said road.   
     
     
         14 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 13  further comprising the step of recording the date and time at which said vehicle crossed over one or more of said distinct points along said road. 
     
     
         15 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 13  further comprising the step of calculating a usage charge based on said movement of said vehicle moving along said road. 
     
     
         16 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 13  further comprising the step of identifying the driver of said vehicle based on account information received with said unique numerical values. 
     
     
         17 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 13  further comprising the step of identifying a passenger of said vehicle based on account information received with said unique numerical values. 
     
     
         18 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 15  further comprising the step of assessing said usage charge on the driver of said vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a road of  claim 15  further comprising the step of assessing said usage charge on a passenger of said vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method for monitoring a vehicle moving along a roadway of  claim 15  further comprising the step of assessing said usage charge on an account associated with said vehicle.