Google patents traffic maps that adjust speed based on vehicle type
The patent describes a system that calculates travel times by using sensors to measure average speeds for specific vehicle types, such as cars or trucks. It then displays this data on a map to show users how long a route will take based on their chosen mode of transport.
In the filing’s own words
A computer-implemented method for determining traffic conditions includes receiving, by one or more computing devices, one or more requests for traffic condition information from a user, the one or more requests including data indicative of a first location, a second location, and a traffic type; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a first transit route from the first location to the second location, the first transit route including one or more transit areas associated with a first traffic type from a plurality of traffic types; determining, by the one or more computing devices, map data indicative of a first transit time for the first transit route, the first transit time corresponding to a traffic speed associated with the first traffic type; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, the map data to the user in response to the request for traffic condition information.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for determining traffic conditions, the method comprising: receiving, by one or more computing devices, one or more requests for traffic condition information from a user, the one or more requests including data indicative of a first location and data indicative of a second location; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, data indicative of at least one traffic type from a plurality of traffic types; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a first transit route from the first location to the second location, the first transit route including one or more transit areas associated with a first traffic type from the plurality of traffic types; determining, by the one or more computing devices, map data indicative of a first transit time for the first transit route by: receiving sensor information via one or more sensors respectively disposed at the one or more transit areas and determining a traffic speed for each of the one or more transit areas based on the sensor information, the traffic speed for each of the one or more transit areas being based on an average traffic speed associated with the first traffic type for each respective transit area of the one or more transit areas, and determining the first transit time for the first transit route based on the average traffic speed for each of the one or more transit areas; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, the map data for output via a user interface of a client device associated with the user in response to the one or more requests for the traffic condition information.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- Systems and methods for improved traffic conditions visualization
- Patent number
- US12731482B2
- Application number
- 18774613
- Filed
- Jul 16, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G08G 1/0145 Physics & computingG08G 1/0112 Physics & computingG08G 1/0133 Physics & computingG08G 1/0141 Physics & computingG08G 1/08 Physics & computingG08G 1/081 Physics & computingMore from Google in Cars & transport
- Waymo patents system to detect cyclists losing control before they fall Sep 8, 2026
- Waymo patents self-driving cars that hear sirens and pull over Sep 8, 2026
- Waymo patents AI that moves self-driving cars out of traffic jams Sep 29, 2026
- Waymo patents AI that predicts driving scenes from sensor data Oct 1, 2026
- Waymo patents method for self-driving cars to predict when they can see hidden hazards Sep 8, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.