Data fusion for dynamic route guidance systems

For individual and collective route guidance systems a data fusion method of different inhomogeneous data sources is described. The aim is to produce a current traffic situation report with travel times attached to edges and nodes of the road network. These travel times serve as basis for optimising either individual or collective alternative route guidance systems. The processing of the different data sources like current traffic detector data, floating car data and data from highway patrol reports and inspections as highly inhomogeneous data is based on a model approach producing to a consistent traffic situation report. This model approach makes use of the comprehensive knowledge of the systematic correlations within the traffic flow. It enables the traffic management and traffic information services to generate the necessarily up-to-date and complete data basis.