Skip to main content

Patents for ALMA advanced strategic highway lane guidance for cars and trucks

ALMAGuide, developer of the Advanced Lane Management Assist (ALMA) advanced lane guidance technology for cars and trucks on freeways, has received approval for two US patents. These describe technology that takes information from centralised traffic management control centres, conditions the data and uses proprietary algorithms and propriety data structures to tell the vehicle (either with driver or driverless) both the best lane to be in on the highway, based on traffic flow several miles ahead of the
June 17, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
RSS8449 ALMAGuide, developer of the Advanced Lane Management Assist (ALMA) advanced lane guidance technology for cars and trucks on freeways, has received approval for two US patents.

These describe technology that takes information from centralised traffic management control centres, conditions the data and uses proprietary algorithms and propriety data structures to tell the vehicle (either with driver or driverless) both the best lane to be in on the highway, based on traffic flow several miles ahead of the vehicle, and the most appropriate speed for the vehicle.  ALMA also applies and adapts the lane guidance technology for trucks.  

ALMA contains three major components: ALMA Management Center (ALMAMC), which obtains lane-based traffic data from traffic management centres or other sources, conditions it and develops parameters and other information in a reference frame that is specifically formulated to address lane selection requirements.  This information will be used by the vehicle application software.

The Guidance Assist Vehicle Module (GAVM) uses ALMAMC data and accepts information from the vehicle operator on his driving preferences and other information.  It also accepts information from the vehicle (position, speed, and destination).  It provides lane choice and target speed recommendations using cellular based technology or other communication techniques.

Since trucks require a different set of algorithms for optimal lane choice and target speed selection, the ALMA Truck Vehicle Module (ALMATR) uses data from the truck and truck operator and provides recommended lane and target speed for the truck.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Meeting the challenges of smartcard fare payment
    July 4, 2012
    David Crawford monitors a growing trend in contactless smartcard ticketing The north east United States has become a hive of activity in the smart fare payment arena. In October 2011, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) published, as a preliminary to an imminent procurement process, the detailed concept of its New Fare Payment System (NFPS). Based on open payment industry standards, this is designed to be implemented on all MTA bus and subway services operated by New York City Transit (
  • Nav system compatible with V2I developed by Toyota
    April 23, 2012
    Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has developed an onboard navigation system compatible with the vehicle-infrastructure cooperative Driving Safety Support System (DSSS) scheduled for launch by the Japanese National Police Agency in Japan next month. The five main features of the new system, which provides timely audio and visual warnings and notifications to drivers, are red light warning, stop sign warning, stationary vehicle ahead warning, blind corner vehicle presence notification, and green light advance n
  • Strategic road deals across India
    April 17, 2012
    A series of key highway projects will help transform India’s internal links as well as its connections to neighbouring nations. A new US$1.2 billion highway in India running through Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Kishangarh through the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan is attracting strong interest. So far 11 bids have been made including offers from a consortium comprising Belford-GVK, Soma-Isolux, Vince-Hindustan Construction, IRB Infrastructure (IRB)-Reliance Infra and Plus-Nagarjuna Construction. Other bidders include
  • TRW pedestrian protection system
    January 26, 2012
    TRW Automotive Holdings has developed an advanced pedestrian protection system that uses up to three remote acceleration sensors (RAS) located in the front bumper area.