Methods and Apparatus for Estimating Power Usage

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run. The method also includes setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model. The illustrative method includes receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model. The method further includes calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles. The method additionally includes repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run;   setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model;   receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model; and   calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes a geometry of a road. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes a length of a road. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes a number of lanes of a road. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes a vehicle flow for a road. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the road network model includes a vehicle composition of the flow. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes desired speeds for a road. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes traffic signal data for a road. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the road network model includes at least weather data affecting travel on the road. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the weather data includes at least visibility data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the weather data includes at least temperature data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scenarios provides different variables to a road network model to adjust elements of the road network model such that the impact of changes in a particular element on energy consumption can be observed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further including repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption. 
     
     
         14 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 breaking a route into a plurality of segments having the same or a similar energy use affecting characteristic;   based on one or more energy use affecting characteristics of each segment, assigning a total energy usage cost to the segment;   adding the total energy usage cost of all segments comprising a route to determine a total route energy cost;   repeating the adding step for a plurality of routes comprised of varying segments between a current location and a destination; and   presenting a driver with the route having the lowest total route energy cost.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the energy use affecting characteristics include a road type. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the energy use affecting characteristics include a speed limit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the energy use affecting characteristics include a gradient. 
     
     
         18 . A machine readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform the method comprising:
 establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run;   setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model;   receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model;   calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles; and   repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption.   
     
     
         19 . The machine readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of scenarios provides different variables to a road network model to adjust elements of the road network model such that the impact of changes in a particular element on energy consumption can be observed.