Method and System for Representing Traffic Signals in a Road Network Database

Abstract

A method and system for representing traffic control signals in a road network database is provided. The database may include lane-level modeling, intersection modeling, and traffic signal modeling of a road network. An individual traffic signal is represented in the database with data indicating the traffic signal's geographic location and other attributes of the traffic signal such as an arrangement of lenses in the signal, an indication as to whether the signal is vertically or horizontally oriented, a height of the traffic signal over the roadway, and others. The database can be used by a system in a vehicle that provides convenience features to the vehicle's driver. The system may attempt to warn or control a vehicle that is determined to be at imminent risk of violating a traffic signal.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A database the represents roads comprising:
 a plurality of traffic signal cluster data structures, wherein each traffic signal cluster data structure includes data representing one or more traffic signals that operate with identical phases at an intersection to control one or more intersection maneuvers for traffic entering the intersection from a particular road; and   data indicating the one or more intersection maneuvers.