Media

HKU Urban Studies and Planning team offers novel solution to a long existing GPS blind spot when driving on multilevel road networks

30 Apr 2018

Multilevel road networks such as flyovers and overpasses are built in large cities to solve traffic congestion. Instant correct identification of the road level that a vehicle is driving in a multilevel road network is important to make driving more pleasant, safer, and smarter.

Present vehicle navigation system has a long existing problem since GPS was used over 20 years ago –  unable to decide which road level a vehicle has entered.

Vehicle drivers relying on GPS navigation who accidentally drive onto a flyover with intention only to proceed on the ground level will face this problem: the GPS navigation system does not realise the vehicle has entered a wrong level and continues to give instructions as if it were on the ground level. Only after quite a while will the system notice the wrong road level and begin to redirect to a new route.

Professor Anthony Yeh Gar-On’s research team at the Department of Urban Planning and Design of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) offers a simple and inexpensive solution which can warn drivers instantly when he has entered a wrong road level. The system works with an ordinary mobile phone and a simple onboard diagnostic (OBD) device.

The patented innovative design won a gold medal award at the recent Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions. The team is currently discussing with global GIS and vehicle navigation operators on the application of the system to enable a major advancement in the current navigation system for vehicles.

Professor Yeh and his team will introduce the invention in a media conference on May 2 (Wednesday).

Details of the media conference:
Date: May 2, 2018 (Wednesday)
Time: 10:30 am
Venue: Room 112, 1/F, Knowles Building, HKU

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Melanie Wan, Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office, tel: 2859 2600/ email: melwkwan@hku.hk.