DE4227337A1 - Motor vehicle information communication procedure - using on-board transmitter to send code, when vehicle is involved in collision, which is relayed to central station by roadside units - Google Patents

Abstract

A road traffic information system has a central station in communication with transceiver stations located along a motorway. Vehicles are equipped with programmable transmitters and, at the point of entry to the motorway, are assigned an identification code. In the event of a collision the on-board transmitter is activated by the signal from an acceleration sensor. The location of the vehicle is indicated by the receiving roadside station and this relays information to the central station. The station activates warnings to provide controlled traffic signalling to reduce the possibility of massive traffic jams. ADVANTAGE - Automatic working with small delay. Spatially high resolution information in reliable and economical manner.

Description

The invention relates to a method for informing a Road user according to the preamble of the patent saying 1.

The invention relates in particular to road users, who are on an expressway, preferably a highway. The Ver increases on these expressways traffic volume very strong. On the highways it is Traffic flow currently averages about 29 force vehicles per kilometer of motorway in one minute. This traffic flow is very often hampered by traffic jams changes, for example due to accidents and construction len. This congestion creates a disadvantage high environmental impact since motor vehicles are not for this  Operating mode are optimized and therefore high in traffic jams Generate pollutant content. It also creates a big one economic damage from compared to normal condition extended driving and / or transport times as well some very serious mass accidents.

To avoid these drawbacks are particularly ge automatically working Ver traffic control systems, e.g. B. so-called gantries with än traffic signs. These plants are him disadvantageously technically complex and therefore cost Cheap.

In the case of the so-called traffic radio, a control center is called different sending and / or receiving stations, e.g. B. Te telephone and mobile communications, on the traffic situation on the Expressways taught. From this headquarters then need information about the traffic situation the road users forwarded, preferably via the FM radio network. This method has the disadvantage that there is a long delay until one Warning about disturbances to road users. In addition, the information given is disadvantageous Very general, that is, spatially and / or temporally inaccurate.

The invention has for its object a genus to specify moderate procedure with which in less expensive and reliable way a low time delay as well spatially high-resolution information from traffic participants possible.  

This problem is solved by the in the characteristic Part of claim 1 specified features. Advantage sticky refinements and / or further training are the Removable subclaims.

A first advantage of the invention is that under Use of the existing traffic information and traffic control system a very effective traffic control system tion is achieved.

A second advantage is that a future Traffic control system can be supplemented so that one always more effective working routing arises.

A third advantage is that on the one hand Networking (supplement) with other traffic information and / or traffic management systems is possible, but different on the one hand, no total failure if a subsystem fails of the entire system.

A fourth advantage is that early and targeted (selective) warning of traffic is possible, so that even every single road user individually can choose an alternative traffic route.

Other advantages are the Aus described below examples of leadership can be found.

In a preferred embodiment, if possible each road user (motor vehicle) with a pro equipped with a programmable transmitter. This station sends be may be a broadcast signal that contains a coded informa  tion contains and only at a short distance can be received without interference. It is beneficial the transmitter with an acceleration sensor (shock sensor) and / or to couple a position sensor, such that at egg In the event of an accident by the road user, a broadcast is compulsory signal is triggered. In addition to this, a switch be available so that in emergencies, e.g. B. in the event of a robbery attack, a transmission signal can be triggered.

The data transmission from the transmitter takes place, for example, as a pulse-modulated transmission sequence (PM sequence), 64-bit information being used. The repetition rate of the transmission sequence is much smaller, e.g. B. to the factor gate 10 ⁶ , as the transmission sequence itself, the z. B. is about 10 microseconds long. It is also ensured that transmission signals from two transmitters do not overlap continuously, since the pulse intervals are varied with the aid of a random generator in a predeterminable time interval. The number of vehicles involved in an accident can be determined on the basis of the sen depulse per unit of time.

The transmitter is programmed automatically with Help with programming arrangements, preferably at and / or behind each entry and / or exit of one Expressway to be attached. The program lubrication order gene are explained in more detail below.

Now drives a traffic section equipped with a transmitter For example, if you take a freeway, you can use the Programming arrangement with the transmitter a coded signal shared that at least one Ken assigned to the highway tion, e.g. B. A8, as well as an indication of the direction of travel,  e.g. B. direction Munich contains. The encoded signal can for this example, e.g. B. an identifier corresponding to the String A8M included. The road user leaves the motorway via an exit, the identifier is ge deletes with the help of an existing one at the exit (Erase) programming arrangement. With such a normal one No transmission signal is sent during the journey.

If, however, the road user has an accident, then with the help of the mentioned acceleration and / or attitude sors causes the transmitter to transmit a transmission signal, that at least the programmed identifier, e.g. B. A8M, contains. This transmit signal is now received station forwarded to a central office, the appropriate one, to can take known measures. An exact local che determination of the accident location is achieved in that a variety of along the traffic route (highway) Receiving stations is arranged. In addition, the Sen power of the transmitter so dimensioned that at most two neighboring receiving stations reliably transmit the signal can receive.

It is particularly advantageous and cost-effective at least at least on German motorways and partly on German federal roads at regular intervals, approximately 0.5 km to 1 km, with so-called emergency pillars equip the receiving stations mentioned. Of these the broadcast signal is received and already above that existing emergency network forwarded to the headquarters. On Because of the short range of the transmitter mentioned above the head office determine exactly which receiving station (Emergency column) has received the broadcast signal and thus the  determine the exact location of the accident (maximum inaccuracy 0.5 km). It can be seen that this is advantageous In this way, road users are also recorded and localized those who got off the road in an accident are and due to poor visibility, e.g. B. night and / or additional rainfall, otherwise visually difficult and / or after a relatively long time after the accident would be cash.

It is also beneficial to any broadcaster, and therefore ever the road user, an unchangeable identifier give which then in addition to the programmable Ken is transmitted by the transmission signal. As unchangeable For example, the identifier is a consecutive number elects. With such an unchangeable identifier are in a variety of evaluations are possible at the headquarters. At for example, how many road users can be recognized are involved in an accident. Accordingly, immediately a sufficient number of auxiliary and / or ret tion vehicles are sent to the known accident site. Furthermore, the unchangeable identifier is exemplary immediately determine whether a dangerous goods transporter, a coach and / or one reported as stolen or unauthorized vehicle involved in the accident.

This quickly and advantageously fully automatically findings that can be ascertained in a data processing system also enable the head office to control the traffic adapt quickly and specifically to this accident report. This is possible in a variety of ways, for example with precise information about the current traffic warning radio (FM transmitter network). It is particularly advantageous  the road users in the area of the entrances and exits to warn of the expressways (highways). Because with that For example, additional traffic is prevented participant in an accident-barred Drive in section. In addition, on the Expressway causes road users the expressway at an exit before the Sper to leave. This warning is e.g. B. with the help of changeable (programmable) traffic signs possible. It is also possible to use the reception station mentioned optical and / or acoustic warnings directions, e.g. B. flashing lights to attach, which at an accident and / or a dangerous situation from the Zen trale selective, that is z. B. only for one be correct route section, are activated (can be switched on). With such optical and / or acoustic (radio) Warning devices are advantageously all traffic participants reachable.

In addition to these warning devices, it is possible to or on the vehicle of a road user an acu tables and / or optical warning device, for. B. a so-called called display to arrange. This warning device (Warn recipient) in the event of an accident and / or a hazard situation activated by the head office, e.g. B. by on it coordinated warning transmitters that run along the expressway (Au tobahn) are arranged. For the targeted warning of ver it is advantageous for turn participants to receive the warning recipients to selectively program the warning transmitters. It is an advantage arrested, this warning transmitter in existing emergency call pillars to arrange. It is advantageous that the warning transmitter also work with pulse modulation (sequence) and  that the activation time in a selectable period staggered so that neighboring warning transmitters are not to disturb. It is possible and advantageous to display one existing traffic control and information arrangement use which z. B. be on the satellite navigation rests. For example, it is possible to get one in the FM range operable car radio with an alphanumeric display, currently selected to display the selected station with a VHF warning receiver equip. This warning receiver receives from the control center and / or an emergency column or directly from the warning transmitter nes other motor vehicle in coded form, e.g. B. in a pulse modulation code, warning signals emitted in the FM range, the only accident and / or hazard information for the Routes just used by the road user section, the warnings are decoded (decrypted) signals and reports them acoustically (warning tone) and / or op table, e.g. B. "Accident" or "Danger" on the display. With such arrangements and the described unchanged If necessary, a special identifier is possible len road users, e.g. B. a special dangerous good transporter, or a group of road users, e.g. B. all trucks, selectively before an accident and / or to warn the danger point.

There are various methods for setting the mentioned changeable identifier in a programmable A road user transmitter. For example, are on the entrances and exits of the expressways (motorways) active programming arrangements can be used. These exist for example from electromagnetic, optical (e.g. Infrared range) or acoustic (e.g. ultrasound  rich) transmitters through which the changeable Identification of the expressway and the direction of travel is assigned to the road users when passing by ren is transmitted. There will be a associated receiving device arranged, via which the programmable transmitter with the variable identifier the entrance to the expressway is programmed. At programming devices arranged at the exits a deletion of the changeable identifier.

Alternatively, passive are at the entrances and exits Programming arrangements can be used. These consist of a Code arrangement, e.g. B. arranged on the edge of the road Marking in the form of a so-called barcode, which the Passing is sensed by the road user with the help of a matched and on the traffic Participant attached active scanning arrangement. Therefore are electromagnetic or optical (e.g. infrared rich) or acoustic (e.g. ultrasonic range) arrangements can be used. With the help of this scan the programmable transmitter and receiver of the Road user with the changeable identifier program lubricated.

A passive programming device is particularly advantageous device with a barcode arrangement in and / or on the Road surface is attached. Such a barcode arrangement is particularly resistant to environmental influences (Weather) and against intended or unintentional Destruction, e.g. B. Wear from vehicle tires.  

It is particularly useful to use metallic strips, e.g. B. metallic or metallized foil in the form of the desired to lay ten barcodes in the lane, e.g. B. in one Range from 5 cm to 10 cm below the road surface che, and then this barcode with a protective layer, e.g. B. to protect an asphalt or concrete layer. Dude natively, it is possible to currently use asphalt or Concrete with small metal particles, e.g. B. metal powder mix and strip this mixture as a barcode to apply to the road surface. The type of metal and the arrangement of the metal particles can additionally can be varied. The scanning of this barcode (Balkenco des) is done with the help of a preferably at the sub side of a vehicle attached barcode scanning (Barcode scanner). This contains a send / receive arrangement for electromagnetic waves, for. B. for the Frequency range from 0.1 GHz to 1 GHz. This broadcast / Receive arrangement sends e.g. B. pulsed on several Frequencies in the specified frequency range. When over driving the metallic strips, the waves will re inflected, received and evaluated. Depending on the type of arrival order of bar code, metal type and metal particles there is a characteristic reception pattern. It ent there is a coded signal corresponding to the desired one changeable identifier. With this signal the Programmed existing programmable transmitter. This method of programming is advantageous regardless of all environmental influences such as rain, snow, Wind, brightness, temperature, pollution and guarantee reliable information recognition for every journey stuff, because only one car at any time via the coded Be can drive rich. Such metal strips can  also limited in time on a road surface be brought. This is necessary, for example, if in following construction work a makeshift entry / exit for an expressway is required.

It is advantageous to choose one that is dependent on the reading direction Use barcode. For example, that a part of the traffic traveling in the wrong direction of travel taker, who is also called ghost driver, immediately he is known. In such a case, the programming bare transmitter of the road user programmed so that on the one hand, an optical and / or acoustic one Warning signal switched on and on the other hand a transmission signal is sent out, which at least informs the head office.

The method described is he in many ways expandable and / or expandable. For example, it is possible the programmable transmitter in the vehicle using egg to activate the emergency switch. For example a road user who witnesses an accident and / or detects a dangerous situation, his own Activate the transmitter so that the control center can be to activate this way.

It is useful to have such a programmable transmitter to be designed in such a way that in the case of a moving motor vehicle, a increased transmission power, e.g. B ten times more power, is set. This increased transmission power causes e.g. B. at a on a country road that no emergency call len and has no barcode identifier, failed accident Sweeping participants on the acceleration and / or location sensor emits a transmission signal with increased transmission power  is resolved. This transmission signal then only contains the unchangeable identifier and can be from any emp Receiving station received and forwarded to the headquarters become. The road user runs over a barcode ID voltage is automatically reduced to a sufficiently low level Transmission power switched on.

For police, law enforcement, rescue or similar services it is advantageous to use a programmable transmitter Keyboard and / or a manually operated optical barcode To equip readers (barcode scanners). So that's it Services possible to specifically inform the head office, e.g. B. about the type of accident and / or danger Job. It is also advisable to use egg services can be activated by manual operation as well as the control center Equip warning transmitter. Such a portable (FM) warning sender can e.g. B. on a country road in the area an accident and / or hazard location and thus warn road users, preferably those conditions that have a display.

It is advantageous to use at least the programmable transmitter as a mechanically compact and robust unit with an un dependent energy supply, e.g. B. a rechargeable bat terie to train. This ensures that at an Un case in which the transmitter slipped out of the car reliable alarming of the control center follows.

The invention is not based on the examples described limited, but applicable to others. At for example, the method described is full  permanent information system expandable by z. B. too additional sensors black ice, rain, fog, heavy ver Recognize traffic, traffic jams, etc. and this information targeted the affected road user in one certain section of the route can be reported. Besides, is it is possible for the driver to make targeted diversion recommendations to give via a display element. Furthermore, be existing vehicle localization systems such as these are used by transport companies with the codeine formation can be easily corrected.

Because with this principle the driving at any point a code can be transmitted, it is possible to Another stage of expansion of generally dangerous routes areas and, if necessary, in the dizziness before dangerous passages (e.g. sharp Curve) to warn the driver immediately. It is also thought bar, the information content of certain traffic signs using the bar code or small transmitter (as in emergency call pillars) for certain sections of the route teln. So the driver z. B. when exceeding one Speed limit can be warned on request. There is also the possibility, for. B. before unrestricted To warn level crossings when a train is approaching.

An additional expansion option is that the warning module of the car module in the event of a car theft is activated and constantly a "theft code" outside det. If such a vehicle now passes a "warning code receiver ger ", the head office is informed that a ge stolen car passed this "warning code receiver" and the direction in which it is driving. The background  is that annually due to car theft an economy Damage in the billions arises (insurance damage, which in turn is apportioned to the contributions). Of the Car theft could be contained considerably this way become.

In general, this basic principle of codeinformati Transmission in many other areas find such B. on cycle paths or in the railway area.

It is also possible to apply the method described other traffic routes, e.g. B. country roads or inner city roads.

Claims (12)

1. A method of informing a road user, wherein

• - A control center is informed about the traffic situation on a traffic route and this traffic situation is communicated to the road user as required and
• a plurality of transmitting / receiving stations which can be coupled to the control center and via which the control center is informed about the traffic situation, characterized in that
• - that the road user is equipped with a programmable transmitter,
• - that at least one entrance of the traffic route is a non-contacting programming arrangement, via which the transmitter is programmed with a variable identifier, at least one of the traffic route associated labeling and the direction of travel, is attached,
• that the transmitter sends out a transmission signal if necessary, which contains a programmable code which contains at least the variable identifier set by the programming arrangement,
• - That at least one exit of the traffic route a non-contact extinguishing arrangement, by which the variable Ken voltage is deleted, is attached,
• that the transmitter is coupled to an acceleration and / or position sensor so that the transmission signal is triggered in the event of an accident,
• - That on the traffic route at least one to the Zen trale connectable receiving station, which receives the Sen designal and the information contained therein forwards to the central office, is arranged, and
• - That the road user is equipped with an information device that forwards from the head office or information sent by a motor vehicle to the road user.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the programmable transmitter also an immutable Identifier contains which of the type of road user is assigned, and that the transmission signal additionally the contains unchangeable identifier. 3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized ge indicates that the programming arrangement is on one of depending on the direction of travel of the road user ken code (barcode) based and that when the Road user at the programming arrangement of the transmitters and / or the selective receiver with a bar code corresponding changeable identifiers who programmed the. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the extinguishing arrangement on one of the Direction of travel of the road user dependent bar Code (barcode) based and that when the Road user at the extinguishing arrangement the changeable che identifier is deleted. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that on the programming as well as the Löschan order a normal direction of travel is given and that if the direction of travel is the opposite of that Transmission signal is triggered. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the bar code in the form of metal-containing Stripes with different types of metal and under different metal structure in and / or on the road  the traffic route is attached and that the traffic participant a working with electromagnetic waves Has scanning arrangement for scanning the bar code. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

• - That the transmission signal is received by one of the fixedly arranged along the traffic receiving stations and is forwarded to the central office,
• - That the location of the receiving station which receives the transmission signal is determined in the control center and
• - That the central information relating to the location is passed on at least to a road user located in the vicinity of the location.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that at least one of the central controllable warning arrangement is attached and that only one of the warning arrangement passed it render road users are informed. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the warning arrangement an electromagnetic contains wave-emitting warning transmitter, the be may send out a coded warning signal, and that the  Road users receive a warning receiver and Has decoding of the warning signal. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

• - That for a road user, the transmission power for the programmable transmission signal is increased considerably as soon as a traffic route without a programming or erasing arrangement is used,
• - That in the event of an accident involving the road user, a signal containing the unchangeable identifier is sent and
• - That the transmission power is dimensioned such that the transmission signal is received by at least one receiving station.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that a road user additional Lich to the acceleration and / or position sensor order to trigger the transmission signal as required sits. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that a road user with a programmable receiver is equipped and that by the programmable receiver only the the traffic selectively receive subscriber related information becomes.