EP2309472A2 - Parking guidance system and method for operating a parking guidance system - Google Patents

Abstract

The car park guiding system has a part of parking lot markings (20b) disconnectable electronically in such a manner that a different number of two sizes are displayable at parking lots (9,10). The part (20) of a parking surface (1) is divided by switching the variable parking lot markings alternatively into larger length (9) smaller then parking lots.

Description

The present invention relates to a parking guidance system for a parking area, in particular at tank and / or rest areas on highways, with parking markings for marking parking lots at least two different sizes, the respective parking sizes are particularly tailored to the space requirements of cars and trucks. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a parking guidance system.

Methods and apparatus for managing parking areas are known in the art. So revealed the DE 692 15 842 T2 a system for managing a parking lot, for example a parking garage or an open parking area, this space being divided into different parts and the number of entering and leaving vehicles being measured individually for each part. On this basis, the degree of interception of the individual sub-areas can be determined and passed on displays or signals to the drivers of incoming vehicles. This allows faster finding of free parking spaces and better use of the parking area.

The DE 201 06 354 U1 deals with a parking system for motor vehicles, which is aimed primarily at the timely and practical accounting of parking time, but can also serve to capture the parking space occupancy. Here, each parking space is provided with a specific license plate and its occupancy for a certain period of time automatically or manually forwarded to a reporting center.

The DE 10 2004 027 521 A1 relates to a guidance system for a parking facility, in particular a parking garage, which should make it easier for the drivers to quickly find free parking spaces. According to the invention displays are arranged in the range of branches within the park, which should present the driver the number and proximity of available parking spaces depending on the direction of branching. The displays are fed with information from detection means for detecting the occupancy status of one or more vehicle parking spaces.

Due to the constant increase in long-distance traffic on the motorways, the existing capacity of parking spaces, especially at truck parking spaces on motorway service areas, as well as on tank and service facilities (T & R facilities) are overloaded. It often happens that truck drivers park their vehicle already in the driveway, or in the exit to risk no driving timeout. The truck parking spaces are typically arranged in such a way that you have to choose a lane. Should be in this no free parking, but only in the adjacent, so may / may not turn in many cases but must drive back onto the highway and at the next rest stop trying to get a parking space. This situation poses a risk to the health of road users.

According to official estimates, over 35,000 additional truck seats are currently missing in Germany. As a remedy, in addition to the construction and expansion of existing T & R facilities, various efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of parking spaces. For example, parking guidance systems for truck drivers are set up to provide timely information about the parking situation and thus to achieve a better utilization of the limited places.

Based on the state of the art and this problem, it is now an object of the present invention to improve the parking situation for truck drivers on T & R systems. In individual parks, the number of parking spaces for trucks should be increased in times of special needs, for example, at night. Another goal is to make better use of the truck parking spaces at these service areas.

One or more of these objectives are achieved according to the invention with a parking guidance system according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

It is therefore proposed a parking guidance system for a parking area, especially at tank and / or rest areas on highways, with parking markings for marking parking lots at least two different sizes, the respective parking sizes are particularly tailored to the space requirements of cars and trucks, at least one Part of the parking markings electronically switched on and off, so that variably a different number of parking spaces at least two sizes can be displayed and at least a portion of the parking area by switching the variable parking marks either in a larger number of parking spaces smaller size or in a smaller number Parking spaces larger size is divisible.

By means of such a parking guidance system, the number of parking spaces for different types of vehicles, for example trucks, can thus be increased on a parking area in which electronic markings for additional truck parking spaces are connected, where, for example, car parking spaces were previously available. As a result, additional truck parking spaces can be created, for example, in the evening or at night, which in turn costs the use of unused car areas can be realized. The use of car areas for trucks currently fails due to prohibitions, bad labeling and lack of space utilization due to insufficient ground marking of the respective car parking spaces, or their lack of suitability for trucks.

As a result, in addition to the expensive new construction of T & R systems and in addition to the implementation of parking guidance systems for truck drivers from the prior art, the parking space capacity can be increased and / or a more efficient utilization of the existing capacities can be achieved. In addition, this often serves the traffic safety, as the truck drivers are less likely to risk a driving time overrun and / or park their vehicles in unintended areas such as the entry and exit area of T & R facilities.

In a preferred embodiment, a parking guidance system according to the invention has a control device for preferably automatically switching the variable parking space markings as a function of the size of the vehicles on the parking area and / or the number of vehicles of different size classes on the parking area. The presence of such a control device allows the individual adaptation to the current traffic volume and / or the inventively intended better adaptation of the parking lot offer current conditions of car and truck traffic and / or the better designation of the existing parking space. The control device can effect a manual or an automatic changeover.

In a further preferred embodiment, a parking guidance system according to the invention has a detection device for detecting the number and size of the vehicles driving onto the parking area and / or from the parking area, wherein a control device switches the variable parking markings as a function of the detected vehicles and their size. Thus, the occupancy of the parking area can be precisely monitored and the parking guidance system according to the invention can achieve maximum efficiency. About the detection of the parking area on and / or departing vehicles and their size, in particular with regard to a distinction between trucks and cars, a targeted switchover of the parking on the actual need for large and small parking spaces can be achieved. Such detection systems are installed, for example, at the entrances and exits to the parking area, to different zones of the parking area and / or in individual parking lots. As a result, the vehicles are counted and classified in cars and trucks. This individual capacity calculation provides an overview of the parking situation.

Particularly preferably, the detection system is designed as a magnetic sensor system. By means of such not only the number of incoming and outgoing vehicles, but also the type of vehicle, or the approximate vehicle type and the size of a magnetic fingerprint of different vehicles recognizable. A suitable magnetic sensor system for monitoring vehicles has at least one sensor, wherein the sensor signal can be evaluated by means of an evaluation unit, which can react in the presence of a specific signal condition. With such a sensor, the earth's magnetic field, and thereby at least its vertical component and preferably also its horizontal component detected in the detection area, first without presence of a vehicle in the target area, in the evaluation geomagnetic field reference data of the target area are stored, and subsequently defined Intervals or permanent, with variable data can be detected. The evaluation unit is designed such that the variable data can be compared with the earth magnetic field reference data. In case of deviations can be concluded that the presence of a vehicle. Due to the specific profile of different vehicles can also be distinguished in this way vehicles, and it is at least possible to make a distinction between trucks and cars.

In a preferred embodiment, a parking guidance system according to the invention is designed so that the variable parking markings are visualized by means of lights, in particular LED lights, and are preferably realized at least in part by the use of LED paving stones. Such Embodiment is particularly suitable for the identification of parking spaces at night, the ambient light is usually weaker than the light emitted from the lights of the parking space markings, and this can be very well recognized. This is in contrast to the recognizability of painted, unilluminated parking markings. Due to their energy-saving properties and their easily adjustable lighting effect, in particular LED lights, which are embedded in the ground, preferred. Such LED lights can be in small recesses in the ground, in the form of smaller attachments in the ground, or in the form of LED paving stones. In it, compartments with one or more LED lamps are already embedded in the floor element including cabling and covered with glass or similar, transparent components resistant to stress. In one embodiment, colored LED lights and / or colored lights for more conspicuous marking and / or delimitation of various types of parking spaces (short-term parking, long-term parking, staggered parking spaces after times) can be used. The lighting system is preferably wired in the ground, but can also be operated by radio to avoid the subsequent wiring of a parking lot.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, a parking guidance system is provided, wherein not only variable parking markings as described above are present on the parking area, but also those which are scarcely or less recognizable in the case of little natural ambient light. Such classic, non-variable parking markings can be painted on the asphalt, for example. This is known in the art. In this context, it may be advantageous if these classic floor markings do not have excessively good reflective properties, so that they are barely visible during low hours of low residual light and thus hardly visually influence the pattern displayed by the variable parking markings. Under tags, the classic, non-variable parking markings are visible, whereas the variable markers are switched off and thus do not appear or their most inconspicuous shape in the ground in contrast does not seem conspicuous to the classic parking markings and does not distract the car driver during the day.

Since a parking guidance system according to the invention is intended, inter alia, to expand the parking space capacity for trucks at night, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention that the variable parking markings serve to indicate larger parking spaces, in particular the display of parking spaces for trucks. As a result, car parking spaces can be rededicated at night to truck parking spaces. In a preferred embodiment, the rededication is applied specifically to these car parking spaces, which are located further away from the gas station, the toilet facilities and / or the residence and / or restaurant rooms. This proven arrangement of parking spaces for potentially vulnerable persons is known for example from the women's parking spaces in underground garages. This ensures that occupants of cars, often traveling women or families with children, can park as close as possible to the busy and lighted locations of a T & R rest stop, rather than being stopped in the dark areas between unclearly parked vehicles Crossing trucks to get there from their car. In addition, people, especially children need not unnecessarily traverse many passageways. In the event of a particularly heavy number of trucks at night, almost the entire amount of existing car parking spaces can be rededicated to truck parking lots.

Conversely, however, it is also conceivable according to the invention that, with low demand for trucks, for example due to the presence of a current truck driving ban on appropriate motorway sections, or due to particularly strong travel traffic during holiday periods, existing truck parking spaces are converted to car parking spaces via the LED paving stones become. Depending on the design of the flexible floor marking, the color of the luminaires and the angle of the luminaires, such markings can also be made visible in the daytime and, for example, subdivide large truck parking spaces. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the variable parking markings the display of smaller parking, especially the display of parking spaces for cars.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the parking guidance system in addition to the variable floor markings additionally includes at least one variable parking signage with change sign, these signs in the form of traffic signs and / or floor markings, in particular switchable floor markings in the form of LED lights or LED paving stones formed can be.

Such traffic signs can be designed, for example, as overhead signs and / or traffic signs at junctions and inlets and exits in front of and within parking areas. They can serve to steer or divert the traffic. Preferably, such road signs are operated electronically, and led as an electronic display. However, the signage can also be done using ground markings. These can be implemented like the variable parking markings. Corresponding details can be found in the preceding parts of this patent.

The signage may give incoming and / or outgoing vehicles instructions relating to the parking space, the entry and the departure situations, adapted to the variable parking spaces. For example, there may be a change of image between the note parking car and the note parking truck. Various directions can be displayed, as well as sketches of free parking spaces, the parking space occupancy, or allocation of parking spaces depending on the color marking or the planned parking duration and the purpose of the stay. The signage of the embodiments mentioned is particularly important if, as is the case on many T and R systems, the access roads to cars and truck parking spaces are spatially separated.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the parking guidance system is designed so that at least a part of, preferably all variably connected parking spaces, in particular the truck parking spaces are arranged so that the vehicles parked on it side by side and individually at any time forward parking and can park. In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the parking spaces are arranged so that the vehicles stand side by side with parallel sides in a straight or oblique row.

This has the advantage that the hard-to-maneuver trucks can be parked forward at any time and also be repelled forward, which can lead to a significant time savings when parking the respective vehicles. Another advantage of such an arrangement is that the number of rear-end collisions, which is reduced by the complicated maneuver of reversing with, for example, road trains. Further, in this way, different trucks can no longer get stuck, which can lead to significant disabilities on the parking areas. Another important aspect of such an arrangement is that each truck can individually park and leave its parking space at any time without having to rely on other truck drivers. This also has significant safety aspects that in the event of an unforeseen event, such as a fire, the parking lot can be cleared quickly and efficiently.

In another embodiment, it is conceivable to arrange the parking spaces so that the parked vehicles are in a double row with parallel sides next to each other and each paired behind the other. In this way, can be switched on or off at any time frontal or backward, with full parking space occupancy in the opposite direction of the reverse process must be done. However, this arrangement has the advantage of being space-saving. In another embodiment, the parking spaces, which are in particular variably connected, can also form a herringbone pattern, which would have similar effects for the parking behavior and the space saving as the preceding embodiment.

The invention further relates to a method according to claim 9 for operating a parking guidance system according to the invention. According to the invention, a parking guidance system according to a preceding embodiment is operated so that the demand-based switching takes place as a function of the frequenting of the parking area by trucks and passenger cars or in dependence on the frequency ratio between truck and passenger car. Such a control allows the individual adaptation to the current traffic volume and / or the invention intended better adaptation of the parking lot offer current conditions of car and truck traffic and / or the better designation of the existing parking space.

In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided, wherein the switching takes place automatically. Automatic switching can on the one hand bring about error-free operation, concerted operation between different filling stations, as well as personnel savings. Alternatively, however, the switching can also be done manually, by a central tax authority or by persons working on the parking areas, in particular T & R facilities.

In a further embodiment, a parking guidance system according to the invention is operated in such a way that the variable parking markings are switched on at night. This has the advantage that the variable parking markings, in particular the variable parking markings based on LED lights, can be better recognized at night. Furthermore, a parking space grid for the standard requirements in daytime operation of a highway can be drawn on non-variable, classic markings, which can be adapted at night to the changing needs of nightly motorway operation.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that, when a preset number for the total occupancy of the parking area is undershot with vehicles of one type, preferably passenger cars, the parking space markings are completely or partially switched on. So should the total number of cars on the parking area below a preset number, regardless of the time of day or even only at night, would be on the variable markers and the parking guidance system according to the invention a certain number of car parking spaces converted into truck parking. On the other hand, should the number of trucks located in the parking area fall below a predetermined number at night, or independently of the daytime and nighttime, the number of parking spaces for passenger cars can be flexibly increased in accordance with the invention.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the parking guidance system is controlled so that the switchover takes place on the basis of ready-made and / or statistical data, suitable prefabricated and / or statistical data being the time of day, the date, the season, holiday days and / or weekdays include. Such prefabricated data can be permanently programmed into the control unit, so that a certain sequence results. Data such as the time of day, the seasons, the date are intended to take into account holidays and holiday periods, peak times on weekdays or the different lengths of days and nights. Long-distance traffic is typically lower over the weekend than during the week. In certain regions, there is also a weekend and / or night driving ban for trucks.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling a parking guidance system according to the invention is provided, wherein the switching takes place in addition to or independent of the use of ready-made and / or statistical data, as can be used from the previously described embodiment, based on flexible data , Suitable flexible data includes weather, traffic volume and individual data on the expected or actual frequency of the parking lot with vehicles of different sizes. In particular, a distinction should be made between trucks and cars. Weather data can be decisive, especially if, due to black ice, snowfall or heavy thunderstorms, the advance can be hindered, in particular for heavy vehicles, but also for passenger vehicles. Also here local maximum loads for the emission, which may lead to a temporary driving ban on different Sections of the route may be involved in the flexible adaptation of the parking facilities. The total traffic volume is today determined, measured and evaluated at various central points, for example for traffic information or the transmission to navigation devices. Overhead displays on motorways are also fed with such data via a central authority. These can also be used according to the invention to carry out the switching to parking areas according to the invention. This application can be done together with various, already known from the prior art parking guidance systems for truck drivers who should divide the truck onslaught on various parking options.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, such individual data about the actual traffic of the parking lot with motor vehicles of different sizes, in particular cars and trucks, are achieved via an access and departure control. Such a system can also serve to determine the number of parking spaces occupied by cars and / or trucks in order to compare them with a pre-set number, as in the previous embodiment. It is particularly preferred in this case to determine the access and departure control via a magnetic sensor system, which has been described in more detail in connection with a preferred embodiment of the parking guidance system according to the invention. This individual capacity calculation gives an overview of the parking situation and can display this according to the invention via dynamic change signs.

In a further embodiment, it is provided to control a parking guidance system according to the invention in such a way that individual data about the expected frequenting of the parking area, as mentioned in the above-mentioned embodiment, about the route planning of haulage companies, electronic toll data and / or current traffic data determine. Forwarding companies can have an overview, possibly a satellite-based overview of their fleet and therefore know exactly where their vehicles are and / or for how long time these vehicles are on the move. Based on this Data from several companies, especially in the future, can be used to estimate the parking space requirements of trucks. The same applies to the automatic toll collection at various points along the highway, which is common in many countries, whereby every truck is registered. This system can also be converted to provide relevant information for a parking area according to the invention.

In a further embodiment it is provided that a method according to the present invention records the departure data of arriving motor vehicles, in particular trucks, and assigns to the vehicles a specific parking space, preferably a variably switchable parking space, according to their planned departure time based on an individual display , This can be a sensible solution, especially with regard to the statutory breaks for truck drivers, in order to adapt their parking position to their legally prescribed length of stay at the service area. Thus, long-term parking spaces and short-term parking spaces can be awarded, or in the case of lack of available space, these vehicles are placed at the most accessible positions, which must first leave again. Such displays can be achieved via the display elements discussed in the previous embodiments and / or via, for example, colored or patterned markings in the floor. Such a solution can serve to avoid congestion on exit and entry, and allow a fast and easy flow of the parking process of many trucks. It makes sense for T & R sites with sleeping facilities for truckers.

It may be provided according to the invention that a truck driver either notifies his planned residence time and is assigned a parking space, or else the parking space can be divided by a marking, preferably a flexible marking according to the invention, the parking spaces according to the above criteria and the truck driver places himself individually and independently on such a allocated parking space.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and an accompanying drawing. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a parking lot with a parking guidance system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

In the figure, a parking area 1 is shown, with a driveway 5, a departure for trucks 6, and a departure for cars 7. The parking area has a parking zone for trucks 2 with classic markers 2a and a parking zone for cars 3 with classic markers 3a , Furthermore, a plant 4, for example, a toilet, rest area, sleeping or gas station can be seen.

Furthermore, a part 20 of the parking area, which is provided with a parking guidance system according to the invention, is shown on the parking area. Here are painted on the basis of classic ground markings 20a car parking 9 in herringbone pattern. On surface 20 are also various LED paving stones 11, which are provided with LED lights. In the switched-on state, these form visible, variable floor markings 20b, which in particular clearly mark truck parking spaces 10 at night. As a result, the classic ground markings (20a) are overridden, with the luminous ground markings (20b) being significantly more visible than the classic ground markings (20a), especially at night. The display panel 8 at the entrance side 5 of the parking area 1 is in the state in which the variable ground markings 20b do not appear, this parking area 20 as a car parking area. After this switching appears on the display panel 8 on the entrance side 5 an indication that the variable parking area 20 is now performed as a truck parking area.

It should be noted that the car parking area 3 is the parking area, which is next to the plant 4 to ensure safety. The variably switched on truck parking lots 10 are arranged so that parked trucks are diagonally next to each other so that incoming trucks frontal park, frontal ausparken again, and can leave the service area on the exit 7.

This embodiment demonstrates a flexible parking guidance system according to the invention. For example, when truck space increases, the existing parking capacity for trucks is increased at night by releasing the zone 20 for trucks, and by marking the zone 20 accordingly, a non-chaotic parking is provided that optimally exploits the available space.

Claims (15)

Parking guidance system for a parking area (1), in particular at refueling and / or rest areas on motorways, with parking markings (2a, 3a, 20a, 20b) for marking parking spaces (9, 10) of at least two different sizes, wherein the respective parking space sizes are in particular the space requirements of cars and trucks are coordinated,
characterized in that
at least part of the parking space markings (20b) can be electronically switched on and off so that a variable number of parking spaces (9, 10) of at least two sizes can be displayed variably and at least one part (20) of the parking area (1) is switched by switching the variable parking space markings (20b) is subdivided either in a larger number of parking spaces of smaller size (9) or in a smaller number of parking spaces of larger size (10). Parking guidance system according to claim 1, comprising a control device for preferably automatically switching the variable parking markings (20b) as a function of the size of the vehicles on the parking area (1) and / or the number of vehicles of different size classes on the parking area (1). Parking guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a detection device, in particular a magnetic sensor system for detecting the number and size of on the parking area (1) and / or from the parking area (1) driving vehicles is provided, wherein a control device, the variable parking markings (20b ) switches depending on the detected vehicles and their size. Parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the variable parking markings (20b) via lights (11), in particular LED lights are visualized, and preferably at least partially by the use of LED paving stones are realized. Parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein also non-variable parking markings (2a, 3a, 20a) are present, in particular those which are barely recognizable in less natural ambient light or are less recognizable than the variable parking markings (20b). Parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the variable parking markings (20b) serve the display of larger parking lots (10), in particular the display of parking spaces for trucks. Parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the variable ground markings (20b) there is additionally at least one variable parking signage (8) with change signs, these signage (8) being in the form of traffic signs and / or ground markings, in particular switchable floor markings in the form of LED lights or LED paving stones may be formed. Parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part (10) of the variably switched parking, especially truck parking, is arranged so that the vehicles parked thereon are side by side and individually at any time forward and can park off, and preferably arranged so in that the vehicles stand side by side with parallel sides in a straight or oblique row. Method for operating a parking guidance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the needs-based, preferably automatic switching depending on the frequency of the parking area (1) by trucks and cars or depending on the Frequentierungsverhältnisses between truck and car takes place. The method of claim 9, wherein the variable parking markings (20a) are switched on at night and / or falls below an optionally preset number for the occupancy of the parking area with cars. A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the switching takes place on the basis of ready-made and / or statistical data, wherein suitable prefabricated and / or statistical data include the time of day, the date, the season, holiday days, days of the week. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the switching takes place additionally or independently of the use of prefabricated and / or statistical data on the basis of flexible data, wherein suitable flexible data the weather, the traffic volume and individual data on the expected or actual frequency of the Parking with motor vehicles of various sizes, especially trucks and cars include. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein individual data on the actual traffic of the parking area (1) with motor vehicles of different sizes, especially trucks and cars, via an access and departure control, in particular via a magnetic sensor system is determined, which is not only the number of incoming and outgoing vehicles but also the type of vehicle recognizes. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein individual data on the expected frequenting of the parking lot with motor vehicles, in particular trucks, via the route planning of freight forwarders and / or electronic toll data and / or current traffic data are determined. Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein on previous reaching or electronic detection, the departure data of arriving motor vehicles, especially trucks are detected and the vehicles based on an individual display a specific parking space, preferably a variably switchable parking (9, 10) depending on their scheduled departure time is assigned.

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