GB2341712A

GB2341712A - Pedestrian crossing indicators

Info

Publication number: GB2341712A
Application number: GB9917498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Henry Arnold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-24
Filing date: 1999-07-23
Publication date: 2000-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-23
Also published as: GB9816261D0; GB9917498D0; GB2341712B

Abstract

A road crossing system having rows of lights (3) perpendicular to the direction of the road (1) with a control device (11) lying proximal to the end of these rows one on either side. The control device having an activation device which when operated causes the lights (3), for example those facing the oncoming traffic, to be illuminated warning the driver that a pedestrian is crossing the road. The control device may have two activation devices, for example, one causing the lights (3) in the nearest row to the oncoming traffic to light up and the other casing additionally a further light (3) between two rows of lights to illuminate, in this case, for a longer time period to allow anyone who needs more time to cross to do so and to give further warning to approaching drivers that this is occurring.

Description

2341712 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING INDICATORS This invention relates to

pedestrian crossing indicators. 5 A central road safety problem is that of avoiding collisions between vehicles moving along a road and pedestrians in the carriageway. In the case of most roads, particularly in an urban environment, the road consists of a carriageway having a walkway or pavement on each side. Normally collisions between pedestrians and moving vehicles are avoided by the simple segregation of pedestrians on the walkways or pavements and vehicles on the carriageway, but that segregation breaks down when a pedestrian wishes to cross the road.

In terms of major highways, segregation is maintained by putting fences either side of the carriageway and allowing pedestrians to cross the carriageway only via a bridge or tunnel. This is clearly inconvenient and impractical in many situations, and accordingly the simple alternative of a so-called pedestrian crossing has been widely adopted.

Such pedestrian crossings are wellknown and generally fall into two types, viz. those associated with traffic lights which act to stop the traffic on the carriageway proceeding for a short period of time during which pedestrians may cross, and ones in which no such traffic lights are present, but where vehicle drivers are encouraged to allow passage of pedestrians across the carriageway when they can see that such passage is desired. This can be achieved by visually picking out a designated pedestrian crossing area, conventionally with road markings which may vary from country to country, but which are invariably designed to be eye-catching so that they can be seen by the drivers of vehicles proceeding along the road. In the United Kingdom, the standard is to provide a set of black and white stripes, each stripe being elongate in the direction of movement of traffic along the road and with the stripes being alternately black and white. For obvious reasons, these are familiarly called "zebra crossings". In many cases, the designated crossing place is furthermore picked out e.g. by warning signs at an appropriate distance upstream of the crossing area and/or posts carrying a distinctive visual indication adjacent the crossing area to each side of the carriageway. In the United Kingdom, the standard "Belisha beacon" construction is well- known.

Despite these approaches, accidents still happen at designated crossing areas, and it would clearly be desirable to reduce their occurrence.

According to the present invention, there is provided a road crossing warning system comprising a series of light means arranged generally in at least one row on the carriageway surface, the row or rows extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of traffic along the carriageway and a pair of control devices one on either side of the carriageway proximal 3 to the end of a row of light means. Thus, in accordance with the invention, a pedestrian crossing on a road, comprises at least one row of light-emitting units substantially at the surface level of the carriageway which light up visibly when actuated, so a vehicle driver proceeding towards the crossing along the carriageway, can see them. The or each row extends generally transversely to the direction of the carriageway, and means on each side of the carriageway can be actuated to cause the light-emitting units to emit light.

Preferably, two rows of lights are provided, both transverse to the direction of traffic flow and spaced apart in the direction of traffic flow by an appropriate distance defining between them a pedestrian crossing area.

The light which may be emitted from the light-emitting units when illuminated may be generally white light or coloured, e.g. amber, red or blue. Control systems may be provided which are capable of varying the brightness of the illumination, for example so the units throw out more light during the daytime than at night, and the illumination may be continuous or intermittent. If desired, the control means may be arranged to cause all the light units in a row to illuminate simultaneously, or alternatively to illuminate individually and sequentially.

Using these variations, it is possible to provide different illumination patterns or arrangements corresponding to different circumstances, for example to indicate to the driver of an approaching vehicle whether the pedestrian crossing is being used by one or more persons and whether the persons concerned are crossing in the same or both directions. It may also be possible 4 to provide even more information, for example to discriminate between normal able-bodied pedestrians who will need a relatively short time in order to cross the road and others such as children or the disabled who need longer. In order to reflect that, means need to be provided to selectively actuate the system in one or other mode. In accordance with a further feature of the invention, this may be provided by the simple expedient of providing the actuation means to each side of the carriageway in tandem, one such means being located relatively higher than the other. Thus, for example, if the actuation means are push buttons appropriately electrically connected to a control unit which controls the illumination of the set of light-emitting devices, one press button may be mounted e.g. on a street furniture post at a height at which it can only be reached by adults, while the other may be mounted lower down where it is reachable by children and those in wheelchairs.

The actuation devices do not need to be press buttons, but may, for example, be proximity switch devices which will detect the presence of a person. In order to avoid false triggering of the system by people passing along a walkway or pavement adjacent the carriageway, such proximity devices may be constructed and arranged to respond only when a person moves on the sidewalk or pavement in a direction substantially transverse thereto and towards the crossing area on the carriageway. Such proximity devices may include, but are not limited to, capacitative devices, inductive loop devices, and infrared beam devices.

Road safety may be further enhanced by providing visually noticeable indicators on street furniture posts adjacent either end of the crossing region on the carriageway. These may be positioned at a height - 5 conventional for e.g. standard hazard warning signs and thus be positioned at a height where the vehicle driver is subconsciously expecting to see warning signs appear. Such visual indicator devices may, for example, consist of a simple lamp or coloured field, or a directional indicator such as an illuminated arrow (which may indicate the direction in which a pedestrian is likely to be moving across the crossing area), or a combination of these.

As well as providing light-emitting means which can be illuminated to provide visually detectable information to the drivers of vehicles on the carriageway, the crossing system may also include means for providing a visual indication to the pedestrian(s), for example a set of conventional back illuminated figures, one appearing to be walking and the other appearing to be stationary, which can be back illuminated in green and red respectively. Such indicators are, of course, designed to be viewed in a direction transverse to the carriageway rather than in the direction of traffic along it.

The exact way in which the system is implemented may vary widely, but naturally it is desirable that in any one jurisdiction, a standard is established so that over time both pedestrians and vehicle drivers come to know without conscious analysis of the position what the indications mean. It is, of course, important from a road safety point of view that the same meaning corresponds to the same appearance, more or less, though there may be some slight local variations.

Putting the present invention into practice is straightforward since the necessary physical items of equipment and apparatus necessary are all easily commercially available. Street furniture posts and weatherproof actuation units are already well-known in connection with traffic light controlled crossings. Post-mountable illuminated indicators or other recognisable visual displays are widely available in a variety of forms. Control systems for illumination devices set in a carriageway are likewise easily constructed to whatever degree of sophistication is desired. In terms of the light-emitting devices which may be illuminated and which are set in one or more rows across the carriageway, these must clearly be constructed so that they will withstand the pounding of traffic while continuing to function. Lighting units adapted for setting into a trafficked surface are available from a variety of sources, and are e.g. sold for use set into a concrete surface to delineate runways and taxiways on airfields. The detailed engineering installation of systems according to the present invention can be executed using known technology and known techniques without difficulty.

The invention is further illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which show diagrammatically a system in accordance with the invention and various components and features thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carriageway with a system according to the invention installed Figures 2 to 7 inclusive are diagrammatic plan views showing various arrangements of components of the system Figures 8 to 10 show three alternative post designs Figure 11 shows diagrammatically the operation of a dual-activated sensor beam system, and 7 Figures 12 and 13 illustrate how an alternative detection system may operate.

Referring to the Figures, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system installed on a street having a central carriageway 1 with pavements 2 on each side of it. Extending across carriageway 1 are two rows of lightemitting units 3 which are spaced apart. Between them is a central further light-emitting unit 3 located in the centre of the carriageway.

Located to either side of the carriageway 1 near the edge of each pavement 2 is a street furniture post 10 bearing a control box 11, a first internally illuminated sign box 12 facing in the direction of the carriageway and a second internally illuminated sign box 13 facing across the carriageway. The sign boxes may include back illuminated signs to provide indications to approaching drivers (in the case of boxes 12) or to crossing users (boxes 13).

The control box 11 is provided with a pair of actuation buttons, an upper button accompanied by an icon representative of an adult and a lower button accompanied by an icon representative of a child and of a person in a wheelchair.

Actuation of either button causes the row of light units 3 to be illuminated, thus providing a very clear indication to the driver of any approaching vehicle that someone is on the carriageway or about to come on to the carriageway with the object of crossing from one pavement 2 to the other. This acts as a clear warning enabling the driver of the vehicle to slow down and/or stop and rendering them in any event more alert to the fact that something is happening on the carriageway in front of them.

8 Referring now to the other Figures, Figures 2 to 7 are each diagrammatic plan views of a road crossing with pavement 2 either side of carriageway 1. A broken white line 20 delineates the centre of the road. Control boxes 11 either side of the road have two actuator buttons, an upper one A and a lower one B, and the control arrangements are chosen to enable the crossing to be operated in a way informative to approaching vehicle drivers, as explained in more detail below.

As can be seen in all of these Figures, lights 3 are set in rows across carriageway 1. These may be variously illuminated, and, for the sake of clarity, lights 3 which are,lit" appear as larger circles than when they are unlit. The lights 3 in the centre of the carriageway are shown slightly displaced from the central white line 20 for clarity of illustration, though in practice the central lights 3 and central white line (if present) would coincide.

Referring first to Figure 2, this shows the basic layout, following the operation of button 'W' on the left side. The bottom row of lights 3 then light up for a period of time (approximately 10 to 11 seconds continuously, or a longer or shorter period depending on the length of the crossing). This procedure indicates to motorists and other road users that a person was stepping off and using the crossing from left to right, as illustrated in Figure 1.

If button "A" were operated on the right hand side, however, the position is as shown in Figure 3: the top row of spotlights would operate continuously for approximately 10 to 11 seconds (again depending on the length of the crossing). This procedure would indicate to motorists and other road users that a person was stepping off and using the crossing from right to left.

9 In Figure 4, the position is shown following operation of button "B" on the left-hand side. The bottom and middle row of spotlights would operate and illuminate continuously for 12 to 13 seconds approximately (depending on the length of the crossing). This would indicate to road users that a child or person with restricted mobility was using the crossing from left to right.

Figure 5 illustrates what happens when both "A" buttons on either side of the crossing have been operated. This indicates to road users that two or more pedestrians are using the crossing in both directions, with both being e.g. fit adults, while, in contrast, Figure 6 shows the situation when two or more persons are using the crossing in both directions, one at least of which is a child or person with restricted mobility.

This, viewed from the driving seat of an approaching car, the nearest row of lights when operated indicates that someone is using the crossing from nearside to far side, i.e. left to right, and the furthest row of lights, when operated, will indicate to road users that someone is using the crossing from far side to nearside, i.e. right to left.

The distance between the outer rows of lights 3 may exceed the width of the pedestrian crossing to enable road users more easily to distinguish between the different lighting patterns at the earliest opportunity when approaching the crossing from a distance.

Figure 7 shows an alternative layout with just two rows of lights 3. It may be controlled to operate in a similar way, for example:

By operating button 'W' on the left control unit, the bottom row of spotlights would operate continuously for a period of approximately 10 to 11 seconds. This procedure would indicate that a pedestrian was using the crossing from left to right. 5 By operating button "B" on the left-hand control unit, the bottom row of spotlights would operate intermittently for approximately 12 to 13 seconds, i.e. lights would be flashing. This would indicate that a child or person with restricted mobility was using the crossing from left to right.

The system would operate in exactly the same way if the right-handed control unit buttons were engaged instead, the difference being that the top row of lights would be operated rather than the bottom.

Figure 8 shows diagrammatically a typical form of beacon post which may be used, consisting of a post 10 carrying control unit 11, a yellow spherical internally illuminated beacon 30 and two small lights 32 in a high position on each of the beacon posts. These lights 32 could operate in sequence with the other lights, i.e. they could operate continuously or intermittently. This addition is of benefit if the crossing is obscured by adverse weather conditions, i.e. snow or floods, or possibly if the crossing is obscured by a steep road gradient or camber.

A possible variation to this is to mount both lights and a directional indicator 34 in a small unit fitted in a high position on the beacon post 10. This is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9.

Indicator 34 may operate to reflect the particular operations of the buttons so that the arrows indicate the direction in which pedestrians were crossing the road. For example, if the left-sided arrow was operated, it would illuminate and indicate that someone was crossing from left to right. If the right-sided arrow was operated via one of the control unit buttons, the right-sided arrow would illuminate, indicating that someone was crossing from right to left, and if both arrows on opposite sides were actuated, the presence of people crossing both ways would be clearly flagged.

Figure 10 shows an alternative post in which instead of a control box 11, the post 10 is fitted with sensor switches. It operates automatically in a very similar way to the manual system. Two sensor switches 40, 41 are mounted and installed on the beacon posts 10. They are positioned at suitable heights, so as to operate in a similar way to that of the manual system. This means that anyone using the crossing, of a height less than the height of sensor switch "A", but above the height of sensor switch "B", would activate the "B" switch sensor circuit. This is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 11, which shows that anyone crossing whose height was above the level of sensor switch 'W' would activate the 'W' switch sensor circuit, while shorter road users will only activate switch "B". In order for the sensor system to operate correctly, it may be necessary to install another post opposite the beacon post, with additional sensors mounted on it at the same height as illustrated in Figure 11.

The sensors are preferably of a type that activates the lights only by movement in one direction as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. As shown in Figure 12, a pedestrian crossing from position "X" to position "Y" would activate the sensor and actuate the lamps, while a pedestrian crossing from position "Y" to position "X" would not activate the sensor or operate any lamps, as shown in Figure 13. This may be achieved by suitable circuitry which discriminates which of two infrared beams 50 is broken first by the passage of the pedestrian.

It will be appreciated that the precise mode of operation of the various lights 3 may be varied easily by suitable control means in order to provide a visual signal which is on the one hand eyecatching, and thus alerts drivers to the hazard in front of them, while a the same time meeting general safety standards for the use of lights on highways as may be prescribed in any given local or national jurisdiction.

Claims

1. A road crossing warning system comprising a series of light means arranged generally in at least one row on the carriageway surface, the row or rows extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of traffic along the carriageway and a pair of control devices one on either side of the carriageway proximal to the end of a row of light means.

2. A road crossing warning system according to Claim 1 wherein there are two substantially parallel rows of light means on the carriageway surface.

3. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein there are three or more rows of light means on the carriageway surface.

4. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each control device bears a manually operated activation device.

5. A road crossing warning system according to anyone of the preceding Claims wherein each control device bears two or more manually operated activation devices.

6. A road crossing warning system according to Claim 5 wherein one manually operated activation device is positioned lower than the other or others.

7. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the control devices are mounted on a road furniture post.

8. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims and including additional light means fitted above road level.

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9. A road crossing warning system according to Claim 8 wherein the additional light means are mounted on a road furniture post.

10. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims and including direction indicator means positioned above the level of the road.

11. A road crossing warning system according to Claim 10 wherein the direction indicator means are fitted to a road furniture post.

12. A road crossing warning system according to any one of Claims 10 or 11 wherein the direction indicator means are arrows which may be selectively illuminated to indicate in which direction a pedestrian is crossing.

13. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the light means are coloured to indicate a warning.

14. A road crossing warning system according to any one of the preceding Claims and including automatic activation devices.

15. A road crossing warning system according to Claim 14 wherein the automatic activation means emit and receive infra red beams.

16. A road crossing warning system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of improving road crossing safety comprising providing a series of light means arranged in a row on the carriageway surface, the row extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of the carriageway and a pair of control devices one on either side of the carriageway proximal to the row of light means, whereby activation of one or both of the control devices leads to the illumination of the light means so as to warn 5 oncoming traffic that a pedestrian is crossing.