DE102021120959B4 - Device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft lands on a landing site on a road traffic area - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft (2) lands at a landing site (21) on a road traffic area (10, 11), with a plurality of blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) positioned on or on the road traffic area (10, 11). ) for road traffic, characterized in that at least two position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) are positioned or positionable on or on the road traffic area (10, 11) at a distance from one another, each with a position determining device (160, 170 , 180, 190) are equipped to determine the location coordinates of a respective position signal transmitter (16, 17, 18, 19), - that a first computer device (100) is provided, which is designed to calculate from the location coordinates of the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) to determine the coordinates of a landing reference point (20) of the planned landing location (21) for the aircraft (2) located between the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) and to transmit them to the aircraft (2), - that Aircraft (2) is equipped with a position determination device (200) which is designed to determine current position data of the aircraft (2), - that the first computer device (100) or a second computer device (210) is designed to use the current Position data of the aircraft (2) and its flight speed as well as from the position data of the landing reference point (20) to determine an expected time of arrival (tETA) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21), and - a control device (110) for the blocking signal devices (12 , 13, 14, 15) for road traffic, which is designed to activate the blocking signaling devices (12, 13, 14, 15) based on the expected time of arrival (tETA) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing site (21). at a time (tBLOCK) into a blocking signal mode, which is a predetermined time interval (Δt) before the expected time of arrival (tETA) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft is landing at a landing site on a road traffic area according to the preamble of patent claim 1. It further relates to a method for influencing road traffic traveling on a road traffic area according to the preamble of patent claim 7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During an operation, rescue aircraft such as rescue helicopters or future rescue drones often have to land on road traffic areas where land vehicles are also traveling. Traditionally, ground forces from the police or fire department stop road traffic and cordon off the intended landing site. Such a blocking must take place in good time before the arrival of the rescue aircraft, which is currently done with a generous amount of time in advance for safety reasons, as the ground forces usually do not know exactly the expected time of arrival (ETA: estimated time of arrival) of the rescue aircraft and the pilot of a rescue aircraft must first get an idea of the situation on the ground from the air and select a suitable landing site or identify the landing site intended by the ground forces. On busy roads, this quickly leads to major traffic jams and it cannot be ruled out that road users will quickly try to cross the intended landing site, which can endanger the landing approach, as the pilot may then have to abort the landing process. This could become an acute safety problem, particularly with future autonomously flying rescue drones. Landing a rescue aircraft on a road traffic area is particularly problematic if there are no ground forces on site (yet) who can cordon off the landing site.

It would therefore be helpful to shorten the time until a rescue aircraft lands and at the same time to reliably close the road area on which the rescue aircraft is to land to road traffic but as late as possible.

STATE OF THE ART

From the EP 2 533 068 A1 a near-field navigation system for aircraft, in particular for helicopters or unmanned aircraft, is known, in which mobile autonomous transmitters are provided on the ground, which can be positioned anywhere around an intended landing location, which calibrate themselves relative to one another and by means of which the aircraft maintains its exact three-dimensional position in relation can determine the landing location.

From the US 2016 / 0321921 A1 is a safety marker system for emergencies in road traffic. The system includes pylons that can be set up on the road or dropped from a vehicle, which are equipped with warning lights that switch on automatically when they come into contact with the ground, and which each have a radio transmitter that can be used to warn approaching vehicles. Furthermore, the respective pylon can be equipped with a device for GPS location determination and it can transmit its own GPS data via radio to a central dispatcher in order to guide rescue personnel safely to the location where the pylons are set up.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft is landing on a road traffic area as a landing support system for aircraft, which can be quickly positioned at a planned landing location and with which an acceleration of the landing can be achieved while at the same time increasing safety and that is suitable for minimizing the impact on traffic flow on the ground. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a safety-optimized method for influencing road traffic traveling on a road traffic area before and during a landing of an aircraft at a landing site on the road traffic area.

The part of the task directed to the device is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. And the part of the task directed to the method is solved by a method with the features of claim 7.

A device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft is landing at a landing site on a road traffic area, with a plurality of blocking signal devices for road traffic positioned on or on the road traffic area, is characterized in that at least two position signal transmitters are positioned on or on the road traffic area at a distance from one another or Positionable are provided, each of which is equipped with a position determination device for determining the location coordinates of a respective position signal transmitter, that a first computer device is provided hen, which is designed to determine coordinates of a landing reference point of the planned landing location for the aircraft located between the position signal transmitters from the location coordinates of the position signal transmitters and to transmit to the aircraft that the aircraft is equipped with a position determination device which is designed to current To determine position data of the aircraft, that the first computer device or a second computer device is designed to determine an expected time of arrival of the aircraft at the planned landing location from the current position data of the aircraft and its flight speed as well as from the position data of the landing reference point, and a control device for the blocking signal devices for road traffic, which is designed to put the blocking signal devices into a blocking signal mode, based on the expected time of arrival of the aircraft at the planned landing site, at a time that is a predetermined time interval before the expected time of arrival of the aircraft at the planned landing site.

ADVANTAGES

This device according to the invention forms an automated interface between road traffic and air traffic as far as the landing aircraft is concerned. The first computer device, in conjunction with the individual position determination devices, determines the coordinates of the landing reference point, which are transmitted to the aircraft, so that the expected landing time ETA (estimated time of arrival) can be determined, which is then transmitted again to the first computer device. The aircraft thus receives the exact target data for the landing approach and the first computer device can, based on the expected landing time ETA, activate the blocking signal devices for road traffic in a timely manner but not too early before the aircraft arrives and thus stop the road traffic.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the device according to the invention are the subject of subclaims 2 to 6.

Preferably, a position signal generator and a blocking signal device are combined to form an integrated device. Such a device can, for example, be designed as a mobile, positionable traffic cone with an attached warning light, the warning light forming the blocking signal device and being switchable to a red light mode. However, such an integrated device can also be formed, for example, by an appropriately equipped stationary traffic light.

It is advantageous if the position signal generators and/or the blocking signal devices are mobile signaling devices that can be set up freely at a location, which are carried, for example, in a police vehicle or a fire engine and can be set up quickly and individually depending on the location if necessary. Such mobile signaling devices can also be carried by the aircraft being landed and dropped from a low altitude before landing if there are no ground forces available.

Alternatively, the blocking signal devices can also be formed by traffic lights of an alternating light signal system present on the road traffic area.

It is advantageous if the alternating light signal system is part of a network of alternating light signal systems of a traffic route network controlled by a central traffic control computer and if the control device for the blocking signal devices is coupled to the traffic control computer or integrated into it. In this way, the device according to the invention can be integrated into the existing traffic light infrastructure in metropolitan areas with alternating light signaling systems controlled centrally by a traffic control computer and form a stationary landing support system for rescue aircraft, which only needs to be activated when necessary.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, which can be combined with other embodiments, the position signal transmitters are designed to communicate with an automatic landing system or a landing assistance system of the aircraft. This enables automatic landing, especially for autonomous rescue aircraft.

1. a) Positionieren von zumindest zwei Positionssignalgebern an oder auf der Straßenverkehrsfläche mit Abstand zueinander;
2. b) Bestimmen der Standortkoordinaten eines jeweiligen Positionssignalgebers mittels einer jeweiligen Positionsbestimmungseinrichtung;
3. c) Ermitteln von Landekoordinaten eines zwischen den Positionssignalgebern gelegenen Landereferenzpunktes des geplanten Landeorts mittels einer ersten Rechnereinrichtung;
4. d) Übermitteln der Landekoordinaten an das Luftfahrzeug;
5. e) Ermitteln eines voraussichtlichen Ankunftszeitpunkts des Luftfahrzeugs am geplanten Landeort mittels der ersten Rechnereinrichtung oder einer zweiten Rechnereinrichtung auf der Grundlage der aktuellen Positionsdaten des Luftfahrzeugs und dessen Fluggeschwindigkeit sowie der Positionsdaten des Landereferenzpunktes;
6. f) Ermitteln eines Blockadezeitpunkts, der um ein vorgegebenes Zeitintervall vor dem voraussichtlichen Ankunftszeitpunkt des Luftfahrzeugs am geplanten Landeort liegt;
7. g) Versetzen von an oder auf der Straßenverkehrsfläche positionierten Sperrsignaleinrichtungen zum Blockadezeitpunkt in einen Sperrsignalmodus, in dem die Sperrsignaleinrichtungen ein Sperrsignal an die Straßenverkehrsteilnehmer in der Umgebung des Landeorts abgeben und dadurch den Landeort absperren.

The method according to the invention for influencing road traffic traveling on a road traffic area before and during a landing of an aircraft on a landing site on the road traffic area comprises the steps:

1. a) positioning at least two position signal transmitters on or on the road traffic area at a distance from one another;
2. b) determining the location coordinates of a respective position signal transmitter by means of a respective position determination device;
3. c) determining landing coordinates of a landing reference point of the planned landing location located between the position signal transmitters by means of a first computer device;
4. d) transmitting the landing coordinates to the aircraft;
5. e) determining an expected time of arrival of the aircraft at the planned landing location using the first computer device or a second computer device based on the current position data of the aircraft and its flight speed as well as the position data of the landing reference point;
6. f) determining a blocking time that is a predetermined time interval before the expected time of arrival of the aircraft at the planned landing site;
7. g) Putting blocking signal devices positioned on or on the road traffic area into a blocking signal mode at the time of blocking, in which the blocking signal devices emit a blocking signal to the road users in the vicinity of the landing site and thereby block the landing site.

On a straight section of road that is intended to serve as a landing site, it may be sufficient to set up only two position signal transmitters in the direction of the road, which then determine the center of the distance between them as a landing reference point. However, three or more position signal transmitters are preferably set up in order to determine the landing reference point on the area between the position signal transmitters.

With this method according to the invention, the advantages of accelerating the landing approach and minimizing the road closure time already mentioned in connection with claim 1 are achieved.

It is particularly advantageous if the position data of the planned landing location and the intended blocking time determined in step f) are transmitted to a traffic control computer as blocking information before the blocking time (tBLOCK). This makes it possible for traffic to be redirected by the traffic control computer at an early stage before the road is closed, thus minimizing the traffic obstruction and the length of a traffic jam that develops when the road is closed.

In this respect, it is also an aspect of the present invention to use these data transmitted to the traffic control computer to influence changing light signals and / or changing traffic signs in the traffic route network affected by the landing of the rescue aircraft before the rescue aircraft lands in such a way that the traffic focuses around the area required for the landing a closed section of road, preferably over a wide area.

Preferably, the position data of the planned landing location and the blocking time determined in step f) are transmitted as blocking information to vehicle navigation systems of vehicles in a predetermined area surrounding the landing location before the blocking time. This means that the vehicle drivers or the control devices of autonomous vehicles are informed about the planned closure at an early stage and can therefore avoid the section of road that is to be closed.

Finally, it is also advantageous if the position signal transmitters communicate with the approaching aircraft as the aircraft approaches the landing site and transmit their location coordinates to an automatic landing system or a landing assistance system of the aircraft, which makes the landing process easier, especially with autonomous aircraft and becomes safer.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with additional design details and further advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Straßenkreuzung mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 2 einen Ausschnitt aus einem Verkehrswegenetzwerk mit der Straßenkreuzung aus 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Straßenkreuzung aus 1 mit anfliegendem Luftfahrzeug;
• 4 die Straßenkreuzung aus 1 mit gelandetem Luftfahrzeug;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung der für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren miteinander kommunizierenden Komponenten;
• 6 ein Zeitablauf-Diagramm nach dem Verfahren der Erfindung und
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung der für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren miteinander kommunizierenden Komponenten einer alternativen Infrastruktur.

It shows:

• 1 a top view of a street intersection with a device according to the invention;
• 2 a section of a traffic route network with the street intersection 1 ;
• 3 a perspective view of the street intersection 1 with an approaching aircraft;
• 4 the street intersection 1 with the aircraft landed;
• 5 a schematic representation of the components communicating with one another for the method according to the invention;
• 6 a time chart according to the method of the invention and
• 7 a schematic representation of the components of an alternative infrastructure that communicate with one another for the method according to the invention.

REPRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a top view of a street intersection 1 of two intersecting streets 10, 11, each of which forms a road traffic area for road traffic. The intersection 10 and streets 10, 11 are part of an in 2 illustrated traffic route network 1 '. Road traffic is symbolized by four vehicles 25, 26, 27, 28.

The street intersection 1 is equipped in a generally known manner with an alternating light signal system 30 with four traffic lights (alternating light signals) 32, 33, 34, 35 for road traffic. The traffic lights 32, 33, 34, 35 and any additional turning or pedestrian lights of this alternating light signal system 30 are either connected to a controller (not shown) provided autonomously for this street intersection 1 or they are part of a control system controlled by a central traffic control computer 31 ( 7 ) controlled network 3 of alternating light signaling systems in the traffic route network 1 '.

In a medical or other emergency, it may be necessary for the street intersection 1 to serve as a landing site 21 for an aircraft 2, for example a police helicopter, an air rescue helicopter or a multicopter drone for an emergency doctor, so that the street intersection 1 blocks road traffic must become. To do this, on the one hand, road intersection 1 must be closed and, on the other hand, aircraft 2 ( 3 ) to transmit the coordinates of a landing reference point 20 of the planned landing location 21 located here in the middle of the intersection.

For this purpose, ground forces (for example the police or the fire brigade) use blocking signal devices 12, 13, 14, 15 on each of the intersecting streets 10, 11 in each of the directions of travel in front of the intersection, if possible in the middle of the road and at approximately the same distance from the center of the intersection equipped signaling devices 12', 13', 14', 15' (for example in the form of traffic cones), each of which has a light signaling device 12", 13", 14", 15" and with a position signal generator 16, 17, 18, 19 are provided.

Each of the position signal generators 16, 17, 18, 19 is as shown in 5 is shown, equipped with a position determination device 160, 170, 180, 190 for determining the location coordinates of a respective position signal transmitter 16, 17, 18, 19.

A first computer device 100, which is provided, for example, in one of the signaling devices 12 ', 13', 14', 15' or outside thereof, is connected to the position determining devices 160, 170, 180, 190 of the position signal generators 16, 17, 18, 19 for data transmission wirelessly or wired in connection, as in 5 is shown. The computer device 100 is designed to calculate the coordinates of the landing reference point located between the signaling devices 12 ', 13', 14', 15' from the location coordinates of the respective position signal transmitter 16, 17, 18, 19 determined by the position determination devices 160, 170, 180, 190 20 of the planned landing location 21 and to transmit these as landing point coordinates to an aircraft 2 in flight to the planned landing location 21.

A second computer device 210, which is provided, for example, in the aircraft 2, calculates one from the current position data of the aircraft 2 determined by a position determination device 200 of the aircraft 2 and at least its flight speed and the distance still to be covered on the planned flight route, as well as from the position data of the landing reference point 20 expected arrival time t _ETA for the aircraft 2 at the planned landing location 21, and transmits this expected arrival time t _ETA to a control device 110 for the blocking signal devices 12, 13, 14, 15, which then control the light signal devices 12", 13", 14", 15". the signaling devices 12', 13', 14', 15' in accordance with a predetermined timing diagram ( 6 ) activated based on the estimated time of arrival t _ETA of aircraft 2 at the planned landing location 21.

After receiving the expected arrival time t _ETA , the control device 110 first switches the light signal devices 12", 13", 14", 15" into a free travel mode for the road users, in which the light signal devices 12", 13", 14", 15 "For example, emit yellow or green continuous light G, as shown in the timing diagram of the 6 is shown. The control device 110 also determines on the basis of the expected arrival time t _ETA and the size of the intersection 1 (determined by the distance between two opposite signaling devices 12 ', 13', 14', 15') and a predetermined assumed driving speed as well as a temporal Safety buffer has a blocking time t _BLOCK at which the intersection is to be closed to road traffic. At this blocking time t _BLOCK , which is a predetermined time interval Δt before the expected arrival time t _ETA of the aircraft 2 at the planned landing location 21, the light signal devices 12", 13", 14", 15" are switched to red continuous light R, for example. A predetermined period of time before the blocking time t _BLOCK , the light signaling devices 12", 13", 14", 15" are alerted Speed mode F is switched on for road users, for example by flashing yellow.

If aircraft 2 landed at intersection 1 ( 4 ) road traffic is thus signaled by the red continuous light R of the light signaling devices 12", 13", 14", 15" and preferably also of the traffic lights 32, 33, 34, 35, as in 4 shown is stopped. For this purpose, the control device 110 is connected to the (not shown) control of the alternating light signal system 30 (in the case of traffic lights controlled autonomously at intersections) for data transmission or, if the alternating light signal system 30 is part of a network 3 of alternating light signal systems of the traffic route network 1 'controlled by a central traffic control computer 31 (i.e. at centrally controlled traffic lights), coupled to the central traffic control computer 31 and the aircraft 2 for data transmission ( 7 ) or even integrated into the central traffic control computer 31. This integration of the traffic lights 32, 33, 34, 35 of the alternating light signaling system can of course also take place in the phases described above before the aircraft 2 lands, as shown in 1 is symbolically represented by the red switching of the traffic lights 321, 33, 34, 35.

After the aircraft has taken off at a time t _TO , the blocking of the intersection is maintained for a predetermined time and then the control device 110 switches the light signal devices 12", 13", 14", 15" (and if necessary) at a release time t _F also the traffic lights 32, 33, 34, 35) return to the continuous green light G.

When the aircraft 2 is on the approach to the intended landing site 21, as in 3 is shown, and the position signal transmitters 16, 17, 18, 19 are designed to communicate with an automatic landing system or a landing assistance system of the aircraft 2 and thereby transmit their location coordinates, the aircraft is able to land automatically, which is particularly advantageous for autonomously flying aircraft.

Reference numerals in the claims, the description and the drawings are only intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

Claims (10)

Device for influencing road traffic when an aircraft (2) lands on a road traffic area (10, 11) at a landing site (21), with a plurality of blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) positioned on or on the road traffic area (10, 11). ) for road traffic, characterized in that - at least two position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) are positioned or positionable on or on the road traffic area (10, 11) at a distance from one another, each with a position determining device (160, 170 , 180, 190) are equipped to determine the location coordinates of a respective position signal generator (16, 17, 18, 19), - that a first computer device (100) is provided, which is designed to use the location coordinates of the position signal generator (16, 17, 18, 19) to determine the coordinates of a landing reference point (20) of the planned landing location (21) for the aircraft (2) located between the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) and to transmit them to the aircraft (2), - that Aircraft (2) is equipped with a position determination device (200) which is designed to determine current position data of the aircraft (2), - that the first computer device (100) or a second computer device (210) is designed to use the current Position data of the aircraft (2) and its flight speed as well as from the position data of the landing reference point (20) to determine an expected time of arrival (t _ETA ) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21), and - a control device (110) for the blocking signal devices ( 12, 13, 14, 15) for road traffic, which is designed to control the blocking signaling devices (12, 13, 14, 15), based on the expected time of arrival (t _ETA ) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21) , to put into a blocking signal mode at a time (t _BLOCK ) which is a predetermined time interval (Δt) before the expected time of arrival (t _ETA ) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a position signal generator (16, 17, 18, 19) and a locking signal device (12, 13, 14, 15) are combined to form an integrated device. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the position signal generators (16, 17, 18, 19) and/or the blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) are mobile signaling devices (12', 13', 14', 15' that can be set up freely at a location of use). ) are. Device according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) are formed by traffic lights (32, 33, 34, 35) of an alternating light signal system (30) present on the road traffic area (10, 11). Device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the alternating light signal system (30) is part of a network (3) of alternating light signal systems of a traffic route network (1 ') controlled by a central traffic control computer (31) and that the control device (110) for the blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) is coupled to or integrated into the traffic control computer (31). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) are designed to communicate with an automatic landing system or a landing assistance system of the aircraft (2). Method for influencing road traffic traveling on a road traffic area (10, 11) before and during a landing of an aircraft (2) at a landing site (21) on the road traffic area (10, 11) with the steps: a) positioning at least two position signal transmitters ( 16, 17, 18, 19) on or on the road traffic area (10, 11) at a distance from one another; b) determining the location coordinates of a respective position signal transmitter (16, 17, 18, 19) by means of a respective position determining device (160, 170, 180, 190); c) determining landing coordinates of a landing reference point (20) of the planned landing location (21) located between the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) by means of a first computer device (100); d) transmitting the landing coordinates to the aircraft (2); e) determining an expected time of arrival (t _ETA ) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21) using the first computer device (100) or a second computer device (210) based on the current position data of the aircraft (2) and its flight speed and the position data of the landing reference point (20); f) determining a blocking time (t _BLOCK ) which is a predetermined time interval (Δt) before the expected time of arrival (t _ETA ) of the aircraft (2) at the planned landing location (21); g) placing blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) positioned on or on the road traffic area (10, 11) at the time of blocking (t _BLOCK ) into a blocking signal mode in which the blocking signal devices (12, 13, 14, 15) emit a blocking signal to the road users (25, 26, 27, 28) in the vicinity of the landing site (21) and thereby cordon off the landing site (21). Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the position data of the planned landing location (21) and the blocking time (t _BLOCK ) determined in step f) are transmitted to a traffic control computer as blocking information before the blocking time (t _BLOCK ). Device according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the position data of the planned landing location (21) and the blocking time (t _BLOCK ) determined in step f) are transmitted as blocking information to vehicle navigation systems of vehicles in a predetermined area surrounding the landing location (21) before the blocking time (t _BLOCK ). . Device according to Claim 7 , 8th or 9 , characterized in that the position signal transmitters (16, 17, 18, 19) communicate with the approaching aircraft (2) when the aircraft (2) approaches the landing site (21) and transmit their location coordinates to an automatic landing system or a landing Transmit the assistance system of the aircraft (2).

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