EP1220181B1 - Tunnel monitoring system in a tunnel - Google Patents

Abstract

Tunnel monitoring system comprises ultrasonic sensors (7, 9, 10) arranged along the longitudinal path of a road lane (2, 4) so that vehicles (3, 5) pass through the beam transmission and receipt areas (11, 12). Corresponding sensor signals are output to an analysis unit where a speed measurement unit is provided with which the speed of each vehicle can be determined from its travel time between two sensors. <??>The monitoring system can be expanded to provide measurements of vehicle position, direction and density as well as enabling determination of vehicle types. Danger situations can be quickly detected and reactions to a current situation quickly implemented by control of traffic guidance and safety systems.

Description

The invention relates to a tunnel monitoring system in a vehicle tunnel according to the preamble of claim 1.

Tunnel monitoring systems in vehicle tunnels are in different Embodiments generally known:

For example, a tunnel monitoring system is known in which in the tunnel and fire detectors are installed along the length of the tunnel. With this System should be a possible fire in the tunnel, especially a burning Vehicle can be detected and located. This system can also have a Control device include, which automatically in the event of a detected fire Warning devices, traffic guidance devices or shut-off devices actuated. Such a monitoring system is for detection only fire-related hazard states suitable.

Another well-known tunnel monitoring system is composed of several Surveillance cameras installed spaced in the course of the tunnel are built up. This allows each assigned tunnel sections be monitored visually by the recorded by a camera operations Screens are shown in a tunnel monitoring control center and from a Surveillance person to be evaluated. It is also known such surveillance cameras pivotable to mount, being a remote-controlled Pivoting of the tunnel monitoring control center is possible.

Such a tunnel monitoring system with surveillance cameras is costly to buy and maintain. In particular, the Camera lenses in case of dirt and smoke critical in their function. Next are system immanent automatic detection and evaluation of dangerous conditions not or only limited possible, because of a surveillance camera relatively large tunnel section detected with possibly a plurality of vehicles and automatic image evaluations are difficult to carry out. Consequently is responsible for an evaluation of the image information of such a tunnel monitoring system essentially a surveillance person in the tunnel monitoring control center regarding the recognition of dangerous situations, an assessment of traffic density, speeds and speeds maintained intervals, etc. A protection function thus depends essentially on the individual attention of a supervisor and one rapid detection of a dangerous situation with required rapid reactions is not guaranteed.

In the two known tunnel monitoring systems described above the fire detectors and surveillance cameras are in the nature of Localization sensors for vehicles usable with those vehicles in Normal operation and / or can be localized in dangerous situations, but where to accept the explained disadvantages and weaknesses of the system are.

Further, a traffic surveillance system is known (US-A-5,528,234) in which Data collected by ultrasonic sensors in a statistical evaluation Central regarding vehicle speed and vehicle density subjected will be deduced from what the current traffic. This can then be broadcast by the head office in the form of news. Behaviour of a particular individual vehicle is not relevant here, so this Traffic monitoring system to the collection of up-to-date and accurate data for Traffic situation, but not on increasing traffic safety.

In a further known tunnel monitoring system (JP-A-9 282 581) being distributed along the longitudinal course of a tunnel sound sensors, wherein the standstill of a vehicle in the tunnel is recorded on the basis of a sound signal and to be localized. A control of a smooth passage of a vehicle through the tunnel is not possible with this system.

The object of the invention is the traffic safety in a vehicle tunnel increase.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to claim 1, the location sensors are ultrasonic sensors executed, each with a radiating and receiving area on the at least a lane are directed, such that when staying a Vehicle in the emission and reception range of an ultrasonic sensor of this a corresponding sensor signal together with a sensor detection signal can be delivered to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit comprises a transit time measuring unit with which by means of a sensor signal accordingly the stay of a vehicle in a radiating and receiving area of a certain ultrasonic sensor a runtime measurement is activated. through a subsequent sensor signal in the direction of travel in the tunnel subsequent ultrasonic sensor, in its emission and reception area the moving vehicle is staying later is the travel time between at least detectable by these two ultrasonic sensors. For the transit time measurement can for the evaluation of immediately consecutive ultrasonic sensors or more widely spaced ultrasonic sensors are used. There the distances of the used for the transit time measurement ultrasonic sensors fixed and known, in a downstream speed measurement unit, which essentially consists of a multiplier immediately determines a speed signal for a particular vehicle become.

Preferably, velocity measurements are given in the above Art carried out for all entering the tunnel vehicles, where through each vehicle a transit time measurement when driving through a first ultrasonic sensor set in running and after passing through the second associated ultrasonic sensor is terminated. In the evaluation unit can get such a speed signal for each vehicle very quickly and possibly stored for further evaluations, wherein the Measuring distance for a following vehicle and for a new transit time measurement is again activated. Such measuring sections can be in the course of the tunnel be set one after the other, so that virtually every vehicle can be determined at each tunnel location. This can be easily and quickly derived Information such as average speeds traveled or vehicle densities.

With this arrangement can advantageously in a simple way a particularly slow moving or stationary vehicle determined very quickly and automatically be assigned by adding a threshold for the runtime between two Ultrasonic sensors in the evaluation is set. With additional Evaluation of a current ultrasonic sensor associated sensor detection signal can thus automatically the place of a remained or particularly slowly moving vehicle are detected in the tunnel. Also a detected sensor signal which propagates during a specified time not changing results in the evaluation unit an indication of a left over Vehicle.

To limit the radiation and reception areas in the longitudinal course of the tunnel successive ultrasonic sensors at the vehicle detection areas to each other and correspond in the longitudinal direction in the vehicle direction about usual vehicle lengths. This will be a Complete detection and monitoring of a lane over the entire tunnel length possible. In addition, in a radiating and receiving area of a certain ultrasound sensor only one vehicle can be detected, so that double detections or omissions of vehicles practically excluded are. This makes the evaluation result particularly safe and informative.

Such a tunnel monitoring system is out of relative inexpensive and functionally reliable components to produce. Especially Ultrasonic sensors are relatively inexpensive, functionally reliable and low maintenance Transmitter units operating in harsh operating conditions, for example are also proven in maritime use. Advantageous are such ultrasonic sensors largely insensitive to contamination and deliver too in case of fire in case of smoke development usable signals for localization of vehicles. In addition, the evaluation of the sensor signals together with the respective sensor detection signals relatively easy. The installation costs and operating costs are also relatively low.

The evaluation unit further includes a tracking unit that determines the exact vehicle passes based on each individual vehicle. This is a vehicle at the tunnel entrance detected by a first ultrasonic sensor and the vehicle passage through the following ultrasonic sensors through to the tunnel exit recorded and controlled a relaying and handover circuit. Also by means of Such a tracking unit can be determined a left-over vehicle when an interruption in the passing of an ultrasonic sensor area to the next ultrasonic sensor area of the evaluation unit is detected. Along with an associated sensor detection signal The exact location can be determined.

Next, the evaluation unit according to claim 2, a distance measuring unit comprise two sensor signals are evaluated, the successive Vehicles are assigned, whereby simply a relative distance the vehicles can be determined.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor signals the ultrasonic sensors according to claim 3 also evaluated in their signal intensity. Because different vehicle types have different reflection intensities For ultrasound, you can use it in a vehicle type detection unit different types of vehicles are distinguished. In order to For example, can be advantageously distinguished whether a leftover Vehicle is a motorcycle, a passenger car or a lorry, which may represent different potential dangers and also different ones Requires reactions. Further, for example, the vehicle type detection used for statistical purposes.

In a further development according to claim 4 can be in the evaluation simply a counting unit to be recorded with the vehicle via the sensor signals is feasible.

The above evaluations with the specified individual units can be compact in a transmitter in a conventional manner be integrated, the provision of appropriate programming options easily adaptable to concrete installation conditions.

With the features of claim 5, the ultrasonic sensors are proposed to arrange on the tunnel ceiling, with a number of functional connected ultrasonic sensors the lanes in a direction of travel, preferably each assigned to a single lane and breakdown spaces are. For a simple detection function of stagnant vehicles It would also be conceivable two lanes of different driving direction to monitor with only one row of ultrasonic sensors attached above. However, a much more meaningful monitoring results in the assignment an ultrasonic sensor row to every single lane in one direction of travel. In particular, a direction of travel detection is thus possible, whereby any Geisterfahrer can be determined immediately. For an optimal arrangement The sensor distances can be up to about 10 m, with about 50 Ultrasonic pulses are emitted and received per second.

The sensor signals, in particular if also the intensity of the sensor signals are to be digitized for electronic evaluation in the usual way. According to claim 6, it is useful to A / D converter already to attach the ultrasonic sensors and the digitized signals via a forward the serial bus system to the evaluation unit. To determine From which ultrasonic sensor a particular sensor signal comes in In a known manner, a sensor detection signal is required in each case with the measured value signal to the evaluation unit to send. For one simple installation technique can be used to a two-wire system, about that also the power supply of the ultrasonic sensors and the A / D converter is feasible. Particularly advantageous for this purpose is only a power supply required in the low voltage range, so that no further Security risks for tunnel operation. Alternatively or In addition, a signal transmission from the ultrasonic sensors to Evaluation be provided via radio. This will depending on the circumstances the installation effort further reduced and a flawless Signal transmission even in the event that possibly at one Brand cables could be destroyed, ensured.

As with the tunnel monitoring system according to the invention evaluation results largely automated and without the need for a subjective Assessment be provided by a supervisor, it also offers reactions to certain according to claim 7 Automate evaluation results. For this purpose, the evaluation unit is proposed to connect a control unit, with which depending on certain Evaluation results before or in the tunnel attached traffic-guiding and / or warning actuators are automatically controlled. In order to the security is significantly increased because no individual if necessary Time delays are to be accepted. Such adjusting devices can Traffic lights, flashing lights, sirens, warning signs with controllable texts, or other known control and warning systems, as well as tunnel safety devices be. Also announcements in the tunnel or over radio stations can be triggered or initiated automatically.

According to claim 8, the tunnel monitoring system according to the invention be used advantageously in road and / or rail tunnels. By the Simple design is a simple and cost-effective retrofit in existing Tunnels as possible as a supplement or combination with already existing monitoring equipment.

Reference to a drawing, the invention is explained in detail.

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt durch einen Tunnel

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine Fahrbahn in einem Tunnel

Fig. 3

ein Funktionsschema einer Tunnelüberwachungseinrichtung und

Fig. 4

ein Schaltschema für die Tunneleinrichtung nach Fig. 3

Show it:

Fig. 1

a cross section through a tunnel

Fig. 2

a plan view of a roadway in a tunnel

Fig. 3

a functional diagram of a tunnel monitoring device and

Fig. 4

a circuit diagram for the tunnel device of FIG. 3rd

In Fig. 1 is a cross section through a two-lane tunnel 1 for motor vehicles shown. On the lane 2 on the right side of the tunnel cross-section is schematically illustrated a truck 3 and on the opposite lane 4 a passenger car 5.

At the tunnel ceiling 6, here in the middle area, are ultrasonic sensor units 7 arranged in the longitudinal course of the tunnel 1 at the same sensor intervals 8 are arranged. Each of the ultrasonic sensor units 7 comprises two ultrasonic sensors 9 and 10, with their respective associated conical Radiation and reception area 11, 12 adjacent to each other Lane 2 and oncoming lane 4 are directed. As can be seen from Fig. 1 the emitting and receiving areas 11, 12 passing motor vehicles 3, 5 recorded.

In Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the lane 2 and the opposite lane 3 of FIG. 1 shown with the vehicles 3 and 5. The approximately conical Radiation and reception areas 11, 12 result on the lanes. 2 and 4 the approximately circular areas drawn. The arrangement of Ultrasonic sensors 9, 10 can be seen carried out so that the emission and Reception areas 11, 12 according to the drawn circles both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction approximately adjacent to each other, so that with respect to passing vehicles a complete detection on the lanes 2 and 4 is possible. Optionally, the emission and reception areas overlap slightly with successive ultrasonic sensors or be slightly spaced. It is essential in the arrangements that the distances are not chosen so large that between them Vehicle finds place undetected or that due to area overlaps or to large areas several vehicles therein only if necessary could be detected as a vehicle.

In Fig. 3 is a functional diagram of the tunnel monitoring system is shown with a schematic plan view of the lanes 2 and 4. In the longitudinal extension ten ultrasonic sensor units 7 ₁ to 7 ₁₀ are arranged, wherein the tunnel is weiterzunetzbar. In the area of the ultrasonic sensor unit 7 ₅ , a breakdown bay 13 is provided next to the lane 5, which is likewise monitored by ultrasonic sensors 7 _5a , _7b and _7c . On the lane 2 is again the truck 3 and in the breakdown bay, a motor vehicle 14 has remained.

In a tunnel monitoring control center 15 an evaluation unit 16 is installed, to which the ultrasonic sensor units 7 with their respective ultrasonic sensors 9, 10 are connected via a serial bus 17. The evaluation unit is Here a process control system 18 downstream visualization and Documentation facilities includes. For a further utilization of the evaluation results are schematically and exemplarily provided two controls: A control relates to an entrance traffic light 19 at the tunnel entrance, the for example, in a stagnant vehicle on the lane 2 or can be switched to "red" at a detected traffic congestion. Next is a control of a billboard 20 shown in the tunnel, with the example given in traffic lights in traffic lights can be.

In Fig. 4 is an example of a circuit diagram for the tunnel monitoring system shown. The individual ultrasonic sensors 9, 10 of the ultrasonic sensor units 7 is in each case an analog-to-digital converter 21 associated with and downstream and connected to the serial bus 17. The serial bus 17 communicates with the evaluation unit 16. This evaluation unit 16 can ever according to the desired function and depending on the degree of upgrading several if necessary with each other have integrated measurement and evaluation units. In particular, is about a localization unit corresponding to a localization of vehicles their position in a certain emission and reception area feasible. About a timer are transit time measurements and thus speed measurements by means of a speed measuring unit for determination possible from vehicle speeds. In addition, the passage of a tracked through the tunnel by means of a tracking unit be, with a tracking of the passage from the tunnel entrance to to the tunnel exit is completely possible. Next are distance measurements between vehicles feasible, as well as driving direction detections and puncture monitoring. By evaluating the intensity of sensor signals is by a corresponding expansion of the evaluation by Determination of heights and lengths of vehicles also a vehicle type detection feasible. All or part of the above evaluation results may be for statistical purposes, for taxation purposes or Warnings are linked.

The evaluation unit 16 is here as an output unit by way of example a screen 22 downstream as a visualization device, which a supervisor can visually understand the processes in the tunnel. In addition, too Further known per se units for documentation, such as Memory and printer possible.

Furthermore, here are the results of the evaluation unit 16 of a control unit 23rd fed, which automatically downstream actuators for example for Traffic management, warning, backup, etc. are controlled. exemplary Here are with a lamp 24 traffic lights and / or flashing lights and / or Illuminated letters indicated. Next are with a speaker 25 sirens and / or announcement devices indicated schematically. With a fan 26 should include facilities for tunnel safety, such as ventilation, automated Extinguishing systems, shut-off devices, etc. include his.

Claims (8)

1. Tunnel monitoring system in a vehicle tunnel with at least one lane, having localization sensors in the longitudinal course of the at least one lane (2, 4), fitted in a distributed fashion in the tunnel as constituents of a vehicle localization device, having an evaluation unit (16) which can be fed sensor signals from the localization sensors, and having an output unit which is arranged downstream of the evaluation unit (16) and can be used to display the evaluation results, characterized in that the localization sensors are ultrasound sensors (7; 9, 10) which are directed onto the at least one lane (2, 4) with the aid in each case of an emission and reception zone (11, 12) in such a way that when a vehicle (3, 5) is present in the emission and reception zone (11, 12) of an ultrasound sensor (7; 9, 10) the latter can emit an appropriate sensor signal (16) to the evaluation unit,
   in that the evaluation unit (16) comprises an echo time measuring unit with the aid of which it is possible by means of a sensor signal to activate an echo time measurement in a fashion corresponding to the presence of a vehicle (3, 5) in an emission and reception zone (11, 12) of a specific ultrasound sensor (7; 9, 10), and it is possible by means of a subsequent sensor signal to measure, in a fashion corresponding to the later presence of the same vehicle in an emission and reception zone of an ultrasound sensor following in the tunnel in the driving direction, the drive time between at least these two ultrasound sensors,
   in that there is arranged downstream of the echo time measuring unit a speed measuring unit with the aid of which it is possible to calculate a speed signal for the vehicle (3, 5) from the measured echo time and the known sensor spacing,
   in that the emission and reception zones (11, 12) in the longitudinal course of the tunnel (1) of consecutive ultrasound sensors (7; 9, 10) adjoin one another at the vehicle detection zones and are smaller than a customary vehicle length in the longitudinal extent in the vehicle driving direction,
   in that the evaluation unit (16) comprises a tracking unit with the aid of which a vehicle (3, 5) entering the tunnel is detected by a first ultrasound sensor, and it is possible to measure and control the passage by the following ultrasound sensors as far as the tunnel exit by a forwarding circuit, and
   in that when forwarding is interrupted a standstill signal can be output for the vehicle (3, 5) in conjunction with a sensor detection signal in a fashion corresponding to the location of the ultrasound sensor which is no longer passed.
2. Tunnel monitoring system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (16) comprises a distance measuring unit to which can be fed the sensor signals assigned to two consecutive vehicles (3, 5), in order to determine a relative distance from the known sensor spacings.
3. Tunnel monitoring system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the evaluation unit comprises a vehicle type recognition unit to which current sensor signals can be fed and evaluated with regard to their determined signal intensity.
4. Tunnel monitoring system according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the evaluation unit comprises a counting unit to which sensor signals from at least one ultrasound sensor can be fed for counting detected vehicles (3, 5).
5. Tunnel monitoring system according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ultrasound sensors (7; 9, 10) are arranged on the tunnel ceiling (6), and in that a sequence of functionally connected ultrasound sensors (7; 9, 10) is assigned to the lanes (2, 4) of one driving direction, preferably in each case to a single lane and to breakdown sites (13).
6. Tunnel monitoring system according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ultrasound sensors (7; 9, 10) include an A/D converter (21) and communicate with the evaluation unit (16) via a serial bus system (17).
7. Tunnel monitoring system according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that connected downstream of the evaluation unit (16) is a control unit (23) with the aid of which traffic control and/or warning actuators fitted in front of or in the tunnel (1) can be driven automatically as a function of evaluation results.
8. Tunnel monitoring system according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tunnel monitoring system is used in a road and/or rail tunnel.

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