EP1353308B1 - Traffic engineering method for the definition of a signalized traffic control scheme of an intersection - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for definition of a node point (1) in a traffic network at which traffic streams are guided using a traffic light system with a number of signal groups (SG7, SG8, SG13). Accordingly graphically represented approach plans for node point arms (2-5) are provided which have combinations of traffic objects for the node point arms and allows development and portrayal of the node point topology with data and image processing means. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.

Description

The invention relates to a method for traffic-technical definition of a node at which traffic flows are controlled by a light signal system comprising signal groups, as well as a device for carrying out this method.

In a network of traffic routes, such as roads, railway tracks, as well as cycle and pedestrian paths, competing traffic flows occur at their points of connection. To control the traffic within such networks, it is known per se to control the colliding traffic flows at such nodes of the network by traffic lights. A traffic signal system consists of a combination of light signal transmitters, which transmit switching signals of signal programs running in a control unit to light signals, in particular alternating light signals, to the road users. In this case, light signals, which always indicate identical states, are combined to form signal groups. Depending on the control task, a control unit is operated in fixed-time control or via a traffic-dependent control, in which the signal program within a master plan can be influenced by the road user. For this purpose, the traffic conditions are automatically detected at the nodes of detectors and transmitted via a data transmission system to a central for the control area of the traffic route network traffic computer. The transmitted traffic data are analyzed and, using an optimization and decision model, the control variables of the traffic signals, such as circulation times, release times, replacement times, phase sequences and the like, are recalculated. Signal programs are generated from the new control variables and transmitted to the ECUs as process data.

A light signal-controlled node of a traffic route network is from a control point of view through its topology, ie the mutual geographical position of the adjoining node node arms and the geometry of the conflict area, by its traffic objects, such as lanes with direction distributions for access roads and exits of the junction arms, fords for cyclists and pedestrians, signal groups and detectors, and by traffic parameters, such as maximum speeds, minimum times, reference times and erection lengths described. During planning and configuration, a traffic light intersection must first be defined in traffic terms. For this purpose, the traffic engineer has access to tools in the form of computer programs.

To edit the supply data for ECUs, for example, from the DE product overview (1a) SITRAFFIC C800V / VK / VP / VX, Edition 003, order no. A24705-X-A331 - * - 04, pages 1-26 and 1-27, published by Siemens AG, well-known supply program SITRAFFIC Control a comfortable interface. In this case, the user is provided with a window-oriented, graphical user interface, by means of which the user is provided with intuitive operation with the mouse, the selection of functions according to Windows conventions via buttons. With this supply program, the supply data of the control unit can be created, changed and loaded. The main window provides the components project management, supply and documentation as well as components for general program functions. The core of this well-known supply program is the project management component, from which the objects for the basic supply, user programs, simulation and signal protection subsections can be reached. The available versions of each subarea are assembled into a node project, whereby a plausibility check prevents the combination of incompatible versions. All traffic objects of the project are displayed in a tree structure. Using the object tree, individual objects can be specifically called up for editing via property editors. Corresponding icons in the tree inform about the state of the processing. So-called "special editors", such as graphic editors in the signal plan, the phase transitions, the public transport memory etc. support the user in the input of data. Component supply includes transferring the data to the controller itself or backing up the data to the flash memory. A special position is occupied by the Documentation component, which is used to control a separate program for the administration and printing of all information about a project. This part of SITRAFFIC Control is especially geared to the requirements of a planning or engineering department for a complete and comprehensible compilation of all relevant project data.

Furthermore, the DE-product SITRAFFIC P2, Planning and Design System for Light Signal-Controlled Nodes and Nets, Edition 06/00, order no. A24705-X-A323 - * - 04, published by Siemens AG, discloses a tool for processing light signal controlled nodes and coordinated networks. SITRAFFIC P2 offers the traffic engineer assistance in planning and configuring signalised nodes with the functions such as: Intermediate time calculation with automatic route determination from the site plan, signal plan calculation and graphic processing, but also in the creation of basic data and parameters for various traffic-dependent control methods with the functions such. Phase processing and frame plan generation. In the site plan, all topographic elements can be created and reference lines and conflict points generated. The background image can be loaded with a bitmap or a vector graphic on which the scaled processing takes place.

The German publication "AMPEL 4: Planning, optimization and data management for traffic signal systems", published by BPS GmbH, as of 28.02.2001, discloses a program system for traffic engineering planning of traffic signal systems. It is used for the calculation and optimization of signal time schedules, in particular of split times, waiting times and tailback periods. It also offers planning steps for fixed-time control at the single node and for traffic-dependent controls. Green times can be graphically moved, lengthened or shortened in the signal time schedule on the screen with the mouse. The processed signal groups are displayed graphically on the screen.

The traffic-technical definition of a light signal-controlled node takes place in the known method via separate entry tables whose entries are related to one another either via selection lists, so-called combo boxes, or via other referencing tables. Such a procedure is cumbersome and time-consuming, and it is also prone to referencing errors. The display of the traffic-technical objects of a node in a tree structure is not very clear, while a graphical processing on a site map as a background can not generate a mutual assignment of the applied traffic-technical objects.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus for performing the method according to the preamble of claim 8, which allow a comfortable and fast traffic definition of a light signal controlled node, where it is particularly vivid for the user and be prone to input errors.

The object is achieved by an initially mentioned method or an aforementioned device with the characterizing features of claim 1 or 8. By graphically representable Zufahrtsschemata are provided for node arms, which have combinations of associated traffic-technical objects for a Knotenpunktarm, can scheduling traffic engineer the objects defining the node are displayed clearly displayed on a screen, the references or assignments of the combinable objects of a node arm are stored programmatically. By developing the topology of the node to be processed by nodalarm selection of a provided access schema with the aid of electronic data processing means for image processing and display, the planning traffic engineer can successively and quickly use the tools available to him via selection menus at Make a junction subsequent road sections. Since in this case the respective current processing status is displayed on the image display means by a stylized image of the node with the selected traffic-technical objects, the processor is offered a particularly clear and vivid process. Starting from a stylized standard image of a node with, for example, four arms, by clicking on a particular Knotenarmarmes with a computer mouse on a screen, the desire to edit the same can be signaled, according to the invention, the user is offered the selection of the access schemas. Thus, with a large overview of the entire node, its topology can be developed by removing it, by providing it with other traffic objects and by changing node nodes at any time.

Preferably, as traffic-technical objects of a node arm lanes for extension and retraction, as well as fords for pedestrians, signal groups and direction distributions of lanes can be selected. It is also possible to equip a Knotenpunktarm with different numbers of entry and exit lanes, especially without such. Likewise, the access schemes may have separate lanes for public transport vehicles or rail vehicles. Due to the overall limited choices for lanes and fords and the combinable number of one, two or three signal groups and the possible directional distributions, it is easy to produce the references between the selected traffic-technical objects. In practice, this is done directly in the selection of the desired combination, for example by clicking with a computer mouse in the approach scheme for the node arm.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the processing status of the developed topology on the image display means is additionally tabulated Form displayed. In such a table, the traffic-technical objects selected for the individual node arms, which are described in the stylized image by symbols or short names, can be listed accordingly and supplemented by further traffic-technical parameters. This improves the clarity and offers an additional possibility to enter changes via the image processing means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the directions of lanes and the associated signal groups on the stylized image are matched in color. This visually emphasizes the relationship between lanes for different directions of a node arm and the traffic streams in the respective directions controlling signal groups. In addition, the associated line can be stored in a table with the same color. If, for example, a certain lane is marked on the stylized image, it lights up together with the assigned signal group and the corresponding table entries in a coordinated color.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, as further traffic-technical objects of a Knotenpunktarmes selected lanes are assigned detectors. Detectors can be used to record traffic data such as traffic volume, vehicle speed or installation lengths. Thus, nodes can also be defined by traffic engineering with the method according to the invention, which are to be controlled traffic-dependent by the traffic signal system.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, selected lanes of the node arms, which in reality are not associated with any physical detectors, are assigned virtual detectors for which replacement values can be entered. Depending on the control task, flat rate or time and tag type related substitute values resulting from traffic measurements or estimates come from, be entered. The values can be preset in the tables, with the possibility of being changed by the traffic engineer working on them.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, geometric dimensions of the node or its traffic-technical objects are input and derived therefrom traffic parameters of the node automatically. In addition to the width of the lanes, the extent of the conflict area of the node can be queried. For example, at a node having four pairs of opposing node arms, the distances of opposing stop lines determine the dimensions of the conflict surface. As a result, e.g. Intermediate times are calculated automatically for the node. This is the time between the end of the release time and the start of the release time for two traffic streams using the same conflict area consecutively. When approximating the curved driving lines by elliptical sections, the intermediate time results as the most unfavorable value of all combinations of lanes of a signal group to possible exits. Further, the distance of a detector to the stop line can be entered. For coordinated networks, the distance of the node to the nearest nodes can also be entered to allow calculation of the offset times. This is the time difference by which the release times of the signals at the individual nodes are matched to one another to produce a coordinated control.

FIG 1

ein stilisiertes Bild eines Knotenpunktes und

FIG 2

ein Zufahrtsschema für einen Knotenpunktarm

dargestellt ist, wie es erfindungsgemäß von den Bilddarstellungsmitteln angezeigt wird.To further explain the invention, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in whose

FIG. 1

a stylized image of a node and

FIG. 2

an approach scheme for a node arm

is shown as it is displayed according to the invention of the image display means.

The stylized image according to FIG. 1 shows a processing status of the topology of a light signal controlled node 1, as it can be displayed on the image display means according to the inventive method for traffic engineering defining the node 1. The picture in FIG. 1 For example, it could be a section of a screen connected to electronic data processing means. The node 1 links two roads, of which a five-lane main direction extends in a north-south direction and a four-lane secondary direction in an east-west direction. In the main direction close to the node 1 from the north N a first Knotenpunktarm 2 and from the south S a second Knotenpunktarm 3, while in the secondary direction to the node from the east O a Knotenarm 4 and from west W join a Knotenarm 5. Since the main traffic objects are the same for all four arms of the node 1 shown, it is sufficient to limit their explanation to one arm - here the Knotenpunktarm 5 -. In the processing state shown two lanes 6 are selected for exits and two lanes 7, 8 for driveways. The lane 7 is provided as a left turn lane and marked in accordance with a left turn arrow 9 in the stylized image. The additional access lane 8 is selected as a combined straight-ahead and right-lane track and marked with a corresponding directional arrow 10. The lanes 7, 8 for access to the junction 1 are delimited by a stop line 11 from the conflict surface 12 of the node 1. The conflict area 12 also includes a pedestrian 13 intersecting the traffic lanes of the node arm 5, which, as with the other node arms, is selected and symbolized in the stylized image as a "zebra crossing". Furthermore, for the approaching over the Knotenpunktarm 5 traffic flows, which are on the lane 7 for left turn or lane 8 for straight-ahead and right turn move, a signal group SG7 or SG8 applied. For the Knotenpunktarm 5 on the ford 13 crossing pedestrian flows the signal group SG13 is created. For the optically simpler assignment of the selected objects on the image display means, related objects are color matched. In FIG. 1 this is illustrated by respective matching hatching of lane 7 and signal group SG7, of lane 8 and signal group SG8 and of ford 13 and signal group SG13. By clicking on one of these traffic-technical objects with a computer mouse, mutually assigned objects can light up in the same color on a color monitor. The in FIG. 1 Displaying current processing status of the topology of the node 1 can now be further developed by, for example, the node arm 5 is redefined.

The inventively provided access diagrams 20, which are described in FIG FIG. 2 are shown separately and described below. Such an access scheme 20 can be called up, for example, by clicking on the node arm 5 to be processed by means of a computer mouse and appears superimposed on the screen on the stylized image of the node 1. In a first selection menu 30 for lanes, the number of access roads 31, the number of exits 32 and the option of a pedestrian 33 can be selected. Checkmark on the left side of the menu entries will change the current processing status of the node arm 5 as shown in FIG. 1 is shown visualized. In the illustrated example, the number of lanes for driveways should be increased from two to three, which is done by pointing the screen arrow of the computer mouse on the corresponding menu item "3 Zuf.Spuren". The menu item of the selection menu 30 is optically marked, wherein a further selection menu 40 is opened for the number of signal groups to be applied. Depending on how many access lanes have been selected, one, two or three signal groups are offered for selection. In the embodiment is in the selection menu 40 the option of two signal groups has been selected, which is visualized by depositing the corresponding menu item "2 SGs". In accordance with the selected number of access lanes and signal groups, the traffic engineer who uses them is offered, in a third selection menu 50, the combinations of directional distributions on the selected lanes which are possible for the selected number of signal groups. In the present case, these would be, for example, the directional distributions symbolized in the menu boxes 51, 52 and 53 by corresponding arrows. By clicking one of these menu boxes 51, 52, 53 for the direction distributions, the associated objects are created and displayed as a new, updated processing status in the stylized image of the node 1.

In addition to the stylized image of node 1 according to FIG. 1 Further traffic engineering objects and parameters required for the definition of node 1 can be entered in tables that are not shown. For example, the number of lanes, the directions, the assigned signal groups and detectors, but also predefinable saturation traffic strengths, setup lengths, the number of lanes of the node arms 2, 3, 4, 5, which are characterized by one of the cardinal directions N, S, O, W Reduction factors for saturation traffic due to geographical circumstances (dome or slope approach) or certain road surfaces (cobblestones) are displayed in tabular form next to the stylized image. Furthermore, it can be provided, the main direction at the node 1 - in the example according to FIG. 1 from north N to south S - and specify the geometric extent of the conflict area 12 and the widths of the respective lanes. As a further tabular overview, the traffic engineer could be provided with a signal group view. In it, the applied signal groups could be logically numbered, each number of the name used in the stylized image, the signal group type - ie for pedestrians, motor vehicles or public transport vehicles - a minimum release time, that of this signal group assigned node arm and a name for the assigned lane be entered. In another tabular view, the largest intermediate times relevant for the signal groups could be summarized in a matrix. The time periods between the end of the release time and the beginning of the release time for every two conflicting areas 12 are used sequentially. In a further table for detectors, these could be logically numbered and the detector a name, its type - that is, virtual or physical - a value for the time gap of two consecutive vehicles, a default value for traffic, the node arm related to it and the lane and its distance before the stop line.

In particular, with the method according to the invention, a considerable reduction of the provisioning effort in the definition of a light signal-controlled intersection is achieved so that the traffic-technical definition of such a node can take place within a few minutes. With the stylized image, which reflects the current state of the developed node topology, the planning traffic engineer is a particularly vivid and clear process available, the intersection image can be used advantageously for a documentation of the process. Finally, referencing errors are avoided by the method according to the invention, since all relevant traffic-related objects are automatically related to one another.

Claims (8)

1. Method for the traffic engineering definition of an intersection (1) at which traffic streams are controlled by a traffic signal installation having signal groups (SG7, SG8, SG13, ...),
   characterized in that graphically representable approach schematics (20) for intersection arms (2, 3, 4, 5) are provided which have combinations of traffic engineering objects assigned to one another for an intersection arm (5), and in that with the aid of electronic data processing means for image processing and representation, the topology of the intersection (1) is developed through the selection of an approach schematic (20) intersection arm by intersection arm, with the respective current editing status being displayed on the image representation means using a stylized image of the intersection (1) with the selected traffic engineering objects.
2. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that lanes for approaches and exits (6, 7, 8) as well as crossings (13) for pedestrians or cyclists, signal groups (SG7, SG8, SG13) and separate directions (9, 10) of lanes (7, 8) can be selected as traffic engineering objects of an intersection arm (5).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the editing status of the topology developed is additionally displayed in tabular form on the image representation means and can be modified by means of the image processing means.
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the directions (9, 10) of lanes (7, 8, 13) and the assigned signal group (SG7, SG8, SG13) are colour-matched on the stylized image.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that detectors are assigned to selected lanes (7, 8) as further traffic engineering objects of an intersection arm (5).
6. Method according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that virtual detectors for which alternative values can be entered are assigned to selected lanes (7, 8) of the intersection arms (5) to which no physical detectors are assigned in reality.
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that geometric dimensions of the intersection (1) or its traffic engineering objects are entered, from which traffic engineering parameters of the intersection (1) are automatically derived.
8. Device for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized by electronic data processing means for image processing and representation which are programmed in such a way that graphically representable approach schematics (20) for intersection arms (5) are provided which have combinations of traffic engineering objects assigned to one another for an intersection arm (5), and that the topology of the intersection (1) is developed by selecting an approach schematic (5) intersection arm by intersection arm, with the respective current editing status being displayable by means of a stylized image of the intersection (1) with the selected traffic engineering objects.

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