EP1400630A2 - Système de contrôle de véhicules, réseau et dispositif pour la mise en place du réseau - Google Patents

Système de contrôle de véhicules, réseau et dispositif pour la mise en place du réseau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1400630A2
EP1400630A2 EP03077851A EP03077851A EP1400630A2 EP 1400630 A2 EP1400630 A2 EP 1400630A2 EP 03077851 A EP03077851 A EP 03077851A EP 03077851 A EP03077851 A EP 03077851A EP 1400630 A2 EP1400630 A2 EP 1400630A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
array
vehicle
sensors
indicia
speed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03077851A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1400630A3 (fr
Inventor
Lee Robinson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Roke Manor Research Ltd
Original Assignee
Roke Manor Research Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0221723A external-priority patent/GB0221723D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0312344A external-priority patent/GB2393307A/en
Application filed by Roke Manor Research Ltd filed Critical Roke Manor Research Ltd
Publication of EP1400630A2 publication Critical patent/EP1400630A2/fr
Publication of EP1400630A3 publication Critical patent/EP1400630A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/576—Traffic lines
    • E01F9/582—Traffic lines illuminated
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/535—Kerbs or road edgings specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/70—Storing, transporting, placing or retrieving portable devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a vehicle control system, particularly but not exclusively, for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle, an array for use in such a system and apparatus for deploying the array.
  • Another problem involves the situation where it is necessary because of roadworks or other temporary factors affecting traffic flow to control the traffic flow but there is no existing infrastructure to do this at the required locations.
  • To install current lighting control would require extensive road works actually adding to the problem of congestion and, in any event, the need for the control may well have passed by the time installation of current systems has been completed. It is therefore often the case that even though it would be possible to improve traffic flow the necessary means are not considered because they are too time consuming and expensive to deploy.
  • a vehicle control system comprising; means to determine a desired speed for a vehicle traveling on a surface, and control means to provide a moving indicia moving at the desired speed which control means comprising a longitudinal array of lighting elements conformable to a laying surface which lighting elements being selectively energisable to provide the moving indicia.
  • the array By providing a longitudinal array of lighting elements conformable to a laying surface the array may be easily and speedily deployed without the need for extensive road-works. The system may therefore be brought into operation in circumstances which require rapid deployment. By providing an array the need for on-site individual wiring of the lighting elements is avoided.
  • the array is flexible to naturally conform to the laying surface upon deployment. This is most advantageous in order to enable the array to be conveniently laid. Most conveniently the array is sufficiently flexible in the longitudinal direction to facilitate rolling. This will facilitate easy storage and in one of the embodiments the array is stored on a drum and deployed from there to surface onto which it is to be laid.
  • the array may be foldable.
  • the whole length of the array may be flexible or discrete parts made flexible or pre-creased or hinged to permit folding. This may be useful where a roll is inconvenient for storage, for example, it may be more convenient to store the array as a series of folded lengths in a car boot.
  • a driver of a vehicle By providing an indicia moving at the desired speed a driver of a vehicle will firstly find the display more noticeable than a static indicia and secondly the driver will adjust the vehicle's speed to match that of the indicia. It is believed that by using a moving indicia it may be possible for some drivers to be encouraged to move at the required speed in an almost subconscious way. Because of this, it may be possible to affect behaviour of drivers that may not be fully alert or indeed conscientious. Furthermore, the information to be imparted that is to say speed is done so in a way that does not require the reading of the sign which will be of assistance to drivers that have difficulty in reading traditional signs.
  • the speed may be set to slow or to accelerate the vehicle from its current speed.
  • the means to provide the moving indicia is located adjacent to the desired direction of travel of the vehicle.
  • the means includes a led array arranged substantially along a curb of a carriageway.
  • the display is arranged to provide an indicia which moves along the side of the carriageway and the driver sees the indicia in peripheral vision.
  • Other locations can be on the carriageway barriers, on or in the road surface, adjacent markings in the carriageway, tunnel walls or ceilings or other locations.
  • the array has at least one portion which extends from the side of the carriageway in a direction towards the centre of the carriageway.
  • the array preferably comprises a ribbon or strip of resiliently deformable material in order that passage of the vehicle over the ribbon does not cause damage to the LEDs.
  • the ribbon has a cross-section including at least one inclined face. By providing an inclined face it enables a smoother vehicle crossing action reducing the possibility of damage to the array and reducing noise and vibration imparted on the vehicle.
  • the described embodiment has two inclined faces which will further smooth the passage of the vehicle.
  • the ribbon conveniently includes the electrical connections to the display devices.
  • sensors are provided in order to determine the vehicle's speed. This is preferred since it permits the system to monitor individual vehicles in the flow of traffic and to furnish some control feedback. Whilst in the described embodiment the vehicle is an automobile driven on a public highway, the system could also be used to control vehicles of other types in other locations. For example, the vehicle could be an aircraft and the system used to control aircraft as they taxi about an airport.
  • the sensors include passive infra red sensors and electromagnetic sensors. These are located adjacent to, in or on the road surface but other locations may be used.
  • the sensors may also be conveniently located with the indicia producing means for example incorporated or fixed to the ribbon.
  • the array may stretch for a number of kilometres and the preferred form of indicia is formed as a number of blocks caused to migrate along the array.
  • the separation of the blocks found to be very effective is 200mm but other separations may be found suitable as well.
  • the blocks are formed by selectively illuminating a number of LEDs and these LEDs produce a yellow light. However, other colours or combination of colours may be found suitable. Fewer or more LEDs may be used to form the blocks for example one intense LED may be found to provide a light of sufficient intensity for the purpose in hand.
  • the invention also provides an array for use in such a system and apparatus for deploying an array.
  • a traffic control system 1 has a processor 2 operably coupled to memory 3, an input port and an output port 5. Coupled to the input port 4 are electromagnetic sensors 6 and 7 buried in a carriageway surface 8. These are coils which produce an electrical pulse when a vehicle passes.
  • a kerb mounted array 9 includes a second set of passive infra red PIR sensors and a set of LEDs. The second set of sensors is coupled to the input port 4 and the LEDs are coupled to the output port 5. It should be noted that whilst in this embodiment the connection is made by a hard wire link other types of link such as optical fibre or a radio link could be used. The system is used to control the flow of motor vehicles 10 on the carriageway.
  • the array 9 extends along the kerb of the carriageway but periodically is provided with extensions which extend across the carriageway.
  • the extensions are filtering arrays 11 and their purpose is to direct traffic to change lanes. These portions of the array 9 are flush mounted in the road surface or for a temporary system fixed by fasteners to the surface.
  • the array 9 is shown in greater detail in figure 2 and it will be seen that it has a generally planar, lower mounting face 12, a pair of longitudinally extending side walls 13 and 14, and a generally planar upper face 15. Disposed between side walls 13,14 and the upper face 15 are inclined faces 16 and 17 . In use the inclined faces 16 and 17 assist vehicles to cross the array without damage and also reduce the vibration that would otherwise be caused to the vehicle.
  • the array is formed primarily of a resiliently deformable plastics material moulded to incorporate the various electronic components of the array.
  • the electronic components include a LED display panel segments 18 located in the upper surface 15, a sensor array comprising a set of passive infra red (PIR) sensors 19, a sensor bus 20 and a LED bus 21.
  • PIR passive infra red
  • the led display panel segments 18 include a number of addressable LEDs 22 as disclosed in our co-pending patent application number GB 0212251.3 encapsulated in a transparent epoxy resin. Each segment has an internal connection to the led bus 21 to connect all the LEDs to the bus.
  • the PIR sensors 19 are located at intervals of 10 metres (or depending on the sensor located in a range of distances upto 50 meters). Again these are moulded into the body of the array and are also connected to the array bus 20. They take their electrical power from the bus.
  • the LEDs 22 are addressable by address signals placed by the processor 2 onto the address bus 21 by the output port 5. In response to the address being detected the led switches illumination state on to off or off to on as the case may be.
  • the power for the LEDs is provided by the bus 21.
  • Figure 3a shows a plan view of the array.
  • Sets of the LEDs are switched on to form illuminated indicia in this case blocks spaced apart by distance a which, in this example, is 200 mm. These are caused to migrate along the length of the array by selectively energising the next row of LEDs and switching of the last row of illuminated LEDs of each block.
  • the migration process is more clearly shown in figure 3b.
  • the block b is made to migrate from the solid outline to the broken outline by switching on row 24 and switching off row 24. The process will be repeated for a fresh new leading row 26 and the current last row 27.
  • the speed at which this process occurs will control the speed of the blocks 23 along the array 9.
  • the traffic control system 1 may be configured to control the traffic in a number of ways.
  • the sensors 6,7 and 19 provide data to the processor 2 via the input 4 concerning the passage of vehicles. From this is determined the flow rate at various sections of the carriageway and also individual vehicles speed.
  • An algorithm is performed which determines the optimum vehicle speed for the various sections or for individual vehicles. From this is determined the speed for the blocks for the various sections of the carriageway.
  • the processor then addresses the LEDs appropriately to change state to provide the moving blocks as explained above. Drivers of the vehicle will then adjust the speed of their vehicles to remain in step with the blocks adjacent to them.
  • the LEDs in the array are of the same colour in the relevant sections.
  • the LEDs may be of a mixture or combinations of colours.
  • By addressing particular colours it will be possible to produce indicia of different colour. This will be of use in emergency situations or to impart further information to a driver such as for example where the vehicle speed is not following the indicia within a predetermined limit the indicia may change from yellow to red. This will indicate to the driver that they are committing a violation.
  • the system may also be configured to interact with roadside cameras to determine traffic flow conditions and or to obtain evidence of violations to support prosecutions.
  • sensors may be used including sensors mounted on the vehicle itself with these communicating the vehicles speed to the system via a radio or other type of wireless communications link such as roadside mounted infra red beacons.
  • Audible or visual alarms in the vehicle may also inter-operate with the system to provide further ways of imparting information to the vehicle driver such a warning that the driver is not observing the required speed.
  • the LEDs are addressable, this may be on an individual basis as described wherein each LED is made to change state in response to its address, or it may be on a collective basis. In this way more that LED may be made to change state at the same time for example a row or a block may be made to change state.
  • the array is made of a plastics material which easily conforms to a road surface. This enables the array to be easily laid in a timely manner.
  • the array may be rolled or folded into a conveninet storage space enabling it to be carried on a number of vehicles including roadway maintenance lorries, vans or emergency vehicles.
  • the array may be at hand when suhc vehilces attend an emergency incident and the array deployed to direct the traffic in appropriate manner for that incident, for example, by lane change.
  • the array may be folded back on itself a number of times or provided as a number of manageable lengths which may be interconnected to provide the correct overall length for the particular circumstances.
  • Figure 4 shows one particular deployment vehicle 28 adapted to lay the array 9 to a road-surface 29 in a manner which avoids as much as possible personnel working directly on the road which is hazardous.
  • the deployment vehicle is based on a flat-bed truck including a storage drum 30 about which the array 9 is wound for storage.
  • the drum 30 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) to permit retraction of the array 9.
  • An array delivery mechanism comprises an hydraulically actuable arm 31 that may be lowered from a stowed position shown in broken outline to a deployed position running on the road surface.
  • the arm 31 included a wheel 32 for contacting and running on the road surface to maintain a predetermined separation therebetween.
  • the arm 31 also includes a guidance channel 33 having rollers and guides configured to smoothly guide the array 9 to the road surface 29.
  • a further guidance channel is disposed to the rear of the truck to support and guide the arry between the drum 30 and the arm 31.
  • a bolt-gun 35 is mounted to a rearward extension of the arm 31. This is used to fire fasteners through the array 9 to fix it to the road-surface.
  • the array 9 is deployed by the vehicle in the following manner.
  • An operative 36 deploys the arm 31 from the stowed position to make contact with the road surface 29.
  • the operative pulls a lead portion of the array from the drum and feeds it via the guide 34 and channel 33.
  • the vehicle is driven to a position where the array is to be laid.
  • the bolt-gun 35 is then used to fire a fastener through the array 9 to fix it to the road surface 29.
  • the vehicle then drives forward pulling the array from the drum 30 (then free-wheeling). Periodically, more fasteners are fired to fix the array to the surface at other positions.
  • the operative 36 makes any necessary electrical connections to the end of the array before it is deployed.
  • fasteners Whilst in the described embodiment fasteners are used it will be appreciated that for certain circumstances such as low traffic speeds it may be sufficient to rely upon the friction between the surface and the array.
  • the compounds used for the array may be chosen to provide a high co-efficient of friction or intermediate compounds or glues used to assist in retaining the array to the surface.
  • the fasteners may also be made to permit user removal of the array when its purpose has been fulfilled.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
EP03077851A 2002-09-19 2003-09-11 Système de contrôle de véhicules, réseau et dispositif pour la mise en place du réseau Withdrawn EP1400630A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0221723A GB0221723D0 (en) 2002-09-19 2002-09-19 Traffic flow regulation
GB0221723 2002-09-19
GB0223421 2002-10-09
GB0223421A GB0223421D0 (en) 2002-09-19 2002-10-09 Traffic flow regulation
GB0312344A GB2393307A (en) 2002-09-19 2003-05-30 Indicating a desired speed to a vehicle using a moving indicia for speed regulation
GB0312344 2003-05-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1400630A2 true EP1400630A2 (fr) 2004-03-24
EP1400630A3 EP1400630A3 (fr) 2004-09-22

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EP03077851A Withdrawn EP1400630A3 (fr) 2002-09-19 2003-09-11 Système de contrôle de véhicules, réseau et dispositif pour la mise en place du réseau

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EP (1) EP1400630A3 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007057818A1 (de) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-04 Ifn Anwenderzentrum Gmbh Informationssystem und -einrichtung für die Führer von Fahrzeugen auf Strassen und dergleichen
CN102622881A (zh) * 2012-03-19 2012-08-01 深圳市锐明视讯技术有限公司 一种检测振动的方法及装置
CN103177581A (zh) * 2013-03-08 2013-06-26 武汉理工大学 一种利用驾驶员视知觉的桥梁减损系统设置方法
WO2022263700A1 (fr) * 2021-06-17 2022-12-22 Victor Manuel Tejero Damas Dispositif de signalisation lumineux d'aide au contrôle de la vitesse sur des voies de circulation de véhicules

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR878245A (fr) * 1941-08-22 1943-01-14 Camion de balisage pour terrains d'aviation
DE1943596A1 (de) * 1969-08-27 1971-03-11 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag Verfahren zur Weg- und Geschwindigkeitssteuerung von Fahrzeugen
DE2417584A1 (de) * 1973-04-09 1974-10-24 Ludwig Eigenmann Vorgefertigtes bandfoermiges, photostrahlende mittel umfassendes material fuer bodenmarkierung
US4080085A (en) * 1976-02-04 1978-03-21 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Traffic lane delineator system
US4552089A (en) * 1983-10-14 1985-11-12 Mahoney Thomas P Road warning emergency system and method of utilizing same
FR2645187A1 (fr) * 1989-03-30 1990-10-05 Tech Special Securite Procede de deplacement de blocs constitutifs de barrieres de separation de voies de circulation
US5134393A (en) * 1990-04-02 1992-07-28 Henson H Keith Traffic control system
DE19528197A1 (de) * 1995-08-01 1996-02-29 Kopf Claus Hermann Leuchtband-Verkehrssteuerungs-Einrichtung (LVE)

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR878245A (fr) * 1941-08-22 1943-01-14 Camion de balisage pour terrains d'aviation
DE1943596A1 (de) * 1969-08-27 1971-03-11 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag Verfahren zur Weg- und Geschwindigkeitssteuerung von Fahrzeugen
DE2417584A1 (de) * 1973-04-09 1974-10-24 Ludwig Eigenmann Vorgefertigtes bandfoermiges, photostrahlende mittel umfassendes material fuer bodenmarkierung
US4080085A (en) * 1976-02-04 1978-03-21 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Traffic lane delineator system
US4552089A (en) * 1983-10-14 1985-11-12 Mahoney Thomas P Road warning emergency system and method of utilizing same
FR2645187A1 (fr) * 1989-03-30 1990-10-05 Tech Special Securite Procede de deplacement de blocs constitutifs de barrieres de separation de voies de circulation
US5134393A (en) * 1990-04-02 1992-07-28 Henson H Keith Traffic control system
DE19528197A1 (de) * 1995-08-01 1996-02-29 Kopf Claus Hermann Leuchtband-Verkehrssteuerungs-Einrichtung (LVE)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007057818A1 (de) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-04 Ifn Anwenderzentrum Gmbh Informationssystem und -einrichtung für die Führer von Fahrzeugen auf Strassen und dergleichen
CN102622881A (zh) * 2012-03-19 2012-08-01 深圳市锐明视讯技术有限公司 一种检测振动的方法及装置
CN102622881B (zh) * 2012-03-19 2014-08-27 深圳市锐明视讯技术有限公司 一种检测振动的方法及装置
CN103177581A (zh) * 2013-03-08 2013-06-26 武汉理工大学 一种利用驾驶员视知觉的桥梁减损系统设置方法
WO2022263700A1 (fr) * 2021-06-17 2022-12-22 Victor Manuel Tejero Damas Dispositif de signalisation lumineux d'aide au contrôle de la vitesse sur des voies de circulation de véhicules

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