EP3239401B1 - Method for managing traffic-influencing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for managing traffic control devices according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the context of the present invention, traffic signs (§ 39 STVO), traffic facilities (§ 43 STVO), alternating light signs (§ 37 STVO), permanent light signs (§ 37 STVO), green arrow (§ 37 STVO), danger signs (§ 40 STVO), regulation signs ( § 41 STVO) and directional mark (§ 42 STVO) uniformly generally referred to as "traffic control device". However, this includes not only traffic control facilities of road traffic, but also those of air, shipping and rail transport and any other traffic in general.

Road signs (VZ) are in use worldwide and usually regulate the traffic of pedestrians and cars, but are also in the aviation, ship and rail transport in use.

For example, so-called vertical traffic signs (vVZ) are known, which are used to regulate road traffic. For example, there are approx. 25 million fixed vertical traffic signs (ovVZ) in Germany alone, with a new requirement of approx. 1.4 million ovV each year.

According to traffic signs catalog, which is part of the German Highway Code, there are over 400 different signal images on the vVZ.

With regard to the ovVZ, a distinction is made between standard traffic signs and VZs with variable picture content. The image contents are arranged on an image carrier which, depending on the size of the ovVZ, has sheet thicknesses of 2 or 3 mm.

In addition, a distinction is still in variable message signs, reusable VZ (temporary VZ) and quality labels.

In addition, the standard VZ are divided into three size groups depending on three speed ranges.

Besides these general distinctions, there are also special distinctions. For example, a distinction is made in terms of the design of the image carrier, the standard VZ triangles, squares, rectangles, octagons, discs, each of which may be flat, edge deformed and profiled reinforced. The image carriers of the VZ with variable image contents are profile-reinforced. Depending on the shield area, there are three different profile heights.

The image contents are usually printed on transparencies, which are then in turn laminated onto the image carrier. Such films may be formed as retroreflective sheeting or non-retroreflective sheeting.

The retroreflective sheeting is subdivided into three retroreflective classes based on a specific reflectance value. Due to the constructive structure of the reflective foil, a distinction is made within the reflection classes according to the type of construction.

In Germany, for example, reflective tapes from five manufacturers are approved for the manufacture of VZs, which are purely optically different from each other (for example, honeycomb structure, prism structure, etc.).

The image content can be applied to the film in two printing processes: screen printing or digital printing. In addition to this, the lettering and, if necessary, contrasting stripes can also be glued on by hand using foil.

In addition, the printed films can or must be provided with an anti-acid or anti-graffiti coating, which is usually done by a corresponding laminate.

Depending on the design of the image carrier, the VZ are fastened to set-up devices with various clamps (band clamps, pipe clamps, clamps or special clamps). With these individual types of clamps one distinguishes still different versions.

As erection devices are predominantly used: Pipe post, tubular frame, pipe masts, MSH masts, lattice towers, triangular and square lattice towers, cantilevers and gantries. These in turn differ in their dimensioning, in the material design and the type of attachment to the ground.

Stable anchoring to the subsoil can be achieved by means of ground sockets and / or concrete foundation blocks as well as reinforced concrete foundations.

This overview shows the complexity and diversity of variations, which is subject to the installation and technical equipment of a traffic sign.

The establishment of traffic signs is a sovereign task of the state, be it the municipalities or the federal, state or district administrations for roads and traffic.

With the introduction of the new public budgeting and accounting system (NÖHR) in the public administrations, these are also required to double the bookkeeping and thus to the double annual accounts. Connected with this is also an annual inventory, in which therefore all traffic signs and traffic facilities must be recorded, which is still done manually today.

Due to the complexity and diversity of traffic signs described above, this is very difficult for public administrations for a variety of reasons, so that almost exclusively the value of one kilometer of road, including all road equipment, is estimated. An exact indication of the existing traffic signs and traffic facilities is therefore not possible. This can ultimately lead to considerable restrictions in traffic safety, namely, if a traffic sign is damaged in an accident and replacement must be obtained immediately. In addition, ignorance of the traffic sign to be replaced, including the installation device, can lead to considerable delays in the procurement of spare parts.

In addition, the search for a particular traffic sign in the storage locations, for example, the construction yards or the traffic safety, currently only by inspection in the camp, which takes a lot of time and is not always successful, because the sought traffic sign not at this location located.

From the DE 10 2004 056 916 A1 are traffic signs with a traffic sign marking known in the information of the traffic sign concerned are stored retrievable. This information can be sent and received and displayed by passing cars. In this way, misbehavior of driving on long distances can be avoided.

From the DE 20 2012 101 015 U a Verkehrsleiteinrichtung is known, which has an RFID chip, are stored on the various, the traffic control device information that can then be read, stored or changed content. The object of the present invention is to specify a method for managing traffic control devices, with which traffic signs or traffic facilities can be easily replaced and inventoried.

This object is achieved with the inventive management method according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the subclaims and the description below.

The inventors have recognized that the stated object can be achieved particularly easily if each traffic control device itself is accompanied by a memory which contains a representative of all desired information about the traffic control device.

Such a "memory" in the context of this invention is any means that reproducibly contains such information and representatives. It can be, for example, an optical memory, for example in the form of a bar code or color code, or an electrical or electronic memory.

"Representative" in the context of the present invention in the broadest sense means "representative". The information is not stored directly, but a representative of this information. According to the invention, the representative has a smaller binary size, as the information thus represented itself. Thus, the reading out of the memory can be done much faster.

The method according to the invention for managing traffic-influencing devices, wherein at least one traffic-influencing device has a memory, is characterized in that a representative of information about this traffic-influencing device is stored in the memory, wherein the representative has a smaller binary size than the information, wherein the Information is stored in association with the representation in a database for inventory, wherein the representative is read from the memory from a distance, the database is accessed and the information associated with the representative is read from the database and displayed.

A traffic control device used in the method, in particular traffic signs with an image content which is arranged on an image carrier, or traffic device, is therefore characterized in that the traffic influencing device a memory in which a representative of information about the traffic control device are stored.

It is provided that the memory is formed remotely readable, wherein the memory preferably comprises a passive or active transponder, in particular an RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag has. Then it is much faster to recognize which or whether the desired traffic control device is present. For example, one can search for a specific traffic control device in a warehouse or already established traffic control devices, or one determines for a traffic control device in a warehouse or at the site which traffic control device is involved by determining the associated information.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the memory is arranged with respect to a traffic-facing front side on a side surface or rear side of the traffic control device. Then there is no possible unauthorized influence, for example, the traffic sign, which changes its optically normalized appearance.

In an advantageous development it is provided that it is a vertical traffic sign, in particular a stationary vertical traffic sign or a temporary traffic sign. Such traffic control devices are present in large quantities and an inventory or simple replacement is particularly desired.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the information comprises one or more information from the following group: type of traffic influencing device, for example the traffic sign or the traffic device, image content, image material, image carrier, size of the traffic influencing device, speed range, design of the image carrier, type of Image carrier, reflection class of the image content, production method for the image content, coating, method of installation of the traffic control device, installation device of the traffic control device, state of the traffic control device, location of the traffic control device. This information is particularly important for the exact replica of the traffic control device, but there may be other or other information.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the representative is designed as an identification number to which the information is assigned, the identification number preferably being calculated from the information. Then the information can be easily assigned to the representative. The calculation can be carried out, for example, as checksum calculation, preferably in the form of a hash value. Instead of a hash value, other checksums may be used, such as checksums, parity bits, fletchers checksums, weighted averages, cyclic redundancy checks, and polynomial divisions. These identification numbers can be uniquely assigned to specific traffic influencing devices, so that the associated information can be easily and quickly read from a database in which the identification numbers are stored.

According to the invention, it is provided that the information in association with the associated representatives are stored in a database. For example, such a database can be centralized throughout Germany or even for specific municipalities that require a corresponding inventory. If possible, support companies should also have access to this database.

According to the invention, it is provided that the memory is read from a distance, preferably by moving over, and the information is displayed.

In an advantageous development, it is provided that when the information is compared with predetermined, preferably stored, information, a message, preferably in the form of a sound or light signal, takes place. This makes it particularly easy to determine whether a particular, possibly already inventarized traffic control device is actually present or what traffic control device it actually is.

At the same time, the location can also be checked, ie whether the traffic control device is located at the previously registered location. For this purpose, preferably the location of the foundation of the traffic control device is determined. For this purpose, it can preferably be provided that the traffic control device has a GPS receiver, for example in the form of a GPS mouse (GNSS), which is arranged in particular directly on the erection device connected to the foundation. The GPS receiver must be supplied with a suitable power supply, for example photovoltaic. On the other hand, the GPS position can also be determined with an external receiver, which is not connected to the traffic control device.

1. a) neue Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtung, die noch nicht inventarisiert ist,
2. b) bekannte Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtung, die schon inventarisiert ist, und deren abgespeicherte Informationen mit den tatsächlichen Informationen übereinstimmen, und
3. c) bekannte Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtung, die schon inventarisiert ist, und deren abgespeicherte Informationen mit den tatsächlichen Informationen zumindest teilweise nicht übereinstimmen.

Such messages can reflect the following contents:

1. (a) new traffic management equipment which has not yet been inventoried
2. b) known traffic control device, which is already inventoried, and their stored information with the actual information match, and
3. c) known traffic control device that is already inventoried, and their stored information with the actual information at least partially match.

• Es wird die Wirtschaftlichkeit in den öffentlichen Verwaltungen verbessert, da sich die Inventur- und Verwaltungsaufwendungen minimieren.
• Inventurangaben hinsichtlich der Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen und deren Aufstellvorrichtungen sind genauer und der Bestand an Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen ist vollständig.
• Die Bestellung von Ersatz-Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen lässt sich ohne Recherchen sofort und exakt im erforderlichen Maß erledigen.
• Bei Beschädigung einer Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtung, zum Beispiel durch einen Unfall, lässt sich die Reaktionszeit für den Ersatz minimieren, was zur Erhöhung der Verkehrssicherheit beiträgt.
• Gesuchte Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen an einem bestimmten Standort lassen sich wesentlich schneller finden bzw. lässt sich erst einmal feststellen, ob die gesuchte Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen überhaupt am Ort vorhanden ist.
• Die Güteanforderungen an Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen und deren Aufstellvorrichtungen können besser eingehalten, geprüft und durchgesetzt werden.

Other benefits include the following:

• It improves the efficiency of public administrations by minimizing inventory and administrative costs.
• Inventory information regarding the traffic control devices and their erection devices are more accurate and the stock of traffic control devices is complete.
• The ordering of replacement traffic control equipment can be done immediately and accurately to the required extent without research.
• If a traffic control device is damaged, for example due to an accident, the response time for replacement can be minimized, which contributes to increasing traffic safety.
• Searched traffic influencing devices at a certain location can be found much faster or it can first be ascertained whether the desired traffic influencing devices are actually present at the location.
• The quality requirements for traffic control equipment and their positioning devices can be better met, tested and enforced.

Fig. 1

eine im Rahmen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens verwendete Ausführungsform einer Verkehrsbeeinflussungseinrichtungen in der Form eines Verkehrszeichens.

The characteristics and further advantages of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter from the description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the figure. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a traffic control device used in the context of the method according to the invention in the form of a traffic sign.

It is in Fig. 1 to recognize that the traffic sign 1 has a stand-up device 3, to which an image carrier 5 is mounted by means of a clamp, not shown. On the image carrier 5 an image content 7 is arranged. The picture content is 7 formed on film, which is provided with an antigraffiti coating. The erection device 3 is a tubular post, which is fixedly arranged in a concrete base block 9 as a stand, namely cast in, wherein the concrete base brick 9 is firmly embedded in a substrate 11.

It is therefore a stationary vertical traffic sign 1, which marks a danger point (not shown) as a danger sign 101 according to § 40 STVO. For this purpose, the image carrier 5 is triangular and the image content 7 shows a red triangle 13 with an exclamation mark 15 arranged therein.

In addition, a passive transponder in the form of an RFID tag 19 is arranged on the underside 17 of the image carrier 5. By this type of arrangement, the traffic sign 1 is not changed in its traffic-facing frontal view 18, in particular, the image content 7 is not changed. In the purely schematic representation, the RFID tag 19 appears oversized, which of course he is not in reality, but instead he does not wear on the bottom 17 substantially.

The RFID tag 19 contains an identification number which is uniquely linked to information about the traffic sign 1. This link is stored in a database (not shown). Specifically, the following information is stored for the identification number: type of traffic sign, image content, image material, image carrier, size of traffic sign, speed range, design of the image carrier, design of the image carrier, reflection class of the image content, production method for the image content, coating, installation method of the traffic sign, Set-up of the traffic sign, state of the traffic sign, location of the traffic sign.

This information was linked in advance by the manufacturer or manufacturer of the traffic sign 1 with the identification number and entered in the database.

Now can be done at any time a statement of the traffic sign 1 associated information. In this case, a corresponding reader 21 is used, which emits high-frequency radio waves 23 to achieve high ranges, to read the RFID tag 19 and to determine its identification number. A suitable program (not shown), for example an application connected to the reader 21, accesses the database and the information associated with the identification number can be displayed on a suitable display device (not shown). To carry out the reader 21 could for example be connected to a suitably equipped mobile radio device, in particular a smartphone.

This can be very quickly determine all relevant information about the traffic sign 1, so that, for example, in an accident-related damage this traffic sign 1 can be replaced identical very short notice.

On the other hand, in the context of an inventory, it could be checked very quickly whether the inventoried traffic sign is actually present at the location and whether it has properties that match the information. In this case, for example, a suitable device could then output a signal, for example a signal tone, if the traffic sign associated with the sought identification number was detected. This way, the right traffic sign can be determined quickly while driving by. Subsequently, the information stored on the identification number can be compared with the actual characteristics of the traffic sign 1.

Although specific traffic signs have been described above, it should be understood that the present invention is advantageously applicable to all traffic management devices.

From the above description, it has become clear that with the method according to the invention traffic control device can be inventoried very quickly and reliably and possibly replaced.

Unless otherwise indicated, all features of the present invention may be combined freely and isolated from other features. The features described in the description of the figures can, unless stated otherwise, be combined as features of the invention freely and in isolation with the other features, in particular the claim features. In this case, representational features can also be formulated as process features, and process features are formulated as representational features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Traffic sign, traffic control device

3

Set-up device, pipe post

5

image carrier

7

image content

9

Concrete block, stand

11

underground

13

red triangle

15

exclamation mark

17

Bottom of the image carrier 5

18

Front of the traffic sign 1

19

RFID tag, passive transponder, memory

21

Reader for RFID tag 19

23

high-frequency radio waves

Claims (11)

1. Method for managing traffic-influencing equipment (1),
   wherein at least one traffic-influencing equipment (1) has a memory,
   wherein a representative of information about this traffic-influencing equipment (1) is stored in the memory in a retrievable manner,
   wherein the representative has a smaller binary size than the information,
   wherein the information is stored in a database in a manner linked to the representative for inventorization, wherein the representative is remotely (23) read-out from the memory, the database is accessed, and the information assigned to the representative is read-out from the database, and displayed.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during a comparison of the information with predefined information, a notification, preferably in the form of a sound signal or a light signal, is effected.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification reflects at least one of the following cases:

   a) new traffic-influencing equipment, which has not yet been inventoried,

   b) known traffic-influencing equipment, which has already been inventoried, and the stored information of which match the actual information, and

   c) known traffic-influencing equipment, which has already been inventoried, and the stored information of which do at least in part not match the actual information.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the representative is configured as an identification number to which the information is assigned.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the identification number is computed from the information, wherein the computing preferably occurs as a checksum calculation.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information include one or multiple information items of the group: type of traffic-influencing equipment (1), image content (7), image material, image carrier (5), size of traffic-influencing equipment, travel speed range, construction of image support, design of image support, reflection class of image content, production method for image content, coating, mounting type of the traffic-influencing equipment, installation device (3) of the traffic-influencing equipment (1), stand (9) of the traffic-influencing equipment, location of the traffic-influencing equipment (1).
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory is read out when moving past it.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traffic-influencing equipment (1) is a traffic sign and/or a road sign, wherein it is preferably a vertical traffic sign (1), in particular a stationary traffic sign (1), or a temporary traffic sign.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traffic-influencing means (1) is configured as a traffic sign having an image content (7) arranged on an image carrier (5).
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory includes a passive or active transponder, in particular comprises an RFID tag (19).
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory is arranged on a lateral surface or a rear side of the traffic-influencing equipment (1), with respect to a traffic-facing front side.

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