EP4113475A1 - System zur erkennung der anwesenheit und der richtung einer fussgänger- oder radfahrerbewegung - Google Patents

System zur erkennung der anwesenheit und der richtung einer fussgänger- oder radfahrerbewegung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4113475A1
EP4113475A1 EP21182954.4A EP21182954A EP4113475A1 EP 4113475 A1 EP4113475 A1 EP 4113475A1 EP 21182954 A EP21182954 A EP 21182954A EP 4113475 A1 EP4113475 A1 EP 4113475A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pedestrian
movement
sensor
crosswalk
cyclist
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Withdrawn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
EP21182954.4A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Francisco João ANASTÁCIO DUARTE
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.)
Pavnext Technological Pavements Ltda
Original Assignee
Pavnext Technological Pavements Ltda
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pavnext Technological Pavements Ltda filed Critical Pavnext Technological Pavements Ltda
Publication of EP4113475A1 publication Critical patent/EP4113475A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/005—Traffic control systems for road vehicles including pedestrian guidance indicator
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
    • G08G1/02—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using treadles built into the road
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
    • G08G1/056—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled with provision for distinguishing direction of travel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/095—Traffic lights

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pedestrian or cyclist crossing warning system. Particularly, it relates to a system to be applied near the pedestrian crossings for the detection of the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians, comprising an integrated control system for light signalling to be used next to the crosswalk, in order to promote road safety.
  • the present disclosure can be applied in the area of road safety, in the management and control of road traffic, and also in the area of equipment, systems and methods for intelligent road signalling and signalling control.
  • the main measures implemented to protect the vulnerable road users on crosswalks are the implementation of speed bumps before the crosswalks, or even the elevation of the crosswalks, so that drivers reduce their vehicles' speed to avoid suffering a considerable impact when crossing these obstacles.
  • these measures do not transmit any information to drivers about the presence of pedestrians on the site, or their intention to cross the road, they are simply implemented on the pavement so that the driver reduces the vehicle' speed.
  • traffic light signs which allow to manage both car and pedestrian traffic in an orderly manner, defining priorities and controlling who should drive and who should wait, through a set of lights with different colours that allow drivers and pedestrians know what action to take, the colours of the lights being properly regulated by an international road code.
  • This measure is significantly effective, but it does not prevent human error, both from pedestrians / cyclists or from car drivers, and even at road intersections with traffic light signs, road accidents continue to occur, some of them with very negative consequences.
  • This equipment has high associated costs is also a barrier to its massive application, making it mostly applied in places with a large number of vehicles, and not so much in places of considerable danger for vulnerable users to cross the road.
  • the present disclosure allows to detect both the presence of pedestrians or cyclists and their movement direction, as well as the type of movement (if it is walking slowly, normally, fast, or even momentarily stopped near the crosswalk entrance), which allows to effectively control the activation of road safety solutions, with a control that maximizes road safety, through greater efficiency in signalling pedestrians and improving the interaction with vehicle drivers, as well as optimizing the energy consumption of the place, by adjusting the lighting time to the type of movement of the pedestrian.
  • Road accidents are a major cause of death worldwide and vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, are among the most affected groups.
  • One of the places where there is a large number of accidents involving these road users is pedestrian crossings and one of the main causes of these accidents is the poor visibility of these users or, sometimes, their complete lack of visibility by the drivers.
  • One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to create a system to be applied next to pedestrian crossings, more specifically on the sidewalk, with the objective of detecting the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians, in order to identify when a pedestrian is moving in the direction of the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the system, as well as the type of movement of the pedestrian: if it is a slow, normal, fast, or if it is stopped.
  • the system can be integrated with road safety equipment such as road light signalling devices, vertical signalling, traffic lights or crosswalk lighting, creating light alerts in order to alert the drivers of vehicles that approach the crosswalk about the presence of pedestrians, who may be entering or even moving on the crosswalk, increasing road safety in these places.
  • the present disclosure is useful to promote the safety of pedestrians on crosswalks, as well as of other vulnerable road users such as cyclists, working integrated with other safety equipment existing on the place, such as traffic light signs or road markers, with the main advantage of reducing the number of pedestrians being run over by vehicles in these areas, which translates into a reduction in road accident rates, a reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries and, ultimately, a reduction in the social and economic impact that these accidents have on society.
  • One of the applications of this solution is on pedestrian pavements or sidewalks, next to pedestrian crossings, in order to detect the presence of pedestrians moving towards the entrance of the crosswalk through specific sensors, and, based on this information, to control light signalling devices applied next to the crosswalk, both on the road and vertically, with a duration equivalent to the estimated time that the pedestrian takes to cross the crosswalk, based on the pedestrian movement, giving them a greater visibility and protection.
  • Another application of this disclosure relates to its integration with smart city solutions, performing the count of pedestrians on the place, not only in relation to the number of pedestrians passing by, but also on the type of movement of pedestrians, allowing to increase the knowledge of pedestrian circulation patterns of the place and, as a result, adjust the safety conditions of the place.
  • the present invention relates to a system for detecting the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians to be applied on sidewalks along pedestrian crossings, and a control unit to operate light signalling systems, in order to promote pedestrian safety in these places, as well as other road users, such as cyclists.
  • the system for detecting the presence and movement of pedestrians comprises a device applied at the level of the sidewalk, near the entrance or the beginning of the crosswalk, which comprises a bendable surface, preferably a bendable plate, which undergoes a small displacement when pressed by a person, a bicycle, or another similar load, or higher, that acts on it, and that has a set of pressure sensors on its bottom, which are pressed against a base composed of a resilient material, so as not to be damaged by excessive loads, but with the ability to exercise a sufficient load on the sensors to press them.
  • These pressure sensors are arranged in a matrix, at different points on the bendable plate, in order to be activated at different times, depending on the profile of the load acting on the surface.
  • the pressure sensors are connected to control unit comprising an electronic board with a microcontroller embedded, placed inside the support structure, and depending on the sequence of signals from the pressure sensors, the microcontroller identifies the direction of movement of the load acting on the surface. Whenever the direction of movement is towards the crossing entrance, the microcontroller sends a digital message to a central control unit, in order to signal the presence of a pedestrian towards the crossing entrance; if it detects that the pedestrian is moving in a direction other than the crossing entrance, it does not send any message to the central control unit, or sends a message indicating that the movement of the pedestrian is in a different direction from the crossing entrance.
  • control unit comprising an electronic board with a microcontroller embedded, placed inside the support structure, and depending on the sequence of signals from the pressure sensors, the microcontroller identifies the direction of movement of the load acting on the surface. Whenever the direction of movement is towards the crossing entrance, the microcontroller sends a digital message to a central control unit, in order to signal the presence of a pedestrian towards the
  • the microcontroller can also measure the type of movement of the pedestrian, classifying it as “slow”, “normal”, “fast” or “stopped”, by the difference between the activation time of the different sensors.
  • This device also comprises a set of springs inside, used to restore the bendable plate to its initial position after the end of the application of a load on it.
  • These devices can be applied directly on the sidewalk, or applied in any structure selected from a metallic, polymeric or concrete structure, preferably a metallic structure, which is embedded and fixed in the sidewalk.
  • Each pedestrian detection system has two electrical connections, one at each end, which allows the connection between different systems by direct connection, transmitting data and power to each other, thus allowing only one plug to connect to the pedestrian detection system that it is at one end of a sequence of multiple systems.
  • the central control unit is an electronic board with a microcontroller embedded, which receives messages from multiple pedestrian detection systems, on one or both sides of the crosswalk, and it is prepared to send messages to light signals, which can be applied on the road or in vertical signalling equipment.
  • These messages allow the creation of luminous effects, which in turn transmit visual alert messages to the drivers of vehicles that approach the crossing, and can indicate in which side of the crossing the pedestrian (or more) is entering (or has already entered) and for which side he is moving, these effects having a duration equivalent to the time it takes the pedestrian to cross each road lane, being thus variable (and programmable) depending on the number of lanes.
  • the central control unit also has a light sensor connection, in order to adjust the light intensity of the light signals, and the connection to a noise emitter, in order to alert pedestrians. It also comprises connections to external equipment by radiofrequency in order to receive information from external sensors, and by long-range wireless communication protocols, to be able to communicate with other equipment or even to send data to an external database.
  • the control unit can be applied either on the sidewalk, next to the pedestrian sensors, or near the crosswalk selected from a vertical signal near the crosswalk, or in an electrical cabinet near the crosswalk.
  • the present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a pedestrian or cyclist comprising:
  • system further comprises a support bar for limiting the bending of the bendable plate, which is arranged between the two sensors to separate said distinct regions of the bendable plate.
  • the system comprises at least one spring fixed on the support bar, for restoring an unbend state of the bendable plate.
  • the system comprises a display connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to display a warning signal in said display for vehicle drivers indicating the direction of the movement of the pedestrian or cyclist.
  • the electronic data processor is further configured to: if, after determining that a first sensor of the two pressure sensors has firstly detected bending, and that a second sensor of the two pressure sensors does not detect bending within a predetermined period of time, then determining the direction of the movement as uncertain.
  • the electronic data processor is further configured to:
  • the system comprises protuberant stoppers for supporting the pressure sensor when the bendable plate is bent onto the pressure sensor by the pedestrian or cyclist.
  • the number of protuberant stoppers is the same as the number of pressure sensors.
  • the protuberant stoppers are coated with a flexible material, preferably selected from rubber, cork or foam.
  • the bendable plate comprises four pressure sensors arranged in a matrix and equidistant from the support bar, for perpendicular movement detection of the pedestrian or cyclist.
  • the system comprises a support structure comprising a base and two parallel sidewalls each with a recess for receiving the bendable plate, wherein edges of the bendable plate are inserted in the recesses.
  • the bendable plate is made of polymer or metal or combination thereof.
  • the display means are light signals, preferably horizontal signs, vertical signs or traffic lights.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a system for detecting movement of a pedestrian or cyclist, said system comprising:
  • the method for identifying the direction of the movement of the pedestrian or cyclist by the electronic data processor carrying out the following steps:
  • the present invention relates to a system 1 for detecting the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians near pedestrian crossings and for the control of light signalling, whenever it is detected that a pedestrian is moving in the direction of the pedestrian crossing.
  • This system consists of a bendable plate ( 10 ) that bends with the passage of a pedestrian, applied at the pavement level, built into a support structure 11 and with multiple built-in pressure sensors, whose actuation sequence allows to accurately detect the direction of movement of a pedestrian moving on this surface.
  • the present invention is useful to promote road safety, namely to control pedestrian signalling solutions when they are moving into or crossing a pedestrian crossing, alerting vehicle drivers to the presence of pedestrians and their movement direction.
  • the warning system consists of a bendable surface, preferably a bendable plate, applied at the level of the pavement (sidewalk), which is embedded in a support structure that is integrated with the pedestrian pavement.
  • This bendable plate comprises a plurality of pressure sensors embedded in the structure, whose sequence of action allows detecting the direction of movement of the pedestrian moving over it.
  • warning system 1 for detecting the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians near crosswalks 2, to be applied in one sidewalk, 3 or 4, or on both sidewalks 3 and 4.
  • This warning system 1 comprises of a bendable plate 10 deformable by the passage of a pedestrian, preferable from a bendable material, applied at the level of the pavement, embedded in a support structure 11 and with a plurality of built-in pressure sensors, whose sequence of actuation allows to detect with precision the direction of movement of a pedestrian moving on its surface and the type of movement (slow, normal, fast or stopped).
  • the bendable plate 10 is applied at the pavement level and undergoes a bending when activated by a person's foot (or by a load greater than 7 kg) - the maximum deformation of the plate is 3 mm, in the central zone, which is achieved with a load equal to or greater than 20 kg. This deformation has a low value, so as not to induce discomfort to pedestrians or cyclists, when passing over it.
  • the system is activated with a load greater than 7 kg which allows that the system does not activate when there are some vibrations nearby, hail falling or some animals are passing.
  • the bendable plate 10 is recessed on two sides of the support structure 11, in order to guarantee that the maximum deformation occurs in the central area of the plate 10, regardless of the point where the load is applied. At the two tops 14 of the support structure 11, adjacent to its sides 13, the bendable plate 10 is resting. The bendable plate 10 is joined on the sides 13 of the structure, which allow the bending of the plate.
  • At least one spring 18 is applied, preferable three, embedded in a support bar 17 applied in the central area of the plate, which allow: i) to stabilize the surface in a flat position; ii) prevent surface vibrations such as wind, rain, pavement vibrations (with the passing of cars or even small earthquakes), among other phenomena; iii) regulate the displacement of the surface depending on the applied load (with loads up to 7 kg only allows the displacement of the cover by 1mm, with loads up to 14 kg only allows the displacement of the cover up to 2mm, and with loads up to 20 kg only allows the cover displacement up to 3mm); iv) and return the surface of the bendable plate 10 to the initial position, after the load has been applied.
  • a bar 17 of solid material is applied, covered by a film of a flexible material, which allows limiting the displacement of the bendable plate 10.
  • This bar 17 is applied in order to have its surface with the highest level at a distance of 3 mm from the bottom level of the plate 10, which allows limiting the maximum displacement of the cover, depending on this distance.
  • a film of resilient material preferably of low thickness, preferably 3 mm, such as rubber, cork, sponge, or similar, is applied, which minimizes the impact of the surface against the bar, as well as eliminating the noise of this impact, minimizing pollution noise of the equipment and the feeling of discomfort when passing over it.
  • At least two pressure sensors 101 , 102 are used, applied at opposite points of the plate, in the direction of the plate deformation.
  • the number of sensors is four 103 , 104 , 105 and 106 arranged in a matrix, equidistant from the centre of the plate.
  • a protuberance 19 preferably a column, is placed, made of a solid material, covered with a film of a resilient material of low thickness, such as rubber, cork, foam, or similar.
  • the bendable plate 10 When the bendable plate 10 is actuated by loads lower than 14 kg, the plate only moves 2 mm, and the pressure sensors 23 do not come into contact with the column 19 or, at the limit, are leaning against the column 19 without being under pressure, which means that the sensors do not detect the pressure exerted on them.
  • the load is higher than 14kg, the surface 10 has a displacement above 2mm and the pressure sensors are pressed against the protuberant stoppers 19 - more specifically, against the flexible part, applied purposely so as not to crush the sensor, allowing the respective sensor to detect a load on plate 10.
  • the protuberant stoppers are columns.
  • the two 101, 102 or four 103, 104, 105, 106 pressure sensors are connected to a microcontroller implemented in an electronic board 22, and from the measurements made by these sensors, a method is used to detect whether the pedestrian is moving in the direction of the crosswalk or not, as presented following.
  • this method can be defined based on the pattern of the person's foot movement when said person is walking or running. First the heel is placed on the pavement (the back of the foot), then the palm of the foot, and only at the end of the foot movement is placed the front of the foot. Thus, when a pedestrian moves towards the crosswalk 2 , when stepping on the bendable plate 10 of the detection system 1 , the back part of the bendable plate 10 where pressure sensors 101, or 103 and 105 are placed, is activated, and only then the front of the plate 10 where pressure sensors 102, or 104 and 106 are placed is activated.
  • the pressure sensor 102 (or the pressure sensors 104 and 106 ) is activated first, and only then is pressure sensor 101 (or pressure sensors 103 and 105 ) are activated.
  • a preferably embodiment comprises four pressure sensors (103, 104, 105, 106) integrated into the bendable plate 10 in a matrix way. With these four pressure sensors, it is possible to detect the perpendicular movement in the crosswalk 2, if the pressure sensor 103 or the pressure sensor 104 is activated first, and the pressure sensor 105 or the pressure sensor 106 is activated next, or even if pressure sensor 105 or pressure sensor 106 is activated first, and pressure sensor 103 or pressure sensor 104 is activated next.
  • the pressure sensors are connected to a microcontroller, embedded on an electronic board 22, which is part of the pedestrian detection system 1, and which receives the electronic signals from the multiple pressure sensors, in a binary logic - 0 if the sensor is not detecting pressure or 1 if the sensor is detecting pressure; and the previously presented method is programmed in the microcontroller of the electronic board 22, so that the decision is made to activate the crosswalk safety system or not.
  • the microcontroller embedded in the electronic board 22 also measures the time between actuations of the different pressure sensors, which allows determining the type of movement of the pedestrian: for a time interval between the actuation of two sensors less than 50 ms, the movement of the pedestrian is determined to be "fast”; for a time interval between 50 and 150 ms, the type of movement is determined to be "normal”; for a time interval between 150 and 300 ms, the type of movement is determined to be "slow”. If one or more pressure sensors are at a high level for more than 1000 ms, it is determined that the pedestrian is stopped over the moving surface 10 .
  • the classification of the type of movement is useful to control the activation time of the light signalling, allowing to adjust this time to the estimated time that the pedestrian will take to cross the street, thus improving the safety component of the pedestrian and the energy efficiency component of the lighting solution.
  • the bendable plate 10 of system 1 comprises a first plate 110 made of metallic material, polymeric, or combination thereof, in which a plurality of non-slip strips 111 are applied in order to protect pedestrians, preventing the plate from having a slip effect, especially when the plate 10 is wet due to the weather.
  • a secondary plate 112 is applied on top of the first plate 110 , to transmit a message to pedestrians, in order to properly signal the device and the application as a whole.
  • the bendable plate 10 of the pedestrian detection system 1 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells 113 applied along the main plate 110 , which will have two layers in this configuration, a first layer is metallic or polymeric, and the second layer is on top of the first, is transparent and preferably be made of flexible material, such as acrylic, fibreglass, polycarbonate or their mixtures in order to let solar radiation pass to the solar cells 113 and also protect them mechanically and allow the plate 10 to bend.
  • two connectors 15 and 20 are applied to the tops 14 of the structure 11 , one on each top, which allows the connection between two consecutive pedestrian detection systems 1 by engaging the connectors, since a female connector 15 is applied to the end 14 on one side and a male connector 20 to the end 14 on the opposite side. In this way, several pedestrian detection systems 1 can be applied consecutively, to make up the total width of the crosswalk, in order to detect the presence of pedestrians in any area of the crossing 2 entrance.
  • the system for detecting the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians 1 detects a pedestrian moving in the entrance direction of crosswalk 2 , it sends a digital message to the main control unit 400 which, in turn, takes the decision of the process to be carried out in order to promote road safety on the place.
  • control unit 400 comprises an electronic board 401 , which has an integrated microcontroller 402 , responsible for the control and operation of the entire system. This is connected to pedestrian movement detection systems 1 through inputs 403 and 404, with input 403 being connected to the set of pedestrian detection systems 1 applied to the sidewalk 3 on one side of the crosswalk 2 ; and the entry 404 to be connected to the set of pedestrian detection systems 1 applied to the sidewalk 4 on the opposite side of the crosswalk 2 .
  • This electronic board also has an output 405 for the connection to light signalling devices, which can be applied on the road pavement 500 or in vertical signalling 501 , with output 405 corresponding to the connection to a communication line through which control messages are sent to the respective light signalling device.
  • the electronic board 401 of the control unit 400 also includes the connection to a brightness sensor 406 , so that the microcontroller 402 receives the information of the outside brightness and can thus send it in the control message, both for horizontal 500 or vertical 501 light signalling devices, indicating about the intensity with which the LEDs should be lighted, to maximize the road safety efficiency, as well as the energy efficiency.
  • This electronic board 401 also includes an output for a noise emitter 407 , so that the microcontroller 402 can activate it in case of receiving a message from an approaching vehicle, by an external sensor, and thus alerting pedestrians not only through the light signalling units, but also through this type of device.
  • the electronic board 401 of the control unit 4 includes two wireless data connections, one being a connection 408 for communicating with external radio frequency sensors, ideally for receiving warnings or signals to improve the control performed, such as the approach of a vehicle carried out by an external sensor, which communicates by radio frequency; and another connection 408 to communicate with external applications, with a view to sending control or data to a database, with this connection being able to use different solutions, such as LoRa, zigbee, NB-IOT, 3G/4G or even 5G, which allow medium and long-range communications.
  • Figure 6 it represents the system next to a crosswalk 2 , applied on the sidewalk of one 3 or on both 3 and 4 sides of the crosswalk 2, to detect the presence and movement of pedestrians moving in the direction of the crosswalk entrance 2 , transmitting a digital message to a control unit 400 whenever this situation is verified, which, in turn, controls one or more types of road signs.
  • Figure 11 shows the system connected to a set of horizontal pavement light signs 500 , in which whenever a pedestrian is moving in the direction of the crosswalk 2 entrance, and this is detected by system 1 , a message is transmitted to the control unit 400 which, in turn, controls the illumination of the horizontal light signs 500 , for a pre-defined time, depending on the type of movement of the pedestrian.
  • Figure 12 shows the system connected to a set of vertical light signals 501 , in which whenever a pedestrian is detected moving in the direction of the crosswalk 2 by system 1 , a message is transmitted to the control unit 400 which, in turn, controls the illumination of the vertical light signals 501 , during a time predefined, depending on the type of movement of the pedestrian such as normal, fast, slow, among others.
  • Figure 13 represents the combination of the system with traffic light signs 502 , since after a pedestrian is detected by the detection system 1, it sends the respective digital message to the control unit 400 , which can, apart from controlling the light effect of horizontal 500 or vertical 501 light signals, send digital messages to traffic light signs 502 , indicating the presence of pedestrians near the crosswalk 2 , or even their movement in the crosswalk 2 , which can serve as the switch to indicate the presence of pedestrians in the place.
  • Figure 14 represents the system for detecting movement of a pedestrian or cyclist integrated with a crosswalk signalling solution in a two-lane road.
  • 200 represents a set of systems 1 for detecting the presence and the direction movement of the pedestrian applied in the left side of the crosswalk 2 ;
  • 201-204 represents an individual unit of a system 1 positioned on the left side of the crosswalk 2 and
  • 210 represents a set of systems 1 positioned on the right side of the crosswalk 2 ;
  • 211-214 represents an individual unit of a system 1 positioned on the right side of the crosswalk 2 ;
  • 220 represents an electric connection between the first system 204 for detecting the presence and the direction movement of the pedestrian on the left side of the crosswalk 2 and the control unit 400 ;
  • 221 represents the electric connection between the first system for detecting the presence and pedestrian direction movement on the right side of the crosswalk 2, 214 and the control unit 400;
  • 300 represents a set of road signalling devices applied at one end of the crosswalk 2 in a two-lane road; 301
  • the system 1 may act as a pedestrian counter.
  • the control unit 400 is able to count the number of pedestrians that are walking by or stopped above the bendable plate 10 , based on the information received by the detection systems 1, and send that information to a remote database, which can be integrated into the city's data platform, promoting the concept of smart cities.
  • the system comprises a bendable plate 10 for the passage of a pedestrian, applied at the pavement level.
  • the bendable plate 10 is built into a support structure 11 and with a plurality of built-in pressure sensors, whose actuation sequence by the pressure of the pedestrian allows to accurately detect the direction of movement of a pedestrian moving on this surface.
  • the system might be constituted by a bendable plate 10, composed of: a main plate 110, metallic or polymeric or their combination thereof in which a set of non-slip strips 111 are applied on the top, transversely to the direction of movement of the pedestrians on its surface when they move in the entry direction of a crosswalk; and a secondary plate 112 , mechanically fixed or glued on top of the surface plate 110 .
  • the system may comprise a bendable plate 10 , to which a set of pressure sensors are fixed on its bottom part, with a minimum of two 101-102 , with the pressure sensor 101 to be placed between the centre of the plate and the end of the side opposite the crosswalk, and the pressure sensor 102 to be placed between the centre of the plate and the crosswalk side, equidistant.
  • the system may comprise a bendable plate 10 , to which a set of pressure sensors are applied at the bottom, with four pressure sensors 103, 104, 105 and 106 to be applied, with sensors 103 and 105 applied between the centre of the plate 10 and the end of the side opposite the crosswalk and sensors 104 and 106 applied between the centre of the plate 10 and the end of the crosswalk side.
  • the system may be made up of a support structure 11 , consisting of: a base plate 16 , two side plates 13 and two tops 14, multiple (one or more) springs 18 to create opposition to the movement of the bendable plate 10 and that allow it to be restored to its initial position, after the load is no longer applied on it; a support bar 17, applied on the base plate 16 and on which the springs 18 are applied, and which also serves as an end stop for the flexion movement of the upper plate 10 ; it also have multiple stops 19 , applied to the base plate 16 , an electronic board 22 , connected to multiple pressure sensors 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106, which are applied to the lower part of the upper plate 10 ; and by two electrical connectors, one male 15 and one female 20 , applied to the tops 14 .
  • a support structure 11 consisting of: a base plate 16 , two side plates 13 and two tops 14, multiple (one or more) springs 18 to create opposition to the movement of the bendable plate 10 and that allow it to be
  • the system may have a bendable plate 10 that deforms when under load, until it reaches a maximum displacement imposed by the distance between the bottom of the plate 10 and the top of a support bar 17 that works as a stop, and it returns to its initial position through the action of one or more springs 18, applied inside the bar 17 .
  • the system may have a bendable plate 10 that deforms when subjected to a load, and whose pressure sensors 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 that are connected to its lower part, are pressed against a set of stops 19 , applied in the base 16 of the structure 11 , immediately below the pressure sensors, these sensors being activated only when the area of the bendable plate 10 where they are placed reaches a displacement close to its maximum displacement, reaching the stoppers 19 .
  • the system may have a set of pressure sensors 101, 102, 103, 104 and 106 coupled to the bendable plate 10 and connected to an electronic board 22 with a microcontroller embedded, which detects the sequence of actuation of the pressure sensors 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 for each load applied on the bendable plate 10, determining the direction of movement depending on the sequence of actuation of such sensors.
  • the system may have a set of pressure sensors 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 coupled to the bendable plate 10 and connected to an electronic board 22 with a microcontroller embedded, which measures the time between the actuation of the different pressure sensors in each load applied on the bendable plate 10 , determining the type of movement as a function of the difference between the activation time of the sensors.
  • the system may have an electronic board 22 with a microcontroller embedded, which sends a digital message to a central control unit 400 whenever it detects that a pedestrian is moving towards the entrance of the pedestrian crossing 2, with the information of the side of the crosswalk the pedestrian will enter and the type of movement of the pedestrian, and it does not send any message to the central control unit 400 if it detects that the pedestrian is moving in a direction other than the direction of entry into the crosswalk 2, or, in such situation, it sends a message with the indication of the detection of a pedestrian moving in a different direction from the entrance to the crosswalk 2.
  • the system may be able to integrate an electric power generation system by means of photovoltaic solar cells 113, embedded in the main part 110 of the bendable plate 10 of the system 1, having the photovoltaic solar cells 113 arranged along the part 110, and coated with a transparent and flexible material, in order to protect them from mechanical loads, water and dust, allowing the transmission of solar radiation to the photovoltaic solar cells 113.
  • the system may have a main control unit 400, which is electrically connected and receives digital messages from one or multiple systems to detect the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians 1, on one or both sides of the crosswalk 2, and is electrically connected and sends digital messages to one or multiple light signalling systems to promote road safety.
  • a main control unit 400 which is electrically connected and receives digital messages from one or multiple systems to detect the presence and direction of movement of pedestrians 1, on one or both sides of the crosswalk 2, and is electrically connected and sends digital messages to one or multiple light signalling systems to promote road safety.
  • the system 1 may have a central control unit 400, which is composed of an electronic board 401, with an integrated microcontroller 402, electrical connections for communication with pedestrian detection systems 403, 404 and with light signalling systems 405, connections with a light sensor 406 and a noise emitter 407, as well as connections to radio frequency data communication modules 408 and long-range wireless connection protocols 409, which can be LoRa, ZigBee, NB-IOT, or 3G / 4G / 5G.
  • a central control unit 400 which is composed of an electronic board 401, with an integrated microcontroller 402, electrical connections for communication with pedestrian detection systems 403, 404 and with light signalling systems 405, connections with a light sensor 406 and a noise emitter 407, as well as connections to radio frequency data communication modules 408 and long-range wireless connection protocols 409, which can be LoRa, ZigBee, NB-IOT, or 3G / 4G / 5G.
  • the system 1 may have a central control unit 400 which, depending on the message received by one or more pedestrian detection systems 1, defines a light effect to be carried out by external light signalling devices, and sends individual digital messages to each device for a predefined period of time, proportional to the number of road lanes and the type of pedestrian movement, with the indication of the colour of the light to be emitted, the intensity and duration of the light effect.
  • a central control unit 400 which, depending on the message received by one or more pedestrian detection systems 1, defines a light effect to be carried out by external light signalling devices, and sends individual digital messages to each device for a predefined period of time, proportional to the number of road lanes and the type of pedestrian movement, with the indication of the colour of the light to be emitted, the intensity and duration of the light effect.
  • the system 1 may have a central control unit 400 that can communicate with a traffic light system for traffic management, transmitting the information that a pedestrian is on the move towards the crosswalk entrance, allowing a more efficiency of this type of road traffic management solutions.
  • the system 1 may be able to count the number of pedestrians entering the crosswalk 2, from the digital messages received by the central control unit 400, by the pedestrian detection systems 1, being able to communicate this information to a remote database or to an external application.
  • the system may be able to send and receive digital messages from the control unit 400, namely through connections to radio frequency data communication modules 408 and long-range wireless connection protocols 409 (LoRa, ZigBee , NB-IOT, or 3G / 4G / 5G), exchanging these digital messages with external equipment, such as traffic lights, lamps or vertical signalling equipment.
  • radio frequency data communication modules 408 Long-range wireless connection protocols 409 (LoRa, ZigBee , NB-IOT, or 3G / 4G / 5G)
  • 3G / 4G / 5G 3G / 4G / 5G

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
EP21182954.4A 2021-06-29 2021-06-30 System zur erkennung der anwesenheit und der richtung einer fussgänger- oder radfahrerbewegung Withdrawn EP4113475A1 (de)

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PT11731421 2021-06-29

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6384742B1 (en) 1994-06-08 2002-05-07 Michael A. Harrison Pedestrian crosswalk signal apparatus—pedestrian crosswalk
EP1775692A2 (de) 2005-10-17 2007-04-18 Temple Balls, S.L. Sicherheitsverfahren und -vorrichtung für Fahrzeugverbindungen
EP2141676A1 (de) 2007-03-27 2010-01-06 Ana María Hernández González Fussgängerüberweg mit präsenzerkennung und -warnung
EP2230654A2 (de) * 2009-03-13 2010-09-22 Dominguez Diez, Javier Erhöhter Fußgängerlaufweg mit Signalisierungslichtern
AU2010201018A1 (en) * 2009-03-17 2010-10-07 Fairman, Gary Lloyd Mr Improvements to pedestrian crossings
CN206726461U (zh) * 2017-05-12 2017-12-08 谭浩夫 一种可提高交通管理效率的人行横道装置
US20200199832A1 (en) 2017-04-25 2020-06-25 MZC Foundation, Inc. Apparatus, system, and method for smart roadway stud control and signaling

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6384742B1 (en) 1994-06-08 2002-05-07 Michael A. Harrison Pedestrian crosswalk signal apparatus—pedestrian crosswalk
EP1775692A2 (de) 2005-10-17 2007-04-18 Temple Balls, S.L. Sicherheitsverfahren und -vorrichtung für Fahrzeugverbindungen
EP2141676A1 (de) 2007-03-27 2010-01-06 Ana María Hernández González Fussgängerüberweg mit präsenzerkennung und -warnung
EP2230654A2 (de) * 2009-03-13 2010-09-22 Dominguez Diez, Javier Erhöhter Fußgängerlaufweg mit Signalisierungslichtern
AU2010201018A1 (en) * 2009-03-17 2010-10-07 Fairman, Gary Lloyd Mr Improvements to pedestrian crossings
US20200199832A1 (en) 2017-04-25 2020-06-25 MZC Foundation, Inc. Apparatus, system, and method for smart roadway stud control and signaling
CN206726461U (zh) * 2017-05-12 2017-12-08 谭浩夫 一种可提高交通管理效率的人行横道装置

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