EP4651627A1 - Roadway communications, iot sensors and illumination device - Google Patents

Roadway communications, iot sensors and illumination device

Info

Publication number
EP4651627A1
EP4651627A1 EP24176084.2A EP24176084A EP4651627A1 EP 4651627 A1 EP4651627 A1 EP 4651627A1 EP 24176084 A EP24176084 A EP 24176084A EP 4651627 A1 EP4651627 A1 EP 4651627A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
roadway
sensors
iot
communications
battery
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP24176084.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Brendan Lundy
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.)
Smartedge Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Smartedge Group 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
Application filed by Smartedge Group Ltd filed Critical Smartedge Group Ltd
Priority to EP24176084.2A priority Critical patent/EP4651627A1/en
Publication of EP4651627A1 publication Critical patent/EP4651627A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/19—Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/14—Controlling the intensity of the light using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to a solar-charged roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device.
  • IoT sensors illumination device with LED in-road lighting device stems from the critical challenges posed by inadequate data from the surface of roadways and visibility during nighttime and adverse weather conditions.
  • Traditional roadways often falls short of providing adequate data and sufficient illumination, leading to compromised driver awareness and decreased daytime and nighttime lane delineation, thereby escalating the risk of accidents,
  • Existing solutions are frequently constrained by dependence on external power sources and susceptibility to impact and inclement weather.
  • a solar-charged roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device of multiple colors that is placed on roadways and exit and on ramps; both on or between roadway stripes and lines for lane and lane edge delineation and may be used in many settings where ensuring robust and reliable roadway safety is paramount. Its adaptability extends to high-traffic urban areas, suburban roads, urban and rural highways, providing a solution to diverse road infrastructures. Given its self-sustaining solar-charged nature, it requires minimal maintenance, eliminating the need for additional external power sources, thus enhancing its overall practicality and efficiency in contributing to safety on the roadways.
  • the roadway device may be used in both urban and rural areas with limited access to conventional power sources, as the self-sustaining nature of its solar-powered system ensures continuous functionality, offering a cost-effective and environmentally conscious solution.
  • the flush-mounted and sub surface design contributes to seamless integration with various road surfaces and minimizes potential obstructions and hazards.
  • the depth of the design allows for use in all new and re-surfaced roadways with asphalt, topcoat or cement.
  • the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device may include a rectangular shape hard cornered housing, including: a bottom casing oppositely disposed from the top; a cover top adjoined to the bottom casing with a lock key system to comply with FCC requirements; a dual-purpose sleeve positioned vertically downwards from the cover; an enclosure; an electronics package including: one way RFM LoRa WAN;two way communication on all Cellular platforms; Antennas; Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries connected to an electronics package; IoT Sensors; IoT Sensor Boards; LED circuitry; a Control Unit connected to the electronics package; a Communication Module connected to the Control Unit; Battery Housing; Solar Panels electrically connected to the electronics package and powered by the battery;
  • the roadway solar-powered roadway communications, IoT sensors with LED in-road lighting device may be equipped with IoT technologies for highway infrastructure data collection.
  • the electronic package may include a processor embedded with instructions to leverage real-time traffic management for efficient routing, monitor diverse weather conditions, ensure road surface safety through the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors, and improve navigation and mapping with up-to-date data.
  • the electronics package may include a communications module equipped with Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication protocols, which may be configured to communicate with a communication module in the vehicle close to the roadway marking illumination device. Accordingly, information related to traffic management, weather conditions, and road surface safety may be transmitted to the driver's dashboard of the vehicle.
  • V2I Vehicle-to-Infrastructure
  • this device may be used to reduce the likelihood of accidents and may improve overall traffic flow. Its utilization in residential neighborhoods enhances pedestrian safety by clearly defining lanes, while its weather-resistant construction ensures reliability in regions prone to diverse weather conditions. Incorporating advanced shock-resistant features adds a layer of durability, making the device resilient to physical impact and high-speed vibrations, solidifying its role as an indispensable tool in promoting safety and efficiency across a spectrum of roadway environments.
  • the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination devices housing will be comprised of 33% GF Nylon, polycarbonate and HDPE plastics (recycleable when available) for longevity and temperature tolerance range of -20c to +85c.
  • This disclosure presents a solar-powered roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device technologies with highway infrastructure.
  • the solar powered roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device removes prevalent challenges often met with traditional roadway lighting systems.
  • the creation of this solar-powered roadway communications IoT sensors LED in-road lighting device directly addresses the shortcomings of traditional roadway lighting, offering an energy-efficient and resilient solution that not only enhances driver awareness but also ensures precise and consistent lane visibility, and frequent physical impact and weather resistance, ultimately contributing to heightened road safety in challenging environmental conditions.
  • Other improvements made include plowable geometry to increase lane visibility and withstand physical impact and exposure to environmental elements.
  • the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device may be installed on roadways, on exit and on ramps; both on or between roadway stripes and lines for lane and lane edge delineation and guide drivers along the road. Additionally, roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices are installed on the edge lines, defining the boundaries of the roadway and assisting drivers in maintaining proper lane discipline. The roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices are often used at intersections to improve visibility and highlight the road layout and may be found on curves, turns, and dangerous sections to warn drivers about changes in the road alignment. Furthermore, the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices may contribute to pedestrian safety at crosswalks and may be utilized in areas with dedicated bike lanes to delineate cycling paths. Roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices' specific placement and spacing adhere to local regulations, road design standards, and safety considerations to optimize their effectiveness in various road environments.
  • FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view
  • FIG. 2 which illustrates a top view of the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device.
  • FIG . 3 illustrates a CAD drawing of [ the device
  • FIG. 4 illustrates amber colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device
  • FIG. 5 illustrates white colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates black colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device
  • FIG. 7 illustrates sensor boards and communications circuitry for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a data dashboard for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the Star of Stars LoRa WAN flow for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the electrical flow for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the top removable key locking top for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device housing
  • FIG. 12 illustrates the bottom hull housing for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device,
  • the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device transport data which is in compliance with the EU general data protection regulation (GDPR).
  • GDPR EU general data protection regulation
  • the roadway communications loT sensors illumination device is the width of a roadway stripe and line namely, 300mm globally except in the USA which is 4 (four) inches.
  • the depth of the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device unlike other roadway devices has a dept of less than 35mm in order to ensure the integrity of a re-milled and re-surfaced top coat of asphalt is not damaged or allow water seepage.
  • the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device has a gritty surface beneath the removable top for maximum binding to adhesives, including but not limited to EU; Uranox (RTM) ELE33 and EHA39 in a 1:1 epoxy resin mix, and Uranox 24 and Uracure (RTM) 201 /L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and Uracure (RUM) 2O1/L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and all US based epoxy mixes for anon slip top for cyclists and all motor vehicles.
  • adhesives including but not limited to EU; Uranox (RTM) ELE33 and EHA39 in a 1:1 epoxy resin mix, and Uranox 24 and Uracure (RTM) 201 /L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and Uracure (RUM) 2O1/L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and all US based epoxy mixes for anon slip top for cyclists and all motor vehicles.
  • the electronics package may include a circuit board, a battery circuit electrically connected to the circuit board, and an LED circuit electrically connected to the circuit board . Further, the battery circuit may be electrically connected to the battery circuit. A worst-case scenario low voltage cutoff which will prevent the battery from being charged after it has been damaged due to excessive discharge.
  • the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device has the ability to be hard wired to the electric grid as a backup only to solar power source for all components.
  • the batteries would only be installed in the product just prior to deployment in the roadway. This final installation can take place at the factory prior to shipment or as part of the installation of the units into the roadway.
  • the primary advantage of this method is that many devices can be placed into storage and only the battery purchases need to be coordinated with device deployments.
  • Lithium batteries perform best when stored at 40% of their rated capacity. During long-term storage, the batteries can be periodically "topped up” to ensure they remain at this optimum charge level. This could require the installation of charge pads to allow access to a charger. There are a few logistical options for performing the charging process.
  • the units In this method, the units would be stored without any special provisions. However periodically, they would be taken out of storage and charged up to a suitable level. A typical service interval would be once a year, with a two-year interval likely being the longest interval that can be implemented without the risk of widespread unit failure. This method does have a lower cost when it comes to charging infrastructure, but it does have a relatively large labor cost to service all the units.
  • the battery may be held on the circuit board using a battery bracket and, the battery bracket may be configured to rest of reinforce the battery onto the circuit board.
  • the LED circuitry may be electrically soldered or connected to the circuit board.
  • the battery may also provide the necessary voltage for the LED to illuminate.
  • a radial seal in addition to dual-purpose sleeves may be configured to seal the electronics package from external factors such as water, etc.
  • the device will have a pre-assembled encapsulated custom solar cell for maximizing solar power source and the long-term performance.
  • Solar panel sizes vary between devices but our standard devices uses both 1.2 Watt 6 Volt Small Solar Panel - ETFE (with 66 x 113 x 2.6mm, 31.6 grams, Peak Power: 1.22W, Peak Current: 200mA, Peak Voltage: 6.07V, Open Circuit Voltage: 7.09V), and a 0.3 Watt 6 Volt Mini Solar Panel - ETFE with High Bonding Gaskets (with 52 x 52 x 2.6mm, 8.0 grams, Power Tolerance: +/-10%, Peak Power: 0.33W, Peak Current: 60mA, Peak Voltage: 6.07V, Open Circuit Voltage: 7.09V) and both with 1.5mm double sided PCB, Matte ETFE coating, Waterproof (IP67), UV resistant ETFE coating, High efficiency monocrystalline cells: 22+%.
  • the Solar cell may be mated to the polycarbonate cell to improve solar cell efficiency.
  • External reinforcement is most feasible through the top part of the housing, likely through the top half of the housing. This reinforcement could either come in the form of a cover or in altering the geometry of the nylon portion of the housing.
  • FIG. 10 which illustrates the first electrical architecture flow.
  • the architecture would replace the conventionally used DC/DC converter with an off-the-shelf dedicated MPPT chip which will give improvements in efficiency and design simplicity.
  • its main benefit would be that the MCU would no longer have to perform the MPPT and DC/DC functions. This would allow us to optimize the MCU's sleep current giving both faster battery charging and improved battery life. Furthermore, this would allow us to remove several components from the existing design such as the charge pump and op-amps which could reduce PCB area and BOM cost. This would also allow us to utilize a smaller and cheaper MCU since its primary function would be to drive the LED driver. The reason for retaining the MCU would be to allow for future adaptability in terms of LED dimming, simplify device provisioning, and for more straightforward implementation of additional functionality in the future.
  • a microcontroller will need to be selected to optimize cost, power consumption, and part availability.
  • the functionality of the microcontroller within the system is relatively simple, and it can be performed on a microcontroller with a relatively low clock frequency and a small set of peripherals.
  • the LEDs are controlled by a standalone constant current or timer circuit. While this option eliminates the need for software development, it does mean that either part or board design variations would need to be developed to accommodate different LED colors and types or to add features such as blinking delays, Likewise, this design would be the least flexible when it comes to provisioning options. Furthermore, it is more likely to be sensitive to fluctuations in temperature so there is a greater risk that the device brightness and device current will vary noticeably at the temperature extremes.
  • the polycarbonate lenses must be optically clear (and in some iterations, have complex lensing geometry or finishes on some or all surfaces), and it is also exposed to high loads.
  • Protecting the polycarbonate lens through traditional lens protection methods, such as flanged walls (i.e., a camera or telescope lens) is not a viable option in this use case, as the polycarbonate lenses must be in the road for this application to work.
  • For the polycarbonate to work as intended for light purposes both for maximum solar panels, loT sensors coverage and outgoing LED light
  • the solar cells may be bonded to the polycarbonate lens to improve solar cell efficiency. We expect that the cost of pouring custom solar cells will increase COGs significantly.
  • the polycarbonate lens assembly may be an optimum choice for the lens in regard to cost, strength, and temperature tolerance.
  • This polycarbonate material functions as the lens and electronics enclosure; it is well-suited to both applications. It has some important qualities that we must acknowledge before moving forward.
  • UV and fire retardant protection may be applied with a thin hard coat over the piece or may be mixed into the PC pellets during the injection mold process.
  • Horizontal viewing angle refers to the left/right distance on the roadway that is exposed to the light and primarily affects how quickly drivers will see the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device when approaching it from an angle, such as when turning a corner.
  • Vertical viewing angle refers to the area above the roadway that is visible during approach, and primarily affects when drivers will see the roadway.
  • the roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device will meet or exceed one or all the following flamer retardant standards:
  • a primary concern that is crucial to horizontal viewing angle is the angle at which the driver is approaching the light which is driven by the radius of curvature of the roadway (when viewed from the above).
  • the roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device has an LED output of > 100Hz in order to comply with UK, EU and USDOT regulations and standards;
  • GVW gross vehicle weight
  • U.S. Interstate System established by NAFTA in 1994
  • NAFTA National Air Force
  • Gross vehicle weight limits in European . Union (EU) member States range (from EC Directive 96/53/EC of July 25, 1996), from 40 metric tonnes (88,184 lbs.) in France and Germany to 50 metric tonnes (110,231 lbs.) in the Netherlands.
  • Devices are in full compliance with United Kingdom BS EN 124:2015, the Standard for gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas (published on 31 July 2015). Devices is in full compliance with European Standard EN 124-5 approved by CEN on 12 March 2015. Covering gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas Part 5: Gully tops and manholes made of composite materials.
  • FCC Part 15 regulations are in full compliance with the US Federal Communications Commission regulations including Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and allocation of 75 megahertz of spectrum at 5.850-5.925 GHz and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for digital and electronic devices under the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 15, 47 CFR 15, which is commonly called FCC Part 15 regulations.
  • the regulation criteria under FCC part 15 ranges from spurious emissions to unlicensed low-power broadcasting.
  • V2V communication may be a wireless exchange of data between vehicles and other vehicles.
  • the memory may include a set of instructions which may be executed by the processor to leverage real-time traffic management for efficient routing, monitor diverse weather conditions, ensure road surface safety through Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors, improve navigation and mapping with up-to-date data.
  • IoT Internet of Things
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to real-time traffic management.
  • Autonomous vehicles are integrated with existing traffic management systems, utilizing a suite of sensors including radar sensors, optical sensors, and communication modules. This integration enables vehicles to receive contemporaneous updates on traffic conditions, such as congestion levels, accidents, road closures, and more. These sensors contribute to informed decision-making, route optimization, and overall traffic flow efficiency improvement.
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to real-time weather monitoring, leveraging sensors deployed throughout infrastructure elements like SmartEdge Group. These include environmental sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors) and imaging sensors (e.g., cameras).
  • environmental sensors e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors
  • imaging sensors e.g., cameras
  • the IoT technologies may be applied by using a network of sensors embedded in infrastructure deployments, for real-time road surface monitoring.
  • sensors encompass temperature sensors, traction sensors, and surface condition sensors.
  • the continuous monitoring of parameters like road temperature and traction allows autonomous vehicles to dynamically adjust operational parameters, ensuring optimal control and safety on different road surfaces.
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to Enhanced Navigation and Mapping, using a combination of sensors in connected infrastructure deployments like GPS sensors, LiDAR sensors, and cameras.
  • the integrated data from these sensors refines mapping algorithms, providing accurate and reliable navigation instructions by considering real-time information on road conditions, construction zones, and temporary alterations to traffic patterns.
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to Network Connectivity and Coverage to ensure reliable and pervasive connectivity across extensive highway networks.
  • These solutions involve a variety of communication devices, including cellular communication modules, satellite communication transceivers, and DSRC units. These communication devices ensure dependable transmission of data from IoT devices deployed along highways.
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to interoperability and scalability among heterogeneous systems within highway infrastructure.
  • Different types of communication protocols are employed, including RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), Zigbee, and MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), ensuring seamless integration of diverse IoT devices, sensors, and backend systems.
  • RFID Radio-Frequency Identification
  • Zigbee Zigbee
  • MQTT Message Queuing Telemetry Transport
  • the IoT technologies may be applied to provide reliable and sustainable power supplies for IoT devices deployed in highway infrastructure.
  • Power sources including solar panels, wind turbines, and grid power, are integrated with energy-efficient components to extend device battery life and reduce maintenance requirements.
  • the loT technologies may be applied to maintaining and upgrading IoT devices deployed along highways. These devices incorporate various sensors, such as diagnostic sensors, vibration sensors, and performance monitoring sensors, enabling robust maintenance strategies, remote monitoring capabilities, and predictive maintenance techniques.
  • the IoT technologies may be applied with specific applications, each powered by sources such as solar panels, batteries, or grid power.
  • Traffic sensors equipped with LiDAR and optical sensors; weather stations with temperature and imaging sensors; cameras for surveillance; and environmental monitoring sensors are among the devices contributing to the development of an intelligent transportation system.
  • the aforementioned data is presented to the driver via an input/output module of the vehicle, which may include, for example, a dashboard.
  • the data may be transmitted based on a platoon-based methodology.
  • the platoon-based methodology may establish interconnectivity among vehicles under a single communication layout. For example, a new vehicle initiates a platoon joining request to the lead vehicle, specifying its preferred position within the platoon, such as position 3 or the end.
  • the lead vehicle evaluates factors like the platoon's maximum length and potential departures before approval.
  • the lead vehicle instructs the following vehicle at the designated position to create space for the newcomer.
  • the new vehicle equipped with a Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) system, transitions lanes and integrates into the newly formed platoon.
  • CACC Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control
  • the lead vehicle assumes responsibility for obtaining connecting details, such as IP addresses of sensors, from each subsequent vehicle. These details are stored in a mapping table, facilitating communication and data exchange among vehicles within the platoon. Whenever a new vehicle joins or an existing one leaves, the lead vehicle updates the mapping table, ensuring seamless connectivity within the platoon.
  • Exiting the platoon involves a vehicle sending a leaving request to the lead vehicle.
  • the departing vehicle Upon receiving authorization, the departing vehicle increases spacing from its preceding counterpart, switches to manual control, changes lanes, and acknowledges its departure to the lead vehicle.
  • the criteria for forming the vehicle platoon extend beyond numerical considerations and involve vehicles with similar characteristics, encompassing speed, acceleration, network connectivity, and specific features such as image-capturing devices, Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, LIDAR sensors, RADAR systems, road sensors, speed sensors, and acceleration sensors.
  • Illustrative configurations may further include: 1. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Communication: Tesla may be interested in exploring V2I communication protocols and infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of their autonomous vehicles. This could involve equipping iGuide Solar with sensors, cameras, or communication devices that can exchange information with Tesla's vehicles. The infrastructure could communicate directly with Tesla's autonomous vehicles to provide real-time traffic information, optimize traffic signal timing, or warn of any road hazards or construction zones. 2.
  • Real-Time Traffic Management Tesla might be interested in leveraging loT technologies to access real-time traffic data. By integrating with existing traffic management systems, Tesla's vehicles could receive up-to-date information on traffic congestion, accidents, road closures, and other relevant data.
  • This information could help the autonomous vehicles make informed decisions and choose the most efficient routes, improving overall traffic flow and reducing travel times.
  • Weather Monitoring USA and Northern Europes's diverse weather conditions, including snowstorms, heavy rain, or high winds, can significantly impact road conditions and autonomous vehicle operations. Tesla could explore IoT solutions that provide real-time weather monitoring and alerts. Roadway sensors throughout the SmartEdge Group deployments could collect and transmit data on weather conditions, enabling Tesla's autonomous vehicles to adjust their driving behavior accordingly and ensure passenger safety. 4.
  • Road Surface Monitoring Monitoring road surface conditions can be crucial for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles. Tesla might consider IoT solutions that utilize sensors embedded in the SmartEdge Group deployments to monitor factors such as road temperature, traction, and the presence of ice or snow.
  • Tesla's autonomous vehicles could adjust their driving parameters, such as speed or braking, to ensure optimal control and safety on different road surfaces.
  • Enhanced Navigation and Mapping Accurate and up-to-date mapping data is essential for autonomous vehicles. Tesla may explore IoT options to improve their navigation and mapping systems. This could involve utilizing data from connected SmartEdge Group deployments with IoT sensors, to gather information on road conditions, construction zones, or temporary changes to traffic patterns. By integrating these data sources into their mapping algorithms, Tesla can provide more accurate and reliable navigation instructions to their autonomous vehicles.
  • Network connectivity and coverage Ensuring reliable and pervasive connectivity across vast highway networks can be a significant challenge. Highways often span remote and rural areas where cellular coverage may be limited or inconsistent.
  • Highway infrastructure is subject to various environmental conditions and wear and tear. Ensuring the proper maintenance and timely upgrades of IoT devices deployed along highways can be challenging, especially when dealing with a vast network of devices spread over large distances. Implementing robust maintenance strategies, remote monitoring capabilities, and predictive maintenance techniques can help address these challenges.
  • various IoT applications may include:
  • the system may make it possible for cities and transportation authorities to collect and analyze data to improve day-to-day traffic management, adapt for long-term sustainable transportation needs.
  • Using our device will extend connectivity alongside transportation infrastructure. On roadway network deployment will extend and improve wireless public/private connectivity and the use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications on roadways and transportation corridors, including those that were previously unconnected.
  • ITS intelligent transportation system
  • the device network will improve coverage and access to near-real-time insight into activities and events happening on roadways that can be used to proactively address problem areas, reduce response times, and improve overall road safety.
  • Extended connectivity alongside transportation infrastructure using on roadway network deployment will extend and improve wireless public/private connectivity and the use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications on roadways and transportation corridors, including those that were previously unconnected.
  • ITS intelligent transportation system
  • the device network will improve coverage and access to near-real-time insight into activities and events happening on roadways that can be used to proactively address problem areas, reduce response times, and improve overall road safety.
  • system may further include:
  • substantially as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such as frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ⁇ 20% or ⁇ 10%, ⁇ 5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.
  • a list of "at least one of A, B, and C” includes any of the combinations A or B or C or AB or AC or BC and/or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).
  • a list of "at least one of A, B, and C” may also include AA, AAB, AAA, BB, etc.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The disclosed roadway communication loT sensors illumination device features a housing with components like a dual-purpose sleeve, electronics package, LED circuitry, and solar panels. It is equipped with IoT technologies, utilizing real-time traffic management, IoT-enabled weather and road surface monitoring sensors, and improved navigation with up-to-date data. The device's one-way and two-way communication module may employ Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) protocols to communicate with nearby vehicles, transmitting essential information such as traffic updates and road conditions to the driver's dashboard for enhanced situational awareness.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • This disclosure relates generally to a solar-charged roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device.
    • BACKGROUND
  • In roadway safety, the pressing need for a solar-powered roadway communications, IoT sensors illumination device with LED in-road lighting device stems from the critical challenges posed by inadequate data from the surface of roadways and visibility during nighttime and adverse weather conditions. Traditional roadways often falls short of providing adequate data and sufficient illumination, leading to compromised driver awareness and decreased daytime and nighttime lane delineation, thereby escalating the risk of accidents, Existing solutions are frequently constrained by dependence on external power sources and susceptibility to impact and inclement weather.
    • SUMMARY
  • Disclosed is a solar-charged roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device of multiple colors that is placed on roadways and exit and on ramps; both on or between roadway stripes and lines for lane and lane edge delineation and may be used in many settings where ensuring robust and reliable roadway safety is paramount. Its adaptability extends to high-traffic urban areas, suburban roads, urban and rural highways, providing a solution to diverse road infrastructures. Given its self-sustaining solar-charged nature, it requires minimal maintenance, eliminating the need for additional external power sources, thus enhancing its overall practicality and efficiency in contributing to safety on the roadways. The roadway device may be used in both urban and rural areas with limited access to conventional power sources, as the self-sustaining nature of its solar-powered system ensures continuous functionality, offering a cost-effective and environmentally conscious solution. The flush-mounted and sub surface design contributes to seamless integration with various road surfaces and minimizes potential obstructions and hazards. The depth of the design allows for use in all new and re-surfaced roadways with asphalt, topcoat or cement.
  • In one configuration, the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device may include a rectangular shape hard cornered housing, including: a bottom casing oppositely disposed from the top; a cover top adjoined to the bottom casing with a lock key system to comply with FCC requirements; a dual-purpose sleeve positioned vertically downwards from the cover; an enclosure; an electronics package including: one way RFM LoRa WAN;two way communication on all Cellular platforms; Antennas; Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries connected to an electronics package; IoT Sensors; IoT Sensor Boards; LED circuitry; a Control Unit connected to the electronics package; a Communication Module connected to the Control Unit; Battery Housing; Solar Panels electrically connected to the electronics package and powered by the battery;
  • In one configuration, the roadway solar-powered roadway communications, IoT sensors with LED in-road lighting device may be equipped with IoT technologies for highway infrastructure data collection. The electronic package may include a processor embedded with instructions to leverage real-time traffic management for efficient routing, monitor diverse weather conditions, ensure road surface safety through the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors, and improve navigation and mapping with up-to-date data. The electronics package may include a communications module equipped with Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication protocols, which may be configured to communicate with a communication module in the vehicle close to the roadway marking illumination device. Accordingly, information related to traffic management, weather conditions, and road surface safety may be transmitted to the driver's dashboard of the vehicle.
  • In urban landscapes, where high-density traffic and complex intersections demand heightened visibility, this device may be used to reduce the likelihood of accidents and may improve overall traffic flow. Its utilization in residential neighborhoods enhances pedestrian safety by clearly defining lanes, while its weather-resistant construction ensures reliability in regions prone to diverse weather conditions. Incorporating advanced shock-resistant features adds a layer of durability, making the device resilient to physical impact and high-speed vibrations, solidifying its role as an indispensable tool in promoting safety and efficiency across a spectrum of roadway environments. The roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination devices housing will be comprised of 33% GF Nylon, polycarbonate and HDPE plastics (recycleable when available) for longevity and temperature tolerance range of -20c to +85c.
  • Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various configurations are intended for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure necessarily.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying figures of the drawing, which are included to provide a further understanding of general aspects of the system/method, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. These illustrative aspects of the system/method, together with the detailed description, explain the principles of the system. No attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than necessary for a fundamental understanding of the system and the various ways it is practiced. The following figures of the drawing include:
    • FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG.3 illustrates a CAD depth of the roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 4 illustrates one color amber roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 5 illustrates one color white roadway communications, loT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 6 illustrates one color black roadway communications, IoT sensors sand illumination device;
    • FIG. 7 illustrates one solar sensors used in roadway communications, IoT sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 8 illustrates a communications IoT sensor data dashboard for the roadway communications sensor and illumination device;
    • FIG. 9 illustrates the LoRa WAN/ Star of Star communications platform flow for the roadway communications, sensors and illumination device;
    • FIG. 10 illustrates electrical plan of roadway communications ToT sensors illumination device;
    • FIG. 11 illustrates removable and lockable top lid of roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device;
    • FIG. 12 illustrates bottom housing hull for components storage of roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device;
  • Similar components and features may have the same numerical reference label in the appended figures. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a letter. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description applies to any similar components and/or features with the same first numerical reference label, irrespective of the suffix.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Illustrative configurations are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed configurations. The following detailed description is intended to be considered exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit indicated by the following claims.
  • This disclosure presents a solar-powered roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device technologies with highway infrastructure. The solar powered roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device removes prevalent challenges often met with traditional roadway lighting systems. The creation of this solar-powered roadway communications IoT sensors LED in-road lighting device directly addresses the shortcomings of traditional roadway lighting, offering an energy-efficient and resilient solution that not only enhances driver awareness but also ensures precise and consistent lane visibility, and frequent physical impact and weather resistance, ultimately contributing to heightened road safety in challenging environmental conditions. Other improvements made include plowable geometry to increase lane visibility and withstand physical impact and exposure to environmental elements.
  • To this end, a roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device is disclosed. The roadway communications loT sensors illumination device may be installed on roadways, on exit and on ramps; both on or between roadway stripes and lines for lane and lane edge delineation and guide drivers along the road. Additionally, roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices are installed on the edge lines, defining the boundaries of the roadway and assisting drivers in maintaining proper lane discipline. The roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices are often used at intersections to improve visibility and highlight the road layout and may be found on curves, turns, and dangerous sections to warn drivers about changes in the road alignment. Furthermore, the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices may contribute to pedestrian safety at crosswalks and may be utilized in areas with dedicated bike lanes to delineate cycling paths. Roadway communications IoT sensors illumination devices' specific placement and spacing adhere to local regulations, road design standards, and safety considerations to optimize their effectiveness in various road environments.
  • Now referring to FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view, FIG. 2 , which illustrates a top view of the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device. FIG. 3 illustrates a CAD drawing of [ the device FIG. 4 illustrates amber colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device, FIG. 5 illustrates white colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device. FIG. 6 illustrates black colored roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device, FIG. 7 illustrates sensor boards and communications circuitry for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device, FIG. 8 illustrates a data dashboard for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device, FIG. 9 illustrates the Star of Stars LoRa WAN flow for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device, FIG. 10 illustrates the electrical flow for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device. FIG. 11 illustrates the top removable key locking top for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device housing, FIG. 12 illustrates the bottom hull housing for the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device,
  • Now, the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device transport data which is in compliance with the EU general data protection regulation (GDPR).
  • Now, the roadway communications loT sensors illumination device is the width of a roadway stripe and line namely, 300mm globally except in the USA which is 4 (four) inches.
  • Now, the depth of the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device unlike other roadway devices has a dept of less than 35mm in order to ensure the integrity of a re-milled and re-surfaced top coat of asphalt is not damaged or allow water seepage.-
  • Now, the the roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device has a gritty surface beneath the removable top for maximum binding to adhesives, including but not limited to EU; Uranox (RTM) ELE33 and EHA39 in a 1:1 epoxy resin mix, and Uranox 24 and Uracure (RTM) 201 /L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and Uracure (RUM) 2O1/L in a 3-1 epoxy resin mix and all US based epoxy mixes for anon slip top for cyclists and all motor vehicles.
  • The electronics package may include a circuit board, a battery circuit electrically connected to the circuit board, and an LED circuit electrically connected to the circuit board . Further, the battery circuit may be electrically connected to the battery circuit. A worst-case scenario low voltage cutoff which will prevent the battery from being charged after it has been damaged due to excessive discharge.
  • Low temperatures cause a temporary loss of capacity in lithium that can exceed 90% depending on the battery quality and external temperature. Fortunately, several manufacturers, such as Grepow, produce specialty batteries optimized for low-temperature operation. They claim operating ranges of -55 to 65 degrees C and capacity losses as low as 12%. Further experimentation will be required to verify these batteries performed as advertised. Other manufacturers offer similar low-temperature batteries in an 18650 form factor. Another issue that affects battery capacity is the permanent decrease of battery capacity is the degradation of the battery's electrodes due to repeated charge/discharge cycles. The most practical method for mitigating this issue is to use a relatively large battery compared to the product's need. This mitigates the issue in two separate ways, the battery goes through shallower charge/discharge cycles that mitigate wear and tear on the battery, and having a large capacity ensures that the battery will meet system requirements even after a significant amount of battery capacity has been lost.
  • A primary durability issue with the devices, whether in storage or deployment, is the battery becoming over-discharged. Once the battery cell voltage drops below a minimum safe voltage (usually 2.5V to 3V for lithium cells), permanent damage to the battery occurs with the internal resistance increasing and capacity decreasing. Furthermore, recharging a deeply discharged battery can be dangerous due to the possibility of internal shorts forming within the battery. An over-discharged battery severely degrades battery life and can be dangerous to recharge. Unfortunately, in addition to the current drawn by a connected device, batteries also lose charge due to a phenomenon called battery self-discharge. Importantly, self-discharge causes the batteries to lose charge even when disconnected from any load. In all likelihood, no matter how much the device current is limited, the longest a unit could reliably be kept on the shelf without intervention is 2 years. Therefore, a combination of engineering features and manufacturing logistics must be utilized to ensure the greatest number of devices are in a deployable configuration before use.
  • The roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device has the ability to be hard wired to the electric grid as a backup only to solar power source for all components.
  • Adjoining the battery to the circuit board. This will provide a minimum level of protection from short circuit and overcharge failures and, in a worst-case scenario, a low voltage cutoff, which will prevent the battery from being charged after it has been damaged due to excessive discharge.
  • Add a standalone battery IC on circuit board to ensure a safe low voltage cutoff. This cutoff will occur at a slightly higher voltage than the battery's PCM, for example 3.3V vs 3V for the PCM. The reason for this higher cutoff is to ensure that the device quits discharging the battery before damage occurs and this allows the battery to be safely recharged once power is available again. The higher cutoff voltage will have a minimal impact on the usable battery capacity with greater than 90% of the battery capacity depleted by the time the voltage reaches the cutoff.
  • In this scenario, the batteries would only be installed in the product just prior to deployment in the roadway. This final installation can take place at the factory prior to shipment or as part of the installation of the units into the roadway. The primary advantage of this method is that many devices can be placed into storage and only the battery purchases need to be coordinated with device deployments.
  • Lithium batteries perform best when stored at 40% of their rated capacity. During long-term storage, the batteries can be periodically "topped up" to ensure they remain at this optimum charge level. This could require the installation of charge pads to allow access to a charger. There are a few logistical options for performing the charging process.
  • Maintaining a constant trickle charge via the charge pads: In this method, a custom charging rig would be built to accommodate a large number of units and keep them at an ideal level of charge to preserve battery life. This method would have a significant upfront cost to build the charging rig but would require little maintenance or user intervention.
  • Implement a service interval: In this method, the units would be stored without any special provisions. However periodically, they would be taken out of storage and charged up to a suitable level. A typical service interval would be once a year, with a two-year interval likely being the longest interval that can be implemented without the risk of widespread unit failure. This method does have a lower cost when it comes to charging infrastructure, but it does have a relatively large labor cost to service all the units.
  • Utilize the device's solar cells to charge the device; While this might seem attractive at first glance, this method has several practical disadvantages. Ordinary building lighting fixtures will not produce enough light to power the devices so a customized rig would need to be built with appropriate light sources. Due to the inefficiency of the solar cells, this would have more significant electricity costs than the charge pad method and it would be challenging to maintain the battery's charge at the ideal 40% level. This also causes an issue with provisioning the units, since it will be challenging to create a mode where the solar charging circuitry is active, but the rest of the unit is not, and a method would need to be developed to shut down the unit between storage and installation in the roadway.
  • The battery may be held on the circuit board using a battery bracket and, the battery bracket may be configured to rest of reinforce the battery onto the circuit board. The LED circuitry may be electrically soldered or connected to the circuit board. The battery may also provide the necessary voltage for the LED to illuminate.
  • A radial seal in addition to dual-purpose sleeves may be configured to seal the electronics package from external factors such as water, etc.
  • The device will have a pre-assembled encapsulated custom solar cell for maximizing solar power source and the long-term performance. Solar panel sizes vary between devices but our standard devices uses both 1.2 Watt 6 Volt Small Solar Panel - ETFE (with 66 x 113 x 2.6mm, 31.6 grams, Peak Power: 1.22W, Peak Current: 200mA, Peak Voltage: 6.07V, Open Circuit Voltage: 7.09V), and a 0.3 Watt 6 Volt Mini Solar Panel - ETFE with High Bonding Gaskets (with 52 x 52 x 2.6mm, 8.0 grams, Power Tolerance: +/-10%, Peak Power: 0.33W, Peak Current: 60mA, Peak Voltage: 6.07V, Open Circuit Voltage: 7.09V) and both with 1.5mm double sided PCB, Matte ETFE coating, Waterproof (IP67), UV resistant ETFE coating, High efficiency monocrystalline cells: 22+%.
  • The Solar cell may be mated to the polycarbonate cell to improve solar cell efficiency. External reinforcement is most feasible through the top part of the housing, likely through the top half of the housing. This reinforcement could either come in the form of a cover or in altering the geometry of the nylon portion of the housing.
  • The key to achieving optimal LiFePO4, Lithium Ion, Lithium Ion Phosphate battery life while maintaining will be selecting the optimal circuit architecture. Unfortunately, the ongoing semiconductor shortage makes this easier said than done. Therefore, multiple electrical architectures have been designed to account for chip availability, which may use various configurations of maximum power point tracker (MPPT) chips, a microcontroller unit (MCU) (onboard), and the LED-circuit.
  • Referring to FIG. 10 which illustrates the first electrical architecture flow.
  • The architecture would replace the conventionally used DC/DC converter with an off-the-shelf dedicated MPPT chip which will give improvements in efficiency and design simplicity. However, its main benefit would be that the MCU would no longer have to perform the MPPT and DC/DC functions. This would allow us to optimize the MCU's sleep current giving both faster battery charging and improved battery life. Furthermore, this would allow us to remove several components from the existing design such as the charge pump and op-amps which could reduce PCB area and BOM cost. This would also allow us to utilize a smaller and cheaper MCU since its primary function would be to drive the LED driver. The reason for retaining the MCU would be to allow for future adaptability in terms of LED dimming, simplify device provisioning, and for more straightforward implementation of additional functionality in the future.
  • A microcontroller will need to be selected to optimize cost, power consumption, and part availability. The functionality of the microcontroller within the system is relatively simple, and it can be performed on a microcontroller with a relatively low clock frequency and a small set of peripherals.
  • The primary disadvantage of this setup is the availability of dedicated MPPT chips. Currently, these are pretty difficult to come by and it can be challenging to switch between part families if a redesign is needed. Also, while there is the potential for this architecture to have lower cost than the conventional design, this will depend on the MPPT chip that is available. As expected, this architecture is to be roughly at the same cost as the existing design or slightly more expensive.
  • The LEDs are controlled by a standalone constant current or timer circuit. While this option eliminates the need for software development, it does mean that either part or board design variations would need to be developed to accommodate different LED colors and types or to add features such as blinking delays, Likewise, this design would be the least flexible when it comes to provisioning options. Furthermore, it is more likely to be sensitive to fluctuations in temperature so there is a greater risk that the device brightness and device current will vary noticeably at the temperature extremes.
  • Now, The polycarbonate lenses must be optically clear (and in some iterations, have complex lensing geometry or finishes on some or all surfaces), and it is also exposed to high loads. Protecting the polycarbonate lens through traditional lens protection methods, such as flanged walls (i.e., a camera or telescope lens) is not a viable option in this use case, as the polycarbonate lenses must be in the road for this application to work. For the polycarbonate to work as intended for light purposes (both for maximum solar panels, loT sensors coverage and outgoing LED light), it should be large and unobstructed-this allows the most amount of light to pass through. However, this translates into a (relatively) large, unsupported area, which represents a weak point as far as sudden impacts. The solar cells may be bonded to the polycarbonate lens to improve solar cell efficiency. We expect that the cost of pouring custom solar cells will increase COGs significantly.
  • The polycarbonate lens assembly may be an optimum choice for the lens in regard to cost, strength, and temperature tolerance. This polycarbonate material functions as the lens and electronics enclosure; it is well-suited to both applications. It has some important qualities that we must acknowledge before moving forward.
  • A yellowing could happen to the clear polycarbonate surface covers and lenses for the IoT sensors, solar panels and non-thru-hole, high efficiency surface mount LED illumination device so a custom custom PC brand "UV resistant" which exceeds all other lens standards for longevity, and clarity
  • Excessive payloads could damage the clear polycarbonate surface covers and lenses for the IoT sensors, solar panels and illumination device so the devices will use a custom PC brand "impact resistant" and hoofs tested, which exceeds all other lens standards for longevity, impact resistance
  • UV and fire retardant protection may be applied with a thin hard coat over the piece or may be mixed into the PC pellets during the injection mold process.
  • Because light emits from the LED in a three-dimensional fashion, specifically a cone, there are two major viewing angles to consider: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal viewing angle refers to the left/right distance on the roadway that is exposed to the light and primarily affects how quickly drivers will see the roadway communication Iot sensors illumination device when approaching it from an angle, such as when turning a corner. Vertical viewing angle refers to the area above the roadway that is visible during approach, and primarily affects when drivers will see the roadway.
  • Now, The roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device will meet or exceed one or all the following flamer retardant standards:
    1. 1. ASTM E3038: ASTM E3038 provides a standard practice for evaluating the fire performance of in-roadway lighting assemblies. It covers aspects such as flame spread, heat release, smoke production, and electrical performance. This standard focuses on assessing the fire safety of lighting fixtures embedded within road surfaces.
    2. 2. ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) Guidelines: The ITE publishes guidelines for the design and operation of various transportation systems, including in-road devices. While these guidelines may not specifically address fire safety, they often include recommendations for safety and durability of road equipment, which indirectly contribute to fire safety considerations.
    3. 3. National Electrical Code (NEC): The NEC, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), provides regulations for electrical installations. It includes requirements for electrical components used in various applications, such as in-road devices. Compliance with the NEC ensures that electrical components within the plastic housings meet the necessary safety standards.
  • A primary concern that is crucial to horizontal viewing angle is the angle at which the driver is approaching the light which is driven by the radius of curvature of the roadway (when viewed from the above).
    • Now, roadway communication IoT sensors and illumination device projects 4.5mm (0.18") above the road surface in order to comply with UK, EU and USDOT regulations and standards;
    • Now, roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device uses non-thru-hole, high efficiency surface mount LED bulbs with visible LED range of > 800 meters depending upon curviture of roadway. Device uses 5 LED light colors: Amber to EN1463 Red to EN1463 White to EN1376 C Green to EN1463 Blue to EN1376 A
    • Now, roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device projection :is 4mm (0.15") above road surface or in compliance with local Transport regulations and standards.
  • Now, The roadway communication IoT sensors illumination device has an LED output of > 100Hz in order to comply with UK, EU and USDOT regulations and standards;
  • Now, payload of the device exceeds compliance with North America Interstate System and EU national road network (ITF/OECD/JTF 2010) systems. The maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) 2 of the most commonly used long-haul vehicles ranges from 80,000 lbs. (approximately 36.3 metric tonnes) 3 on the U.S. Interstate System (established by NAFTA in 1994), to 45-55 metric tonnes (approximately 99,208 lbs. to 121,254 lbs.) and compliance with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
    in Mexico, Canada (NCHRP 2010), and Australia. Gross vehicle weight limits in European . Union (EU) member States range (from EC Directive 96/53/EC of July 25, 1996), from 40 metric tonnes (88,184 lbs.) in France and Germany to 50 metric tonnes (110,231 lbs.) in the Netherlands.
  • Devices are in full compliance with North America, United States and European Union Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Agency/Docket Number: FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2020-0001 and MUTCD (December 2023), National MUTCD. 655.603 Standards. The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 109(d) and 402(a).
  • Devices are in full compliance with United Kingdom BS EN 124:2015, the Standard for gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas (published on 31 July 2015). Devices is in full compliance with European Standard EN 124-5 approved by CEN on 12 March 2015. Covering gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas Part 5: Gully tops and manholes made of composite materials.
  • Devices is in full compliance with the US Federal Communications Commission regulations including Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and allocation of 75 megahertz of spectrum at 5.850-5.925 GHz and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for digital and electronic devices under the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 15, 47 CFR 15, which is commonly called FCC Part 15 regulations. The regulation criteria under FCC part 15 ranges from spurious emissions to unlicensed low-power broadcasting.
  • V2V communication may be a wireless exchange of data between vehicles and other vehicles.
  • The memory may include a set of instructions which may be executed by the processor to leverage real-time traffic management for efficient routing, monitor diverse weather conditions, ensure road surface safety through Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors, improve navigation and mapping with up-to-date data..
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to real-time traffic management. Autonomous vehicles are integrated with existing traffic management systems, utilizing a suite of sensors including radar sensors, optical sensors, and communication modules. This integration enables vehicles to receive contemporaneous updates on traffic conditions, such as congestion levels, accidents, road closures, and more. These sensors contribute to informed decision-making, route optimization, and overall traffic flow efficiency improvement.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to real-time weather monitoring, leveraging sensors deployed throughout infrastructure elements like SmartEdge Group. These include environmental sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors) and imaging sensors (e.g., cameras). The collected real-time data empowers autonomous vehicles to dynamically adjust driving behavior based on weather conditions, enhancing operational safety.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied by using a network of sensors embedded in infrastructure deployments, for real-time road surface monitoring. These sensors encompass temperature sensors, traction sensors, and surface condition sensors. The continuous monitoring of parameters like road temperature and traction allows autonomous vehicles to dynamically adjust operational parameters, ensuring optimal control and safety on different road surfaces.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to Enhanced Navigation and Mapping, using a combination of sensors in connected infrastructure deployments like GPS sensors, LiDAR sensors, and cameras. The integrated data from these sensors refines mapping algorithms, providing accurate and reliable navigation instructions by considering real-time information on road conditions, construction zones, and temporary alterations to traffic patterns.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to Network Connectivity and Coverage to ensure reliable and pervasive connectivity across extensive highway networks. These solutions involve a variety of communication devices, including cellular communication modules, satellite communication transceivers, and DSRC units. These communication devices ensure dependable transmission of data from IoT devices deployed along highways.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to interoperability and scalability among heterogeneous systems within highway infrastructure. Different types of communication protocols are employed, including RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), Zigbee, and MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), ensuring seamless integration of diverse IoT devices, sensors, and backend systems.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied to provide reliable and sustainable power supplies for IoT devices deployed in highway infrastructure. Power sources, including solar panels, wind turbines, and grid power, are integrated with energy-efficient components to extend device battery life and reduce maintenance requirements.
  • In one configuration, the loT technologies may be applied to maintaining and upgrading IoT devices deployed along highways. These devices incorporate various sensors, such as diagnostic sensors, vibration sensors, and performance monitoring sensors, enabling robust maintenance strategies, remote monitoring capabilities, and predictive maintenance techniques.
  • In one configuration, the IoT technologies may be applied with specific applications, each powered by sources such as solar panels, batteries, or grid power. Traffic sensors, equipped with LiDAR and optical sensors; weather stations with temperature and imaging sensors; cameras for surveillance; and environmental monitoring sensors are among the devices contributing to the development of an intelligent transportation system.
  • The aforementioned data is presented to the driver via an input/output module of the vehicle, which may include, for example, a dashboard. Further, when communication between vehicles and the roadway communication IoT sensor illumination device, the data may be transmitted based on a platoon-based methodology. The platoon-based methodology may establish interconnectivity among vehicles under a single communication layout. For example, a new vehicle initiates a platoon joining request to the lead vehicle, specifying its preferred position within the platoon, such as position 3 or the end. The lead vehicle evaluates factors like the platoon's maximum length and potential departures before approval. Upon approval, the lead vehicle instructs the following vehicle at the designated position to create space for the newcomer. The new vehicle, equipped with a Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) system, transitions lanes and integrates into the newly formed platoon.
  • Following the formation of the platoon, the lead vehicle assumes responsibility for obtaining connecting details, such as IP addresses of sensors, from each subsequent vehicle. These details are stored in a mapping table, facilitating communication and data exchange among vehicles within the platoon. Whenever a new vehicle joins or an existing one leaves, the lead vehicle updates the mapping table, ensuring seamless connectivity within the platoon.
  • Exiting the platoon involves a vehicle sending a leaving request to the lead vehicle. Upon receiving authorization, the departing vehicle increases spacing from its preceding counterpart, switches to manual control, changes lanes, and acknowledges its departure to the lead vehicle. The criteria for forming the vehicle platoon extend beyond numerical considerations and involve vehicles with similar characteristics, encompassing speed, acceleration, network connectivity, and specific features such as image-capturing devices, Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, LIDAR sensors, RADAR systems, road sensors, speed sensors, and acceleration sensors.
  • Illustrative configurations may further include: 1. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Communication: Tesla may be interested in exploring V2I communication protocols and infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of their autonomous vehicles. This could involve equipping iGuide Solar with sensors, cameras, or communication devices that can exchange information with Tesla's vehicles. The infrastructure could communicate directly with Tesla's autonomous vehicles to provide real-time traffic information, optimize traffic signal timing, or warn of any road hazards or construction zones. 2. Real-Time Traffic Management: Tesla might be interested in leveraging loT technologies to access real-time traffic data. By integrating with existing traffic management systems, Tesla's vehicles could receive up-to-date information on traffic congestion, accidents, road closures, and other relevant data. This information could help the autonomous vehicles make informed decisions and choose the most efficient routes, improving overall traffic flow and reducing travel times. 3. Weather Monitoring: USA and Northern Europes's diverse weather conditions, including snowstorms, heavy rain, or high winds, can significantly impact road conditions and autonomous vehicle operations. Tesla could explore IoT solutions that provide real-time weather monitoring and alerts. Roadway sensors throughout the SmartEdge Group deployments could collect and transmit data on weather conditions, enabling Tesla's autonomous vehicles to adjust their driving behavior accordingly and ensure passenger safety. 4. Road Surface Monitoring: Monitoring road surface conditions can be crucial for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles. Tesla might consider IoT solutions that utilize sensors embedded in the SmartEdge Group deployments to monitor factors such as road temperature, traction, and the presence of ice or snow. By accessing this information in real-time, Tesla's autonomous vehicles could adjust their driving parameters, such as speed or braking, to ensure optimal control and safety on different road surfaces. 5. Enhanced Navigation and Mapping: Accurate and up-to-date mapping data is essential for autonomous vehicles. Tesla may explore IoT options to improve their navigation and mapping systems. This could involve utilizing data from connected SmartEdge Group deployments with IoT sensors, to gather information on road conditions, construction zones, or temporary changes to traffic patterns. By integrating these data sources into their mapping algorithms, Tesla can provide more accurate and reliable navigation instructions to their autonomous vehicles. 6. Network connectivity and coverage: Ensuring reliable and pervasive connectivity across vast highway networks can be a significant challenge. Highways often span remote and rural areas where cellular coverage may be limited or inconsistent. Establishing robust connectivity solutions, such as mobile/cellular networks, satellite communications, or dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), is crucial for IoT devices to transmit data reliably. 7. Interoperability between devices and systems: Highway infrastructure typically involves a wide array of devices and systems from various vendors. Ensuring interoperability and scalability among these heterogeneous systems can be complex. Integrating different IoT devices, sensors, communication protocols, and backend systems requires careful planning and coordination to create a cohesive ecosystem. 8. Power Supply and Energy Efficiency: Many IoT devices deployed in highway infrastructure are required to operate autonomously for extended periods. Providing a reliable and sustainable power supply for these devices can be challenging, especially in remote areas where access to power sources is limited. Moreover, optimizing energy efficiency is essential to prolong device battery life and reduce maintenance requirements. 9. Maintenance and Upgrades: Highway infrastructure is subject to various environmental conditions and wear and tear. Ensuring the proper maintenance and timely upgrades of IoT devices deployed along highways can be challenging, especially when dealing with a vast network of devices spread over large distances. Implementing robust maintenance strategies, remote monitoring capabilities, and predictive maintenance techniques can help address these challenges.
  • In some illustrative configurations, various IoT applications may include:
    • 1. Traffic Sensors:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, inductive charging, battery
    • 2. Roadside Weather Stations:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 3. Traffic Cameras:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, grid power
    • 4. Environmental Monitoring Sensors:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 5. Road Condition Monitoring:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 6. Vehicle Charging Stations:
      • Power Source: Grid power, solar panels, wind turbines
    • 9. LED Road Markings:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 10. Variable Message Signs (VMS):
      • Power Source: Solar panels, grid power
    • 11. Smart Speed Bumps:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 12. Noise Monitoring Devices:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 13. Wireless Communication Nodes:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 14. License Plate Recognition Systems:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, grid power
    • 15. Air Quality Monitoring Stations:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 16. Intelligent Toll Systems/Smart Toll Collection Systems, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Systems:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, grid power
    • 17. Smart Road Signs:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, battery
    • 18. Intelligent Traffic Management Systems:
      • Power Source: Solar panels, grid power
    • 19. Smart Traffic Management:
      • Utilizing real-time data from sensors to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve overall traffic management.
    • 20. Dynamic Lane Management:
      • Adapting lane configurations based on traffic conditions, accidents, or events to optimize road capacity.
    • 21. Smart Road Markings:
      • Interactive road markings that change based on specific conditions, such as weather or traffic redirection.
    • 22. Automated Road Maintenance:
      • IoT devices for monitoring road conditions and automatically scheduling maintenance activities based on wear and tear.
    • 23. Smart Road Furniture:
      • Integration of sensors into road infrastructure elements like barriers, guardrails, and bollards for enhanced safety and monitoring.
    • 24. Emergency Vehicle Priority Systems:
      • Providing priority to emergency vehicles by dynamically controlling traffic signals and guiding other drivers to clear a path.
    • 25. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Communication:
      • Enabling communication between vehicles and roadside infrastructure to improve safety, traffic flow, and reduce accidents.
    • 26. Roadway Assistance Lighting/Beacons:
      • Installing beacons along roads to assist drivers in distress and guide emergency services to the location.
    • 27. Wildlife Crossing Monitoring:
      • Using sensors to detect wildlife near roads and alerting drivers to reduce the risk of collisions.
    • 40. Tunnel Monitoring Systems:
      • Implementing IoT devices to monitor the conditions inside tunnels, including air quality and emergency response systems.
    • 41. Crowdsourced Road Quality Monitoring:
      • Engaging drivers and citizens to contribute real-time feedback on road conditions, potholes, and hazards.
  • In other configurations, the system may make it possible for cities and transportation authorities to collect and analyze data to improve day-to-day traffic management, adapt for long-term sustainable transportation needs. Provide a power source for IoT sensors, cameras, radar, and 5G-equipped technologies, so that data can be analyzed in near-real time and used to improve congested roadways, streamlining traffic flow. Data can also be sent to the cloud for long-term analysis, providing critical insight for efforts such as reducing CO2. Improve emissions vehicle safety, environmental monitoring, smart and connected roadway corridors. Using our device will extend connectivity alongside transportation infrastructure. On roadway network deployment will extend and improve wireless public/private connectivity and the use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications on roadways and transportation corridors, including those that were previously unconnected. The device network will improve coverage and access to near-real-time insight into activities and events happening on roadways that can be used to proactively address problem areas, reduce response times, and improve overall road safety. Extended connectivity alongside transportation infrastructure using on roadway network deployment will extend and improve wireless public/private connectivity and the use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications on roadways and transportation corridors, including those that were previously unconnected. The device network will improve coverage and access to near-real-time insight into activities and events happening on roadways that can be used to proactively address problem areas, reduce response times, and improve overall road safety.
  • In other configurations, the system may further include:
    1. 1. Intelligent traffic management. Mayflower has partnered with AAEON Technology (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/transportation/resources/road-infrastructure-ebook.html) to help local governments and traffic management groups make road infrastructure improvement decisions. With its lightweight, easy-to-adopt optical sensor, the Mayflower Smart Control Insite Sentinel sensor can be mounted anywhere and moved as needed.
    2. 2. E-tolling and smart parking. ST Engineering Electronics' Smart Car Park Platform is a cloud-based car park management (https://www.stengg.com/smart-car-park-suite) solution that centralizes all car park operations and maintenance. The solution leverages ANPR and mobile payment apps to provide efficient and nonintrusive, seamless parking services to motorists while offering operating efficiency and cost savings to car park operators and building owners.
    3. 3. Digital twin and sensor fusion. German industrial manufacturers collaborated with Intel Labs on the Providentia ++ (P++) (https://innovation-mobility.com/en/project-providentia/) project to improve automated driving by using infrastructure-based sensor fusion. To achieve project goals, the team leveraged self-organizing orchestration of compute loads between infrastructure and automated vehicles at the hardware and OS level.
    4. 4. Smart connected roads. To help city authorities and transportation solution providers implement smart city applications that leverage 5G networking and edge services, Capgemini Engineering and Intel collaborated to create the Capgemini Engineering Smart 5G RSU solution (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ transportation/overview.html) which simplifies smart city and transportation technology obstacles through Capgemini Engineering's ENSCONCE MEC platform.
    5. 5. Smart connected roads. The city of Turin, Italy, hosted a live international trial of new driver and pedestrian safety technology (https://5gaa.org/news/live-trial-of-5g-connected-car-concept-to-launch-in-turin-italy/) that could allow near-real-time notification of roadway hazards through a 5G-edge network. This public-private collaboration, organized by the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), exhibited how the connected car concept could use high-speed and edge computing technology, along with IoT, to communicate with car sensors and pedestrian smartphones.
    6. 6. Smart connected roads. The Cellnex Mobility Lab (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/transportation/resources/road-infrastructure-ebook.html) in Castelloli, Spain, is dedicated to developing 5G-based, sustainable, connected, and autonomous mobility solutions for vehicles, traffic management, and road infrastructure. To conduct its research, it digitally transformed the Circuit Parcmotor Castelloli racing complex into a living lab for smart mobility and connected/autonomous vehicles using high-definition cameras, a cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) wireless network, and converged edge architecture.
    7. 7. EV charging. Imagen Energy and a leading EV charging OEM leveraged Intel® technologies to create a next-generation EV DC-fast charging solution that is more efficient, compact, configurable, and cost-effective. This next-generation charger combines Intel® CPUs with Intel® FPGAs for the ability to use advanced capabilities at the edge, such as remote management, digital advertising, and edge networking, while also providing industry-leading power efficiency.
    8. 8. Intelligent traffic management. Using artificial intelligence and edge computing, the Wipro Visual Intelligence in Traffic Intersection (VITI) (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/transportation/overview.html) solution utilizes preexisting/enhanced video infrastructure to capture live intersection footage. This allows city authorities and ITS providers to avoid costly installations. Optimized by the Intel® Distribution of Open VINO™ Toolkit, the solution enables detection of complex traffic situations and anomalies such as near real-time traffic management and incident detection.
  • The methods, systems, devices, graphs, and/or tables discussed herein are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims. Additionally, the techniques discussed herein may provide differing results with different types of context awareness classifiers.
  • Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly or conventionally understood. As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" refer to one or more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element. "About" and/or "approximately" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein. "Substantially" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such as frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.
  • As used herein, including in the claims, "and" as used in a list of items prefaced by "at least one of" or "one or more of" indicates that any combination of the listed items may be used. For example, a list of "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the combinations A or B or C or AB or AC or BC and/or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, to the extent that more than one occurrence or use of the items A, B, or C is possible, multiple uses of A, B, and/or C may form part of the contemplated combinations. For example, a list of "at least one of A, B, and C" may also include AA, AAB, AAA, BB, etc.
  • While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the disclosed systems, methods, and/or machine-readable media have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (1)

  1. A roadway communications IoT sensors illumination device , comprising:
    a rectangular removable locking housing, comprising:
    a bottom rectangular casing with a shaped capsule;
    a cover adjoined and secured with IoT sensor bolts to the bottom casing;
    an electronics package, comprising;
    one-way communications Star of Stars LoRa WAN communications module connected to the control unit;
    two-way communications platform module connected to the control unit;
    communications modules connected to a proprietary network and cloud based data protected dashboard;
    IoT sensors circuitry connected to the control unit;
    an LED circuitry;
    a control unit connected to the electronics package;
    at least one battery electronically connected to the electronics package;
    at least two solar panels electrically connected to the electronics package powered by the battery;
    at least 5 lens surface disposed in line with the Solar panels and LED circuitry;
    chip-on-board (COB) / surface mount LEDs;
    placed onto/into roadways and exit and on ramps:
    of all roadways and exit and on ramps compositions;
    both on or between roadway stripes and lines for lane and lane edge delineation;
    identically colored to the roadway, stripe, or line;
    with a width of a roadway stripe, or line;
    with a depth of less than 2 inches/ 50.8 millimeters;
    of any length.
EP24176084.2A 2024-05-15 2024-05-15 Roadway communications, iot sensors and illumination device Pending EP4651627A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24176084.2A EP4651627A1 (en) 2024-05-15 2024-05-15 Roadway communications, iot sensors and illumination device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24176084.2A EP4651627A1 (en) 2024-05-15 2024-05-15 Roadway communications, iot sensors and illumination device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4651627A1 true EP4651627A1 (en) 2025-11-19

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EP (1) EP4651627A1 (en)

Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160189542A1 (en) * 2014-11-24 2016-06-30 Ming Solar, Inc Vehicle guidance system
US9959754B1 (en) * 2014-01-13 2018-05-01 Evolutionary Markings, Inc. Pavement marker modules
US20180181091A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc Smart City Apparatus, System, and Method
EP3352492A1 (en) * 2017-01-19 2018-07-25 Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security GmbH Authentication method
US20180305876A1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2018-10-25 MZC Foundation, Inc. Apparatus, system, and method for smart roadway stud control and signaling
IT202100017540A1 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-01-02 Pagano S P A ROAD USE SAFETY SYSTEM BASED ON REAL-TIME INFORMATION

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9959754B1 (en) * 2014-01-13 2018-05-01 Evolutionary Markings, Inc. Pavement marker modules
US20160189542A1 (en) * 2014-11-24 2016-06-30 Ming Solar, Inc Vehicle guidance system
US20180181091A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc Smart City Apparatus, System, and Method
EP3352492A1 (en) * 2017-01-19 2018-07-25 Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security GmbH Authentication method
US20180305876A1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2018-10-25 MZC Foundation, Inc. Apparatus, system, and method for smart roadway stud control and signaling
IT202100017540A1 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-01-02 Pagano S P A ROAD USE SAFETY SYSTEM BASED ON REAL-TIME INFORMATION

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