GB2129992A

GB2129992A - Talking pelican crossing

Info

Publication number: GB2129992A
Application number: GB08328357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent John Mccann
Original assignee: LOTHIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL
Current assignee: LOTHIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL
Priority date: 1982-11-10
Filing date: 1983-10-24
Publication date: 1984-05-23
Also published as: GB2129992B; GB8328357D0

Abstract

A pelican crossing system for assisting blind persons in crossing roads at pelican crossings includes pedestrian control signals and operating controls together with a loudspeaker system such as to broadcast a recorded message in conjunction with the "cross" phase of the pedestrian control signals. In one embodiment the tape drive motor 4 is fed, via electronic switch 5, with signal from relay 6 indicating the "green man" phase so as to start playing a recorded spoken message. The message is picked up by left channel pickup 2, amplified 8, fed through a volume control, itself controlled by time switch 10, and fed via relay 11 to loudspeaker 12. A control signal on the tape picked up by right channel pickup 3 indicates when the spoken message is finished, and this signal is fed via amplifier 7 to electronic switch 5 which switches off the tape drive motor 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Talking pelican crossing This invention relates to a pelican type pedestrian crossing system which has, in conjunction with the green man signal, a recorded voice indicating this condition.

Pelican type crossings are used to provide a traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossing. They are particularly used in busy roads or at junctions were zebra crossings are inappropriate.

Hitherto in order that blind, or partially sighted, pedestrians might be aware when it was safe to cross these crossings have been fitted with audible signals, or bleepers, which operated in conjunction with the visual green man signal.

However, in cases of particularly wide streets it was often impractical to use a single crossing and so the crossing was split into two halves, divided by a central island. This generally meant that bleepers could not be fitted since confusion might arise in determining which half of the crossing was being signalled as safe to cross. This lack of audible signals caused concern since blind, or partially sighted, people were no longer able to determine when it was safe to cross.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the present invention there is provided a pelican crossing system which comprises a set of traffic control signals, a set of pedestrian control signals and a set of operating controls together with a loudspeaker system broadcasting a recorded message operating in conjunction with the green man phase of the said pedestrian control signals.

Preferably, said recorded voice comprises a message which signifies that the traffic has been stopped and that it is now safe to cross.

Preferably also, that said message is broadcast by loudspeakers attached to the traffic signal poles.

Preferably also, that said message synchronises with the visual green man pedestrian crossing signal.

Preferably also, there is included means for differentiating, in two-part crossings, which part is being signalled as safe to cross.

Preferably also, said differentiating means comprises directional information in the message together with the use of male and female voices.

Preferably also, there is included means for altering the volume level of the broadcast message.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a line diagram showing the essential features of the recorded message equipment for one embodiment of a pelican crossing system made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a line diagram of an alternative embodiment of a recorded message system using a digital electronic voice synthesiser for a pelican crossing made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a recorded message system for a pelican crossing system comprises a twin track tape recorder 1. An endless tape loop carries a spoken message which is received by a left channel pickup 2, together with control pulses which are received by a right channel pickup 3. A tape drive motor 4 is operated by an electronic switch 5 which is switched on by a relay 6 and off by a signal from the left channel 3 amplified by amplifier 7.

In use, the system is similar to the pelican type crossings in that pedestrians press the pushbutton to demand the green man in the normal way.

When the lights turn red and the green man circuit operates, a signal from the visual green man on circuit switches the relay 6 which in turn operates the electronic switch 5 thus energising the motor 4. The left channel pickup 2 starts to record the spoken message signal from the tape. This signal is then amplified by the amplifier 8 and has its volume selected by loud/quiet selector relay 9 which is controlled bya time switch 10. This allows a loud volume to be used during the day and a quiet volume to be used at night. The signal is then connected via relay 11 to loud speakers 12.

After the message has been played the right hand channel pickup 3 receives a pulse from the tape which is passed via the amplifier 7 to switch off the electronic switch 5 and hence stop the motor 4.

In an alternative system using a digital voice synthesiser instead of a tape loop, the signal from the green man on circuit 1 3 operates an electronic switch 14 which energises a digital voice synthesiser 1 5. The signal from the digital voice synthesiser 1 5 is then amplified by an amplifier 16, has its volume level selected by a loud/quiet selector relay 17 controlled by a time switch 1 8 and is then connected to loudspeakers by a relay 19.

When the message is finished and the green man phase is over a signal from the green man off circuit 21 operates the electronic switch 14 which is turn switches off the digital voice synthesiser.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A pelican crossing system which comprises a set of traffic control signals, a set of pedestrian control signals and a set of operating controls together with a loudspeaker system broadcasting a recorded message operating in conjunction with the green man phase of the said pedestrian control signals.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recorded voice comprises a message which signifies that the traffic has been stopped and that it is now safe to cross.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said message is broadcast by loudspeakers attached to the traffic signal poles.

4. A system as claimed in either claim 2 or 3

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Talking pelican crossing This invention relates to a pelican type pedestrian crossing system which has, in conjunction with the green man signal, a recorded voice indicating this condition. Pelican type crossings are used to provide a traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossing. They are particularly used in busy roads or at junctions were zebra crossings are inappropriate. Hitherto in order that blind, or partially sighted, pedestrians might be aware when it was safe to cross these crossings have been fitted with audible signals, or bleepers, which operated in conjunction with the visual green man signal. However, in cases of particularly wide streets it was often impractical to use a single crossing and so the crossing was split into two halves, divided by a central island. This generally meant that bleepers could not be fitted since confusion might arise in determining which half of the crossing was being signalled as safe to cross. This lack of audible signals caused concern since blind, or partially sighted, people were no longer able to determine when it was safe to cross. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage. According to the present invention there is provided a pelican crossing system which comprises a set of traffic control signals, a set of pedestrian control signals and a set of operating controls together with a loudspeaker system broadcasting a recorded message operating in conjunction with the green man phase of the said pedestrian control signals. Preferably, said recorded voice comprises a message which signifies that the traffic has been stopped and that it is now safe to cross. Preferably also, that said message is broadcast by loudspeakers attached to the traffic signal poles. Preferably also, that said message synchronises with the visual green man pedestrian crossing signal. Preferably also, there is included means for differentiating, in two-part crossings, which part is being signalled as safe to cross. Preferably also, said differentiating means comprises directional information in the message together with the use of male and female voices. Preferably also, there is included means for altering the volume level of the broadcast message. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a line diagram showing the essential features of the recorded message equipment for one embodiment of a pelican crossing system made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a line diagram of an alternative embodiment of a recorded message system using a digital electronic voice synthesiser for a pelican crossing made in accordance with the present invention. Referring to the drawings, a recorded message system for a pelican crossing system comprises a twin track tape recorder 1. An endless tape loop carries a spoken message which is received by a left channel pickup 2, together with control pulses which are received by a right channel pickup 3. A tape drive motor 4 is operated by an electronic switch 5 which is switched on by a relay 6 and off by a signal from the left channel 3 amplified by amplifier 7. In use, the system is similar to the pelican type crossings in that pedestrians press the pushbutton to demand the green man in the normal way. When the lights turn red and the green man circuit operates, a signal from the visual green man on circuit switches the relay 6 which in turn operates the electronic switch 5 thus energising the motor 4. The left channel pickup 2 starts to record the spoken message signal from the tape. This signal is then amplified by the amplifier 8 and has its volume selected by loud/quiet selector relay 9 which is controlled bya time switch 10. This allows a loud volume to be used during the day and a quiet volume to be used at night. The signal is then connected via relay 11 to loud speakers 12. After the message has been played the right hand channel pickup 3 receives a pulse from the tape which is passed via the amplifier 7 to switch off the electronic switch 5 and hence stop the motor 4. In an alternative system using a digital voice synthesiser instead of a tape loop, the signal from the green man on circuit 1 3 operates an electronic switch 14 which energises a digital voice synthesiser 1 5. The signal from the digital voice synthesiser 1 5 is then amplified by an amplifier 16, has its volume level selected by a loud/quiet selector relay 17 controlled by a time switch 1 8 and is then connected to loudspeakers by a relay 19. When the message is finished and the green man phase is over a signal from the green man off circuit 21 operates the electronic switch 14 which is turn switches off the digital voice synthesiser. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

4. A system as claimed in either claim 2 or 3 wherein said message synchronises with the visual green man pedestrian crossing signal.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including means for differentiating, in twopart crossings, which part is being signalled as safe to cross.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said differentiating means comprises directional information in the message together with the use of male and female voices.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including means for altering the volume level of the broadcast message.

8. A pelican crossing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.