GB2320122A

GB2320122A - A rapid flow traffic system

Info

Publication number: GB2320122A
Application number: GB9625757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Adams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-12-07
Filing date: 1996-12-07
Publication date: 1998-06-10
Also published as: GB9625757D0

Abstract

Rapid Flow Traffic Systems are used at selected road junctions with traffic light signals where minor roads intersect with main roads. Road traffic vehicle sensors monitor the traffic situation on the minor roads in the vicinity of these road junctions. When there is an absence of minor road traffic waiting at or approaching the junctions in their vicinity, the road traffic vehicle sensors detect this and relay this information to the traffic light control systems involved. Main road traffic light signals therefore remain showing green, when otherwise they would have changed to showing red according to their normal cycle of change.

Description

A RAPID ELOW TRAFFIC SYST$M This invention relates to a Rapid Flow Traffic System, called an R.F.T. system in abbreviated form.

At road junctions with traffic light signals, where main roads intersect with minor roads, main road vehicles may be stopped unnecessarily. This can occur when there is no minor road traffic waiting at, or approaching, the junction in its vicinity.

According to the present invention, R.F.T. systems are employed at selected road junctions of this kind, where this situation is likely to occur.

A standard R.F.T. system comprises:- a road traffic vehicle sensor and ancillary equipment; mechanisms for relaying information from the sensor to the traffic light control system; and suitable computer technology.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing: - Figure 1 shows in plan a road junction which is suitable for R.F.T. installation.

Figure 2 is a plan of such a junction, with main road traffic stopped unnecessarily.

Figure 3 illustrates in plan a junction of this kind with a standard R.F.T. system in use.

Figure 4 shows in the plan this R.F.T. system detecting approaching minor road traffic.

Figure 5 is an elevated cross section across part of the junction shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a more complex road junction with R.F.T. in operation.

Referring to the drawing1 in Figure 1, a main road 10 intersects with a minor road 12. Main road vehicles 14, 16, 18 and 20 are stopped at this road junction with the main road traffic light signals 22 showing red. Minor road traffic lights signals 24 are showing green, thereby allowing vehicles 26 to pass through the junction. The vehicles 28 on the minor road are stationary parked vehicles.

Figure 2 shows a similar road junction, with main road vehicles 14, 16, 18 and 20 stopped as in Figure 1. However, in this particular example, there are no vehicles on the minor road waiting at or approaching the junction in its vicinity. As previously noted, the vehicles 28 are stationary parked vehicles. Therefore in the situation shown in Figure 2 the main road vehicles are stopped unnecessarily.

In Figure 3 a standard R.F.T. system is employed at a junction of this kind with similar circumstances applying.

This standard R.F.T. system embodies a road traffic vehicle sensor 30 with a sensory field shown in plan and bounded by the lines marked 32 in the drawing. The location of this sensor, and the direction and extent of its sensory field, is adjustable to suit particular specific circumstances.

In the particular example given in Figure 3, the vehicle sensor 30 detects that there is no minor road traffic waiting at or approaching the junction in its vicinity.

This information is relayed to the traffic light control system, and as a result, the main road traffic light signals stay showing green when otherwise they would have changed to showing red. Main road vehicles 14, 16, 18 and 20 are therefore allowed passage through the junction when without R.F.T. they would have been stopped unnecessarily.

In Figure 3, vehicles 20 and 28 are on the minor road in the vicinity of the road junction. However, the vehicle sensor 30 detects that vehicles 20 are leaving the junction, and that vehicles 28 are parked and stationary. Vehicles 20 and 28 are therefore not considered to be waiting at or approaching the junction in its vicinity.

Figure 3 shows vehicles 16 which are waiting to turn right into the minor road. Vehicles in this situation may have to wait longer with R.F.T. given the greater continuity of flow of oncoming vehicles such as 18. Pedestrians waiting to cross the main road, 34 in this example, may also have to wait longer for the same reason. The invention may therefore have limitations for road users in these situations.

Referring to Figure 4, when there are vehicles such as 36 on the minor road waiting at or approaching the junction, the vehicle sensor 30 detects this using the sensory field shown in plan and bounded by lines 32 in the diagram. This information is then relayed to the traffic light control system and the traffic light signals 22 and 24 change according to their normal cycle of change. Main road vehicles such as 38 are therefore halted at the junction, and the minor road vehicles 36 are allowed passage through it.

In Figure 4 there are two points A and B which are marked with crosses on the diagram. These points denote the limits of an elevated cross section which is presented in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 5, this elevation reveals that vehicles 38, shown in plan in Figure 4, are in fact high sided vehicles. These are in passage through the road junction along the main road. Figure 5 also features the road traffic vehicle sensor 30, with its sensory field shown in elevation, and bounded by the lines marked 32 in the drawing.

Notably, in Figure 5, the sensor is located at such a height so as to ensure that the high sided vehicles do not obstruct the sensory field. As a result, there is an unobstructed view of the minor road vehicles 36. Moreover, in general terms, the height above the ground of any given road traffic vehicle sensor is adjustable to suit the particular circumstances applying.

In Figure 5 the traffic light signals 22 and 24 are shown in elevation. Also shown are examples of items of R.F.T.

ancillary equipment. There is the high post 40 used to support the vehicle sensor 30, and the R.F.T. road sign 42 used to indicate that R.F.T. is in operation. Use of suitable road markings to indicate the presence of R.F.T.

is also an option.

Referring to Figure 6, this illustrates a more complex junction in which a number of standard R.F.T. systems are employed in concert. Here there are minor roads 44, 46 and 48 and a main road 10. Given this situation, there are three road traffic vehicle sensors 30 installed with sensory fields shown in plan and bounded by the lines marked 32 in the drawing.

In Figure 6 the vehicle sensors 30 are located in such a way so as to ensure that they have unobstructed views of the minor road traffic situation in the vicinity of the road junction. The direction and the extent of these sensory fields is also adjusted to suit the specific circumstances applying.

Significantly, there is the limitation that certain junctions may not be able to accommodate R.F.T.

In the particular example given in Figure 6, there are no minor road vehicles waiting at or approaching the junction in its vicinity. The vehicle sensors 30 detect this, and information from each of the sensors is relayed to the traffic light control system. As a result the minor road signals 24 stay showing red and the main road signals 22 stay showing green. Main road vehicles 50 are therefore allowed passage through the junction when without R.F.T.

they may have been stopped unnecessarily.

Claims

1. A Rapid Flow Traffic system comprising:- a road traffic vehicle sensor and ancillary equipment; mechanisms for relaying information from the sensor to the traffic light control system involved; and suitable computer technology.

2. A Rapid Flow Traffic system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ancillary equipment referred to, includes the means of securing the road traffic vehicle sensor, in an appropriate location, in plan and elevation, according to the particular circumstances applying.

3. A Rapid Flow Traffic system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the road traffic vehicle sensor has a sensory field, which has adjustable direction and extent to suit the particular circumstances applying.

4. A Rapid Flow Traffic system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a number of Rapid Flow Traffic systems are used to accommodate the particular circumstances at selected road junctions.

5. A Rapid Flow Traffic system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein there is more than one road traffic vehicle sensor in use, and commensurate multiplicity of ancillary equipment and information relay mechanisms, with appropriate computer technology.

6. A Rapid Flow Traffic system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein notice of the use of the system is provided by suitable road signs and road markings as part of the ancillary equipment referred to.

7. A Rapid Flow Traffic system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A Rapid Flow Traffic system comprising:- a road traffic vehicle sensor and ancillary equipment; mechanisms for relaying information from the sensor to the traffic light control system involved; and suitable computer technology.

Rapid Flow Traffic Systems, R.F.T. systems in abbreviated form, are used at selected road junctions with traffic light signals where minor roads intersect with main roads.

Road traffic vehicle sensors monitor the traffic situation on the minor roads in the vicinity of these road junctions.

When there is an absence of minor road traffic waiting at or approaching the junctions in their vicinity, the road traffic vehicle sensors detect this and relay this information to the traffic light control systems involved.

Main road traffic light signals therefore remain showing green, when otherwise they would have changed to showing red according to their normal cycle of change. As a result, main road vehicles are allowed passage through the selected road junctions when without R.F.T. they may have been stopped unnecessarily.