GB2430787A

GB2430787A - Automatic ice warning road sign

Info

Publication number: GB2430787A
Application number: GB0519701A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Greig
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-28
Filing date: 2005-09-28
Publication date: 2007-04-04
Also published as: GB0519701D0

Abstract

A self powered road sign automatically detects ice or icy road conditions and displays an illuminated warning to oncoming vehicles. A temperature sensor is used to detect the conditions. The sensor may be located remotely from the sign using an extension cable. Preferably the road sign is powered by a battery charged using a solar panel or wind energy. The sign may be configured to save power by illuminating the display only when an oncoming vehicle is detected by a Doppler radar sensor and the temperature is below a threshold value indicating icy conditions. The display panel may be formed from LED's.

Description

Automatic Ice Warning This invention relates to an automatic frost

detection system which displays a warning to oncoming traffic.

Most Road Signs rely upon a printed plate which continually displays a warning that the road ahead can be subject to ice, no matter the weather conditions. As a result, the sign tends to be ignored by motorists.

This invention proposes a self-powered road sign, either solar or wind powered or a combination of both, together with a lead-acid storage battery as the power source, which displays an illuminated LED matrix ICE warning when an electronic detector mounted in the proximity of the sign detects the temperature has fallen to a pre-set level, together with a means of detecting oncoming vehicles so the sign only illuminates when a vehicle approaches.

The sign will only display when the conditions for road icing are met, ensuring that motorists are duly warned of adverse road conditions ahead. The use of self-powered signs allows placing of such signs in remote areas where local mains power is not easily supplied, and assists with government directives on alternative energy utilisation. Including a means of detecting oncoming vehicles ensures the sign only illuminates when required, and has the dual advantage of being more readily noticed by the vehicle driver as the vehicle approaches, and reduces the energy requirements of the sign and electronics apparatus as it goes into low energy requirements mode when no traffic is detected.

Preferable, the road sign has the ability to allow remote location of the temperature detecting element such that the sign may be placed in the most opportune position for driver visibility and/or energy generation, whilst the detector is placed at the most likely position for ice to form on the road ahead, which also gives additional warning time for the driver to adjust speed accordingly.

Preferably, the road sign can display other messages by virtue of the LED matrix display for alternative warning messages such as GRIT or 30 LIMIT or QUEUE as further sensors are developed or messages loaded by duly authorised personnel.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the road traffic sign displaying an ICE warning, Figure 2 shows the electronics in block diagram form In figure 1, a solar panel frame 1 is mounted at the top of the unit by the means of mounting bolts at an angle and position calculated to produce the maximum solar energy for its position. An additional or alternative solar or wind power generator may be situated some distance away from the sign as local conditions suggest. The control and display unit 2 is mounted at a statutory distance above ground level to comply with road sign traffic regulations on a standard road sign pole 3.

In figure 2, the display and control electronics are represented in block diagram format, where 2 represents the LED matrix display, together with the drive electronics required to power individual LED elements sourced with electrical power from a rechargeable seaLED low maintenance lead acid battery 5 which in turn is charged from a solar or wind generator power source 7. The lead acid battery 5 also provides the power required for the control electronics unit 4 and temperature sensor 6. The control electronics unit monitors the temperature sensor 6 to detect a pre-set temperature threshold below which ice may form on the road, and activates the display 2 when approaching traffic is detected. A standard Doppler radar unit may be fitted to detect oncoming traffic, which may also be fitted in the control electronics unit 4. The battery 5 charge cycle is also monitored by the electronics control unit 4, which will ensure battery overcharging does not occur, and can power down the display when no oncoming traffic is detected. The control electronics unit 4 shall also have the capability of fitting additional or alternative sensors as required, or a means of monitoring such sensors, and the capability of displaying such messages as authorised personnel may wish displayed for road safety by manual or local RF transmitted means. The sensor 6 may be fitted local to the display 2 or by means of suitable cables situated remotely from the display 2 in an area most likely to be affected by ice formation. The sensor 6 will consist of an electronic temperature sensor, together with a transmitter capable of sending temperature sensor data down a suitable cable to the control electronics unit 4. The control electronics unit 4 shall be fitted with an electronics receiver module capable of reliable data reception from a remote sensor 6.

Claims

Claims 1. A self-powered road traffic sign which detects ice conditions

and displays an illuminated warning to oncoming vehicles.
2. A self-powered road traffic sign according to claim 1, in which the temperature sensor can be situated remotely from the sign by means of an extension cable and suitable electronic signal conditioning for low error data transmission.
3. A self-powered road traffic sign according to claim 1 which can be fitted in remote locations without requiring local mains supply, in which power is supplied by solar and/or wind energy conversion to charge a local lead acid battery
4. A self-powered road traffic sign according to claim 1, which only displays warnings when approaching traffic is detected by means of a Doppler radar sensor and the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined threshold, hence saving energy consumption and reducing the sensory burden on vehicle drivers by only displaying when required.
5. A self-powered road traffic stgn according to claim 1, which can have alternative sensors fitted and display alternative messages as required, either by embedded software or by manual or RF messaging intervention by authorised personnel.