GB2524308A - Flood warning road signs - Google Patents

Flood warning road signs Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2524308A
GB2524308A GB1404997.7A GB201404997A GB2524308A GB 2524308 A GB2524308 A GB 2524308A GB 201404997 A GB201404997 A GB 201404997A GB 2524308 A GB2524308 A GB 2524308A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
sign
road
inner portion
road sign
incorporates
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB1404997.7A
Other versions
GB2524308B (en
GB201404997D0 (en
Inventor
Philip David Hayton
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.)
Westcotec Ltd
Original Assignee
Westcotec 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 Westcotec Ltd filed Critical Westcotec Ltd
Priority to GB1404997.7A priority Critical patent/GB2524308B/en
Publication of GB201404997D0 publication Critical patent/GB201404997D0/en
Publication of GB2524308A publication Critical patent/GB2524308A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2524308B publication Critical patent/GB2524308B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/68—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
    • G01F23/683—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means using electromechanically actuated indicating means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/40—Arrangements responsive to adverse atmospheric conditions, e.g. to signal icy roads or to automatically illuminate in fog; Arrangements characterised by heating or drying means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/608—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings for guiding, warning or controlling traffic, e.g. delineator posts or milestones
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/615—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings illuminated
    • E01F9/617—Illuminated or wired-up posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures for traffic guidance, warning or control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/284—Electromagnetic waves
    • G01F23/292—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
    • G01F23/2921—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels
    • G01F23/2928—Light, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet for discrete levels using light reflected on the material surface
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
    • G01F23/2962—Measuring transit time of reflected waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/68—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
    • G01F23/686—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means using opto-electrically actuated indicating means

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

The road sign 11 comprises an outer portion 12 and an inner portion 13. The outer portionextends upwards from ground level and said inner portion is floatable and is positioned and moveable within said outer portion. The outer portion includes at least one aperture 14 located at its lower end for allowing fluid to enter said sign. The sign incorporates a way of signalling to a recipient the level of fluid on the road depending on the height to which the inner portion is raised by fluid received by said sign. The outer surface may include an aperture 16 through which the floating portion, as the water level rises, becomes visible. The floating portion may incorporate a conductor which as it rises the conductor activates a warning sign, for example on a display panel including a number of light sources such as LEDs. Also claimed is a communication system wherein road signs wirelessly communicate with each other or a wireless receiver in a vehicle which includes a visual or audible display unit for displaying information inside a vehicle following a receipt signal from a said road sign.

Description

Flood Warning Road Signs
Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to road signs and has particular application in the field of flood warning road signs.
Background to the Invention
The closest prior art known to the applicant are road signs) which are placed on the ground adjacent to a road, to indicate the level to which flood water has risen on the road.
Typically these signs have a number of measurement markings painted or etched onto the sign, extending from ground level for an oncoming driver to read as they approach the section of road at which the sign is positioned.
A disadvantage of these signs is that it is difficult for an oncoming driver to read the level to which water has risen as it is difficult to read the measurement points whilst moving at speed. The measurement points on existing signs are also typically small and are often unclear due to erosion of the sign over time. Even if a driver is able to accurately see the markings, it is not always clear what constitutes a dangerous level -a level at which the road should not be used, and this could potentially lead to a traffic accident.
It is thus the object of the current invention to provide a road sign which seeks to aLLeviate at Least this probLem.
Summary of the Invention
In a first broad independent aspect the invention provides a road sign comprising an outer portion and an inner portion; wherein said outer portion rises upwards from ground reveL and said inner portion is fLoatabLe and is positioned and moveabLe within said outer portion; and at least one aperture located at the bottom end region of said outer portion for aRowing fluid to enter said sign; wherein said sign incorporates means for signalLing to a recipient the reveL of fluid on the road depending on the height to which the inner portion is raised by fluid received by said sign.
This configuration provides the advantage of cLearly indicating to an oncoming driver the height to which water has risen on a road) and whether that LeveL is too dangerous for the driver to continue. Where more than one road sign are present on a section of road, a driver can assess whether it is safer to drive on one side of the road or the other if one sign is signaLLing a Lower LeveL of water. Due to the presence of an inner portion the road sign is Less susceptibLe to erosion over time meaning the indication of the road water Levd and warning of a dangerous water LeveL is accurate and consistent. Servicing of the road sign is therefore rarely required.
PreferabLy, said outer portion incorporates at Least one surface incorporating an aperture which extends along at least a region of said outer portion; and said inner portion incorporates a corresponding surface comprising a warning sign; whereby in use, when said inner portion rises, said warning sign becomes visib'e through said aperture. This configuration further provides the advantage of clearly indicating to an oncoming driver the LeveL to which water has risen through a warning sign Located on a surface of the inner portion. This warning sign could be, for instance, a Neck colour (e.g. red) so that as the inner portion rises, more of the bLock warning coLour becomes visibLe through the aperture of the outer portion indicating increasing water Levels and therefore danger on the road.
This aLlows an oncoming driver to more straightforwardLy determine whether the level of water on the road ahead is too dangerous to pass through compared to existing signs which are difficult to read. This is especiaLLy important where a driver is travelling at speed and therefore the cLarity of the road sign becomes increasingLy important in order to prevent a dangerous incident.
Preferably, said outer portion incorporates at Least one surface incorporating a warning sign which extends aLong at least a region of said outer portion; and said inner portion incorporates a conductor; whereby in use, when said inner portion rises, said conductor activates a warning sign. This configuration further provides a dear means for indicating to a driver the water LeveL on a road via an eLectronic warning sign. Activation of the warning sign by the conductor straightforwardly indicates to an oncoming driver whether the forthcoming section of road is too dangerous to pass through. The incorporation of the conductor on the inner portion aLso minimises the required power of the sign as) when the conductor is not raised at aft, the warning sign is not activated.
is Preferably, said sign incorporates a display panel with a plurality of light sources and said conductor activates a greater or lesser number of said Light sources dependent on the height of said inner portion. This configuration provides the advantage of cLearLy indicating to an oncoming driver the water LeveL of the road) particularly during the night and in conditions of reduced visibiLity. As the water LeveL rises, the conductor causes the pLuraLity of Light sources to progressively activate. Similarly) as the water LeveL subsequently falls, the pLuraLity of Light sources of the dispLay paneL progressiveLy deactivate as the inner portion) and thereby the conductor, descend.
PreferabLy, said dispLay paneL comprises a number of Eight emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are reLiabLe and have a Long Lifetime which provides the advantage of reliably signaLLing the water leveL to oncoming drivers over a Long period of time without the need for servicing of the sign or replacement of the Light sources. A smalL number of LEDs are aLso required to produce a bright signal which can effectively warn oncoming drivers in low Light conditions.
PreferabLy, said sign incorporates a pLuraLity of apertures spaced around the circumference of the bottom end region of said sign; and means for determining the direction of fLow of fLuid received by said sign. The current of fLood water is aLso an important factor in determining whether it is safe for a vehicLe to pass through a section of fLooded road. A strong current can reduce the controL a driver has on a vehicLe, even where the water leveL may appear to be Low enough to drive through. This configuration therefore provides the advantage of warning an oncoming driver of the current of flood water on a road as weLL as the LeveL of the water.
Preferably) said road sign further comprises a speaker for emitting an audibLe warning signaL when said inner portion is raised above a particuLar LeveL. This configuration aLLows an audible aLarm to be emitted towards oncoming vehicles when a dangerous water Level is present. This is especiaLLy advantageous in Low Light conditions or where it is determined that a strong current is present and obvious warning is required.
Preferably) said road sign further comprises means for wireLessLy communicating a warning signaL to an oncoming vehide. This configuration provides the advantage of providing a warning signaL within an oncoming vehicLe which further enhances the awareness of the is driver to a dangerous water Level and/or current on the road.
PreferabLy, said wireless communication is propagated via radio signaL, BLuetoothlM, radar) WIFI or the like. This configuration provides the advantage of transmitting a wireLess warning signaL to a vehicLe using means which are often present in a vehicLes eLectronic features or in a sateLLite navigation system connected to the car.
Preferably, said road sign further comprises a solar paneL for powering said sign. This provides the advantage of reLiabLy and cost-effectiveLy powering the road sign without the need for recharging or changing batteries or requiring the connection of the road sign to a mains power supply.
In a second broad aspect the invention provides a communication system comprising a pLuraLity of road signs; wherein each road sign incorporates means for wireLessLy communicating with another said road sign.
This configuration provides the advantage of combining date between a pLuraLity of road signs so that an oncoming driver can be more accurately warned of the water LeveL on a road and whether that water Level is too dangerous to pass through.
S
In a third broad aspect the invention provides a communication system comprising at Least one road sign; and a vehicLe which comprises a receiver) for receiving a wireLess signaL from said road sign and a visuaL and/or audibLe dispLay unit for dispLaying information inside said vehicLe following receipt of said signaL This configuration provides the advantage of effectively warning a driver inside their vehicLe of the water LeveL on a road and whether that water LeveL is too dangerous to pass through. The wireLess signaL aRows the driver to straightforwardly receive flood warning information whiLst stiLL focussing on driving.
Brief Description of the Invention
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a communication system consisting of a pLuraLity of road signs.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a communication system consisting of a pLuraLity of road signs and an oncoming vehicLe.
DetaiLed Description of the Invention
The road sign of the current invention enabLes drivers to accurateLy gauge the depth of water covering the road surface in front of them. They wiLL then have sufficient information to judge if their vehicLe is capabLe of proceeding without incident, or whether to move to the other side of the road where further road signs may indicate a shaLLower depth.
A first embodiment of the road sign of the invention is shown in Figure 1 and is referenced generaLLy as 11. The road sign 11 comprises an outer portion 12 and an inner portion 13.
The outer portion 12 is positioned at or below ground level and extends upwardly. The inner portion 13 is positioned within the outer potion 12 and consists of a floatable material so that when fluid enters the road sign lithe inner portion 13 moves up and down inside the outer portion 12 according to the water level on the road.
In this first embodiment the road sign 11 incorporates an aperture 14 which is located at the bottom end portion of the outer portion 12. This aperture 14, in use, allows water to enter the sign 11 when a road becomes flooded. As water enters the outer portion 12 through the aperture 14, the inner portion 13 is raised within the outer portion 12.
It is envisaged that a road sign is positioned at 10 meter intervals on either side of a road where flooding is likely to occur.
In an aLternative embodiment there is a plurality of apertures located on the sign 11 for aLlowing fluid to flow into the sign to raise the inner portion 13. These apertures may extend around the circumference of the sign and/or along the length of the sign.
In a preferred embodiment, the outer portion 12 incorporates a surface, such as 15, which incorporates an aperture 16. The aperture 16 extends aLong a top end region of the surface of the outer portion 15. In this preferred embodiment) the inner portion 13 incorporates a corresponding surface, such as 17, which comprises a warning sign so that) in use, as the inner portion 13 rises the warning sign becomes visible through the aperture 16 of the outer portion 12. This warning sign may be a block colour (e.g. red) which inherently signals danger to an oncoming driver. Alternatively the warning sign comprises a colour scale ranging from for instance, green to red) signalling when the road is safe to drive through and when it is progressively more dangerous. In another alternative embodiment, the surface 17 of the inner portion 13 comprises a number of measurements, signs or words to inform the driver of an oncoming vehicle of the height to which water has risen on the road or whether a dangerous level of water is present In an alternative embodiment, shown in figure 2, the outer portion 12 incorporates a warning sign 18. In this preferred embodiment, the inner portion 13 incorporates a conductor 19. In use, as the inner portion 13 rises, the conductor 19 activates the warning sign 18 to indicate to oncoming vehicLes the water LeveL on the road.
Preferably, the warning sign 18 comprises a dispLay paneL comprising one or more light sources) such as 20 and 21, which extend aLong at Least a region of the outer potion 12. In use) as water enters the outer portion 12 and the inner portion 13 rises) the conductor 19 (attached to the inner portion and therefore rises with the inner portion) progressiveLy activates a greater number of the Light sources dependent upon the height to which the inner portion 13 has risen. SimiLarly, as the inner portion descends, the Light sources are progressiveLy deactivated on the dispLay paneL 18 as the conductor moves out of connection with the display panel. PreferabLy the light sources consist of Light emitting diodes (LED5).
In another aLternative embodiment, shown in figure 3, the sign 11 incorporates an inner Is portion 13 in the form of a floatabLe disc with a refLective upper surface 23. ALso incorporated in the sign 11 is a transmitter/receiver 24. In use, the transmitter/receiver transmits a signaL towards the refLective surface 23 of the inner portion 13 and subsequentLy receives a return signaL The transmitter/receiver 24 can thereby determine the height to which the water has risen by the time it takes for the transmitted signaL to be reflected and received. In this aLternative embodiment the transmitter/receiver 24 is connected to a dispLay paneL 18 Located on the outer portion 12 of the sign 11, which dispLays the height to which the water has risen.
In a further preferred embodiment, the road sign 11 incorporates means for determining the direction of fLow of fLuid in and around the sign 11. Preferably, this consists of a number of propeLLers (not shown), which may be positioned either inside or outside the outer portion 12 of the sign) which together aLLow the sign 11 to determine the speed and direction in which the flood water is flowing. This can then be signaLLed to oncoming vehicLes together with information regarding the height of the fLood water. When the propeLLers are positioned within the sign it is preferabLe that a pLuraLity of apertures are Located at the bottom end region of the outer portion 12.
S
In an even further preferred embodiment, the road sign 11 further comprises one or more speakers (not shown). An audible warning signaL can therefore be emitted towards an oncoming vehicle if the water LeveL has risen to a dangerous leveL In a preferred embodiment, the road sign 11 further comprises a solar panel 22 for powering the display paneL 18, conductor 19 and any other electricaL components of the sign. This avoids the requirement for a battery or for the sign to be connected to a mains power supply.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 4, a pLuraLity of road signs, referenced here as 25, 26, 27 and 28, are positioned on a section of road, each road sign incorporating wireless communication means to communicate with at Least one other road sign wirelessLy. The communication between the road signs can occur via any known mode of wireLess communication. As each of the road signs can communicate with at Least one is of the other road signs on a section of road, accurate information can be provided to an oncoming vehicLe. This is especiaLLy advantageous where there is a strong current in the water fLooding the road and the pLuraLity of road signs can more accurateLy determine how fast and in which direction the fLood water is traveLLing.
In yet another preferred embodiment, shown in figure 5, the sign further comprises means for wireLessLy communicating a warning signaL to an oncoming vehicLe 29. This is preferabLy propagated via a radio signaL, BLuetoothTM, radar) WIFI or other known modes of wireLess communication. These known means are preferred as they are often present in technoLogies used within road vehicLes and therefore the signaL can be straightforwardLy transmitted without the need for additionaL speciaList hardware to be introduced in a vehicLe. For exampLe, the wireLess signaL from the road sign 11 couLd be transmitted to a sateLLite navigation device already present in the vehicLe 29.

Claims (14)

  1. Claims 1. A road sign comprising an outer portion and an inner portion; wherein said outer portion rises upwards from ground LeveL and said inner portion is floatabLe and is positioned and moveabLe within said outer portion; and at Least one aperture Located at the bottom end region of said outer portion for allowing fluid to enter said sign; wherein said sign incorporates means for signaLLing to a recipient the LeveL of fluid on the road depending on the height to which the inner portion is raised by fLuid received by said sign.
  2. 2. A road sign according to claim 1, wherein said outer portion incorporates at least one surface incorporating an aperture which extends aLong at Least a region of said outer portion; and said inner portion incorporates a corresponding surface comprising a warning sign; whereby in use, when said inner portion rises, said warning sign becomes visibLe through said aperture.
  3. 3. A road sign according to daim 1, wherein said outer portion incorporates at least one surface incorporating a warning sign which extends aLong at Least a region of said outer portion; and said inner portion incorporates a conductor; whereby in use, when said inner portion rises, said conductor activates a warning sign.
  4. 4. A road sign according to claim 3, wherein said sign incorporates a dispLay panel with a pLuraLity of Light sources and said conductor activates a greater or Lesser number of said light sources dependent on the height of said inner portion.
  5. 5. A road sign according to cLaim 4, wherein said dispLay paneL comprises a number of Light emitting diodes (LED5).
  6. 6. A road sign according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said sign incorporates a pLuraLity of apertures spaced around the circumference of the bottom end region of said sign; and means for determining the direction of fLow of fluid received by said sign.
  7. 7. A road sign according to any of the preceding cLaims, further comprising a speaker for emitting an audible warning signaL when said inner portion is raised above a particuLar leveL. I0
  8. 8. A road sign according to any of the preceding cLaims, further comprising means for wireLessly communicating a warning signaL to an oncoming vehicLe.
  9. 9. A road sign according to cLaim 8, wherein said wireLess communication is propagated via radio signaL, BLuetoothTM, radar) WIFI or the Like.
  10. 10. A road sign according to any of the preceding cLaims, further comprising a soLar paneL for powering said sign.
  11. 11. A communication system comprising a pLuraLity of road signs in accordance with any of the preceding claims; wherein each road sign incorporates means for wireLessly communicating with another said road sign.
  12. 12. A communication system comprising at [east one road sign in accordance with any of the preceding claims; and a vehicLe which comprises a receiver, for receiving a wireLess signaL from said road sign and a visuaL and/or audibLe dispLay unit for dispLaying information inside said vehicLe foLLowing receipt of said signaL.
  13. 13. A road sign substantiaLLy as hereinbefore described and/or iLLustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.
  14. 14. A communication system as hereinbefore described and/or iLLustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.
GB1404997.7A 2014-03-20 2014-03-20 Flood warning road signs Active GB2524308B (en)

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GB2524308A true GB2524308A (en) 2015-09-23
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CN105291973A (en) * 2015-11-04 2016-02-03 长安大学 Blade electric vehicle water-wading early warning system and method for underpass type interchange
CN109341814A (en) * 2018-12-10 2019-02-15 安徽沃特水务科技有限公司 A kind of all the period of time water level collection system and method
IT201800005361A1 (en) * 2018-05-15 2019-11-15 SIGNALING DEVICE AND MEANS OF SIGNALING A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FOR STREETS, STREETS, SQUARES, PARKING LOTS OR REST AREAS
US20200070837A1 (en) * 2018-09-04 2020-03-05 GM Global Technology Operations LLC System and method for autonomous control of a vehicle

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CN112127293A (en) * 2020-08-26 2020-12-25 李寿阳 Warning device for municipal works
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