GB2561671A - Active traffic management - Google Patents
Active traffic management Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2561671A GB2561671A GB1802489.3A GB201802489A GB2561671A GB 2561671 A GB2561671 A GB 2561671A GB 201802489 A GB201802489 A GB 201802489A GB 2561671 A GB2561671 A GB 2561671A
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- traffic
- data
- control device
- vehicles
- traffic control
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/0104—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
- G08G1/0108—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions based on the source of data
- G08G1/0116—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions based on the source of data from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals
- G08G1/081—Plural intersections under common control
- G08G1/083—Controlling the allocation of time between phases of a cycle
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/0104—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
- G08G1/0137—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions for specific applications
- G08G1/0145—Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions for specific applications for active traffic flow control
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/02—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using treadles built into the road
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/04—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using optical or ultrasonic detectors
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/052—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled with provision for determining speed or overspeed
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals
- G08G1/08—Controlling traffic signals according to detected number or speed of vehicles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals
- G08G1/087—Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
- G08G1/095—Traffic lights
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A traffic control system includes at least one traffic control device 14 for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, the traffic control device includes a traffic lightsignal unit 3a-d. A control means 8 receives traffic data, possibly wirelessly via a modem 5, relating to traffic flow representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles. The traffic control device controls the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output depending on the traffic flow data which is at least partly from a remote source such as a server 20 or possibly from vehicles via wireless connection. The remote source may be a traffic management agency, satellite navigation service provider or a broadcaster. Further data sources may be sensor based such as a microwave sensor, a below ground sensor or a camera where the video output from the camera may be used in the processing of video analytics.
Description
(54) Title of the Invention: Active traffic management
Abstract Title: Control of traffic control signals dependent on traffic flow (57) Atraffic control system includes at least one traffic control device 14 for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, the traffic control device includes a traffic lightsignal unit 3a-d. A control means 8 receives traffic data, possibly wirelessly via a modem 5, relating to traffic flow representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles. The traffic control device controls the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output depending on the traffic flow data which is at least partly from a remote source such as a server 20 or possibly from vehicles via wireless connection. The remote source may be a traffic management agency, satellite navigation service provider or a broadcaster. Further data sources may be sensor based such as a microwave sensor, a below ground sensor or a camera where the video output from the camera may be used in the processing of video analytics.
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Application No. GB1802489.3
RTM
Date :14 August 2018
Intellectual
Property
Office
The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:
WiFi
Bluetooth
Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo
Active Traffic Management
Field
The present invention relates to a traffic control system, for example to a control and/or monitoring system for temporary, portable or permanent traffic signals.
Background
Known sets of temporary, portable or permanent traffic signals comprise a set of signal heads, each for controlling traffic flow through a respective traffic leg. Operation of the signal heads is controlled using a signal controller which controls the cyclical display of red, amber and green signals on the signal heads. The signal controller may also be referred to as a controller or system controller.
In the simplest control system, green and red times for each signal head in each signal cycle have a fixed length, which may be set, for instance, at the time of installation of a set of temporary traffic lights. Alternatively, green and red times may be set in dependence on signals from detectors positioned at or near the signal heads. The detectors may comprise, for example, an above ground detector (AGD) in the form of a microwave sensor mounted on the signal head, for sensing the presence of a vehicle; a pair of below-ground detectors configured to count vehicles passing over the detectors; or an optical sensor configured to detect and/or identify vehicles.
Linked sets of traffic lights are also known, in which signal timings for different sets of traffic lights at different locations are linked, either by operation in dependence upon a common timing signal (for example derived mains frequency) or by communication between controllers for each set of traffic lights, linked together by cable.
In the known SCOOT system, a central traffic computer is used to set timings of signal cycles in a co-ordinated fashion for many different sets of traffic signals across a wide area, for instance across an entire city or city centre.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide improved, or at least alternative, temporary and/or permanent and/or portable traffic control systems.
Summary
In a first, independent aspect of the invention there is provided a traffic control system comprising at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, and a control means for controlling operation of the at least one traffic control device, for example for controlling the signals output by the at least one traffic control device. The control means may be configured to receive traffic data, the traffic data optionally comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles. The control means may be configured to control operation of the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, for example to control the signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data. The controlling of the signals in dependence on the traffic data may be automatic. The controlling of the signals in dependence on the traffic data may not require human input.
The control means may be configured to receive the traffic data from at least one data source (for example, at least one central data source, at least one data server, at least one data-transmitting device and/or at least one detector) that is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device. In some circumstances, a data source may be in a different town or a different country from the at least one traffic control device.
The control means may be configured to receive the traffic data from a central data source. The central data source may be associated with a traffic management agency, a satellite navigation service provider, a broadcaster, or any other body that is concerned with monitoring, analysing, and/or reporting on traffic. The central data source may be configured to aggregate and/or process data from a plurality of data sources. The central data source may be configured to aggregate and/or process data from a large number of data sources, for example tens, hundreds or thousands of sources. At least some data provided by the central data source may be considered to be crowdsourced data, or to be derived from crowdsourced data. Crowdsourced data may comprise data that is obtained from a large number of individuals and/or organisations. Crowdsourced data may comprise data that is at least partially obtained from devices that are not dedicated and/or specifically configured for the production of such data. For example, data relevant to traffic flow may be obtained from mobile phone location data even through the primary function of the mobile phone may not be to act as a source of traffic data.
The central data source may be configured to receive position and/or movement data for the plurality of vehicles, for example from a plurality of data-transmitting devices, and optionally to output traffic data comprising or representing the position and/or movement data. Each of the plurality of data-transmitting devices may be associated with, for example carried within, a respective one of the plurality of vehicles.
The central data source may be configured to receive position and/or movement data for the plurality of vehicles from at least one further data source that is not associated with an individual vehicle.
The at least one further data source may comprise a camera, for example an aerial camera or roadside camera that is used to monitor traffic patterns. The camera may comprise a video camera. The camera may produce video output. The video output may comprise a sequence of frames.
The camera may be used to monitor the traffic patterns by remote automatic video analytics or local video analytics performed on the camera.
A processor may process the video output to obtain traffic data. The processor may process the video output using video analytics. For example, the processor may process the video output to determine whether a vehicles are present in the field of view of the camera or in a predefined region of the field of view of the camera. The processor may process the video output to determine whether vehicles are present in a predefined physical location. The processor may process the video output to determine whether a vehicle is moving by comparing the position of the vehicle in successive frames of the video output. The processor may process the video output to determine each time a predefined line is crossed by a vehicle. The video analytics may comprise at least one of pattern recognition, object recognition, object tracking.
Processing the video output using video analytics may comprise processing frames of the video output to obtain position data and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles. Processing the video output using video analytics may comprise determining a number of vehicles and/or a timing of vehicles that are present in a predefined region and/or that cross a predefined line.
The processor may output signals that comprise, represent, or form part of traffic data, or that may be processed to obtain traffic data. For example, the processor may output a signal comprising or representing a position of at least one vehicle. The processor may output a signal that comprises a first value when a vehicle is present (for example, present in a predefined region) and a second, different value when no vehicle is present.
The processor may be located in, or co-located with, the camera. The processor may be remote from the camera. The processor may be associated with or form part of the central data source. The processor may be associated with or form part of the control means.
The camera may be used to monitor traffic patterns by manual observation, for example by remote manual observation. The camera may be at least partially manually controlled. An operator may observe events in the video output. The operator may provide instructions to the control means based on the observed events. The processor may be configured to alert the operator in dependence on the processing of the video output.
The at least one further data source may comprise any suitable sensor or sensors, for example optical sensors or pressure sensors. The at least one further data source may comprise at least one of: a microwave sensor, a below-ground detector.
The traffic control system may comprise the at least one data source and/or the at least one further data source.
The data-transmitting devices may comprise vehicle-mounted devices, for example a satellite navigation device (satnav) or GPS device that is positioned or integrated within a vehicle (for example a car, lorry, bus, emergency services vehicle, traffic management vehicle, or any other vehicle). By positioning data-transmitting devices in publically-owned vehicles (for example, buses, emergency services vehicles or traffic management vehicles), a large amount of traffic data may be acquired from the day-to-day movements of such vehicles.
The data-transmitting devices may comprise personal mobile devices, for example mobile phones or laptops. A data-transmitting device may be configured to obtain position and/or movement data for the device and/or for the vehicle in which it is carried. The position and/or movement data may be obtained using at least one of: GPS, GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, an inertial sensor, a compass, a gyroscope or any other suitable device. The data-transmitting devices may transmit data using any suitable mode of communication, for example any suitable type of wireless communication (for example, GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or radio communications). The data-transmitting devices may transmit data to the central data source and/or to the control means.
The control means may comprise any suitable controller or controllers. The control means may be configured to receive the traffic data from the plurality of vehicles. The control means may be configured to receive position and/or movement data from each of the plurality of vehicles directly, for example via at least one wireless communication link between the vehicles and the control means . The control means may be configured to receive position and/or movement data from a respective data-transmitting device in each of the plurality of vehicles, for example by wireless communication between the data-transmitting device and the control means.
The traffic data may comprise real-time traffic data. For example, the controlling of the signals may be based on traffic data collected in the last minute, last ten minutes, or last hour. The traffic data may comprise traffic data for a neighbourhood, for example for a town or city. The traffic data may comprise data relating to traffic conditions for a region, for example for part of a city. The traffic data may comprise data relating to at least part of a road network.
The traffic data may comprise data relating to a road or roads on which the at least one traffic control device is situated. The traffic data may comprise data relating to a region in which the at least one traffic control device is situated. For example, the traffic data may comprise traffic data for traffic within a threshold distance of the at least one traffic control device, for example within a 1 mile or 2 mile radius of the at least one traffic control device.
The data source and/or the control means may be configured to process the traffic data to select traffic data that is relevant to the operation of the at least one traffic control device, for example traffic data for roads that lead to the at least one traffic control device. The data source may output the selected traffic data. The control means may control the operation of the traffic control device based on the selected traffic data.
The position or movement data may comprise at least one of: position, speed, acceleration, time for which the vehicle is moving, time for which the vehicle is static.
The traffic data may comprise at least one traffic parameter. Optionally, the at least one traffic parameter may be derived from position and/or movement data for at least some of the plurality of vehicles. The at least one traffic parameter may comprise at least one speed or acceleration parameter, for example an average speed, maximum speed, or minimum speed. The at least one traffic parameter may comprise a traffic volume. The at least one traffic parameter may comprise at least one of a queue length, a length of static traffic, a length of slow traffic. The at least one traffic parameter may comprise at least one location, for example a queue location, a slow traffic location, a free-flowing traffic location. The at least one traffic parameter may comprise at least one of a number of vehicles, a density of vehicles.
The traffic control device may comprise at least one traffic light signal unit. The controlling of signals output by the control device may comprise controlling the timing of signals output by the at least one signal unit (for example, red time, green time, and/or signal cycle time for the or each of the signal units; a signal duration of the at least one signal unit; and/or a sequence of signals from the at least one signal unit).
The control means may be configured to control the operation of the at least one traffic control device to control a traffic flow, for example to selectively increase or decrease a traffic flow in one direction as opposed to other directions.
The system may comprise a temporary traffic control system. A temporary traffic control system may comprise traffic control devices, for example traffic light signal units, that are only intended to be left in position for a limited time (for example, days, weeks, or months). Temporary traffic lights may be used in many different situations where normal traffic flow is disrupted, for instance around roadworks or other traffic obstructions, or to provide additional traffic flow control when large additional volumes of traffic are expected.
The system may comprise a permanent traffic control system. A permanent traffic control system may comprise traffic control devices, for example traffic light signal units, that are installed in a permanent fashion, such that they are not easily moveable. For example, traffic light signal units may be installed on a pole that is embedded in the pavement, or on an overhead wire.
In some circumstances, a temporary traffic control system may comprise similar traffic control devices to that of a permanent traffic control system, but the traffic control devices may be mounted in a temporary fashion, for example by using standard poles in concrete barrels.
The system may comprise a portable traffic control system. A portable traffic control system may comprise traffic control devices, for example traffic light signal units, that are repositionable and designed to be moved from place to place. In some circumstances, the traffic control devices may be smaller and/or lighter than those used in temporary or permanent systems.
The traffic control devices may comprise temporary, permanent and or portable traffic control devices. For example, a system may comprise a combination of temporary and permanent traffic control devices.
In a further aspect of the invention, which may be provided independently, there is provided a traffic control method comprising: receiving by a control means traffic data, optionally wherein the traffic data comprises or represents position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles; and, in dependence on the traffic data, controlling by the control means operation of at least one traffic control device, for example by controlling signals output by the at least one traffic control device to control flow of traffic.
In a further aspect of the invention, which may be provided independently, there is provided a traffic control system comprising: at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit; and control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles, and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit; wherein the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least one data source that is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
In a further aspect of the invention, which may be provided independently, there is provided a traffic control method comprising: receiving by a control means traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles; controlling by the control means signals output by at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit and the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit; wherein the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least one data source that is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
In a further aspect of the invention, which may be provided independently, there is provided a traffic control system comprising: at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit; control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit; and at least one data source configured to provide at least part of the traffic data to the control means, wherein the at least one source is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
In a further aspect of the invention, which may be provided independently, there is provided a traffic control system comprising: at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit; and control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles, and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit; wherein at least part of the traffic data comprises data obtained by processing video output of a camera using video analytics.
The camera may form part of or be co-located with the traffic control device and/or the control means. Obtaining data by processing video output of the camera using video analytics may comprise processing frames of the video output to obtain position data and/or movement data for the plurality of vehicles. Processing the video output using video analytics may comprise determining a number of vehicles and/or a timing of vehicles that are present in a predefined region and/or that cross a predefined line.
In another independent aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions that are executable to perform a method as claimed or described herein.
There may also be provided an apparatus or method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. For example, apparatus or system features may be applied to method features and vice versa.
Brief description of the drawings
Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of non-limiting examples, and are illustrated in the following figures, in which:Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a temporary traffic light system according to a first embodiment; and
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a temporary traffic light system according to a second embodiment.
Detailed description
A temporary traffic light system is shown in Figure 1. Certain features of the temporary traffic light system may be similar to traffic light systems as described in UK patent application GB 2 435 708 in the name of Hatton Traffic Management Limited, and/or traffic light systems as described in WO 2011/015817 in the name of Hatton Traffic Management Limited, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The system of Figure 1 comprises a 4-phase traffic light control system and a set of traffic lights for a 4-way junction. The system comprises four signal units 3a-3d, each connected to a respective battery (not shown). The system of Figure 1 further comprises a system controller 14 that includes a processor and wireless communication circuitry, and is used to control operation of the system. Each signal unit 3a-3d is provided with a wireless modem 5 for sending and receiving signal transmissions from the system controller 14. In other embodiments, the signal units 3a-3d may be provided with individual controllers (not shown) which communicate with the system controller 14, for example as described in WO 2011/015817 in the name of Hatton Traffic Management Limited, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Each signal unit 3a-3d is provided with a signal head control unit 8 that controls operation of red, green and amber lights of the signal unit 3a-3d, in response to control instructions from the system controller 14. Each signal unit 3a-3d may also be provided with a vehicle actuated sensor, in the form of a detector 4 (for example, a radar detector, a microwave detector, or an infrared detector). The system may further comprise a set of above ground detectors (not shown) associated with each signal unit 3, and a road user interface, for instance in the form of an electronic sign unit (not shown), associated with each signal unit 3.
The system controller 14 is configured to receive traffic data from a central server 20, which may also be referred to as a central data source. In the present embodiment, the central server 20 is associated with (for example, owned and/or operated by) a commercial traffic information provider. In other embodiments, the central server 20 may be associated with any body that provides centralised traffic data, for example any commercial or governmental body that aggregates traffic data.
The central server 20 is configured to receive position and movement data from individual vehicles. In the present embodiment, the position and movement data comprises GPS data, and the central server 20 receives the position and movement data from satnav devices mounted in vehicles and/or mobile phone satnav applications used by drivers or passengers in vehicles. In other embodiments, position and/or movement data may be obtained from any suitable devices. For example, in some embodiments, the central server 20 receives position and movement data from a traffic monitoring camera, for example a camera mounted in a helicopter or a camera mounted at the roadside. In some embodiments, the central server 20 receives data from sensors embedded in the road or positioned at the roadside. The central server 20 may combine data from different sources to obtain the traffic data.
The central server 20 is configured to process the position and movement data for the individual vehicles and to provide aggregate traffic data comprising or representing that position and movement data. For example, the central server 20 may provide information about average traffic speeds at different locations across a wide road network.
In use, the system controller 14 receives traffic data from the central server 20 which comprises data about traffic flow in the local area of the system controller 14 and/or signal units 3a-3d. For example, the traffic data may comprise data relating to traffic speed, length of queues, or nearby areas of traffic congestion.
The system controller 14 controls the length of each green phase of the signal units 3a-3d in dependence upon the traffic data received from the central server 20, by sending control signals to the signal head control units 8.
For example, if the traffic data from the central server 20 indicates that traffic is backing up in one particular direction, the system controller 14 may adjust the lengths of the green phases to allow through more vehicles from that direction.
The traffic may be controlled based on a length of slow traffic. If a long section of a road is experiencing slow traffic and/or the slow traffic has persisted for a long time, the system controller may adjust the lengths of the green phases to allow through more traffic from an appropriate direction.
In the present embodiment, the control of the length of each green phase by the system controller 14 also depends on data from the detectors 4, above-ground detectors and/or below-ground detectors. In other embodiments, the system controller 14 may control the green phases in dependence on a combination of the traffic data and data from any suitable detectors. In further embodiments, the system controller 14 may control the green phases in dependence on the traffic data alone, without also using data from other detectors.
Any signal timing of any of the signal units may be varied, for example red time, green time, or signal cycle time. A sequence of the signal units may be varied, for example to change an order in which traffic is allowed through a junction.
A further temporary traffic system is shown in Figure 2. In the system of Figure 2, the system controller 14 does not receive traffic data from central server 20. Instead, the system controller 14 receives traffic data that comprises position and movement data from datatransmitting devices 30 in each of a plurality of vehicles that are in the vicinity of the system controller 14 and/or in the vicinity of signal units 3a-3d. The devices 30 may comprise, for example, satellite navigation units or mobile devices (for example, mobile phones).
The system controller 14 may receive the position and movement data via any suitable method of wireless communication, for example Bluetooth.
The system controller 14 controls the signal units based on the traffic data received from the vehicles directly (i.e. the traffic data is passed from each of the vehicles to the system controller 14 rather than being aggregated by a central server). The system controller 14 may process the traffic data to obtain aggregate data, for example average speeds.
In a further embodiment, traffic data is obtained using a video camera (not shown). The video camera is positioned at or near the signal units.
The video camera obtains video data that is representative of the traffic present in the field of view of the video camera. In the present embodiment, a processor of the video camera processes the video data using video analytics. The use of a processor of the video camera to process the video data (rather than processing the video data remotely) may be referred to as edge analytics.
The processing may comprise identifying patterns in the image. For example, the processor may identify that one or more vehicles have moved across a line that has been defined by the processor and/or that one or more vehicles are positioned within a boundary that has been defined by the processor. In practice, the processing may be performed on large numbers of vehicles. The processor may count the number of vehicles that are present in one or more regions. For example, the video camera may be positioned to monitor a section of a road, for example a section where roadworks are present. The processor may determine a number of vehicles in a first region before the roadworks, a second region going through the roadworks and/or a third region following the roadworks. Different regions may be defined for different directions, different lanes, or different roads (for example feeder roads). The different regions may be treated separately when the video output is processed.
The processor outputs at least one signal in response to the identifying of patterns. For example, the processor may output a signal that is high each time a vehicle crosses a line, and low otherwise. The processor may output a signal that is high when there is a vehicle (or a given number of vehicles) positioned inside a boundary, and low otherwise.
The video camera sends signals to the system controller 14 using any suitable wireless communication method. The video camera communicates directly with the system controller
14. In the present embodiment, no data is provided from the central server 20. The embodiments uses local automatic video analytics performed on the camera to feed into the control of traffic. The signals sent by the video camera form at least part of the traffic data used by the system controller 14 to control the traffic signals. Additional detectors may or may not be present.
In other embodiments, the video camera may be positioned remotely from the signal units. For example, the video camera may be positioned on a road connecting with a road on which the signal units are placed. The video camera may be positioned in a location that often experiences traffic congestion. The video camera may be positioned roadside or overhead.
In some embodiments, video data from the video camera is sent (for example, by cable or wirelessly) to a remote processor, for example to a computer in a control room. The remote processor performs the video analytics. In further embodiments, the video analytics may be performed by any suitable processor, for example by a processor in the system controller 14.
In further embodiments, signals from the video camera are used to alert a human operator.
In other embodiments, the traffic data used by the system controller 14 may comprise data provided by an operator. The controlling of the traffic signals may be at least partially in dependence on data provided by an operator.
Although the embodiments above describe temporary traffic light systems, the system and method described above may be implemented for any suitable permanent, temporary, or portable traffic light system.
By using control systems and methods as described above, a flow of traffic may be improved. Congestion may be reduced. Multiple sources of traffic data may be used, which in some circumstances may improve a knowledge of traffic conditions. For example, data may be crowdsourced.
Signalling may be adapted to traffic conditions. Where remote sources of data are used, signalling may be adapted to traffic conditions beyond the vicinity of a given signal unit.
Features of any of the above embodiments may be combined with features of any other embodiments. For example, multiple sources (which may include different types of sources) may be used to provide the traffic data. The use of video analytics may be combined with the use of other types of traffic data. Traffic data may be obtained and/or processed at any suitable location and by any suitable device.
Whilst components of the embodiments described herein have been implemented in software, it will be understood that any such components can be implemented in hardware, for example in the form of ASICs or FPGAs, or in a combination of hardware and software. Similarly, some or all of the hardware components of embodiments described herein may be implemented in software or in a suitable combination of software and hardware.
It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention. Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.
Claims (20)
1. A traffic control system comprising:
at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit; and control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles, and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit;
wherein the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least one data source that is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
2. A traffic control system according to Claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least some of the plurality of vehicles and/or the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least one further data source that is not associated with an individual vehicle.
3. A traffic control system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the at least one data source comprises a central data source, the central data source configured to aggregate and/or process data from the or a plurality of vehicles and/or at least one further data source that is not associated with an individual vehicle.
4. A traffic control system according to Claim 3, wherein the central data source is associated with at least one of a traffic management agency, a satellite navigation service provider, a broadcaster.
5. A traffic control system according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the control means is configured to receive data from the plurality of vehicles via at least one wireless connection.
6. A traffic control system according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one further data source comprises at least one sensor, optionally wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a microwave sensor, a below-ground detector, an optical sensor.
7. A traffic control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one further data source comprises at least one camera.
8. A traffic control system according to Claim 7, wherein the camera is configured to provide a video output, and wherein a processor of the central data source and/or camera and/or control means is configured to process the video output using video analytics to provide at least part of the traffic data.
9. A traffic control system according to Claim 8, wherein processing the video output using video analytics comprises processing frames of the video output to obtain position data and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles.
10. A traffic control system according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein processing the video output using video analytics comprises determining a number of vehicles and/or a timing of vehicles that are present in a predefined region and/or that cross a predefined line.
11. A traffic control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the traffic data comprises real-time traffic data.
12. A traffic control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the traffic data comprises at least one of: an average speed, a maximum speed, a minimum speed, a traffic volume, a queue length, a length of static traffic, a length of slow traffic, a queue location, a slow traffic location, a free-flowing traffic location.
13. A traffic control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the traffic data comprises data relating to a region in which the at least one traffic control device is situated
14. A traffic control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control means is configured to control the signals output by the at least one traffic control device to control the traffic flow, for example to selectively increase or decrease a traffic flow in one direction as opposed to other directions.
15. A traffic control method comprising:
receiving by a control means traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles;
controlling by the control means signals output by at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit and the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit;
wherein the control means is configured to receive at least part of the traffic data from at least one data source that is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
16. A traffic control system comprising:
at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit;
control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit; and at least one data source configured to provide at least part of the traffic data to the control means, wherein the at least one source is remote from the control means and/or remote from the at least one traffic control device.
17. A traffic control system comprising:
at least one traffic control device for outputting signals to control flow of traffic, wherein the traffic control device comprises at least one traffic light signal unit; and control means configured to receive traffic data relating to traffic flow, the traffic data comprising or representing position and/or movement data for a plurality of vehicles, and to control signals output by the at least one traffic control device in dependence on the traffic data, the controlling of the signals output by the at least one traffic control device comprising controlling the timing of red, amber and/or green signals output by the at least one traffic light signal unit;
wherein at least part of the traffic data comprises data obtained by processing video output of a camera using video analytics.
18. A traffic control system according to Claim 17, wherein the camera forms part of or is co-located with the traffic control device and/or the control means.
19. A traffic control system according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein obtaining data by processing video output of the camera using video analytics comprises processing frames of the video output to obtain position data and/or movement data for the plurality of vehicles.
5
20. A traffic control system according to any of Claims 17 to 20, wherein processing the video output using video analytics comprises determining a number of vehicles and/or a timing of vehicles that are present in a predefined region and/or that cross a predefined line.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1802489.3 Examiner: Mr Tony Walbeoff
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1702465.4A GB201702465D0 (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2017-02-15 | Active traffic management |
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| GB201802489D0 GB201802489D0 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
| GB2561671A true GB2561671A (en) | 2018-10-24 |
| GB2561671B GB2561671B (en) | 2022-04-13 |
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| GB1802489.3A Active GB2561671B (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2018-02-15 | Active traffic management |
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| GBGB1702465.4A Ceased GB201702465D0 (en) | 2017-02-15 | 2017-02-15 | Active traffic management |
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Cited By (3)
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| CN110751840A (en) * | 2019-11-22 | 2020-02-04 | 中冶(北京)交通科技发展有限公司 | Traffic signal lamp |
| CN111554106A (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2020-08-18 | 浙江大华技术股份有限公司 | Intersection induction signal control method and equipment and computer equipment |
| CN111554099A (en) * | 2020-04-29 | 2020-08-18 | 刘长礼 | Traffic light setting system and method for correcting traffic light 5G by double-rod four-position synchronization |
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| CN111554106A (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2020-08-18 | 浙江大华技术股份有限公司 | Intersection induction signal control method and equipment and computer equipment |
| CN111554099A (en) * | 2020-04-29 | 2020-08-18 | 刘长礼 | Traffic light setting system and method for correcting traffic light 5G by double-rod four-position synchronization |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201702465D0 (en) | 2017-03-29 |
| GB2561671B (en) | 2022-04-13 |
| GB201802489D0 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
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