JP2000285386A - System and method for signaling information on railroad crossing-connected road - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide system and method for signaling information on a railroad crossing-connected road capable of signaling information such as the condition of a railroad crossing-connected road, etc. SOLUTION: A controller 11 controls a signaling device 14 so that signaling information including margin information on a road on the other side of a railroad crossing related to the road margin of a railroad crossing-connected road 84 being the other side of the railroad crossing in the travel direction of a railroad crossing approachable vehicle 82 having a possibility of advancing into the railroad crossing can be outputted toward a driver of the vehicle 82. Thus, the information on the condition of a railroad crossing-connected road on the other side of the railroad crossing, etc., can be signaled to prevent effectively an accident at the railroad crossing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a railroad crossing connection road information notification system and a railroad crossing connection road information notification method which are effective for preventing accidents at railroad crossings.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At a level crossing where a railway and a road cross at a plane, a crossing is taken in a traveling direction of a car entering the level crossing, of roads before and after connecting to the level crossing (hereinafter referred to as "level crossing connection road"). In some cases, traffic may be congested up to the end of the railroad crossing connection road further ahead.

[0003]

In such a case, when the following vehicle enters the railroad crossing, traffic ahead is congested, and the vehicle that has entered the railroad crossing may be trapped in the railroad crossing. There is a possibility that an accident may occur due to the contact or collision of the railway train with the trapped automobile.

[0004] However, in conventional level crossings, there is no device provided to alert the vehicle driver depending on the condition of the level crossing connection road, and at present, it is left to the judgment of the vehicle driver. is there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a railroad crossing connection road information reporting system capable of reporting information such as the state of a railroad crossing connection road, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of reporting railroad crossing connection road information.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to the present invention provides a system in which an automobile can be present at a railroad crossing connection road that connects to a railroad crossing where a road crosses a plane. Level crossing connection road margin detecting means for detecting and outputting a sufficient road margin, and outputting notification information which is arranged at a position near the road and recognizable by a driver of the vehicle and which is visual information or auditory information. And a crossing destination road margin information related to the road margin of the level crossing connection road ahead of the level crossing in a traveling direction of a level crossing approachable vehicle that is a car that may enter the level crossing. Control means for controlling the notifying means is provided so that the notifying information is output to a driver of the vehicle capable of entering the level crossing.

In the above-mentioned level crossing connection road information notification system, preferably, the level crossing connection road margin detecting means includes a road pressure detecting means provided on a road surface of the level crossing connection road, and an output from the road pressure detecting means. A first arithmetic processing means for detecting an area where the car does not exist on the level crossing connection road and detecting the road margin.

In the above-mentioned railroad crossing connection road information notification system, preferably, the railroad crossing connection road margin detecting means is provided near the railroad crossing connection road and detects the presence of an object by light. Means, and second arithmetic processing means for detecting the last vehicle on the level crossing connection road based on an output from the optical object detection means and detecting the road margin.

[0009] In the above-mentioned railroad crossing connection road information notification system, preferably, the notifying means is arranged near the railroad crossing connection road or near a road intersection communicating with the railroad crossing connection road.

[0010] In the above-mentioned railroad crossing connection road information notification system, preferably, there is provided a ground side transmitting means for performing radio transmission to a railroad crossing nearby vehicle which is a vehicle existing near the railroad crossing, wherein the control means comprises: The ground-side transmitting means is controlled so that at least the information on the road ahead of the railroad crossing is output to the image display means or the sound output means of the vehicle information device mounted on the vehicle near the railroad crossing.

Further, the above-mentioned railroad crossing connection road information notification system preferably comprises a railroad crossing blocker for cutting off the communication between the railroad crossing and the railroad crossing connection road, and a breaking drive means for driving the railroad crossing blocker. When the road margin is less than a predetermined minimum margin value, the control unit issues a railroad crossing cutoff command to the roadblocking drive unit to drive the railroad crossing cutoff tool, and the vehicle that is capable of entering the railroad crossing into the railroad crossing. Control to prevent entry.

In addition, a method of notifying a railroad crossing connection information according to the present invention is a railroad crossing that detects and outputs a road margin at which a car can exist on a railroad crossing connection road that is connected to a railroad crossing where a railroad and a road intersect plane. Connecting road margin detecting means, and a notifying means which is disposed at a position recognizable by a driver of the car near the road and outputs notifying information which is visual information or auditory information, and enters the crossing. In the traveling direction of a possible crossing-enterable vehicle, which is a possible car, the notification information including the crossing-destination road margin information related to the road margin of the crossing connection road that is the destination of the crossing is referred to as the crossing-enterable vehicle. The notifying means is controlled so as to output to the driver.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a railroad crossing connection road information notification system using a mobile communication network according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a railroad crossing provided with the railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the railroad crossing connection road information notification system 101 includes a controller 11, a road pressure detection device 13a, a notification device 14, and a breaking drive device 17.
And a railroad crossing blocking can 18. Road pressure detection device 13a, notification device 14, and cutoff driving device 1
7 is connected to the controller 11.

The controller 11 is constituted by a computer or the like, and although not shown, for example, a CPU
(Central Processing Unit)
And ROM (Read Only Memory)
And a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Of these, the CPU is a part that controls each element and executes processing such as execution of various arithmetic and control programs. The ROM is a storage device that stores programs executed by the CPU, preset information, and the like. R
The AM is a storage device for temporarily storing intermediate result data calculated by the CPU.

With such a configuration, the controller 11
CPU reads out a program stored in the ROM, executes a program based on a data value provided from the ROM or the RAM or externally, performs a predetermined calculation or control, and temporarily stores various information and the like in the RAM or the like. (Record) or output information to the outside. Here, controller 1
The CPU in 1 corresponds to control means.

As shown in FIG. 2, the road pressure detecting device 13a is provided on a road surface of a crossing connection road 84 which is ahead of the inside railroad crossing 85 in the traveling direction of the vehicle entering the inside railroad crossing 85. This sensor detects and outputs such pressure. Here, the road pressure detecting device 13a corresponds to road pressure detecting means.

The notifying device 14 controls the vehicle 82 near the road.
For example, the indicator is arranged at a level crossing connection road 84 that is closer to the inside of the level crossing road 85 when viewed from the vehicle entering the level crossing road 85. A display unit (not shown), which is a portion on which the display of the notification device 14 is performed, is directed to the road side, and is visible to a driver of an automobile on the road. The notification device 14 corresponds to notification means, and information output by the notification device 14 corresponds to notification information.

The level crossing blocking can 18 is made of, for example, a rod-shaped member. Further, the breaking drive device 17 drives the level crossing breaking can 18 to rotate in a range of a predetermined angle or to move up and down. When the railroad crossing blocking can 18 rotates downward or descends, the railroad crossing road 85 in FIG.
And the connection with the railroad crossing connecting road 84 is interrupted, and vehicles and the like are prohibited from entering the road 85 inside the railroad crossing. Here, the railroad crossing block can 18 corresponds to a railroad crossing breaker, and the block drive device 17 corresponds to a block drive means.

Next, a more detailed configuration and operation of the above-mentioned railroad crossing connection road information notification system 101 will be described.

The road pressure detecting device 13a detects the pressure applied to the road surface every predetermined cycle time (for example, 0.1 seconds) and outputs the detected pressure to the controller 11. Controller 1
1 is based on the output from the road pressure detection device 13a, and based on the area where the car 82 exists on the railroad crossing connection road 84,
An area where the automobile 82 does not exist is detected, and the railroad crossing connecting road 8 is detected.
An index (hereinafter, referred to as "road margin") at which the vehicle 82 can exist is detected.

For example, assuming that the length of an area where the automobile 82 does not exist at the rear end (the end near the railroad crossing) of the road pressure detecting device 13a is D, the road margin is a value D of this length.
It is expressed as In this case, the controller 11
It corresponds to arithmetic processing means. The road pressure detecting device 13a and the controller 11 constitute a railroad crossing connecting road margin detecting means.

The controller 11 always monitors the road margin. When the road margin is equal to or smaller than a predetermined margin, for example, when the total length of a large vehicle (trailer or the like) is k, and when the length D is D <k, the road At the rear end (the end near the railroad crossing) of the pressure detecting device 13a, the length of the region where the vehicle 82 does not exist is shorter than the total length k of the large vehicle. Where the value k is
This corresponds to the minimum margin value.

In such a case, if the car 82 (hereinafter, referred to as a "car that can enter the railroad crossing") that may enter the inside railroad crossing 85 is a large car,
Even if the vehicle arrives at the level crossing connection road 84 ahead of the level crossing (beyond the level crossing), the rear end of the vehicle protrudes into the level crossing road 85, and there is a risk of contact with the railway train.
Therefore, in this case, the controller 11 outputs a notification command to the notification device 14. When the notification device 14 receives the notification command from the controller 11, the notification device 14 displays the notification on the display unit. This display is performed by, for example, illuminating a character such as "Please stop! The end of this railroad crossing is congested! If you proceed as it is, you will be locked in the railroad crossing!" This display corresponds to the road margin information at the crossing destination.

Since the display unit (not shown) of the notification device 14 is directed to a road (a road on the near side of approaching a railroad crossing), an automobile (hereinafter, referred to as a “railroad crossing possible”) may enter the railroad crossing. The driver of the vehicle is visible. For this reason, the driver of the car 82 that can enter the level crossing is
Can be stopped by the display of. Therefore, a part of the car does not protrude into the railroad crossing as it is and is not trapped in the railroad crossing, so that accidents such as contact with or collision with the railroad train can be prevented.

The above road pressure detecting device 13a
May be arranged only at a position (for example, a large vehicle) corresponding to the position of the last vehicle beyond the railroad crossing.
With this configuration, when the road pressure detecting device 13a does not detect the pressure, it indicates that no vehicle exists at this position (the last position). Further, when the road pressure detecting device 13a detects the pressure even if it is a part, it indicates that an automobile is present at this position (the last position). Therefore, in the latter case, if the controller 11 is configured to output a notification command to the notification device 14, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be exerted.

In addition to the above, the information on the road clearance ahead of the railroad crossing, which is displayed by the notification device 14,
By using a display device or the like, the road margin information at the crossing destination may be represented by fixed display or moving display of various characters and figures. Alternatively, other visual information may be used. Alternatively, record the sound "Stop! The traffic at the end of this railroad crossing is congested! If you keep going, you will be locked in the railroad crossing!" It may output, or may output a siren or other sound. Alternatively, other auditory information may be used. Further, these crossing destination road margin information may be individually reported, or may be used in an appropriate combination. In addition, the notification device 14 may be disposed near a road at a position just before entering the intra-railroad crossing road 85 among the crossing connection roads, or may be a road such as any road intersection communicating with the crossing connection road. It may be arranged in the vicinity.

Further, other embodiments are possible. In this embodiment, instead of the road pressure detection device 13a, an optical object detection device 13b that detects the presence of an object by light
(See FIG. 1). Optical object detection device 13
b is an optical sensor that emits light from one side and receives light on the other side between two points crossing the railroad crossing connection path 84, and detects this light by blocking obstacles. be able to. Further, the optical object detection device 13
“b” is provided on a road surface of a railroad crossing connecting road 84 which is ahead of the railroad crossing road 85 in the traveling direction of the vehicle entering the railroad crossing road 85. Here, the optical object detection device 13b
Corresponds to an optical object detecting means.

With this configuration, the optical object detection device 13b detects the presence or absence of an obstacle that blocks light at every predetermined cycle time (for example, 0.1 second) and outputs it to the controller 11. Based on the output from the optical object detection device 13b, the controller 11 determines, based on the output of the optical
2 is detected, and a road margin where the car 82 can exist on the railroad crossing connection road 84 is detected.

For example, in the same manner as described above, the road margin may be represented by D, which is the length of a region where the automobile 82 does not exist at the rear end (the end near the railroad crossing) of the optical object detection device 13b. . In this case, the controller 11 corresponds to a second arithmetic processing unit. Also, the optical object detection device 1
The controller 3b and the controller 11 constitute a railroad crossing connection road margin detection unit.

The controller 11 always monitors the road margin, and when the road margin falls below a predetermined margin,
For example, when the total length of a large vehicle (such as a trailer) is k, and the length D satisfies D <k, the controller 11 outputs a notification instruction to the notification device 14. Upon receiving the notification command from the controller 11, the notification device 14 displays the information on the road ahead at the level crossing on the car that can enter the level crossing on the display unit in the same manner as described above.

Note that, similarly to the above, the optical object detection device 13b may be disposed only at a position (for example, a large vehicle) corresponding to the position of the last vehicle beyond the railroad crossing. With this configuration, the optical object detection device 13
If b does not detect the interruption of the light, it indicates that no car exists at this position (the last position). Also,
If the optical object detection device 13b detects the interruption of the light even if it is a part, it indicates that an automobile is present at this location (the last position). Therefore, in the latter case, if the controller 11 is configured to output a notification command to the notification device 14, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be exerted.

Further, other embodiments other than those described above are possible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a transmission device 19 that performs wireless transmission to a vehicle 82 (hereinafter, referred to as “car near a railroad crossing”) 82 near the railroad crossing 85 is provided. Although not shown, a vehicle near the railroad crossing in this case is assumed to be equipped with a receiver and an automobile information device. Although not shown, the vehicle information device has a control unit and an image display unit or a sound output unit. Here, the image display unit corresponds to an image display unit, and the sound output unit corresponds to a sound output unit.

With this configuration, the controller 11 always monitors the road margin, and when the road margin falls below a predetermined margin, for example, the total length of a large vehicle (trailer or the like) is represented by k. Then, when the above-described length D satisfies D <k, the controller 11
The transmission device 19 is controlled to wirelessly transmit the same road margin information as the above-mentioned destination. The information on the road margin ahead of the railroad crossing is received by the receiver in the vehicle 82 near the railroad crossing, is output from the control unit of the vehicle information device to the image display unit, and "Please stop! If you continue as you are, you will be trapped inside the railroad crossing! "
Is displayed, or the above content is output as sound from the sound output unit. In this case, the transmitting device 19
Corresponds to a ground-side transmission unit. The above-described vehicle information device may be configured to be built in a so-called car navigation device.

Further, other embodiments other than those described above are possible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, railroad crossing shutoff cans 18 a to 18 d and shutoff driving devices 17 a to 17 d for driving the railroad crossing shutoff cans are provided. Each of the shutoff driving devices 17 a to 17 d is controlled by the controller 11. It is configured to be

With this configuration, the controller 11 always monitors the road margin, and when the road margin falls below a predetermined margin, for example, the total length of a large vehicle (trailer or the like) is represented by k. At this time, if the length D satisfies D <k, a level crossing cutoff command is given to one of the cutoff driving devices, for example, 17a. Upon receiving this command, the break drive 17a drives the level crossing can 18a, and the level crossing can 18a turns downward or descends to close. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a vehicle that can enter a level crossing from entering the inside of the level crossing 85, thereby preventing a situation such as an automobile being trapped in the level crossing.

The above-mentioned railroad crossing obstacle information notification system 101
May be used together with the existing railroad crossing system. For example, the train approach detection device 12 shown in FIG.
Is a sensor that detects and outputs that the vehicle is approaching.
The detection method may be either a contact method or a non-contact method. As means used for detection, the line 8
No. 3 detects a short circuit caused by a railway vehicle by passing a current through the rail, and detects a light emitted between two points crossing the track 83 when the railway vehicle blocks light.

The level crossing alarm device 20 is connected to the controller 11. When the train approach detection device 12 detects the approach of the train, the controller 11 changes the level crossing alarm device 2.
A blinking light is displayed at 0, and an alarm sound (hereinafter, these blinking lights or the alarm sound is referred to as a “railroad crossing alarm”) is output. The controller 11 causes the level-crossing warning device 20 to output a level-crossing warning, and after a predetermined time (several seconds to about 10 seconds) elapses, outputs a drive command to the breaking drive device 17 and drives the level-crossing breaking can 18 to perform the level crossing. Block road traffic.

The railroad crossing obstruction notifying device 16 displays a stop signal or a special light emission signal to warn the approaching train 81 approaching the railroad crossing when a trouble occurs in the railroad crossing or the like. This device stops just before a railroad crossing to prevent a collision with a train. Operation button 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes an operating tool that is provided at an appropriate place in a railroad crossing and that operates by giving an operation command to the railroad crossing trouble notification device 16.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment is an exemplification, and has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

In short, the present invention relates to a railroad crossing connecting road margin detecting means for detecting and outputting a road margin at which a car can exist on a railroad crossing connecting road connecting to a railroad crossing where a railway and a road intersect at a plane. A notifying means arranged near the road at a position recognizable by a driver of the car and outputting notifying information which is visual information or audible information, and a level crossing approach which is a car which may enter a level crossing The notifying means is controlled so that the notification information including the road crossing destination road margin information related to the road margin of the level crossing connecting road ahead of the level crossing in the traveling direction of the possible vehicle is output to the driver of the vehicle capable of entering the level crossing. Any system may be used as long as it has a control means.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the traveling direction of a car that is likely to enter a level crossing, in the direction of travel of the car that can enter the level crossing, the notification information including the road margin information on the road ahead of the level crossing that is related to the road margin of the level crossing connection road that is ahead of the level crossing is directed to the driver of the vehicle that can enter the level crossing. Is configured to control the notifying means so as to output the information, such that information such as the state of the connecting road at the level crossing ahead of the level crossing can be notified, and a level crossing accident can be effectively prevented. I have.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a railroad crossing provided with the railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 Controller (control means, first calculation processing means, second calculation processing means) 12 Train approach detection device 13a Road pressure detection device (road pressure detection device) 13b Optical object detection device (optical object detection device) 14 Notification device (Announcement means) 15 Operation button 16 Railroad crossing obstruction notification device 17, 17a-17d Breaking drive device (breaking drive device) 18, 18a-18d Railroad crossing breaker (railway crossing breaker) 19 Transmitting device (ground side transmission means) 20 Railroad crossing warning Device 81 Railway train 82 Car 83 Railroad track 84 Railroad crossing connection road 85 Railroad crossing road 101 Railroad crossing connection road information notification system

Claims (7)

[Claims] A railroad crossing connecting road margin detecting means for detecting and outputting a road margin at which a car can exist at a railroad crossing connecting road which is a point where a railway and a road intersect with each other; An informing means which is arranged at a position recognizable by a driver of the vehicle and outputs information which is visual information or auditory information; and The notifying means so as to output the notification information including the crossing destination road margin information related to the road margin of the crossing connection road that is ahead of the railroad crossing in a direction to a driver of the crossing approachable vehicle. A railroad crossing connection road information notification system, comprising: control means for controlling. 2. The railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the railroad crossing connection road margin detection unit includes: a road pressure detection unit provided on a road surface of the railroad crossing connection road; Based on the output of, detects an area where the car does not exist on the railroad crossing connection road,
A railroad crossing connection road information notification system, comprising a first arithmetic processing means for detecting the road margin. 3. The railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the railroad crossing connection road margin detection means is provided near the railroad crossing connection road and detects the presence of an object by light. Means for detecting the last vehicle on the level crossing connection road based on the output from the optical object detection means and detecting the road margin. Information notification system. 4. The railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is in contact with the railroad crossing connection road or with the railroad crossing connection road. A railroad crossing connection road information notification system, which is arranged near a road intersection. 5. The railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to claim 1, wherein a wireless transmission is performed to a vehicle near a railroad crossing, which is a vehicle existing near the railroad crossing. Ground-side transmission means, wherein the control means transmits the ground-side transmission so as to output at least the crossing-destination road margin information to an image display means or a sound output means of an automobile information device mounted on the vehicle near the railroad crossing. A railroad crossing connection road information notification system characterized by controlling means. 6. The railroad crossing connection road information notification system according to claim 1, further comprising: a railroad crossing blocker for blocking communication between the railroad crossing and the railroad crossing connection road; The control means, when the road margin is less than a predetermined minimum margin value, gives a level crossing cutoff command to the cutoff drive means to drive the level crossing cutoff tool, and A railroad crossing connection road information notification system, which controls so as to prevent entry. 7. A railroad crossing connecting road margin detecting means for detecting and outputting a road margin at which a car can exist at a railroad crossing connecting road connecting a railroad and a road at a plane intersection, It is provided at a position recognizable by a driver of the vehicle and includes a notification unit that outputs notification information that is visual information or auditory information, of a car that can enter the railroad crossing. The notifying means so as to output the notification information including the crossing-destination road margin information related to the road margin of the crossing connection road that is ahead of the crossing in the traveling direction to a driver of the crossing-enterable vehicle. Control method for a railroad crossing connection road information.