JP2004272425A - Road gate passage control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the collision of a vehicle A against a gate G (gate bar 3) provided in a road. <P>SOLUTION: The approach of the vehicle to the express highway ETC gate G is detected by a gate-side or vehicle A-side ETC transceiver 1 or 2, and communication of outlet information or inlet information such as payment of toll is performed between both the ETC receivers. At this time, when such information cannot be confirmed in a road-side or vehicle A-side controller due to an insertion failure of ETC card or the like, that effect is reported to a driver by an indication to an electronic display board set in the gate or on-vehicle equipment. Thereafter, the speed of a following vehicle is forcedly controlled (decelerated) so that the following vehicle does not collide against the gate G (gate bar 3) and a preceding vehicle, and a collision dangerous state is reported to the driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a road gate passage control device that provides a gate on a road, such as a tollgate on an expressway, and allows only vehicles permitted to pass.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) has begun to be used to alleviate congestion of vehicles at a tollgate on an expressway. As shown in FIG. 1, this ETC system uses wireless communication between an antenna (ETC transceiver) 1 installed at a tollgate gate G and an on-vehicle device (ETC transceiver) 2 mounted on a vehicle A ( It automatically pays tolls, etc., and communicates toll booths nonstop.
[0003]
In this ETC system, there has recently been a problem that the vehicle A collides with the gate G (gate bar 3) without opening (not opening) the gate G (gate bar 3). As one of the causes, although the ETC system is operating normally (both ETC transceivers 1 and 2 are communicating normally), an ETC card is inserted into the vehicle-mounted device (ETC transceiver) 2. However, the gate G (gate bar 3) may not be opened due to the fact that the ETC card is inserted but the passage permission signal is not transmitted due to poor contact, insufficient balance of the ETC card, or the like.
[0004]
In this case, if the vehicle A is equipped with an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) system, the ACC system can recognize the gate G and brake the traveling of the vehicle A to avoid a collision.
[0005]
There is also a technique of recognizing a tollgate (gate G) by a car navigation system or an obstacle radar and controlling the vehicle speed based on the information (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-30797, paragraph 0122
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the vehicle A entering the ETC gate G is equipped with an ETC, it does not necessarily have a braking system such as an ACC or an obstacle radar. In rare cases, the gate G may not be recognized even if it is mounted.
[0008]
In addition, when providing not only the ETC gate G but also various gates on the road, it is necessary to actively prevent the vehicle A from colliding with the gate bar 3 or the like of the gate.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to prevent a vehicle from colliding with a gate bar or the like.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention recognizes that a vehicle has approached a gate on a road and, based on the recognition, urges the vehicle to decelerate or when the vehicle enters the gate in the traveling environment, a gate bar or the like is used. A collision state is determined, and in the case of a collision state, the vehicle is instructed to reduce the speed (stop) or decelerate forcibly.
[0011]
Means for recognizing that the vehicle has approached the gate on the road may be provided on the road side or on the vehicle side. It is necessary to provide means for outputting the indicated gate signal. It suffices if the vehicle can recognize the gate by ACC or the like, but the present invention is intended for a vehicle that does not have a function of recognizing the gate by itself. As a means for outputting the gate signal, a gate side ETC transceiver of the ETC system or the like can be considered.
[0012]
Specific inventions provided with a recognition means on the road side include a means for recognizing that a vehicle approaches a road gate and a deceleration means for prompting the vehicle to decelerate when the recognition means recognizes the vehicle. And a configuration in which a signal from the deceleration unit is provided to urge the vehicle to decelerate.
[0013]
Further, as a specific invention in which the recognition means is provided on the vehicle side, the means for recognizing the gate signal and the deceleration means are provided in the vehicle, and the recognition means outputs a recognition signal of the gate signal to the deceleration means. The deceleration unit may employ a configuration in which the vehicle is prompted to decelerate by inputting the recognition signal.
[0014]
As means for prompting the deceleration, a display plate such as an electric light prompts the driver to perform a braking operation, for example, a display such as "Collide with a gate. Apply brakes!" Or an engine ECU (Electronic) of the vehicle. Control Unit) to reduce the engine speed by transmitting a braking signal, or, if the vehicle is an AT vehicle (automatic transmission vehicle), transmit a downshift signal to the AT ECU to cause a downshift. When the vehicle is equipped with a braking function system such as a TCS (Traction Control System) or ACC, various means such as transmitting a braking signal to the ECU and braking by the ECU are conceivable.
[0015]
At that time, the traveling environment such as the traveling speed of the vehicle, the distance between the vehicle and the gate is measured, and based on the measured values, the vehicle can be stopped in front of the gate, or the collision with the gate does not cause any problem. Or slow down.
[0016]
When the vehicle is equipped with an ETC, the recognition means is an ETC transceiver, and the deceleration means satisfies a condition that a gate is opened by communication between the vehicle side and the road side ETC devices. It is determined whether or not the vehicle can pass through the gate, and if the condition is not satisfied, the vehicle may be prompted to decelerate.
[0017]
In this way, when the ETC system is operated and the gate (gate bar) is opened without colliding with the vehicle without a contact failure of the ETC card or the like, the vehicle can pass through the gate smoothly. At this time, if the vehicle travels at a high speed and enters the gate at that speed, if a collision occurs, a signal is issued to prompt deceleration to avoid the collision. The signal may be reduced to a speed at which the driver can step on the brake and stop in front of the gate. On the other hand, when the condition for opening the gate is not satisfied due to poor contact or the like, the vehicle is encouraged to decelerate to avoid collision with the gate.
[0018]
Embodiment
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is adopted in the ETC gate G of the tollgate on the highway shown in FIG. A transceiver (antenna) 1 is provided, and a gate bar 3 is provided in front of the transceiver. The gate bar 3 is normally closed as shown by a chain line in the figure, and the controller controls the communication between the ETC transceiver (vehicle on-board unit) 2 of the vehicle A and the ETC transceiver 1 that has entered the ETC gate G. When a passage permission signal of information (entrance information) or information (exit information) for which a fee has been automatically paid is issued, the vehicle A is allowed to pass by opening as shown by the solid line in FIG.
[0019]
The ETC transceiver 1 on the side of the gate G is connected to the controller of the gate bar 3, and this controller performs the operation shown in FIG. . That is, first, when the vehicle A entering the ETC gate G is detected by the ETC transceiver 1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle A is a vehicle equipped with an ETC. For example, a display such as "This gate is for ETC and cannot pass" is displayed by ₄ , and guidance to the manned gate G1 is performed. The presence or absence of the ETC transceiver 2 is determined by whether or not ETC communication is possible. If the ETC transceiver 2 operates normally and communication can be performed, it is determined to be “mounted vehicle”. Mounted vehicle ". For this reason, vehicles without ETC are vehicles without ETC and vehicles with ETC communication that do not normally establish ETC communication.
[0020]
Next, in the case of an ETC-equipped vehicle, communication of entrance information or exit information for discriminating "whether the condition for opening the gate is satisfied?" Is performed with the ETC transceiver 2 of the vehicle A. . In this communication, when the ETC card is not inserted into the in-vehicle ETC transceiver 2 or inserted but the contact is poor, as in the case where the normal communication of the exit information such as payment or the entrance information is not performed, That is, when the condition for opening the gate is not satisfied, the driver is alerted of the abnormality of the ETC transceiver 2, and the vehicle speed of the vehicle A, the distance to the tollgate (gate bar 3), the distance to the future vehicle A, and the like. , The degree of deceleration is calculated, and a deceleration request is output. The warning may be given by the display panel 4. However, if the vehicle A has a device to be displayed by transmission from the ETC transceiver 2, the warning is used together with the display or displayed on the device alone (hereinafter the same). ). Further, the deceleration request may cause the vehicle A to automatically decelerate as described later. This automatic deceleration can be adopted also in the above-mentioned warning for a vehicle without ETC.
[0021]
If the vehicle A satisfies the opening condition, it is next determined whether or not the vehicle A can safely pass through the gate G (gate bar 3). For example, if the distance from the detection point of the vehicle A to the gate bar 3 is not less than 100 km / h, the gate bar 3 will not be completely opened unless the traveling speed of the entering vehicle A is 100 km / h or more. May occur. Therefore, when the vehicle A is about to enter the gate G, the vehicle state (running environment) such as the vehicle speed, the vehicle deceleration, and the distance to the gate G (gate bar 3) is obtained, and the vehicle A is obtained under a certain condition. A signal for reducing the engine speed of A is transmitted, and the driver is warned of deceleration. At this time, if the vehicle A is equipped with a traveling speed control system such as TCS or ACC, the vehicle A is forcibly decelerated by the reduction signal. As the deceleration means, gear downshifting, traction operation, brake braking, etc. may be considered in addition to the reduction of the engine speed, and these means may be used alone or in combination (hereinafter the same).
[0022]
Further, as the "constant condition", for example, in a general vehicle A, when a normal person suddenly decelerates (applies abrupt braking) at a vehicle speed of 50 km / h, a braking force of 0.6 G is applied, and 15 m If the distance from the detection point (control start point) to the gate G (gate bar 3) is set to 15 m or less as shown in the figure, it is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied. . This condition is appropriately selected depending on the vehicle A or the like. For example, in a vehicle equipped with a braking system capable of decelerating by 0.2 G, the distance from the detection point to the gate G (gate bar 3) is set to 65 m or less by adding 50 m. In a vehicle equipped with a control system capable of performing deceleration control and decelerating by 0.1 G, deceleration control is performed at 115 m or less by adding 50 m. This condition may be set for each type of vehicle A, but may be fixed. In addition, the vehicle speed may be uniformly reduced to, for example, 50 km / h.
[0023]
Further, at the ETC gate G, the gate G (gate bar 3) may not be opened due to a cause other than the vehicle A to enter. For example, in the case where there is a vehicle A that has entered without ETC or is unable to pay, and there is a vehicle A that is slower, and if the vehicle A enters as it is, which leads to an accident, the presence or absence of the vehicle A in the gate G is determined by various sensors. Then, if there is an obstacle, the vehicle speed is controlled to be, for example, 20 km / h or less, at which the vehicle can stop instantaneously at a traveling distance of 15 m, for example. With such control, when the vehicle A enters the ETC gate G, but the gate bar 3 does not open for some reason, the driver of the vehicle A is liable to fall into a panic state, but crashes with the normal ability of the driver. By automatically decelerating until it can be avoided, vehicle A can safely and smoothly pass through ETC gate G.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the main device of the road gate passage control device is mounted on the vehicle A side, and the ETC transceiver 2 on the vehicle A side is not shown. The controller is connected to a controller, and performs the operation shown in FIG. 3 via the ETC transceiver 2 with the deceleration means described in the claims. That is, first, it is determined whether or not its own ETC transceiver 2 is normal, and if it is abnormal, the driver is notified by voice or display to that effect.
[0025]
When the ETC transceiver 2 is working normally and does not receive the ETC signal (gate signal) from the ETC transceiver 1 on the road gate G side (when not approaching the ETC gate G), the control operation is not performed. On the other hand, when the vehicle enters the ETC gate G and receives the ETC signal in a state where the ETC transceiver 2 is operating normally, it is determined whether the vehicle A satisfies the condition for opening the gate. .
[0026]
In this determination, similarly to the above, if the ETC card is not inserted into the in-vehicle ETC transceiver 2 and the normal communication of the exit information or the entrance information is not performed, the condition that the gate is opened is not satisfied. For this reason, the driver is warned of an abnormality of the ETC transceiver 2, and the degree of deceleration is calculated from the vehicle speed of the vehicle A, the distance to the tollgate (gate bar 3), the distance to the future vehicle A, and the like. Is output.
[0027]
If the vehicle A satisfies the opening condition, it is determined whether or not the vehicle A can safely pass through the gate G (gate bar 3) based on the same criteria as described above. The vehicle decelerates by transmitting a reduction signal of the engine rotation speed of the vehicle A and warns the driver of the deceleration. Also, collision is avoided by determining the presence or absence of an obstacle. The presence or absence of this obstacle may be recognized based on information from the gate G side, or a means for recognizing the vehicle A side may be provided.
[0028]
The operation of this embodiment is started by inserting an ETC card into the ETC transceiver 2, starting operation of the vehicle A, using a separate operation switch, or the like. Further, if the vehicle A side determines that the vehicle can pass through the gate, it is possible to add this function to the road side ETC system without adding a function for implementing the present invention (with the current ETC system). The invention can be implemented.
[0029]
In these embodiments, if necessary, one or both of the determinations of “can you safely pass through the gate?” And “is there any obstacle to the passage of the gate?” Can be omitted.
[0030]
Each of the above embodiments is the case of the ETC gate G. However, for example, in a toll collection system for an automatic gate of a toll bridge, a gate G is provided on a road and the gate bar is opened and closed. The present invention can be employed. For example, when the recognition unit is provided on the road side as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a control system as shown in FIG. 4 is provided, and the recognition unit is provided on the vehicle A side as in the embodiment of FIG. In such a case, a control system as shown in FIG.
[0031]
In the example of FIG. 4, the vehicle A has a transceiver (vehicle-mounted device) that can communicate with the gate G side. When the vehicle A approaches the gate G, the vehicle G is recognized on the gate G side, and The on-board unit checks whether communication is possible (check on the gate status receiver), and if the vehicle A is capable of communication, then a signal that satisfies the condition for passing through the gate G is output from the on-board unit. (The presence or absence of a gate status signal), the necessity of deceleration is determined based on the vehicle speed, the distance between the vehicle A and the gate, and a deceleration request is made. In the example of FIG. 5, the vehicle A has a transceiver (vehicle-mounted device) that can communicate with the gate G side and a controller that determines whether or not a condition for passing the gate G is satisfied. When the vehicle A approaches the gate G by the transceiver and the controller, a check is made as to whether or not communication of the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle A is possible (check of the gate state receiver). If communication is possible, then: It is determined whether or not the vehicle A satisfies the condition for passing the gate G, that is, whether the vehicle-mounted device outputs a signal that satisfies the condition for passing the gate G (presence or absence of a gate state signal), The necessity of deceleration is determined based on the vehicle speed, the distance between the vehicle A and the gate G, and a deceleration request is made. In both cases, the warning and the deceleration request can have the same operation as the embodiment of FIGS.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, as described above, the collision between the vehicle and the gate is prevented, so that the vehicle can smoothly travel at the gate. In particular, in the ETC gate, it is possible to effectively prevent a collision with the gate due to a defect of the in-vehicle ETC device, for example, a poor contact of the ETC card.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment; FIG. 2 is an operation flow diagram of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is an operation flow diagram of another embodiment; FIG. 4 is an operation flow diagram of another embodiment; Operation flow diagram of another embodiment [Description of reference numerals]
A Vehicle G ETC gate 1 Gate side ETC transceiver (antenna)
2 Vehicle-mounted ETC transceiver (ETC vehicle-mounted device)
3 Gate bar 4 Lightning display board

Claims (6)

A means for recognizing that the vehicle A has approached the road gate G and a deceleration means for prompting the vehicle A to decelerate when the recognition means recognizes the vehicle A are provided on the road side, and a signal from the deceleration means is provided. A road gate passage control device, wherein the vehicle A is urged to decelerate. A means for outputting a gate signal indicating that there is a road gate G is a passage control device for the gate G provided on the road side,
A means for recognizing the gate signal and a deceleration means are provided in the vehicle A. The recognizing means outputs a recognition signal of the gate signal to the deceleration means, and the deceleration means receives a signal of the own vehicle A by inputting the recognition signal. A road gate passage control device characterized in that the driver is prompted to decelerate. The deceleration means has a function of determining whether or not the vehicle A satisfies the condition that the gate A can pass, and prompts deceleration when the condition is not satisfied. Item 3. The road gate passage control device according to item 1 or 2. When the gate G has an ETC system and the vehicle A has an ETC device 2, the recognition means is the ETC device 2 or the ETC transceiver 1 on the gate G side. Item 4. The road gate passage control device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The deceleration means measures the distance and the traveling speed between the road gate G and the vehicle A, and urges the vehicle A to decelerate based on the measured values so that the vehicle A can stop in front of the gate G. The road gate passage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The road gate passage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the deceleration of the vehicle A is automatically performed by a device on the vehicle A side.

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