JP2008305135A - Traffic signal control system, traffic signal controller, on-vehicle device, and traffic signal control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely facilitate passage of a priority vehicle by extending green light time so that the priority vehicle may not be disturbed by a general vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This traffic signal controller 1b for extending green light time so that the priority vehicle 5 passes through an intersection C on green light, generates execution information S7 indicating that the green light time is extended, and transmits the generated execution information S7 and positional information S8 of the priority vehicle 5 to the general vehicles 6 traveling along the direction same as that of the priority vehicle 5, and each general vehicle 6 determines whether the general vehicle 6 is positioned in front of or behind the priority vehicle 5, based on the positional information S8 of the priority vehicle 5, and outputs the determination result and the execution information S7 so that an occupant in the general vehicle 6 can recognize it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal control system, a traffic signal control device, an in-vehicle device, and a traffic signal control method for performing blue time extension control for allowing a priority vehicle to pass through an intersection with a green signal.

The signal control method for traffic signals by system control and wide area control is roughly divided from the viewpoint of setting method of signal control parameters (split, cycle length, offset, etc.). There are two types of traffic sensitive control in which signal control parameters are set according to traffic conditions.
Among these, the latter traffic sensitive control is classified into terminal sensitive control performed for each traffic signal controller of the terminal and central sensitive control that changes signal control parameters for a plurality of intersections that are route system controlled or surface controlled. The

One type of terminal sensitive control is bus priority control. This bus priority control is to control signals so that buses, which are public means of mass transportation, can be actively prioritized, improving human transportation efficiency and reducing signal waiting time. Objective.
In the bus priority control, the approach to the bus intersection is detected by the uplink information of the bus detector and the optical beacon, and the sensitivity control is performed. As a basic form of this sensitivity control, the blue time extension control and the blue time reduction are performed. There are three types: control and red time reduction control.

  Of these, the green time extension control extends the blue time in the direction the bus travels so that the bus approaching the intersection is passed without stopping just before the end of the green light. Prioritize traffic to improve human transportation efficiency (Non-Patent Document 1).

"Revised Traffic Signal Guide" Editorial and publication Traffic Engineering Research Group (pages 16-18, 68-76)

However, when the conventional blue hour extension control is performed, if a general vehicle that does not know that the extension control is performed travels at a low speed in front of the bus, the low-speed general vehicle obstructs the passage of the bus. Become. For this reason, the bus may not be able to pass through the intersection within the extended blue hour despite the extended green hour.
In addition, when extending the blue hour until it is confirmed that the bus passes the intersection, if a low-speed general vehicle as described above is present in front of the bus, the blue hour must be extended extra. Traffic on the crossing road that intersects the bus route will be hindered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is capable of performing green time extension control that promotes a general vehicle to travel without interfering with the priority vehicle, thereby more reliably promoting the passage of the priority vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a traffic signal control apparatus and method capable of performing the above.

The traffic signal control system of the present invention includes a traffic signal control device that performs green time extension control for allowing a priority vehicle to pass through an intersection with a green light, an in-vehicle device mounted on the priority vehicle, and the same direction as the priority vehicle. A traffic signal control system that links an in-vehicle device mounted on a traveling general vehicle,
The traffic signal control device generates generation information indicating that the green time extension control performed based on position information received from an in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle is being implemented, and the generated execution information Transmitting means for transmitting the received position information of the priority vehicle to the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle;
The in-vehicle device of the general vehicle includes a receiving unit that receives the execution information and the position information of the priority vehicle, and whether the host vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle based on the received position information of the priority vehicle. It has a determination means for determining, and an output means for outputting the determination result and the received execution information to a passenger of the general vehicle in a recognizable manner (claim 1).

According to the traffic signal control system of the present invention, the execution information indicating that the green time extension control is being executed and the position information of the priority vehicle are transmitted to the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle, and the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle that has received the information. However, the determination result as to whether the host vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle and the execution information are output so as to be recognized by the passenger.
For this reason, passing through the intersection at a speed that does not interfere with the traveling of the priority vehicle for passengers of general vehicles who know that the green time extension control is being implemented and the host vehicle is located in front of the priority vehicle Can be encouraged to do. On the other hand, passengers of general vehicles who know that the green time extension control is being implemented and that their vehicle is located behind the priority vehicle are encouraged to stop at the intersection without following the priority vehicle. Can do.
In the traffic signal control system of the present invention, the blue time extension for the priority vehicle is not only for extending the normal blue display when the priority vehicle goes straight through the intersection, but also when going straight, turning right or left at the intersection. This includes the case where all the blue indications for giving the right of access to the priority vehicle such as Aoya are extended.

In the traffic signal control system of the present invention, the generation means of the traffic signal control device generates a recommended speed for a general vehicle to be observed before the general vehicle passes the intersection, and transmits the traffic signal control device. The means preferably transmits the generated recommended speed for the general vehicle to the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle (claim 2).
In this case, when the determination means determines that the own vehicle is positioned ahead of the priority vehicle by the output means of the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle, the received recommended speed for the general vehicle is received by the passenger of the general vehicle. If the vehicle is output in a recognizable manner (Claim 3), it is more likely that the passenger of the general vehicle located in front of the priority vehicle will travel at the recommended speed for the general vehicle. It can prevent more reliably that it becomes the obstacle of driving | running | working.

  Further, in this case, when the determination unit determines that the own vehicle is positioned in front of the priority vehicle, the general vehicle is configured to travel at the received recommended speed for the general vehicle. If a control unit for automatically controlling the vehicle is provided (Claim 4), the general vehicle located in front of the priority vehicle automatically travels at the recommended speed for the general vehicle. It can be prevented more reliably that it is in the way.

In the traffic signal control system of the present invention, the transmission means of the traffic signal control device transmits the execution information also to the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle, and the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle receives the received execution information. It is preferable to have an output means for outputting to the passenger of the priority vehicle in a recognizable manner (claim 5).
In this case, since it is detected in advance that the blue hour extension control is being performed at the intersection where the passenger of the priority vehicle is about to pass, the intersection of the priority vehicle passenger during the currently displayed blue hour Can be prompted to pass.

In the traffic signal control system of the present invention, the traffic signal control device generating means generates a recommended speed for a priority vehicle to be observed before the priority vehicle passes the intersection, and the traffic signal control device Preferably, the transmission means transmits the generated recommended speed for the priority vehicle to the priority vehicle (claim 6).
In this case, if the output means of the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle outputs the received recommended speed for the priority vehicle in a recognizable manner to the passenger of the priority vehicle (Claim 7), boarding of the priority vehicle Since the probability that a person will drive at the recommended speed for the priority vehicle increases, it is possible to further promote the passage of the intersection during the currently displayed blue hours.

The recommended speed for the priority vehicle is, for example, the speed that must be observed before passing the intersection of the priority vehicle. The recommended speed for the priority vehicle can reach the intersection during the extended blue hours, and is recommended for general vehicles. It is desirable to set the speed within the speed.
Further, in this case, if the on-vehicle device of the priority vehicle is provided with a control unit that automatically controls the priority vehicle so as to travel at the received recommended speed for the priority vehicle (Claim 8), Automatically travels at the recommended speed for that priority vehicle, so that the priority vehicle almost certainly passes the intersection during the green hours shown.

Furthermore, in the traffic signal control system according to the present invention, the transmission means of the traffic signal control device allows the general vehicle and the priority vehicle to travel at their recommended speeds when there is a traffic jam on the travel path of the priority vehicle. Therefore, it is preferable not to transmit those recommended speeds (claim 9).
The presence or absence of the traffic jam can be determined based on the detection signal of the vehicle detector installed in front of the intersection, and the position information and speed information of each vehicle are periodically transmitted to the traffic signal control device. In such a case, the determination can be made from these pieces of information.

The traffic signal control device (Claim 10) of the present invention is an infrastructure-side control device corresponding to a sub-combination of the traffic signal control system (Claim 1), and is received from the implementation information generated by itself and the priority vehicle. The position information is transmitted to an in-vehicle device of a general vehicle.
The in-vehicle device according to the present invention (Claim 11) is an in-vehicle device corresponding to a sub-combination of the traffic signal control system (Claim 1), and is linked with the traffic signal control device (Claim 10). The effect which it did is produced.

That is, the in-vehicle device according to the present invention (claim 11) determines whether the own vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle based on the received position information of the priority vehicle, and boardes the determination result and the execution information. Output in a recognizable manner for passengers so that passengers of ordinary vehicles who know that the blue time extension control is being implemented and that the vehicle is located in front of the priority vehicle will not interfere with the priority vehicle's travel. You can encourage them to pass the intersection at a moderate speed.
On the other hand, passengers of general vehicles who know that the blue hour extension control is being implemented and that the vehicle is located behind the priority vehicle are encouraged to stop at the intersection without following the priority vehicle. Can do.
Moreover, the traffic signal control method (Claim 12) of the present invention is a control method performed by the traffic signal control system (Claim 1), and has the same effects as the system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the green time extension control for urging the general vehicle to travel without interfering with the priority vehicle, and thus it is possible to more reliably promote the passage of the priority vehicle.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a traffic signal control system employing the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic signal control system of this embodiment includes a traffic signal 1, an in-vehicle device 2 (see FIG. 3), a vehicle detector 3, a central device 4, a priority vehicle 5 equipped with the in-vehicle device 2, and an in-vehicle device. A general vehicle 6 equipped with the device 2 is included.

The priority vehicle 5 is a vehicle that is subject to a blue hour extension control, which will be described later. On the other hand, the general vehicle 6 is a vehicle that is not an object of the blue time extension control, and is, for example, a small-sized or medium-sized vehicle.
In addition, at intersection C shown in FIG. 1, main roads RM1 and RM2 having a large traffic volume and slave roads RS1 and RS2 having a small traffic volume merge.

The central device 4 is installed in the traffic control center and is connected to the traffic signal 1 installed in each of a plurality of intersections C included in its own control area via a communication line 7 such as a telephone line. Yes. However, the central device 4 may be installed on the road instead of the traffic control center.
The central device 4 sends a signal control command S1 relating to the lamp color switching timing of the signal lamp 1b and traffic information S2 including traffic jam information to each subordinate traffic signal 1 every predetermined time (for example, every 5 minutes). Sending.

In addition, the central device 4 predetermines control type information S6 indicating the type of signal control performed at each intersection C (type of terminal sensitive control or fixed period control: green time extension control is a type of terminal sensitive control). Control type information S6 that is generated every hour (for example, every 5 minutes) and is to be implemented at a certain intersection C is distributed to the traffic signal 1 corresponding to the intersection C.
In order to count the number of vehicles flowing into each intersection C, the vehicle detector 3 is installed on the upstream side of each corresponding intersection C, and is connected to each corresponding traffic signal 1 via the communication line 8. . In FIG. 1, only the vehicle detector 3 provided on the main road RM1 and the secondary road RM2 is illustrated, but the vehicle detector 3 is also provided on the other roads RM2 and RS1.

[Traffic signal]
As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic signal 1 of this embodiment includes four signal lamps 1b installed on the upper and lower lines RM1 and RM2 of the main road and the upper and lower lines RS1 and RS2 of the secondary road, and the signal lamp 1b. And a terminal control device 1 a connected via a communication line 8.
The terminal control device 1a receives the signal control command S1 from the central device 4, and based on the signal control command S1, turns on, turns off, and blinks the signal lights such as blue, yellow, red, and right turn arrow of each signal lamp 1b. To control.

  The terminal control device 1a transmits the traffic information S2 received from the central device 4 and the intersection ID stored therein to the in-vehicle device 2 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 0.1 second). Further, the terminal control device 1a receives the position information S3 and the speed information S4 of the vehicles 5 and 6 from the in-vehicle device 2, and receives the sensing signal S5 from the vehicle detector 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal control device 1a.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminal control device 1 a includes a control unit 101, a lamp driving unit 102, a wired communication unit 103, a wireless communication unit 105, and a storage unit 104.
The control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a is composed of one or a plurality of microcomputers. The control unit 101 is connected to the lamp driving unit 102, the communication unit 103, and the storage unit 104 via an internal bus, and the control unit 101 controls operations of these hardware units.

The control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a drives each signal lamp 1b in accordance with a signal control command S1 that is an output as a result of the traffic sensitivity control performed by the central device 4, and each signal lamp at a predetermined timing based on the command S1. The signal lamp color of the device 1b is switched.
The lamp driving unit 102 includes a semiconductor relay (not shown), and corresponds to each of the blue, yellow, and red lamps of the plurality of signal lamps 1b based on the output command S1 input from the control unit 101. The AC voltage (AC 100V) or DC voltage supplied to the signal lights of each color is turned on / off.
Moreover, the control part 101 of the terminal control apparatus 1a performs blue time extension control for allowing the priority vehicle 5 to pass the intersection C with a green light as part of the terminal sensitive control performed by the control apparatus 1a. Details of this extension control will be described later.

The wired communication unit 103 of the terminal control device 1a is a communication interface that performs wired communication between the central device 4 and the vehicle detector 3, and sends a signal control command S1, traffic information S2, and control type information S6 from the central device 4. The vehicle sensing signal S5 is received from the vehicle detector 3.
The wireless communication unit 105 of the terminal control device 1a is a communication interface that performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 2 of the priority vehicle 5 and the general vehicle 6 that flows into the intersection C. The traffic information S2 is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 2. The vehicle ID, position information S3, and speed information S4 of each vehicle 5 and 6 are received from the in-vehicle device 2.

The wireless communication unit 105 includes a medium / wide area communication device such as a wireless LAN or WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), and wirelessly communicates various information with the in-vehicle device 2 mounted on the vehicles 5 and 6. Can do.
The wireless communication unit 105 transmits the link ID of the target link (secondary road RS2 in the example of FIG. 1) to the in-vehicle device 2 together with the intersection ID. The in-vehicle device 2 selects information necessary for itself such as the traffic information S <b> 2 by collating the link ID attached to the information received from the wireless communication unit 105 with the link ID of the running link. The extension of the communication area of the wireless communication unit 105 in the vehicle traveling direction is set to about 50 to 200 m.

  The storage unit 104 of the terminal control device 1a includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The signal control command S1, the traffic information S2, the sensing signal S5, the control type information S6 received by the wired communication unit 103, and the wireless communication unit 105 stores the vehicle ID and position information S3 and speed information S4 of the vehicles 5 and 6 received, and the link ID of the lane in which the vehicles 5 and 6 travel.

[In-vehicle device]
The in-vehicle device 2 mounted on the priority vehicle 5 and the general vehicle 6 has a communication function for wirelessly communicating various information with the terminal control device 1a, and a navigation function for guiding the destination set by the passenger. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle device 2 includes a GPS processing unit 201, a direction sensor 202, a vehicle speed acquisition unit 203, a communication unit 204, a storage unit 205, an operation unit 206, a display unit 207, an audio output unit 208, and a processing unit 209. And ECU (Engine Control Unit) 210 and the like.

The GPS processing unit 201 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites, and based on time information, GPS satellite orbits, positioning correction information, and the like included in the GPS signals, the positions (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the vehicles 5 and 6 Measure.
The azimuth sensor 202 is composed of an optical fiber gyro and the like, and measures the azimuth and angular velocity of the vehicles 5 and 6. The vehicle speed acquisition unit 203 acquires the speed data of the vehicles 5 and 6 measured by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) detecting the angular speed of the wheels.

When the communication unit 204 of the in-vehicle device 2 enters the communication area of the wireless communication unit 105 of the terminal control device 1a while traveling toward the intersection C where the vehicles 5 and 6 are located, traffic information transmitted by the wireless communication unit 105 is transmitted. Information such as S2 is received, and its own vehicle ID, position information S3, and speed information S4 are transmitted to the wireless communication unit 105 in real time (for example, in a cycle of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds).
The storage unit 205 of the in-vehicle device 2 is composed of a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like, and stores the traffic information S2 received by the communication unit 204. The storage unit 205 stores road map data.

This road map data includes the intersection data that associates the intersection ID with the position of the intersection, the link ID, the link start point, the end point, and the interpolation point (corresponding to the point where the road bends), and the link start point. It consists of link data that links the link ID of the link to be connected, the link ID of the link connected to the end point of the link, and the link cost.
For example, there are as many link costs as the number of combinations of a link and its end point, and after entering the start point of the link, exit the end point of the link and enter the start point of the next link to be connected. The time required until is set. That is, the link cost includes the cost (time) required to travel from the start point to the end point of the link and the cost (time) required to travel from the end point of the link to the start point of the next link, that is, the intersection. The cost required to pass is included.

The operation unit 206 of the in-vehicle device 2 includes a touch panel, buttons, and the like so that passengers of the vehicles 5 and 6 including the driver can set the destination.
The display unit 207 of the in-vehicle device 2 includes a monitor device attached to a dashboard portion of the vehicles 5 and 6, a head-up display provided in front of the driver's seat, and the like, and carries the image data created by the processing unit 209. To the user. The audio output unit 208 outputs the audio data created by the processing unit 209 from a speaker (not shown).

The processing unit 209 of the in-vehicle device 2 includes one or a plurality of microcomputers and the like, and includes a GPS processing unit 201, a direction sensor 202, a vehicle speed acquisition unit 203, a communication unit 204, a storage unit 205, an operation unit 206, and a display unit. Each process of the audio output unit 208 is controlled.
In addition, the processing unit 209 includes the positions of the vehicles 5 and 6 measured by the GPS processing unit 201, the azimuth and angular velocity of the vehicles 5 and 6 measured by the direction sensor 202, and the speeds of the vehicles 5 and 6 acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit 203. Map matching processing is performed based on each data and road map data stored in the storage unit 205, and the positions of the vehicles 5 and 6 on the link of the road map data are obtained.

The ECU 210 of the in-vehicle device 2 is composed of a microcomputer for comprehensively performing electrical control in engine operation of the vehicles 5 and 6, and can perform constant speed control for causing the vehicles 5 and 6 to travel at a constant speed. It is.
When a constant speed running command and its set speed (recommended speeds V1 and V2 described later) are input from the processing unit 209, the ECU 210 switches the engine drive to the constant speed control mode and causes the vehicles 5 and 6 to move to the set speed. Run on.

[Blue time extension control by terminal control device]
Next, the blue time extension control for the priority vehicle 5 executed by the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a determines whether or not the terminal sensitive control is allowed based on the control type information S6 from the central device 4, and if so, the following blue time extension control is performed. I do.

As described above, the wireless communication unit 105 of the terminal control device 1a receives the vehicle ID, the position information S3, and the vehicle IDs of the vehicles 5 and 6 from the in-vehicle devices 2 of the vehicles 5 and 6 traveling on the road RS2 toward the intersection C. The speed information S4 is acquired in real time.
Therefore, when the vehicle ID transmitted by the in-vehicle device 2 includes the vehicle of the priority vehicle 5, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a is specified by the position information S3 and the speed information S4 of the priority vehicle 5. The arrival time to the stop line P of the priority vehicle 5 is estimated based on the current position and speed.

Subsequently, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a compares the arrival time with the current signal cycle of the road RS2, and the arrival time is immediately before the blue end time in the signal cycle (for example, within 2 seconds before). ), The blue time of the road RS2 is extended.
This extended time is a time that allows the priority vehicle 5 to safely pass through the intersection C in blue or yellow, and is set to about 10 seconds, for example.

However, if the blue hours are uniformly extended for a predetermined set time, the traffic on the roads RM1 and RM2 on the crossing side will be adversely affected.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a determines whether the priority vehicle 5 has entered the intersection C beyond the stop line P, and determines that the priority vehicle 5 has entered the intersection C, The green light on the road RS2 side is cut off.
Note that the blue time extension control is not limited to extending the normal blue display when traveling straight at the intersection C, but a blue arrow is provided in the signal lamp 1b when traveling straight, turning right, or turning left at the intersection C. In some cases, it is also possible to extend these blue arrows.

[Providing information to each vehicle]
When performing the blue time extension control, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a generates implementation information S7 indicating that the blue time extension control is being implemented, and this implementation information S7 is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 105. It transmits to the in-vehicle device 2 of the priority vehicle 5 and the general vehicle 6.
In addition, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a generates a recommended speed S9 for the general vehicle 6 and sends the recommended speed S9 and the current position information S8 of the priority vehicle 5 from the wireless communication unit 105 to the general vehicle 6. To the in-vehicle device 2.

Further, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a generates a recommended speed S10 for the priority vehicle 5, and transmits the recommended speed S10 and the implementation information S7 from the wireless communication unit 105 to the in-vehicle device 2 of the priority vehicle 5. To do.
The recommended speed S9 for the general vehicle 6 is a speed that must be observed before the preceding vehicle 6A positioned in front of the priority vehicle 5 passes through the intersection C, and prevents the priority vehicle 5 from traveling to the intersection C. The speed is set so as not to exceed the speed limit.

On the other hand, the recommended speed S10 for the priority vehicle 5 is a speed that must be observed before passing the intersection C of the priority vehicle 5, and is such that the priority vehicle 5 can reach the intersection C during the extended blue hour period. The speed is set within the recommended speed S9 for the general vehicle 6.
However, the control unit 101 of the terminal control device 1a makes it difficult for the general vehicle 6 and the priority vehicle 5 to travel at the respective recommended speeds when there is a traffic jam on the travel route RS2 of the priority vehicle 5. Therefore, the recommended speeds S9 and S10 are not transmitted from the wireless communication unit 105.

The determination of the traffic jam on the travel route RS2 of the priority vehicle 5 performed by the control unit 101 is based on the position information S3 and speed information S4 transmitted in real time from the vehicles 5 and 6 and the detection signal S5 from the vehicle detector 3. Can be done on the basis. For example, when the speed information S4 received from each of the vehicles 5 and 6 on the road RS2 is all zero and the detection signal S5 by the vehicle detector 3 is not counted, it can be determined that the road RS2 is congested.
Further, the determination of the traffic jam on the travel route RS2 of the priority vehicle 5 may be based on the traffic jam information included in the traffic information S2 transmitted from the central device 4.

[Information output in general vehicles]
When the communication unit 204 receives the execution information S7 and the position information S8 of the priority vehicle 5, the processing unit 209 of the in-vehicle device 2 of the general vehicle 6 obtains the position specified by the position information S8 and the GPS information processing unit 201. The current position of the host vehicle is compared to determine whether the host vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle 5.
In addition, the processing unit 209 converts the determination result and the received execution information S7 into image data and sound data that can be recognized by the passenger of the general vehicle 6, and these data are converted into the display unit 207 and the audio data. The audio output unit 208 outputs the data.

For example, when the general vehicle 6 is the preceding vehicle 6A located in front of the priority vehicle 5, the message “There is a priority vehicle behind. The blue hour is being extended at the front intersection” is displayed on the display unit 207. The passenger of the preceding vehicle 6A is notified by the image display using the sound and the sound output using the sound output unit 208.
By such image display and audio output, the passenger of the preceding vehicle 6A is urged to pass through the intersection C at a speed that does not interfere with the traveling of the priority vehicle 5 that is subject to the blue time extension control. .

When the general vehicle 6 is the preceding vehicle 6A, the processing unit 209 of the in-vehicle device 2 of the vehicle 6A notifies the passenger of the recommended speed S9 for the general vehicle 6 by the above image display and audio output. For example, when the recommended speed S9 is 40 km, this notification can be performed by a message “Please drive to the intersection C at 40 km / h”.
By such image display and sound output, the probability that the passenger of the preceding vehicle 6A travels at the recommended speed V1 increases, and the preceding vehicle 6A is more reliably prevented from obstructing the traveling of the priority vehicle 5.

On the other hand, when the general vehicle 6 is the succeeding vehicle 6B located behind the priority vehicle 5, the message “There is a priority vehicle ahead. The green time is being extended at the front intersection.” Is displayed on the display unit 207. The passenger of the following vehicle 6B is notified by the image display using the sound and the sound output using the sound output unit 208.
Such a sound or image output prompts the passenger of the following vehicle 6B to stop at the intersection C without following the priority vehicle 5 that is subject to the blue time extension control.

[Information output with priority vehicle]
When the communication unit 204 receives the execution information S7 and the recommended speed S10 for the priority vehicle 5, the processing unit 209 of the in-vehicle device 2 of the priority vehicle 5 uses the received execution information S7 and the recommended speed V2 for the priority vehicle 5. The data is converted into image data and sound data that can be recognized by a passenger (in this case, a driver such as a bus), and these data are output to the display unit 207 and the sound output unit 208.

For example, the notification of the execution information S7 can be performed by displaying an image of the message “The blue hour is being extended at the intersection ahead” on the display unit 207 or by outputting the sound from the audio output unit 208. .
By such image display and sound output, the passenger of the priority vehicle 5 senses in advance that the vehicle is subject to the blue hour extension control, and is urged to pass through the intersection C during the present blue hour. It is.

For example, when the recommended speed V2 is 35 km, the notification of the recommended speed V2 is displayed on the display unit 207 as an image or a voice output unit such as a message “Please drive to an intersection at a speed of 35 km / h”. For example, the audio can be output from 208.
Such image display and sound output increase the probability that the passenger of the priority vehicle 5 travels at the recommended speed S10, and more reliably promotes the priority vehicle 5 to pass the intersection C during the indicated blue hours. can do.

Further, the recommended speeds S9 and S10 are input to the ECU 210 from the processing unit 209 of the in-vehicle device 2 as means for causing the preceding vehicle 6A and the priority vehicle 5 to travel more reliably at the recommended speeds S9 and S10 until the vehicle enters the intersection C. The vehicles 5 and 6A may be automatically controlled so as to travel at a constant speed to the intersection C at the recommended speeds S9 and S10.
If such automatic control is performed, the preceding vehicle 6A and the priority vehicle 5 automatically travel at the recommended speeds V1 and V2, respectively. Therefore, the vehicles 5 and 6A almost certainly set the intersection C during the indicated blue hours. To pass.

  The embodiments disclosed thus far are all illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims for patent, and all modifications within the scope equivalent to the structure of the claims for patent are included in the present invention.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of a traffic signal control system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of traffic signal control control. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle-mounted apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Traffic signal apparatus 1a Traffic signal control apparatus 1b Signal lamp device 101 Control part (generation means)
102 lamp drive unit 103 wired communication unit 104 storage unit 105 wireless communication unit (transmission means)
2 In-vehicle device 201 GPS processing unit 202 Direction sensor 203 Vehicle speed acquisition unit 204 Communication unit (reception means)
205 Storage Unit 206 Operation Unit 207 Display Unit (Output Unit)
208 Audio output unit (output means)
209 processing unit (determination means)
210 ECU (control unit)
3 Vehicle detector 4 Central device 5 Priority vehicle 6 General vehicle C Intersection P Stop line S1 Signal control command S2 Traffic information S3 Location information S4 Speed information S5 Detection signal
S6 Control type information S7 Implementation information S8 Position information of priority vehicle S9 Recommended speed of general vehicle S10 Recommended speed of priority vehicle

Claims (12)

A traffic signal control device that performs green time extension control for passing the intersection with a priority signal with a green light, a vehicle-mounted device mounted on the priority vehicle, and a vehicle mounted on a general vehicle traveling in the same direction as the priority vehicle A traffic signal control system that links the device,
The traffic signal control device comprises:
Generating means for generating implementation information indicating that the green time extension control performed based on position information received from the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle is being implemented;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated implementation information and the received position information of the priority vehicle to the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle;
The in-vehicle device of the general vehicle is
Receiving means for receiving the implementation information and the position information of the priority vehicle;
Determining means for determining whether the host vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle based on the received position information of the priority vehicle;
A traffic signal control system, comprising: an output unit that outputs the determination result and the received execution information so as to be recognized by a passenger of the general vehicle. The generation means of the traffic signal control device generates a recommended speed for a general vehicle to be observed before the general vehicle passes the intersection,
The traffic signal control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit of the traffic signal control device transmits the generated recommended speed for the general vehicle to an in-vehicle device of the general vehicle.   The output unit of the in-vehicle device of the general vehicle can recognize the received recommended speed for the general vehicle to the passenger of the general vehicle when the determination unit determines that the host vehicle is located in front of the priority vehicle. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, which is output to   The in-vehicle device for the general vehicle is a control for automatically controlling the general vehicle so that the vehicle travels at the received recommended speed for the general vehicle when the determination unit determines that the host vehicle is located in front of the priority vehicle. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2 or 3 which has a section. The transmission means of the traffic signal control device also transmits the implementation information to an in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle,
The traffic signal control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle-mounted device of the priority vehicle includes an output unit that outputs the received execution information so that a passenger of the priority vehicle can recognize. The generation means of the traffic signal control device generates a recommended speed for a priority vehicle to be observed before the priority vehicle passes the intersection,
The traffic signal control system according to claim 5, wherein the transmission means of the traffic signal control device transmits the generated recommended speed for the priority vehicle to the priority vehicle.   The traffic signal control system according to claim 6, wherein the output unit of the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle outputs the received recommended speed for the priority vehicle so that the passenger of the priority vehicle can recognize the speed.   The traffic signal control system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the vehicle-mounted device for the priority vehicle includes a control unit that automatically controls the priority vehicle so as to travel at the received recommended speed for the priority vehicle.   The traffic signal billing system according to claim 2 or 6, wherein the transmission means of the traffic signal control device does not transmit the recommended speed when a traffic jam occurs on a travel path of the priority vehicle. A traffic signal control device that performs blue time extension control for passing a priority vehicle with a green light at an intersection,
Generating means for generating implementation information indicating that the green time extension control performed based on position information received from the in-vehicle device of the priority vehicle is being implemented;
A traffic signal control apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the generated implementation information and the position information of the priority vehicle to an in-vehicle device of the general vehicle. An in-vehicle device mounted on a general vehicle that travels in the same direction as the priority vehicle,
Receiving means for receiving execution information indicating that blue time extension control for passing the intersection with the priority vehicle with a green light is being implemented, and position information of the priority vehicle;
Determining means for determining whether the host vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle based on the received position information of the priority vehicle;
An in-vehicle apparatus, comprising: an output unit that outputs the determination result and the received execution information so as to be recognized by a passenger of the general vehicle. A traffic signal control method for performing a blue time extension control to allow a priority vehicle to pass through an intersection with a green light,
Generate implementation information indicating that the green time extension control is being implemented, and transmit the generated implementation information and the position information of the priority vehicle to a general vehicle traveling in the same direction as the priority vehicle,
In the general vehicle, based on the position information of the priority vehicle, it is determined whether the general vehicle is positioned before or after the priority vehicle, and the determination result and the execution information can be recognized by a passenger of the general vehicle. A traffic signal control method comprising: outputting a traffic signal.

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