JP2009217576A - Construction signal system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a construction signal system, capable of avoiding traffic congestion in a road construction site in response to a time change of traffic volume while suppressing the cost. <P>SOLUTION: The construction signal system for limiting passage of vehicles passing through a road includes a traffic signal 100 having a lighting part 110 indicating whether the road is passable or impassable by a lighting display switched at predetermined intervals; and a first display device 200 including a first image display part 210 which shows whether the road is passable or impassable by an image of that effect. The traffic signal 100 includes a sensor 120 which detects passage of vehicles, and an arithmetic part which optimizes the display switching interval of the lighting part based on the detection results of the sensor 120. The traffic signal 100 and the first display device 200 are disposed adjacently to each other, and the passable or impassable indication by the signal 100 and the passable/impassable indication by the first display device 200 are operated in linkage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a construction signal system that restricts the passage of vehicles traveling on a road at a road construction site.

  Conventionally, regarding road occupancy work, “Predict traffic congestion and apply for road use permission. As a technology for the purpose, "In the construction method of road private construction that implements construction on the road according to the predetermined basic specification 41, the traffic volume 38 and road construction measured without road construction are implemented. Simulation process for carrying out a traffic simulation including a prediction of the traffic situation in the construction section 44 when the road construction is performed based on the traffic conditions 40 and the road construction execution conditions 42 and 43 in the vicinity of the construction section 44 to be performed 30. When the traffic congestion information satisfies the determination criteria in the traffic simulation result, the construction plan creation step 31 creates a construction plan based on the execution conditions and basic specifications of the construction, and based on the created construction plan. And a construction process 29 for carrying out road construction. Is proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, regarding traffic simulation methods in road construction sections, “It is possible to quantitatively grasp the occurrence of traffic jams, set appropriate green times and signal switching timings in construction sections, and match signal settings with surrounding intersections. A traffic simulation method in a road construction section that can improve the performance is provided. As a technology for the purpose of `` the setting of road alignment and road shape in surrounding roads including road construction sections, setting of traffic conditions, setting of control methods and traffic lights at intersections before and after construction sections and construction sections, The vehicle motion performance is set for each vehicle type, the reaction delay time at the time of start, the judgment criteria at the time of turning left and right or changing the single track, and the simulation is performed in consideration of each set information. Is proposed (Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-146761 A (summary) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-307983 (summary)

The techniques described in the above patent documents are based on the premise that a guardman or a timer-type switching type construction traffic signal is used when stopping or guiding a vehicle at a road construction site.
However, because the timer-type switchable construction traffic signal cannot follow the change in traffic volume over time, the signal display is switched at regular intervals even when the traffic volume is high only in one direction. There is a possibility that a traffic jam occurs on the road construction site and it becomes a complaint.
Further, when the vehicle is guided by the guidance of the guard man, the labor cost of the guard man is required.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a construction signal system capable of avoiding traffic congestion at a road construction site in response to a change in traffic volume with time while suppressing costs. For the purpose.

  A construction signal system according to the present invention is a construction signal system that restricts the passage of vehicles passing on a road at a road construction site, and includes a traffic light that includes a lighting unit that indicates whether or not the road is allowed to pass by a lighting display that switches at predetermined intervals. And a first display device provided with a first image display unit indicating whether or not the road is allowed to pass by an image to that effect, wherein the traffic light is a sensor for detecting the passage of the vehicle, and a detection result of the sensor And an arithmetic unit that optimizes a display switching interval of the lighting unit, wherein the traffic light and the first display device are arranged in proximity to each other, the traffic availability indicated by the traffic light and the traffic availability indicated by the first display device And operate in conjunction with each other.

According to the construction signal system according to the present invention, the lighting time interval of the traffic light is optimized based on the detection result of the traffic volume by the sensor, so that it is possible to avoid the traffic jam on the road construction site corresponding to the time change of the traffic volume. it can.
Further, since the first display device can be used in combination with the traffic light to display the passage permission conspicuously to the driver of the vehicle, the vehicle that passes through the road construction site only by the action of the traffic light and the first display device. Can be effectively stopped or guided, and the effect of improving safety and the effect of reducing costs can be exhibited.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a construction signal system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, an example is shown in which a construction signal system is installed at a road construction site. Hereinafter, the installation environment of FIG. 1 and the configuration of the construction signal system according to the first embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, a work zone 400 is a place where road construction work is performed, and vehicles and humans cannot pass through.
It is assumed that the work band 400 has a length of about 100 m (left and right direction in FIG. 1), for example, and it is difficult to see the lighting state of the traffic light installed on the opposite side at both ends.
In addition, since the work band 400 has a width that occupies one side lane of the road (in the depth direction in FIG. 1), only the road width corresponding to the one side lane remains in the portion related to the work band 400.
Therefore, an environment is assumed in which vehicle traffic must be restricted before and after that, and the construction signal system according to the first embodiment needs to be installed.

The construction signal system according to the first embodiment includes traffic lights 100a and 100b and display devices 200a and 200b. The configurations of the traffic lights 100a and 100b and the display devices 200a and 200b are the same.
Hereinafter, when these devices are collectively referred to as the traffic signal 100, the display device 200, etc., the alphabetic suffixes are omitted. The same applies to the components included in each device.

One traffic signal 100 is installed near the entrance on both sides of the work zone 400.
The display device 200 is installed as a set with the traffic signal 100, receives a control signal from the traffic signal 100, and is configured to operate in conjunction with the traffic signal 100. Details will be described later.
The display device 200 is installed close to a position slightly ahead (for example, about 1 m) of the traffic light 100 when viewed from the vehicle passing through the work zone 400.

The traffic signal 100 includes a lighting unit 110, a vehicle sensor 120, a radio unit 130, and a calculation unit (not shown).
The lighting unit 110 indicates whether or not the vehicle is allowed to pass by a lighting display. The lighting unit 110 includes two kinds of circular lights of blue and red, and indicates “passable” when the blue light is on, and “impossible to pass” when the red light is on.
The vehicle sensor 120 detects that the vehicle has passed in front of the traffic light 100 and outputs the detection result to the calculation unit. As a detection method, an appropriate known technique is used.

The wireless unit 130 has a function of performing wireless communication with a wireless unit included in another traffic signal. The switching timing of the lighting unit 110 is shared with other traffic lights by wireless communication.
For example, in the environment of FIG. 1, when the lighting unit 110a of the traffic light 100a is displaying in blue, the vehicle 300a is allowed to pass and the opposite vehicle 300b must be disabled.
Therefore, when the lighting unit 110a switches to blue, the signal unit 100b is notified via the wireless unit 130a, and the lighting unit 110b of the signal unit 100b is switched to red.
The switching control of the lighting unit 110 is executed by the arithmetic unit described below. Strictly speaking, the switching timings of the lighting units 110a and 110b are not completely the same. From the viewpoint of traffic safety, the lighting unit 110b is first switched to red, and the vehicle that has passed immediately after the switching is working. An operation is performed in which the lighting unit 110a switches to blue after a predetermined time has elapsed until the band 400 is passed.

  In addition, from the viewpoint of traffic safety, if there is a vehicle that has passed through the lighting unit 110b ignoring the red color of the lighting unit 110b within a period of time immediately after the lighting unit 110b switches to red and after the lighting unit 110a switches to blue. The vehicle sensor 120 detects the vehicle, and the calculation unit further delays the time until the lighting unit 110a switches to blue based on the detection result.

The calculation unit acquires the communication content of the wireless unit 130 and executes display switching of the lighting unit 110 while synchronizing the switching timing with the lighting units of other traffic lights as described above.
In addition, the calculation unit receives the detection result of the vehicle sensor 120 and optimizes the timing of display switching based on the result. This will be described next.

The specified switching timing of the lighting unit 110 is set to be regular at regular intervals as a general rule. However, depending on the traffic situation of the vehicle, if regular switching is performed, traffic congestion occurs before and after the work zone 400. May occur.
For example, when the number of vehicles traveling from left to right in FIG. 1 is significantly greater than that traveling from right to left, the time for setting the traffic light 100a to be longer than the traffic light 100b However, it is desirable from the viewpoint of smoothing vehicle traffic.
If the switching timing of the lighting unit 110 is made constant, a large number of vehicles may be kept waiting only on the left side of the work zone 400, and there is a concern that traffic congestion will occur.

Therefore, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100 optimally adjusts the switching timing of the lighting unit 110 according to the traffic volume based on the detection result of the vehicle sensor 120.
For example, in the case as described above, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100a sets the time for displaying the lighting unit 110a in blue to be longer than the time for red display, and the switching timing is also transmitted to the traffic signal 100b via the radio unit 130a. Notice.
Thereby, the time during which the vehicle traveling from the left to the right in FIG. 1 is allowed to pass can be set longer than the time during which the opposite direction can travel. To contribute.

  Note that the detection results of the vehicle sensors 120a and 120b can be exchanged between the traffic lights 100a and 100b, and the switching timings of the lighting units 110a and 100b can be adjusted to be optimal.

  The calculation unit can be configured by hardware such as a circuit device that realizes the function, or by a calculation device such as a microcomputer or CPU (Central Processing Unit), and software that defines its operation. You can also.

The display device 200 includes a display panel 210.
The display panel 210 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), and the like, and an image is displayed using a display pattern stored in a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) included in the display device 200. Can be displayed.
In the first embodiment, the storage device included in the display device 200 stores a display pattern of an anthropomorphic image resembling a guardman, and the vehicle passing through the work zone 400 by displaying this on the display panel 210. It is designed to make it easier for drivers to notice the screen display.

In the example of FIG. 1, the display panel 210 displays an image of an arrow representing “passable” and an “×” image representing “impossible” together with an anthropomorphic image similar to a guardman.
In addition to this, for example, if the guardman swings the guide bar to the left or right and uses a moving image that prompts the vehicle to proceed, or a moving image that lowers the head and asks for stopping, the meaning of the displayed image can be intuitively understood by the driver. Easy and more effective in traffic control.

  The operation of the display panel 210 may be based on an instruction of a calculation unit (not shown) included in the display device 200, or the display panel 210 itself may include a control device and perform an operation based on the instruction.

The display device 200 is connected to the traffic signal 100 in a wired or wireless manner, and is configured to switch the image displayed on the display panel 210 in synchronization with the display switching of the lighting unit 110.
For example, when the lighting unit 110 displays blue, the display panel 210 displays an image indicating “passable” on the screen, and when the lighting unit 110 displays red, the display panel 210 displays “passing”. An image representing “impossible” is displayed on the screen.

  The details of the above-described operation are as follows, for example.

(1) When the lighting unit 110 is switched, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100 outputs a control signal representing the display content of the lighting unit 110 from the external output terminal of the traffic signal 100.
(2) The external output terminal of the traffic signal 100 is connected to the external input terminal of the display device 200 with a cable or the like, and the above-described control signal is input to the external input terminal.
(3) The calculation unit included in the display device 200 receives the above-described control signal, reads a display pattern corresponding to the content represented by the control signal from the storage device, and causes the display panel 210 to display the display pattern.

  The “first display device” in the first embodiment corresponds to the display devices 200a and 200b. The “first image display unit” corresponds to the display panel 210 included in each display device 200.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100 optimally adjusts the switching timing of the lighting unit 110 according to the traffic volume based on the detection result of the vehicle sensor 120. Traffic jams around 400 can be alleviated.
In particular, in road construction sites, there are cases in which a government agency or the like is required to perform vehicle stopping / guidance by guards and other workers from the viewpoint of avoiding traffic jams. It may be difficult to do this alone.
In such a case, by installing the construction signal system according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost burden while responding to requests from government offices and the like.

Moreover, since the construction signal system according to the first embodiment includes the display device 200 that displays an image synchronized with the lighting display of the traffic light 100, the vehicle driver can easily recognize whether the vehicle is allowed to pass. Greater traffic control effect is exhibited than when traffic is controlled by itself.
In particular, it is difficult to see the lighting display of the traffic light 100 at night, or the driver may not be aware of the lighting display. By placing the display device 200 near the traffic signal 100 and using it in combination, safety can be achieved. There is an effect to increase.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a part of the construction signal system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration described in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, a display device 200c is newly provided. The configuration and function of the display device 200c are the same as those of the display devices 200a to 200b.
The display device 200c is installed at a position about 100 m to several hundred meters in front of the traffic signal 100a and the display device 200a (left direction in FIG. 2) when viewed from the vehicle traveling from left to right in FIG. Connected by wire or wireless.

The “second display device” in the second embodiment corresponds to the display device 200c.
The “second image display unit” corresponds to the display panel 210 c included in the display device 200 c.

  In the second embodiment, the traffic signal 100 includes two external output terminals, one connected to the external input terminal of the display device 200a and the other connected to the external input terminal of the display device 200c.

  Next, the operation of the construction signal system according to the second embodiment will be described in the following steps (1) to (5) with reference to FIG. 2 with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. Since other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

(1) The display panel 210c included in the display device 200c normally displays a traffic regulation notice as shown in FIG. The notice display here is a screen display for informing the driver of the vehicle that there is a place where traffic restriction is performed before this.
As an example of the notice display screen, a guide display illustrated so as to conspicuously indicate the shape of the work zone 400 and the detour progress route can be considered. For the convenience of the driver, the distance to the work zone 400 and the required time may be displayed on the screen.

(2) Before a predetermined time (for example, about several seconds) before the display of the lighting unit 110a of the traffic light 100a switches from blue display to red display, the arithmetic unit of the traffic signal 100a sends a control signal notifying that the lighting display will soon switch to red. And output from an external output terminal connected to the display device 200c.

(3) The display device 200c receives a control signal output from the external output terminal of the traffic light 100a. The display panel 210c performs screen display synchronized with the lighting display of the lighting unit 110a. However, the display image is different from the display device 200a.
The display panel 210c visually displays that the lighting display of the traffic light 100a will be switched soon using, for example, a moving image blinking a circular lamp similar to the lighting unit 110a.

(4) When the lighting unit 110a is completely switched to red display, the arithmetic unit of the traffic light 100a outputs a control signal indicating this from an external output terminal connected to the display device 200c.

(5) The display device 200c receives a control signal output from the external output terminal of the traffic light 100a. The display panel 210c may return to the traffic regulation notice display as shown in FIG. 2 (a), or in order to attract more attention, the display panel 210c is similar to a pseudo traffic light similar to the lighting unit 110a displaying red lighting. An image may be displayed on the screen.

  In the second embodiment, the display device 200c is newly provided on the traffic light 100a side. However, the display device 200d that performs similar screen display may be provided on the traffic light 100b side.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the display device 200c is arranged at a distance of about 100 m to several hundreds m from the traffic signal 100a, and the display panel 210c is provided with a traffic regulation notice as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the screen, which has the effect of informing the driver of the vehicle that traffic regulation is soon taking place.
Thus, the driver can take measures such as reducing the speed of the vehicle in advance before reaching the installation location of the traffic light 100a, and traffic safety before and after the work zone 400 is increased.

Further, in the construction signal system according to the second embodiment, when the display of the lighting unit 110a is soon switched from blue to red, the arithmetic unit of the traffic light 100a outputs a control signal to that effect from the external output terminal, and displays The panel 210c displays an image indicating that on the screen.
This has the effect of notifying the driver of the vehicle passing in front of the display device 200c in advance that the traffic light 100a is being switched to “impossible to pass”, and the driver greatly reduces the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, the safety in the vicinity of the work zone 400 is further improved.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment of the present invention, a specific configuration example related to signal transmission / reception between the traffic light 100a and the display device 200a will be described. Since the operation of each device is the same as that described in Embodiments 1 and 2, detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the traffic signal 100a according to the third embodiment and a diagram showing connections between the display device 200a.
FIG. 3A shows a functional block diagram and connection of the traffic light 100a, and FIG. 3B shows a relationship between each signal and the screen display of the display device 200a.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation related to signal transmission / reception between the traffic light 100a and the display device 200a will be described with reference to FIG.

  The traffic signal 100a includes the external signal relay 140a and the external output terminal 151a shown in FIG. 3A in addition to the configurations described in the first and second embodiments.

The external signal relay 140a has a contact corresponding to binary values of ON and OFF, and is configured to be turned on when the lighting unit 110a is switched to blue display, and to be turned off when switched to red display. .
This operation may be realized using an electromagnetic relay that is linked to the lighting unit 110, or may be realized using an electronic control device such as a semiconductor contact device that operates based on an instruction from the calculation unit.

  Further, the external signal relay 140a is configured to unconditionally switch to OFF when the lighting unit 110a is not operating or when it is unclear whether the display of the lighting unit 110a is blue or red. The reason for this will be described later.

  The external output terminal 151a outputs an external output signal when the external signal relay 140a is ON, and outputs nothing when it is OFF.

In addition to the configuration described in Embodiments 1 and 2, the display device 200a includes an external input terminal 221a illustrated in FIG.
When an external signal is input to the external input terminal 221a, the display panel 210a displays an image indicating “passable”, for example, a moving image in which a worker guides the vehicle. When there is no external signal input to the external input terminal 221a, an image indicating “impossible to pass”, for example, a moving image in which an operator bows his head and requests stopping is displayed on the screen.

  The “first external output unit” in the third embodiment corresponds to the external output terminal 151a. The “external input unit” and “first external input unit” correspond to the external input terminal 221a.

The reason why the external signal relay 140a is turned off unconditionally when the lighting unit 110a is not operating or when the display of the lighting unit 110a is blue or red is unknown is as follows.
In other words, if the passage of the vehicle is permitted while the operation of the lighting unit 110a remains unstable, there is a possibility that the vehicle that should originally be stopped may be allowed to pass or that the vehicle that should be allowed to pass may be stopped. From the viewpoint of sex and from the viewpoint of alleviating traffic congestion, it is not preferable.
Therefore, in order to prevent at least danger to the vehicle, it is assumed that the operation is tilted to the safe side, and the external signal relay 140a is turned off unconditionally to stop all the vehicles, and the traffic signal 100 and the display device 200 are turned off. Therefore, “impossible to pass” is displayed.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the external output terminal 151a outputs an external signal only when the lighting unit 110a displays blue, and does not output anything otherwise.
In addition, the display panel 210c displays an image indicating “passable” only when an external signal is input, and displays an image indicating “passable” on the screen otherwise.
Accordingly, for example, when an unexpected situation such as a failure of the traffic light 100a occurs, the display device 200a unconditionally indicates “impossible to pass”, and therefore, a dangerous situation in which the vehicle accidentally travels from both of the work zones 400. It can be avoided.
That is, according to the construction signal system according to the third embodiment, a fail-safe function in preparation for failure of the traffic light 100a is realized.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a specific configuration example related to signal transmission / reception between the traffic signal 100a and the display device 200c will be described. Since the operation of each device is the same as that described in the first to third embodiments, a specific description is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the traffic signal 100a according to the fourth embodiment and a diagram showing connections between the display device 200c.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation related to signal transmission / reception between the traffic light 100a and the display device 200c will be described with reference to FIG.

The traffic signal 100a includes a new external output terminal in addition to the configuration described in FIG. 3 of the third embodiment. Here, for convenience of description, the external output terminal 151a described in FIG. 3 is referred to as a first external output terminal 151a, and the external output terminal newly added in the fourth embodiment is referred to as a second external output terminal 152a.
The external signal relay 140a is newly provided with an ON / OFF contact corresponding to the second external output terminal 152a.

The ON / OFF contact corresponding to the second external output terminal 152a is switched ON for a predetermined time (for example, about several seconds) before the lighting unit 110a switches from blue display to red display, and the second external output terminal 152a is accordingly connected. Output an external output signal.
This operation may be realized using an electromagnetic relay that is linked to the lighting unit 110, or may be realized using an electronic control device such as a semiconductor contact device that operates based on an instruction from the calculation unit.

  The display device 200c includes a new external input terminal in addition to the configuration of the display device 200a described in FIG. 3 of the third embodiment. Here, for convenience of description, the external input terminal 221a described in FIG. 3 is referred to as a first external input terminal 221c, and the external input terminal newly added in the fourth embodiment is referred to as a second external input terminal 222c.

  In the third embodiment, the “second external output unit” corresponds to the external output terminal 152a. The “second external input unit” corresponds to the external input terminal 222c.

When an external signal is input to the external input terminal 221c, the display panel 210c performs a screen display similar to that described in the third embodiment.
When an external signal is input to the external input terminal 222c, an image for notifying the switching of the display of the lighting unit 110a as described in Embodiment 2 is displayed on the screen.

  If there is an external signal input to both the external input terminals 221c and 222c due to malfunction or the like, it is preferable from the viewpoint of safety to display the screen similar to the red display of the traffic light 100.

  Although the configuration of the display device 200c has been described in the fourth embodiment, the display devices 200a and 200b may have the same configuration.

In the fourth embodiment, only the connection relationship between the traffic signal 100a and the display device 200c has been described. However, when the traffic signal 100a and the display devices 200a and 200c are connected, external input / output terminals corresponding to the number of connections are provided. Is required.
In this case, in the traffic signal 100a, a necessary number of external output terminals may be provided, and the output of the first external output terminal 151a is shared by the display devices 200a and 200c, and the same signal is displayed using the signal branch line. You may comprise so that it may output simultaneously to 200a and 200c.
From the viewpoint of simplifying the device configuration, it is preferable to reduce the number of external output terminals as much as possible and connect a plurality of display devices 200 using signal branch lines.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the content of the signal transmitted and received between the traffic signal 100a and the display device 200c is controlled only by the ON / OFF of the relay contact. This is simple and advantageous from the viewpoint of cost.

  Further, since the display device 200c changes the screen display content of the display panel 210c depending on whether or not an external signal is input to the external input terminal, processing such as analysis of the content of the external signal becomes unnecessary, and the display device 200c Since the configuration is simplified, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of cost.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which the traffic light 100 is manually operated remotely will be described. An example of a situation that requires manual operation will also be described.

In the construction signal system according to the fifth embodiment, a remote controller 500 is newly provided in addition to the configuration described in the first to fourth embodiments.
The remote controller 500 has a function of communicating with the wireless unit 130 of the traffic signal 100 by wireless communication, and wirelessly transmits a control signal instructing display of the lighting unit 110.
When the radio unit 130 of the traffic signal 100 receives the control signal, the arithmetic unit of the traffic signal 100 switches the display of the lighting unit 110 as instructed by the control signal. Further, in order to synchronize the display switching of the lighting unit 110 and the screen display of the display device 200, a control signal to that effect is output from the external output terminal of the traffic light 100 to the display device 200.
Thereafter, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100 does not perform the operation of switching the display of the lighting unit 110 autonomously, but operates according to the instruction transmitted from the remote controller 500 exclusively.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a situation where manual operation by the remote controller 500 is required.
In FIG. 5, the traffic signal 100 and the display device 200 normally regulate and guide the vehicle traveling in the left-right direction in FIG. 5, and therefore the traffic signals 100 a and 100 b switch the lighting display almost alternately.
However, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the road crosses in a different direction, the traffic light 100 and the display device 200 are placed before and after the work band 400 (left and right in FIG. 5). It may not be possible to install just by installing.

In FIG. 5A, there is a side road that is orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle assumed when the traffic light 100 and the display device 200 are installed, and the vehicle 300d is about to enter the work zone 400 from this side road. .
At this time, the traffic signal 100a and the display device 200a display “passable”, and therefore, there is a vehicle traveling from the left to the right in FIG. 5 like the vehicle 300a, and if this is left, the vehicle 300a And 300d may collide.

Therefore, when a guardman (not shown) notices that the vehicle 300d is about to enter, the guardman uses the remote controller 500 to instruct to switch the display of each traffic light 100 and the display device 200.
Here, in order to pass the vehicle 300d first, the display of each traffic light 100 and the display device 200 is switched to “impossible to pass”, the passage of vehicles other than the vehicle 300d is stopped, and the vehicle 300d is placed near the work zone 400. The guardman will guide you manually so that you can escape.
In addition, a traffic light confirmation display lighting section (not shown) synchronized with the lighting section 110 is provided on the back side of the traffic light 100, and when the guardman performs guidance, the light is displayed by the display of the traffic light confirmation display lighting section. The unit 110 may be configured to be able to confirm that it is in a “passable” state.

When the vehicle 300d gets out of the vicinity of the work zone 400, the guardman depresses a return switch (not shown) included in each signal device 100 in order to return the operation of each signal device 100 to an autonomous operation not directed by the remote controller 500.
The return switch outputs an instruction signal to the effect that the operation unit of the traffic signal 100 should return to the autonomous operation. Thereafter, the calculation unit of the traffic light 100 returns to the operation of automatically adjusting the switching timing of the lighting unit 110 based on the detection result of the vehicle sensor 120.

In the above, the example of the situation where the manual operation with the remote controller 500 is required has been described.
In addition to this, for example, it may be possible to temporarily perform a manual operation. In such a case, the operation of each device may be switched to a manual operation using the remote controller 500.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since the guardman can manually operate the traffic light 100 using the remote controller 500, the operation flexibility of each device is increased, and more various situations at the road construction site. It can correspond to.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a fail-safe function when a radio signal is interrupted during the operation by the remote controller 500 described in the fifth embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of each device is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

It has been described that when the traffic signal 100 receives a radio signal for an operation instruction transmitted from the remote controller 500, it thereafter stops the autonomous operation until the return switch is pressed and enters a manual operation state.
However, if the radio signal from the remote control 500 is interrupted due to a failure of the remote control 500 or a battery shortage immediately after that, the guard man's operation instruction and the signal device 100 can be used unless the guard man notices this. It is dangerous because the vehicle will be guided without the lighting indications matching.
Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, the traffic signal 100 is provided with a function for avoiding such a dangerous state. The function will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is an operation flow of the traffic light 100 according to the sixth embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of FIG. 6 will be described together with the operation of each component of the traffic signal 100.

(S600)
The following steps will be described on the assumption that the traffic signal 100 is in a manual operation state by the remote controller 500 after the wireless unit 130 receives the wireless signal transmitted by the remote controller 500 described in the fifth embodiment.
(S601)
It is assumed that the arithmetic unit detects that the radio signal transmitted from the remote controller 500 is interrupted in this step based on the presence / absence of a reception signal output from the radio unit 130.

(S602)
The calculation unit counts how long the state in which the wireless signal is interrupted continues. In this flow, the count time for proceeding to the next step is 2 seconds, but this value may be changed as appropriate. During this step, the wireless unit 130 attempts to reconnect with the remote controller 500.

(S603)
The computing unit determines whether or not the wireless unit 130 and the remote controller 500 are reconnected during the two seconds of step S602. If reconnected, the process proceeds to step S610, and if not reconnected, the process proceeds to step S604.
This step has the significance of determining whether or not the wireless signal is interrupted due to a temporary interruption. This is because if the subsequent steps are executed each time an instantaneous interruption occurs, the display of the lighting unit 110 is frequently switched, and confusion occurs.

(S604)
The calculation unit switches the display of the lighting unit 110 to red display. Further, the other traffic lights 100 are also notified via the wireless unit 130 to switch the lighting unit 110 to red display. By this step, the traffic lights 100 on both sides of the work band 400 are switched to red display.

(S605)
The arithmetic unit counts how long the current state continues after switching the lighting unit 110 to red display. In this flow, the count time for proceeding to the next step is 5 seconds, but this value may be changed as appropriate. During this step, the wireless unit 130 attempts to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the remote controller 500.

(S606)
The calculation unit determines whether or not the wireless signal from the remote controller 500 has been continuously received for 5 seconds in step S605. If it has been received continuously, the process proceeds to step S610. If it has not been received, the process proceeds to step S607.
This step has the significance of determining whether or not the radio signal from the remote controller 500 cannot be continuously received. This is because manual operation may be continued if the wireless signal can be received again.

(S607)
The calculation unit performs the same operation as in step S604.
(S608)
The calculation unit determines whether a return switch included in the traffic signal 100 has been pressed. If the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S609. If the button has not been pressed, this step is repeated at a predetermined interval to continue the state in which each traffic signal 100 is displayed in red.

(S609)
The arithmetic unit returns to the state where the lighting unit 110 has been switched autonomously before receiving the radio signal from the remote controller 500.
(S610)
The arithmetic unit returns to the manual operation state by the radio signal transmitted by the remote controller 500.

According to the operation flow in FIG. 6, the traffic light 100 turns all the traffic lights 100 red so that the vehicle does not travel accidentally and cause a collision when the wireless signal is interrupted after receiving the wireless signal from the remote controller 500. Switch to display.
As a result, even if an unexpected situation occurs in which the traffic signal 100 is suddenly removed from the operation of the remote controller 500, an operation that is tilted to the safe side can be performed, thereby realizing a fail-safe function.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to realize a fail-safe function at the time of manual operation by the remote controller 500, and to improve the safety of road construction sites.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In the first to sixth embodiments, it has been described that the display device 200 has a function of notifying a driver or the like of passage through screen display, but in combination with this, the function of notifying of passage through voice output is used. May be provided.
The contents of the sound to be output may be stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM provided in the display device 200, and may be configured to output the sound in conjunction with the screen display of the display panel 210.

What is necessary is just to comprise an audio | voice output part, for example using audio | voice output devices, such as a speaker.
The voice content may be constituted by a voice file in which voice is recorded, or only the text in which the voice content is recorded is stored in the storage device, and the voice may be generated by voice synthesis. .

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In the third embodiment and the like, an example in which the traffic signal 100 and the display device 200 are connected via an external output terminal or an external input terminal has been described. However, the connection method between the devices is not limited to this, for example, wireless connection You may connect each apparatus by.
Even in the case of wireless connection, the operation of each device is the same, but processing, a circuit, and the like for converting / interpreting a wireless signal are required, and that much cost is required.
However, since the wireless connection has more flexibility such as the installation position, a preferable connection method may be selected as appropriate.

1 is a configuration diagram of a construction signal system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a one part block diagram of the construction signal system which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the connection between the functional block diagram of the signal apparatus 100a which concerns on Embodiment 3, and the display apparatus 200a. It is a figure which shows the connection between the functional block diagram of the signal apparatus 100a which concerns on Embodiment 4, and the display apparatus 200c. This is an example of a situation where manual operation by the remote controller 500 is required. 14 is an operation flow of the traffic light 100 according to the sixth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Signal apparatus, 110 Lighting part, 120 Vehicle sensor, 130 Radio | wireless part, 140 Relay for external signals, 151 External output terminal, 152 2nd external output terminal, 200 Display apparatus, 210 Display panel, 221 External input terminal, 222 2nd external Input terminal, 300 vehicle, 400 work zone, 500 remote control.

Claims (11)

A construction signal system that restricts the passage of vehicles traveling on the road at a road construction site,
A traffic light having a lighting unit that indicates whether or not the road is allowed to pass by a lighting display that switches at predetermined intervals;
A first display device including a first image display unit indicating whether or not the road is allowed to pass by an image to that effect;
Have
The traffic light is
A sensor for detecting vehicle traffic;
A calculation unit that optimizes a display switching interval of the lighting unit based on a detection result of the sensor;
With
The traffic light and the first display device are arranged close to each other,
The construction signal system, wherein the traffic availability indicated by the traffic light and the traffic availability indicated by the first display device operate in conjunction with each other. A second display device including a second image display unit that indicates whether the traffic signal is indicated by an image indicating the passage;
The second display device is remotely located from the traffic light;
The construction signal system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic availability indicated by the traffic light and the traffic availability indicated by the second display device operate in conjunction with each other. The first display device includes:
An external input unit for inputting a signal from the outside of the first display device;
The first image display unit includes:
The construction signal system according to claim 2, wherein an image indicating that the vehicle is allowed to pass is displayed only when there is an input signal in the external input unit. The traffic light is
A first external output unit for outputting a signal to the outside of the traffic signal;
The first external output unit includes:
The construction signal system according to claim 3, wherein an output signal is output only when the lighting unit displays that the passage is permitted. The traffic light is
ON when displaying that the lighting unit is allowed to pass, comprising a relay contact that turns OFF when the lighting unit displays that the passage is not possible and when the operating state of the lighting unit is unknown,
The construction signal system according to claim 4, wherein the first external output unit and the relay contact are connected. The second display device
A first external input unit for inputting a signal from the outside of the second display device and a second external input unit;
The first image display unit includes:
Displaying an image indicating that the vehicle can pass only when there is an input signal in the first external input unit;
When there is no input signal in the first external input unit and there is an input signal in the second external input unit,
The construction signal system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a warning image indicating that the traffic light is about to be displayed is displayed. The traffic light is
A second external output unit for outputting a signal to the outside of the traffic signal;
The second external output unit is
The construction signal system according to claim 6, wherein an output signal is output a predetermined time before the display of the lighting unit is switched from passable to non-passable. The traffic light includes a wireless unit that receives a wireless signal instructing display switching of the lighting unit,
A remote control for transmitting the wireless signal is provided,
When the wireless unit receives the wireless signal from the remote control,
The lighting part is
The construction signal system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lighting display is switched with priority given to a radio signal transmitted from the remote controller. After the wireless unit receives the wireless signal from the remote control,
When the wireless unit detects that the wireless signal transmitted from the remote control is interrupted,
The construction signal system according to claim 8, wherein the lighting unit is switched to a display indicating that the passage is unconditionally impossible. The traffic light includes a switch that cancels the impassable display of the lighting part,
The lighting part is
After switching to the display indicating that traffic is not allowed unconditionally,
When detecting that the switch is turned on,
The construction signal system according to claim 9, wherein the operation signal indicating that the vehicle cannot pass unconditionally is canceled and the previous operation is restored. The first display device or the second display device is
The construction signal system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an audio output unit that outputs audio synchronized with the display content of the first image display unit or the second image display unit. .

Images