JP2019036147A - Traffic control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a traffic control system that realizes safe and smooth traffic of moving entities including a pedestrian and vehicle.SOLUTION: A traffic control system includes traffic control means that is installed on a road on which a structure having a sign function such as a traffic signal SIG is disposed, and controls movements of moving entities including a pedestrian and vehicle. A control unit 11 of the traffic control means includes a communicator 12 connected to a traffic signal, a moving entity detector 13 that detects a moving entity, a traffic state detector 14 that detects a state of traffic on a road according to the movement of the detected moving entity and a halt state, and a sign indication controller 15 that controls sign indication of the structure for the purpose of facilitating the movement of the detected moving entity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic control system that ensures safe and smooth traffic of a moving body such as a vehicle or a pedestrian.

  There are traffic lights as devices and structures for traffic control, and vehicles and pedestrians pass according to the signal display of the traffic lights. However, since the conventional traffic light is basically configured to display the signal unilaterally with a preset program, in some cases, safe and smooth traffic may not be ensured. For example, a change in traffic volume or a signal display of a traffic light on an emergency vehicle may not be able to respond to occasional changes, and smooth traffic is hindered.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that enables smooth traveling by detecting an emergency vehicle by a roadside machine and controlling the roadside machine in accordance with the traveling state of the emergency vehicle to guide the emergency vehicle. Has been. In Patent Document 2, a pedestrian and a pedestrian traffic light control device can be wirelessly communicated using an IC tag or the like, and the pedestrian controls the pedestrian traffic light to ensure pedestrian safety. Techniques to do this have been proposed.

JP 2016-110413 A JP 2009-294877 A

  Since Patent Document 1 aims at smooth traffic of emergency vehicles, it is difficult to realize smooth traffic of ordinary vehicles. For example, when there is a large amount of traffic in one direction of an intersection, traffic in a direction intersecting with the traffic is difficult. Despite the small amount, it is not possible to eliminate the occurrence of traffic congestion due to the red display of traffic lights in one direction. Also, on a one-lane road with no right turn lane, a single right turn car may cause traffic jams, but this cannot be resolved.

  In Patent Document 2, since a pedestrian needs to control a pedestrian traffic light by operating a user portable terminal, the burden on the pedestrian is large. Further, when there are a plurality of pedestrians and each performs different operations, the control of the pedestrian traffic light is complicated.

  The objective of this invention is providing the traffic control system which can implement | achieve the safe and smooth traffic of a mobile body including a pedestrian and a vehicle.

  The present invention is a traffic provided with a traffic control means for controlling movement of a moving body such as a pedestrian and a vehicle disposed on a road where a structure having a sign function such as a traffic light or an electric bulletin board is disposed. In the control system, the traffic control means detects a moving body detection unit that detects a moving body, and a traffic state detection unit that detects a traffic state on the road from the detected movement and stop state of the moving body. In order to facilitate the movement of the moving body, a sign display control unit for controlling the sign display of the structure is provided.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the mobile body includes an information carrier including its own specific information, and the traffic control means further includes a specific information detection unit that detects the specific information of the mobile body from the information carrier. In this case, the sign display control unit compares the traffic state of the mobile unit detected by the mobile unit detection unit and the traffic state detection unit with the specific information of the mobile unit detected by the specific information detection unit. It is preferable to display a sign for inducing movement.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize safe and smooth traffic control of a moving object on a road where a road sign including an intersection exists by detecting the traffic state of the moving object and further detecting unique information of the moving object. .

The conceptual diagram of Embodiment 1 of a traffic control system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a main traffic light of the first embodiment. The block block diagram of a control main body. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a first form of traffic control according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a second form of traffic control according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a traffic control mode 3 according to the first embodiment. Schematic of the traffic light of the second embodiment. Schematic explaining an information carrier. The block block diagram of the control main body of Embodiment 2. FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 1 of the traffic control system of the present invention. Roads subject to traffic control, here, intersections CR are provided with traffic lights, road signs, street lights, and other structures at predetermined positions. Traffic lights SIG (generic name) as these structures are traffic control according to the present invention. Means 1 are provided.

  This traffic control means 1 is disposed in a state associated with all the plurality of traffic lights SIG disposed at the intersection. In FIG. 1, four traffic lights SIG1 to SIG4 are shown for convenience, and the control body 11 of the traffic control means 1 is arranged in one main traffic light SIG1 among these four traffic lights SIG1 to SIG4. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one main traffic light SIG1 described above, and the traffic light SIG1 has a signal display unit 2 supported by a post 23 erected on the ground. The signal display unit 2 includes at least red, blue, and yellow signal lamps 21 and a signal drive unit 22 that drives the signal lamps 21 to perform lighting and blinking for signs.

  The traffic signal SIG1 is provided with a control body 11 of the traffic control means 1. The control main body 11 is incorporated in a control cabinet supported by the post 23 of the traffic light SIG1. As will be described later, the signal driving unit 22 controls lighting / flashing of the signal lamp 21 by the control main body 11.

  An imaging means 10 as a detection terminal for detecting a moving body is disposed on a part of the post 23 of the traffic light SIG1. This imaging means 10 is also disposed in the other traffic lights SIG2 to SIG4. The imaging means 10 is composed of a camera using a CCD or CMOS imaging device, and images a moving body M such as a pedestrian W or a vehicle V passing through the intersection CR and its vicinity. In this case, all the moving bodies M may be imaged by one imaging means 10, or all the moving bodies M may be imaged by combining images captured by the plurality of imaging means 10. .

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control main body 11, and includes the lighting drive unit 22 and a communication unit 12 that wirelessly connects to each of the imaging means 10 as the detection terminal. Here, wireless connection is made using electromagnetic waves or infrared rays. The communication unit 12 receives the image captured by the imaging unit 10 and transmits a signal driving signal to the signal driving unit 22.

  The control body 11 includes a moving body detection unit 13 that detects individual moving bodies from the image received by the communication unit 12. The moving body detection unit 13 detects the moving body M by analyzing the image captured by the imaging unit 10, and further identifies and detects the pedestrian W and the vehicle V.

  Further, the control body 11 includes a traffic state detection unit 14 that determines the traffic state at the intersection CR based on the detected moving body M. For example, the position change of the moving body M detected by the moving body detecting unit 13 with time, that is, the movement trajectory is obtained, and the speed, traveling direction, and the like of the moving body M are detected therefrom. When the moving body M is a pedestrian W, a walking state such as whether the pedestrian W is moving on a sidewalk or a pedestrian crossing or waiting for a signal is detected. Further, when the moving body M is a vehicle V such as a bicycle or a car, a traveling state in which the vehicle travels straight, turns right, or turns left is detected with reference to a lighting state of a marker lamp (such as a blinker) of the vehicle.

  The control body 11 includes a sign display control unit 15 that controls signal display on the signal display unit 2 of the traffic lights SIG <b> 1 to SIG <b> 4 based on detection by the traffic state detection unit 14. Here, the sign display control unit 15 is wirelessly connected to the signal driving units 22 of all the traffic lights SIG1 to SIG4 existing at the intersection via the communication unit 12, and controls the lighting states of these traffic lights SIG1 to SIG4. . In this case, for each of the traffic lights SIG1 to SIG4, it is possible to perform control of arbitrary sign display such as increasing the time of the green light of a specific traffic light and increasing the time of the red light of another traffic light. ing.

  For example, the sign display control unit 15 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores various traffic states in the past and a history of lighting control of the traffic light at that time, and stores the current traffic state. By comparing the various past traffic conditions and the lighting control result of the traffic lights at that time, it may be configured to perform suitable lighting control of the traffic lights at each time. That is, it is possible to give the signal control a learning function and execute the most suitable signal control.

  A typical control mode example by the traffic control system including the traffic control means 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the traffic control unit 1, the moving body detection unit 13 detects the moving body M, and further the pedestrian W and the vehicle V from the intersection image captured by the imaging unit 10. Next, based on the detected moving body, the traffic state detection unit 14 recognizes the moving state of the pedestrian W or the vehicle V, and detects the traffic state at the intersection CR based on the moving state.

  In the case of FIG. 4A, the traffic volume of the vehicle V in one direction R1 at the intersection CR is large and the traffic volume in the other direction R2 intersecting with this is small, so the traffic lights SIG2 and SIG4 on the one direction side are displayed in red. When it becomes, it becomes easy to produce traffic jam. In the traffic control means 1, the moving body detection unit 13 detects the traffic volume of the vehicle V in each direction, and the traffic state detection unit 14 compares the traffic volume in both directions and detects the movement state of each vehicle V.

  And if it detects that the traffic volume of one direction R1 is remarkably much larger than the traffic volume of the other direction R2, and it is in the state which traffic congestion is easy to produce, the sign display control part 15 will be the green signal of traffic lights SIG2, SIG4 of one direction side. Is output for a longer time than the time of the blue light of the traffic lights SIG1, SIG3 on the other direction side. This control signal is transmitted to the signal driving unit 22 of each of the traffic signals SIG1 to SIG4 via the communication unit 12, and the signal display of each of the traffic signals SIG1 to SIG4 is controlled. This makes it easier for the vehicle V on one side to pass through the intersection, and the traffic jam at the intersection CR caused by the difference in traffic is eliminated.

  In the case of FIG. 4B, at the intersection CR without a right turn dedicated lane, the following vehicle V is congested by one right turn vehicle V1 on the one-way road R1 side. In the traffic control means 1, the moving body detection unit 13 detects the vehicle V, and the traffic state detection unit 14 detects the running state of each vehicle V at the intersection CR. When a traffic jam is detected, the vehicle speed of each of the vehicles V1, V, the time during which the vehicle is stopped, and the like are detected. At the same time, the traffic volume of the vehicle V on the opposite lane side is detected.

  The sign display control unit 15 refers to the traffic volume of the vehicle V on the opposite lane side when the stop time of the detected vehicle V that is congested exceeds a predetermined time so that the right turn vehicle can make a right turn with priority. The traffic light SIG2 on the opposite lane side is controlled to a temporary red signal. When the right turn vehicle V1 turns right and the traffic congestion is alleviated, control is performed to return the traffic light SIG2 on the oncoming vehicle side to a green signal. Thereby, the traffic jam is eliminated.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, an auxiliary signal 3 indicated by an arrow may be provided in the traffic light SIG (SIG4), and the auxiliary signal 3 may be turned on for the right turn vehicle V1. Although not shown, at the same time, in the traffic light SIG (SIG2) on the oncoming vehicle, the red signal is displayed in a specific cycle in order to display that it is a temporary red signal for prioritizing the right turn vehicle. A blinking display may be used.

  In the case of FIG. 4C, the pedestrian W1 is crossing the pedestrian crossing and the pedestrian W2 is waiting for a signal. When the traffic control means 1 detects these pedestrians W1 and W2 in the moving body detection unit 13, the road condition detection unit 14 detects the walking speed of the pedestrian W1 and detects the signal waiting time of the pedestrian W2. .

  When the detected walking speed of the pedestrian W1 is slower than a predetermined speed, that is, when the pedestrian is an infant or an elderly person, the sign display control unit 15 indicates that the pedestrian W1 completely displays the green signal of the corresponding traffic light SIG1. The safety of the pedestrian W1 is ensured by continuing until it reaches the end of the road. Further, referring to the waiting time of the pedestrian W2 and the traffic volume of the vehicle V on the intersecting road, when the waiting time exceeds a predetermined time and the traffic volume on the intersecting road is less than the predetermined amount, the pedestrian W2 The time of the red signal of the corresponding traffic light SIG2 is shortened, and the signal waiting time of the pedestrian W2 is shortened.

  As described above, in the traffic control system according to the first embodiment, the mobile body detection unit 13 detects the mobile body at the intersection, the traffic state detection unit 14 detects the traffic state, and the sign display control unit 15 performs the maximum number of movements. Control the traffic lights so that the body can travel smoothly. This ensures smooth traffic at intersections including pedestrians and vehicles.

  Here, the mobile body detection unit 13 of the traffic control means 1 according to the present invention detects the mobile body at the intersection, and the traffic state detection unit 14 can detect the traffic state due to the mobile body. Instead of detecting the moving body based on the image picked up by the image pickup means 10, the moving body may be detected using a detection signal from LiDAR, millimeter wave radar, or the like.

  In the first embodiment, the control main body 11 of the traffic control means 1 is arranged in one traffic light SIG1, but the control main body 11 is arranged in each of a plurality of traffic lights, and each control main body 11 is connected to the imaging means 10 and the signal. The control unit 11 may be connected to the unit 2 by wire and the control bodies 11 may be connected to each other wirelessly or by wire. In addition, the traffic control means 1 may be disposed on road signs other than traffic lights, street lamps, bulletin boards, and other buildings.

  In Embodiment 1, although the form applied to the intersection with a traffic light was shown, it is possible to apply also to the traffic light installed in other than an intersection.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a traffic light SIG in the second embodiment. That is, when a plurality of traffic lights SIG are arranged at the intersection as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an electric bulletin board 4 having a display screen is arranged in each traffic light SIG in addition to the signal display unit 2. It is installed. This electric bulletin board 4 can display arbitrary patterns and characters on the display screen under the control of the traffic control means 1. For example, although not shown, a drive unit (not shown) for driving the electronic bulletin board 4 is wirelessly connected to the communication unit 12 of the control body 11 as in the first embodiment.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 2, the pedestrian and the vehicle have the information carrier 5 in which their own unique information is stored. The information carrier 5 is, for example, an IC chip 51. As shown in FIG. 6A, the pedestrian W attaches the IC chip 51 to a portable object such as a bag or an accessory such as a belt. Further, the IC chip 51 may be attached to a helmet to be worn for disasters or for traffic safety. The IC chip 51 may use an IC chip mounted on an IC card. Furthermore, the information carrier 5 may be configured by a storage medium provided in a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone instead of the IC chip.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the vehicle V has an information carrier 5 as a lamp or a part of a vehicle body, for example, a high-mount stop lamp, a shark fin antenna, a resin window (rear window), or a resin body. The IC chip 51 is mounted on each.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6C, the information carrier 5 is printed on a part of the vehicle body of the vehicle V, for example, on the outer surface of the trunk lid or the bonnet with a material that cannot be identified with the naked eye, instead of the IC chip. The unique information pattern 52 may be configured. The information pattern 52 can also be provided on the surface of a pedestrian's helmet.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control body 11 of the traffic control means 1 of the second embodiment. Parts equivalent to those of the control main body 11 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, the mobile body detection unit 13 can detect the mobile body by detecting the information carrier 5 that the mobile body has. Therefore, as a detection terminal for a mobile body, for example, an IC sensor that detects the IC chip 51 wirelessly (electromagnetic waves), an information pattern 52 printed on a vehicle, a helmet, or the like is irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, and the reflected light is detected. Thus, an optical detector that optically detects the information pattern 52 can be used. In this case, the imaging means 10 as an inspection terminal indicated by a chain line in FIG. 5 can be omitted.

  When a mobile communication device carried by a mobile object is used as the information carrier 5 instead of the IC chip 51, a wireless device that detects the mobile object by performing wireless communication can be used as a detection terminal. In this case, the wireless device can use the communication unit 12 provided in the control main body 11. It is also possible to detect the vehicle V by using a radio device such as a navigation device or an ETC device installed in the vehicle as an information carrier and detecting them by the communication unit 12.

  Furthermore, the control body 11 of the second embodiment is provided with a unique information detection unit 16 that detects the unique information of the moving body by detecting the information carrier 5. The unique information detection unit 16 can detect the unique information of the moving object by detecting information stored in the information carrier 5, that is, the IC chip 51 or included in the information pattern 52. For example, an elderly person, a child, a disabled person, or the like can be detected from the unique information of the pedestrian W. Further, from the specific information of the vehicle V, an emergency vehicle, an elderly driving vehicle, a beginner driving vehicle, and the like can be detected.

  The control by the traffic control means 1 in the second embodiment is the same as the control in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but in addition to this, based on the unique information of the moving object detected by the unique information detection unit 16, The sign display control means 15 enables finer signal control of the traffic light SIG. For example, from the specific information of the detected pedestrian W, when the pedestrian W is a disabled person, the blue time when crossing the pedestrian crossing is controlled to be longer. In the case of a child, a message indicating that the child is crossing is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 4 attached to the traffic light SIG.

  The signal control for the vehicle V is the same as that in the first embodiment. In particular, when an emergency vehicle is detected from the specific information of the information carrier 5, when the emergency vehicle approaches the intersection, the traffic signal in that direction is given priority. It enables smooth movement as a green light. Alternatively, in the case of a group bus where a plurality of buses run in series, the green light is used until all buses pass.

  Further, when an accident occurs at the intersection CR, the time of the red signal and the green signal of all the traffic lights SIG at the intersection CR is appropriately controlled according to the traffic state at that time. In particular, from the specific information of the information carrier 5 such as the victim, the injurious vehicle, etc., one of the options is emergency, fire fighting, and reporting to the police. In addition, the smooth movement of the detected emergency vehicle is controlled. These alleviate the traffic congestion of the vehicle V when an accident occurs and allow emergency vehicles to arrive quickly, thereby enabling victims and the like to be rescued.

  In the second embodiment, by providing the vehicle V, particularly an automobile, with the information carrier 5, the automobile can be specified by the information carrier 5. For example, the mounting position of the front license plate can be changed or removed. It becomes possible. In the case of the former, when a contact accident with a pedestrian occurs, damage to the pedestrian is alleviated. In the latter case, it is possible to further improve fuel efficiency by reducing the weight of the automobile.

  The information carrier 5 of Embodiment 2 is not limited to use for controlling the traffic state, but can be used for confirmation of the accused by the pedestrian information carrier 5 at the time of a disaster. Further, the present invention can be applied to an unmanned moving body such as an autonomous driving vehicle, and further, by acquiring information on the unmanned moving body from the information carrier 5, for example, a destination, a route, etc. can be read and the unmanned moving body can move smoothly To control the traffic light.

  Here, when an IC chip, a portable communication device, a wireless communication device, or the like is used as the information carrier 5, the unique information detection unit 16 of the traffic control means 1 is based on information stored in the IC chip or the communication device. Thus, the unique information of the moving body may be detected. For example, movement information such as the destination of the pedestrian W and the destination of the vehicle V is detected as specific information, and the sign display control unit 15 is a signal that enables further smooth movement of the pedestrian and the vehicle based on the movement information. Control and display control can be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
Although the description with reference to the drawings is omitted, the third embodiment is an embodiment applied to an autonomous driving mobile body such as an autonomous driving vehicle or a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle), and is basically the same as the second embodiment. It is. That is, the information carrier 5 such as the IC chip 51 and the information pattern 52 similar to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C is disposed in the autonomous driving vehicle or the drone. Further, as the information carrier 5, a wireless device that can be wirelessly connected to the control main body 11 of the traffic control means 1 of the second embodiment is mounted on an autonomous driving vehicle or a drone.

  Here, the self-driving vehicle is a delivery vehicle that transports luggage from a delivery center, for example, or an unmanned delivery drone, and is set to automatically travel and fly toward a delivery destination. Therefore, information such as a delivery destination and a delivery package is stored as part of the unique information described in the second embodiment in the information carrier 5 such as the IC chip 51 provided in the delivery vehicle or delivery drone.

  Alternatively, in the case where a wireless device as the information carrier 5 is mounted on the autonomous driving vehicle, the wireless device is wirelessly connected to the control body 11 of the traffic control means 1, but at a distribution center that does not appear in the figure. Are also wirelessly connected, and movement information such as the delivery destination and delivery package of the delivery vehicle can be transmitted from the delivery center to the control main body 11 via the wireless device. Note that the control main body 11 and the distribution center are connected wirelessly or by wire, and can mutually transmit / receive information or share them.

  In the third embodiment, when an autonomous vehicle travels an intersection, the same sign display control as in the first and second embodiments, that is, the lighting control of the traffic light SIG and the display on the electric bulletin board 4 are performed, thereby walking at the intersection. Smooth movement of a person or vehicle.

  In the third embodiment, as described above, the delivery vehicle and the delivery drone pass through the intersection on the correct route by detecting the delivery destination and the delivery package included in the unique information of the information carrier 5 of the delivery vehicle and the delivery drone. It is also possible to determine whether or not. When moving in the wrong direction, contact the delivery center. The distribution center checks the information stored in the information carrier 5 of the delivery vehicle or the delivery drone, and corrects the information wirelessly and guides it to the correct delivery destination if it is incorrect.

  In this case, the delivery package delivered by the delivery vehicle or the delivery drone can be monitored using the information carrier 5. In particular, when delivering dangerous goods with a delivery vehicle, the traffic control means monitors the speed of the delivery vehicle and other vehicles in the vicinity, controls signals for preventing accidents, and signs such as signs for other vehicles. Execute display control.

  The unmanned driving vehicle in the third embodiment can be applied to an unmanned taxi or an unmanned bus that transports people. In particular, in the latter case, unmanned buses are guided to stop and pass by the presence or absence of passengers waiting to get on at the bus stop, or the presence or absence of getting off at the bus stop, preventing unnecessary stops and preventing traffic jams.

  Also in the second and third embodiments, the traffic control means is disposed at a traffic light installed at a place other than an intersection, or an electronic bulletin board is disposed at an intersection without a traffic signal or on one side of a road. Or may be configured to function as a traffic light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Traffic control means 2 Signal display part 3 Auxiliary signal device 4 Electric bulletin board 5 Information carrier 10 Imaging means (detection terminal)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control main body 12 Communication part 13 Mobile body detection part 14 Traffic state detection part 15 Sign display control part 16 Specific information detection part 21 Signal lamp 22 Signal drive part 51 IC chip 52 Information pattern SIG (SIG1-SIG4) Traffic light M Mobile body V Vehicle W Pedestrian CR Intersection

Claims (8)

  A traffic control system provided with traffic control means for controlling movement of a moving body such as a pedestrian or a vehicle disposed on a road where a structure having a sign function such as a traffic light or an electric bulletin board is disposed. The traffic control means includes a mobile body detection unit that detects a mobile body, a traffic state detection unit that detects a traffic state on the road from the movement / stop state of the detected mobile body, and the movement of the detected mobile body A traffic control system comprising a sign display control unit for controlling the sign display of the sign structure in order to promote the sign.   The traffic control system according to claim 1, wherein the moving body detection unit is connected to a detection terminal that detects a moving body existing in a predetermined area of the road.   The said mobile body is provided with the information carrier containing own specific information, The said traffic control means is provided with the specific information detection part which detects the specific information of the said mobile body from the said information carrier. Traffic control system.   The traffic control system according to claim 3, wherein the sign display control unit performs control for guiding the movement of the specific moving body detected by the unique information detection unit with priority over the movement of another moving body.   The sign display control unit compares the traffic state of the mobile unit detected by the mobile unit detection unit and the traffic state detection unit with the specific information of the mobile unit detected by the specific information detection unit. The traffic control system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a sign for guiding movement is displayed.   The said detection terminal is comprised by the imaging means which images the said mobile body, The said mobile body detection part analyzes the image imaged by the said imaging means, and detects a mobile body in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 Traffic control system.   7. The information carrier is an IC chip, and the detection terminal is constituted by a wireless device that electromagnetically detects the IC chip, and detects the mobile object and its unique information from the unique information stored in the IC chip. The traffic control system according to any one of the above. The information carrier is a printed body in which a special material is printed on a moving body, and the detection terminal optically reads the printed body and detects the moving body and its unique information. Traffic control system.

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