JP4586671B2 - Traffic signal control device and traffic signal control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal control device and a traffic signal control method, and more particularly to a traffic signal control device and a traffic signal control method for adjusting a period during which a pedestrian signal is lit with a blue signal.

  Conventionally, various techniques for adjusting a period during which a green light of a pedestrian signal is lit are disclosed so that a pedestrian can pass safely and the vehicle is not stopped unnecessarily.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating the number of pedestrians waiting for crossing and lighting a green light for a time corresponding to the number. Note that the number of pedestrians waiting for crossing is obtained by taking an image of an area in front of the pedestrian crossing where the pedestrian waits for crossing, and obtaining a difference image from the background image of the area previously taken. Is calculated by

  Further, Patent Document 2 detects the number of pedestrians in a signal waiting area by irradiating a detection range including a pedestrian crossing, a surrounding roadway, and a signal waiting area with laser light and measuring the reflection time. Thus, a technique for controlling the time for turning on the green light is disclosed.

Patent Document 3 gives a pedestrian a portable terminal capable of transmitting information for identifying the pedestrian, and gives a blue signal based on whether the information is received by a detection means installed in the vicinity of the signal lamp. A technique for controlling the lighting time is disclosed.
JP 2001-236593 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-217086 JP 2004-302648 A

However, each of the above prior arts requires an expensive system.
For example, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a complicated process of obtaining a difference image from a captured image and further obtaining a moving speed of a pedestrian from the obtained difference image. . Specifically, in such a technique, for example, in order to obtain the moving speed, a plurality of images are taken continuously (or at predetermined time intervals), a difference image is obtained for each of these, and a plurality of images are obtained. A series of processes for detecting a pedestrian in each of the difference images, matching the pedestrians between a plurality of images, and calculating the moving speed based on the moving distance of the pedestrian and the interval of the time taken. Is executed. For this reason, a relatively high cost is required for constructing the system.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to irradiate a laser beam over a relatively wide range and to detect the reflection. For this reason, high costs are required to maintain the system.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, since it is necessary to give each pedestrian a portable terminal, a relatively high cost is required to construct the system.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow a pedestrian to safely travel at a low cost during the blue time of a pedestrian signal lamp (time for turning on or flashing a blue light). And it is providing the traffic signal control apparatus and traffic signal control method which can be controlled not to stop a vehicle unnecessarily.

A traffic signal control device according to an aspect of the present invention is provided for a pedestrian in a first region including a central portion from the one side installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing that crosses from one side of a road to the other side. A traffic signal control device for controlling a lighting mode of a first signal lamp that lights a signal and a second signal lamp that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a second area including the other side from the center portion, A lighting control unit that controls the first and second signal lamps in three lighting modes: lighting in blue, flashing in blue, and lighting in red, and a first that detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the first region 1 detection part and the 2nd detection part which detects the presence or absence of the pedestrian in the 2nd field, The lighting control part is a pedestrian of the 1st field based on the detection output of the 1st detection part Is determined based on the detection output of the second detection unit. It is determined whether there is a pedestrian in the second area, and when the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp are blinked in blue, when it is determined that there is a pedestrian in the second area, The first signal lamp is lit in red, and the second signal lamp is flashed in blue until it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area, and then lit in red.

  In the traffic signal control device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the lighting control unit causes the first and second signal lamps to light blue for at least a predetermined time and then blink blue. .

  Moreover, in the traffic signal control device according to the present invention, the lighting control unit may turn the first and second signal lamps into the first and second areas when the first and second signal lamps are lit in blue for the predetermined time. If it is determined that there is no pedestrian, the first and second signal lamps are preferably lit in red after blinking in blue for a certain period of time.

  Moreover, in the traffic signal control device according to the present invention, the lighting control unit enters the first or second region when the first and second signal lamps are lit in blue for the predetermined time. If it is determined that there is a pedestrian, it is preferable to turn on the blue light until there is no pedestrian in the first and second regions or until a specific time has elapsed, and then blink the light blue.

The traffic signal control method according to the present invention provides a signal to a pedestrian in a first area including a central portion from the one side installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing crossing from one side of the road to the other side. A traffic signal control method for controlling a lighting state of a first signal lamp to be lit and a second signal lamp to be lit for a pedestrian in a second area including the other side from the central portion, Flashing the first and second signal lamps in blue, determining whether a pedestrian is present in the second area with the second signal lamp flashing in blue, and When it is determined that there are pedestrians in the second area, the first signal lamp is lit in red and the second signal lamp is blinked in blue, and it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area. The first and second signal lamps Characterized in that it comprises the steps of lighting in red.

A traffic signal control device according to another aspect of the present invention is provided for a pedestrian in a first area including a central portion from the one side, installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing that crosses from one side of the road to the other side. A traffic signal control device that controls a lighting mode of a first signal lamp that lights a signal and a second signal lamp that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a second region including the other side from the center part, A lighting control unit that controls the first and second signal lamps in three lighting modes: lighting in blue, flashing in blue, and lighting in red, and the lighting control unit in the first region The detection output of the first detector that detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian and the detection output of the second detector that detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the second region are input, and the detection output of the first detector To determine whether there is a pedestrian in the first area based on It is determined whether there is a pedestrian in the second area based on the detection output of the second detector, and when the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp are blinked in blue, the second area If it is determined that there is a pedestrian, the first signal lamp is lit in red, and the second signal lamp is flashed in blue until it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area and then lit in red. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, in the first area and the second area, when the corresponding signal lamp blinks in blue and is prompted to finish the crossing, when there is a pedestrian in the second area, The signal lamp is lit in red for one area, and the signal lamp is lit in blue for the second area. That is, the present invention can further suppress the pedestrian from entering the pedestrian crossing in the above case, and can prompt the pedestrian already in the pedestrian crossing to end the crossing quickly.

  Moreover, in this invention, the 1st detection part and the 2nd detection part should just have the presence or absence of the pedestrian in the 1st and 2nd area | region. That is, the present invention does not require a complicated process for determining the moving speed of the pedestrian in the region to be detected, a system for irradiating laser light, a terminal carried by each pedestrian, and the like.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the pedestrian signal lamp can be controlled at low cost so that the pedestrian can pass safely and does not stop the vehicle unnecessarily.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a traffic signal control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The traffic signal control apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for supporting a pedestrian to cross a pedestrian crossing, and an apparatus for controlling lighting of a pedestrian signal lamp according to an actual situation of the pedestrian crossing. It is. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols, unless otherwise specified, and have the same names and functions. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an intersection where a signal lamp device to be controlled by the traffic signal control device of the present embodiment and its vicinity are installed. FIG. 1 corresponds to a view of an intersection and its vicinity viewed from above.

  Referring to FIG. 1, lanes 18, 19, 28, 29, 38, 39, 48, and 49 are installed in the vicinity of the intersection, and these lanes are schematically described in each lane. The vehicle passes in the direction of the arrow. At the intersection, signal lamps (vehicle signal lamps 17, 27, 37, 47 for vehicles) for vehicles passing through the lanes 28, 38, 48, 18 are installed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle signal lamps 17, 27, 37, and 47 can be lit in three colors of red, yellow, and blue.

  In the vicinity of the intersection in FIG. 1, there is a pedestrian crossing 10 that crosses the lanes 18 and 19, and also for the lanes 28 and 29, the lanes 38 and 39, and the lanes 48 and 49, respectively. 30 and 40 are installed.

  In the vicinity of the intersection in FIG. 1, signal lamps (pedestrian signal lamps) for pedestrians crossing each of the pedestrian crossings 10, 20, 30, and 40 are installed. Note that the pedestrian signal lamps 11 and 12 are signal lamps for pedestrians crossing in the direction of the solid arrow schematically illustrated on the pedestrian crossing 10. The pedestrian signal lamps 13 and 14 are signal lamps for pedestrians crossing in the direction of the dashed arrow schematically described on the pedestrian crossing 10.

  Further, the pedestrian signal lamps 21 and 22 are signal lamps for pedestrians crossing in the direction of the solid arrow schematically described on the pedestrian crossing 20, and the pedestrian signal lamps 23 and 24 are pedestrian crossings. 20 is a signal lamp for a pedestrian who crosses in the direction of the broken arrow schematically described on 20.

  The pedestrian signal lamps 31 and 32 are signal lamps for a pedestrian who crosses the pedestrian crossing in the direction of the solid arrow schematically described on the pedestrian crossing 30. The pedestrian signal lamps 33 and 34 are signal lamps for pedestrians crossing in the direction of the broken arrow schematically described on the pedestrian crossing 30.

  Further, the pedestrian signal lamps 41 and 42 are signal lamps for pedestrians crossing in the direction of the solid arrow schematically described on the pedestrian crossing 40, and the pedestrian signal lamps 43 and 44 are pedestrian crossings. 40 is a signal lamp for a pedestrian who crosses in the direction of the broken-line arrow schematically described above.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a pedestrian crossing for a pedestrian to cross from one side of the road to the other side is installed in the vicinity of the intersection. And about each crossing direction shown with the continuous line or broken line of each pedestrian crossing, the signal lamp for pedestrians is each installed in the center vicinity of the pedestrian crossing and the other side of the road.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the pedestrian signal lamps 11 to 14, 21 to 24, 31 to 34, and 41 to 44 can be lit in blue and red, respectively. In addition, when it lights in blue, continuous lighting and intermittent lighting are possible. Hereinafter, in the present specification, lighting in the former mode is simply referred to as “lighting”, and lighting in the latter mode is referred to as “flashing”.

  Two detectors 15, 16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46 are installed for each of the pedestrian crossings 10, 20, 30, 40 in order to confirm the presence of a pedestrian. . The detector 15 detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the area from the end of the pedestrian crossing 10 where the pedestrian signal lamp 12 is installed to the center, and the detector 16 detects the pedestrian from the center of the pedestrian crossing 10. The presence or absence of a pedestrian in the area | region to the edge part by which the signal lamp device 14 is installed is detected.

  The detectors 25, 35, and 45 are pedestrians in the region from the end to the center of the pedestrian crossing 20, 30, and 40 where the pedestrian signal lamps 22, 32, and 42 are installed. The detectors 26, 36, 46 are respectively located from the center of the pedestrian crossing 20, 30, 40 to the end on the side where the pedestrian signal lamps 24, 34, 44 are installed. Detect the presence or absence of pedestrians in the area. The detectors 15, 16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, and 46 are configured by non-contact sensors such as infrared sensors, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a traffic signal control system configured by the traffic signal control device of the present embodiment and a signal lamp installed at the intersection shown in FIG.

  The traffic signal control device of the present embodiment includes a control unit 1 that controls the operation of the signal control device as a whole. The control unit 1 includes a timer 1A that measures time.

  Further, the control unit 1 receives detection outputs from the detectors 15, 16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46, and based on this, the vehicle signal lamps 17, 27, 37, 47 and walking Control of lighting of the signal lamps 11 to 14, 21 to 24, 31 to 34, and 41 to 44 for persons. In addition, the traffic signal control device includes a storage unit 2 that stores various information such as a program executed by the control unit 1.

Hereinafter, the operation of the traffic signal control apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining elements used for controlling lighting of the pedestrian signal lamps 11 and 12. Referring to FIG. 3, pedestrian signal lamps 11 and 12 light a signal to pedestrians who cross the pedestrian crossing 10 in the direction of the arrow. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 3 shows the same direction as the solid line arrow described on the pedestrian crossing 10 in FIG.

  On the pedestrian crossing 10, a first area 10A and a second area 10B are defined and schematically illustrated in FIG. The first region 10A is a region from the end of the side of the pedestrian crossing 10 where the pedestrian signal lamp 14 (see FIG. 1; not shown in FIG. 3) is installed to the center. This is the area where a pedestrian who crosses in the direction of the arrow passes first. The second area 10B is an area from the center of the pedestrian crossing 10 to the end on the side where the pedestrian signal lamp 12 is installed, and the pedestrian who crosses the pedestrian crossing 10 in the direction of the solid arrow is the last. It is an area that passes through.

  The detector 15 performs detection for determining whether there is a pedestrian in the second area 10B, and the detector 16 performs detection for determining whether there is a pedestrian in the first area 10A. Do. The detector 15 and the detector 16 are installed above the pedestrian crossing 10. In FIG. 3, the detection range extending from the detector 16 to the first region 10 </ b> A and the detector 15 extending to the second region 10 </ b> B are shown as dotted quadrangular pyramids, respectively.

  In the pedestrian crossings 20, 30, and 40, two regions corresponding to the first region 10A and the second region 10B are defined. Each of the detectors 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, and 46 performs detection for determining the presence or absence of a pedestrian in any of these regions.

  In FIG. 4, lighting of the vehicle signal lamps 17, 27, 37, 47 and pedestrian signal lamps 11-14, 21-24, 31-34, 41-44 stored in the storage unit 2 is controlled. It is a figure which shows typically the information regarding the classification | category of these signal lamp devices at the time.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the signal lamps in the intersection are divided into two groups, A group and B group. As understood from FIG. 4, the group A includes the vehicle signal lamps 17 and 37 and the pedestrian signal lamps 11 to 14 and 31 to 34, and the group B includes the vehicle signal lamps 27 and 47 and the pedestrian signal lamp. Including vessels 21-24, 41-44. In addition, the pedestrian signal lamps 11-14, 31-34 classified into the A group are pedestrian signal lamps related to the pedestrian crossings 10, 30, and the pedestrian signal lamps 21 to 21 classified into the B group. Numerals 24 and 41 to 44 are pedestrian signal lamps related to the pedestrian crossings 20 and 40.

  FIG. 5 is executed by the control unit 1 to control lighting of the vehicle signal lamps 17, 27, 37, 47 and the pedestrian signal lamps 11-14, 21-24, 31-34, 41-44. It is a flowchart of a signal lamp lighting control process.

  In the signal lamp lighting control process, first, in step S10, the control unit 1 lights all the signal lamps (see FIG. 4) included in the group A in blue.

  Next, at step S30, the control unit 1 executes a lighting control process for the pedestrian signal lamp for the pedestrian signal lamp included in the group A. The detailed contents of this processing will be described below with reference to the flowchart of this processing subroutine shown in FIG.

  In step S30, the control unit 1 executes a lighting control process for the pedestrian signal lamp for the two crossing directions set for each of the pedestrian crossings 10 and 30 corresponding to the group A.

  Further, in the description of the lighting control process of the pedestrian signal lamp device, the terms “first signal lamp device”, “second signal lamp device”, “first region”, and “second region” are used.

  The first signal lamp is a pedestrian signal lamp installed on one side with respect to a pedestrian crossing for a pedestrian to cross from one side of the road to the other, and the second signal lamp is A pedestrian signal lamp installed on the other side of the road.

  The first region is a region on the side of the starting point on the pedestrian crossing with respect to a pedestrian who wants to cross a certain pedestrian crossing in a certain direction, and the second region is on the pedestrian crossing. This is the area on the arrival point side.

  For example, with reference to FIG. 3, in the pedestrian signal lamps 11 and 12 installed for pedestrians crossing the pedestrian crossing 10 in the direction of the solid arrow, it is installed on the departure point side. The pedestrian signal lamp 11 is the first signal lamp, and the pedestrian signal lamp 12 installed on the arrival point side is the second signal lamp.

  Referring to FIG. 3, for a pedestrian who crosses pedestrian crossing 10 in the direction of the solid arrow in accordance with pedestrian signal lamps 11 and 12, first area 10A is the first area, and second area 10B. Is the second region.

  When a pedestrian crosses the pedestrian crossing 10 in the direction opposite to the solid line arrow in FIG. 3 (the direction indicated by the broken line on the pedestrian crossing 10 in FIG. 1), the first signal lamp, etc. There are different specific examples.

  That is, in such a case, further referring to FIG. 1, the first signal lamp is the pedestrian signal lamp 13, the second signal lamp is the pedestrian signal lamp 14, and the first area is the first area. The second region becomes the first region 10A.

  FIG. 7 shows the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp in the crossing directions of the solid line and the broken line of the pedestrian crossing 10, 20, 30, 40 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in the lighting control process for the pedestrian signal lamp, first, in step S31, control unit 1 starts the time since the pedestrian signal lamp started lighting in blue by the process in step S10. (Lighting time (T)) is counted up.

  The control unit 1 turns on the pedestrian signal lamps independently for each of the solid line arrow direction and the broken line arrow direction of the pedestrian crossing 10, and for each of the solid line arrow direction and the broken line arrow direction of the pedestrian crossing 30. Control processing is being executed. Here, as an example, processing executed in the direction of the solid arrow of the pedestrian crossing 10 will be described in detail.

  Next, in step S32, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the lighting time T has reached the minimum guaranteed number of seconds. If the control unit 1 determines that it has not reached yet, it returns the process to step S31, and if it determines that it has reached, it proceeds to step S33.

  The minimum guaranteed number of seconds is the number of seconds for which it is guaranteed that the pedestrian signal lamp is lit in blue at least, and a specific value is stored in the storage unit 2. Since the minimum guaranteed number of seconds is determined, in the traffic signal control device of the present embodiment, it is guaranteed that the pedestrian is lit with a green light until the minimum guaranteed number of seconds elapses.

  In step S33, the control unit 1 checks the detection output of an appropriate detector among the detectors 15, 16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, and 46, so that the first region or the second region is obtained. Determine whether there are pedestrians. And if the control part 1 judges that a pedestrian exists in any one or both of a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region, it will judge that there is no pedestrian in any of a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region to step S35. Then, the process proceeds to step S34. Whether or not a pedestrian is present is determined by, for example, storing an image of no pedestrian in the first region and the second region in the storage unit 2 or the like as a sample image, and each detector corresponds to it. Whether a difference corresponding to a pedestrian is seen when the sample image is compared with an image captured by each detector, including a camera that captures the entire detection region (first region or second region) This is done by judging whether or not.

For example, if the solid arrow direction crosswalk 10 running lighting control process pedestrian signal lamp device, in step S3 3, the control unit 1, the first region by checking the detection output of the detector 16 It is determined whether or not there is a pedestrian in 10A, and it is determined whether or not there is a pedestrian in the second region 10B by checking the detection output of the detector 15.

  In step S34, the control unit 1 causes the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp to blink in blue for a certain period of time and then turn on in red, and the process is returned.

  In step S35, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the lighting time T has reached the extension limit seconds. If the control unit 1 determines that it has not reached yet, it returns the process to step S31, and if it determines that it has reached, it proceeds to step S36.

  The extension limit number of seconds is the number of seconds indicating the maximum time limit when the period during which the pedestrian signal lamp is lit in blue is extended. A specific value is stored in the storage unit 2. Yes. Note that the value of the extension limit seconds is larger than the above-mentioned minimum guaranteed seconds.

  On the other hand, in step S36, the control unit 1 causes the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp to blink in blue for the above-described fixed time, and proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, the control unit 1 determines whether or not there is a pedestrian in the second area. If it is determined that there is a pedestrian, the control unit 1 proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, the control unit 1 lights the first signal lamp in red, blinks the second signal lamp in blue, and returns the process to step S37. As a result of the process in step S38, the signal lamp on the side where the pedestrian begins to cross is lit in red and the signal lamp on the crossing side blinks in blue on the pedestrian crossing. This will prevent pedestrians from entering and crossing the pedestrian crossing, while ensuring safety until the pedestrian crosses the pedestrian crossing. Can do.

  If it is determined in step S37 that there are no more pedestrians in the second area, in step S39, the control unit 1 sets the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp to a red signal.

  Referring to FIG. 5 again, after executing the lighting control processing of the pedestrian signal lamp for each crossing direction of the pedestrian crossing 10 and 30 corresponding to the group A, the control unit 1 is included in the group A in step S50. Check that all pedestrian traffic lights are illuminated in red. If it is determined that all the lamps are lit in red, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the control unit 1 performs final lighting control on the vehicular signal lamp included in the group A (see FIG. 4), and then proceeds to step S90. The final lighting control is a process of lighting in red after lighting in yellow for a predetermined time.

  In step S90, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle signal lamp included in the group A was lit in red in step S70. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the control unit 1 lights all the signal lamps (see FIG. 4) included in the group B in blue.

  Next, in step S130, the control unit 1 executes a lighting control process for the pedestrian signal lamp for the pedestrian signal lamp included in the group B. In step S130, the lighting control process for the pedestrian signal lamp is executed in the same manner as in step S30 for the two crossing directions set for each of the pedestrian crossings 20 and 40 corresponding to the group B.

  And after performing the lighting control process of the pedestrian signal lamp device at step S130, the control unit 1 determines whether all the pedestrian signal lamp devices included in the group B are lit red at step S150. Check. If it is determined that all the lamps are lit in red, the process proceeds to step S170.

  In Step S170, control part 1 advances processing to Step S190, after performing final lighting control to the signal lamp for vehicles (refer to Drawing 4) contained in B group.

  In step S190, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicular signal lamp included in group B is lit in red in step S170. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process returns to step S10.

  As described above, in the signal lamp lighting control processing according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a pedestrian signal lamp that lights a signal to a pedestrian and a vehicle having the same traveling direction (or 180 degrees reverse). And vehicle vehicle signal lamps are divided into groups A or B, and control is performed.

  In each group, after all the signals are turned blue, the pedestrian signal lamp is controlled.

  In this embodiment, the pedestrian signal lamp is a signal lamp (first signal lamp) installed on one side with respect to a pedestrian crossing for a pedestrian to cross from one side of the road to the other side. ) And a signal lamp (second signal lamp) installed on the other side of the road. The first signal lamp and the second signal lamp need not be installed at one end or the other end of the pedestrian crossing, respectively. The first signal lamp may be installed in a pedestrian crossing where it can be seen by a pedestrian walking in the central area (first area) from one end, and the second signal lamp may be installed on the pedestrian crossing. It should just be set to a place that is visible to a pedestrian walking from the center portion to the other end (second region).

  In the above-described control for the pedestrian signal lamp, the pedestrian signal lamp is first controlled to turn on blue unconditionally for the minimum guaranteed number of seconds (steps S31 to S32).

  Thereafter, when there is no pedestrian on the corresponding pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian signal lamp is controlled to flash in blue for a certain time and then turn on in red. This ensures that each pedestrian signal lamp is lit in blue for at least the minimum guaranteed number of seconds.

  In addition, even after the pedestrian traffic light has been lit blue for the minimum guaranteed number of seconds, if there is a pedestrian on the corresponding pedestrian crossing, until there is no pedestrian on the pedestrian crossing, or The pedestrian signal lamp is controlled to be lit in blue until the extension limit number of seconds elapses (steps S33 and S35). As a result, the pedestrian signal lamp is the longest, from the start of lighting in blue until the extension limit number of seconds elapses, that is, the minimum guaranteed number of seconds from lighting in blue until a specific time elapses. It will light blue.

  Even if the pedestrian signal lamp is lit in blue for the extension limit seconds, if there is a pedestrian on the pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian signal lamp is controlled to blink in blue. In this case, both the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp included in the pedestrian signal lamp blink in blue.

  If a pedestrian is present in the second area, the first signal lamp is lit in red to prevent a new pedestrian from entering the pedestrian crossing, while the second signal lamp is blue. Flashes to prompt pedestrians in the pedestrian crossing to cross quickly.

  In the present embodiment described above, the presence or absence of pedestrians in the first area and the second area is detected by different detectors (for example, detectors 16 and 15). It is not limited to this, You may detect the presence or absence of each pedestrian of a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region with one detector.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment demonstrated above, the 1st signal lamp device and the 2nd signal lamp device respectively control the lighting mode to any of three types of lighting in blue, blinking in blue, and lighting in red. Is done. Each traffic light will illuminate in blue to give a signal to allow the pedestrian to cross, flash in blue to give a signal to the pedestrian in the pedestrian crossing to quickly complete the crossing, and Lights red to signal pedestrians not to cross.

  In addition, the signal lamp device for pedestrians according to the present invention is not limited to such a lighting mode. If it is possible to emit a signal to the pedestrian in the above three steps, for example, it is configured to light up three kinds of colors of blue, yellow, and red, similarly to a signal lamp for a vehicle. Also good.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment demonstrated above, a pedestrian crossing is divided into two of a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region, and the pedestrian signal lamp corresponding to each area | region is provided. In the present invention, the number of areas set for the pedestrian crossing is not limited to two. Three or more areas may be set for the pedestrian crossing. When three or more areas are set, the following control is performed as lighting control of the pedestrian signal lamp.

  First, a green light is lit on all pedestrian traffic lights corresponding to the pedestrian crossing, and when it is judged that there are no pedestrians in all areas on the pedestrian crossing when the minimum guaranteed number of seconds has elapsed, The signal lamp will flash in blue and then turn on in red. In addition, the determination of the presence or absence of pedestrians in all areas continues until the extension limit number of seconds elapses, and when it is determined that there are no pedestrians in all areas, the pedestrian signal lamp is turned blue. After flashing, turn on red. If a pedestrian is present in at least one of the above-mentioned areas even after the extension limit seconds have elapsed, all the pedestrian signal lamps are blinked in blue. Then, the pedestrian signal lamp corresponding to the area closest to the beginning of the crosswalk among the plurality of areas is lit in red. Then, the presence or absence of a pedestrian is detected in a region near the beginning of the next crossing. When no pedestrian is detected in the region, the pedestrian signal lamp corresponding to the region is lit in red. In this way, the operation of the pedestrian signal lamp is changed from blinking blue to lighting red after waiting for the pedestrians to disappear in order from the region near the beginning of the crosswalk.

  Each embodiment disclosed this time must be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows typically the intersection and its vicinity where the signal lamp device made into the control object by the traffic signal control apparatus of this Embodiment is installed. It is a control block diagram of the traffic signal control system comprised by the traffic signal control apparatus of this Embodiment and the signal lamp installed in the intersection shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the element utilized for control of lighting of the one part pedestrian signal lamp device in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the information regarding these classification | category when the signal light device for vehicles and the signal light device for pedestrians of FIG. 1 which were memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a flowchart of the signal lamp lighting control process which the control part of FIG. 2 performs. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of the lighting control process of the signal lamp device for pedestrians of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st signal lamp device and the 2nd signal lamp device about each crossing direction of the solid line arrow direction and broken line arrow direction of each pedestrian crossing shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 20, 30, 40 Pedestrian crossing, 10A 1st area, 10B 2nd area, 11-14, 21-24, 31-34, 41-44 Pedestrian traffic light, 15, 16, 25, 26, 35 36, 45, 46 Detector, 17, 27, 37, 47 Vehicle signal lamp, 18, 19, 28, 29, 38, 39, 48, 49 Lane.

Claims (6)

A first signal lamp that is installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing that crosses from one side of the road to the other side and that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a first area including the central portion from the one side, and the central portion from the first signal lamp A traffic signal control device that controls the lighting mode of a second signal lamp that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a second region including the other side,
A lighting control unit that controls the first and second signal lamps in three lighting modes: lighting in blue, flashing in blue, and lighting in red;
A first detector for detecting the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the first region;
A second detector for detecting the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the second region,
The lighting control unit
Determining whether there is a pedestrian in the first region based on the detection output of the first detection unit;
Determine whether there is a pedestrian in the second area based on the detection output of the second detection unit,
When it is determined that there is a pedestrian in the second area when the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp are blinked in blue, the first signal lamp is turned on in red, and the second signal lamp is turned on. A traffic signal control device that blinks in blue until it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area and then lights in red.   2. The traffic signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit lights the first and second signal lamps in blue for at least a predetermined time and then blinks in blue.   When the lighting control unit determines that there are no pedestrians in the first and second areas when the first and second signal lamps are lit in blue for the predetermined time, the first and second signal lamps The traffic signal control device according to claim 2, wherein the second signal lamp is lit in red after blinking in blue for a certain time.   When the lighting control unit determines that a pedestrian is present in the first or second region when the first and second signal lamps are lit in blue for the predetermined time, the first and second signal lamps are determined. The traffic signal control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the traffic signal control device is lit in blue until no pedestrians exist in the two areas or until a specific time elapses, and then blinks in blue. A first signal lamp that is installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing that crosses from one side of the road to the other side and that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a first area including the central portion from the one side, and the central portion from the first signal lamp A traffic signal control method for controlling a lighting mode of a second signal lamp that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a second region including the other side,
Flashing the first and second signal lamps in blue;
Determining whether or not there is a pedestrian in the second area with the second signal lamp blinking blue;
When it is determined that there is a pedestrian in the second area, turning on the first signal lamp in red and blinking the second signal lamp in blue;
And a step of lighting the first and second signal lamps in red when it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area. A first signal lamp that is installed corresponding to a pedestrian crossing that crosses from one side of the road to the other side and that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a first area including the central portion from the one side, and the central portion from the first signal lamp A traffic signal control device that controls the lighting mode of a second signal lamp that lights a signal for a pedestrian in a second region including the other side,
Including a lighting control unit that controls the first and second signal lamps in three lighting modes: lighting in blue, flashing in blue, and lighting in red;
The lighting control unit
The detection output of the first detector that detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the first area, and the detection output of a second detector that detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the second area,
Determining whether there is a pedestrian in the first region based on the detection output of the first detector;
Determining whether there is a pedestrian in the second region based on the detection output of the second detector;
When it is determined that there is a pedestrian in the second area when the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp are blinked in blue, the first signal lamp is turned on in red, and the second signal lamp is turned on. A traffic signal control device that blinks in blue until it is determined that there is no pedestrian in the second area and then lights in red.

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