JP5732904B2 - Traffic signal control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a traffic signal control device and method for performing pedestrian separation control of a right turn vehicle separation system, in which a time zone in which a right turn vehicle is given a right of passage is separated from a time zone in which a right of passage is given to a crossing pedestrian.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in pedestrian separation control of the right turn vehicle separation system.

In the technical field of traffic signal control, “present” (also referred to as “phase”) is a right of traffic given to a set of traffic flows, and is a combination of one blue display. The “presentation method” is a combination of presenting methods, and it is necessary to select the most efficient method according to the actual traffic conditions.
In the standard two-way display control at a general crossroad intersection, it is also referred to as a first “bidirectional display” (“face-to-face display”) that gives a right of passage to an upstream / downstream inflow path in a specific direction (for example, east-west direction). ) And a second “bidirectional display” that gives the right of access to the upstream and downstream inflow paths in the crossing direction (for example, the north-south direction).

In addition, as a multiple display method using three or more displays, a “right turn exclusive display” may be interposed between the two displays.
This “right turn exclusive indication” (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “right turn indication”) is a right to pass only to the right turn vehicle by displaying a blue arrow in the right turn direction, etc. in order to handle the right turn vehicle safely and smoothly. Is a presentation that gives In the case of entering a right turn display in both directions intersecting at a crossroad intersection, a total of four displays including two bidirectional displays and two right turn displays are required.

Furthermore, in the technical field of traffic signal control, in order to prevent collision accidents between pedestrians and vehicles that are crossing in blue, the passage of pedestrians and vehicles is separated in time to make it safer for crossing pedestrians. Considerable “pedestrian separation control” may be performed.
In this case, since the vehicle and pedestrian traffic time zones are completely separated, there is an advantage that the vehicle can also turn right and left smoothly. As types of such pedestrian separation control, there are “scramble method”, “pedestrian dedicated display method”, “left turn vehicle separation method”, “right turn vehicle separation method”, and the like.

FIG. 9A is a road plan view showing an example of a road intersection IS, and FIG. 9B is a transition diagram showing an example of a conventional presenting method performed at the intersection IS.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the intersection IS is a crossroad intersection where roads in the north-south direction and the east-west direction, which are divided into straight lanes, right turn and left turn lanes, cross the inflow road.
In addition, in the presenting method of FIG. 9 (b), the right-and-left direction is given to the inflow path in the east-west direction, and the right of passage is given to the crossing pedestrian in the straight direction. 1st indication 1phi and 2nd indication 2phi which is the right turn indication which gives the right of right turn direction to the inflow way of the east-west direction. The same applies to the third display 3φ and the fourth display 4φ of the inflow channel in the north-south direction.

The display method in FIG. 9B is called “right-right separation control”, and assigns right-turn blue to a different display from straight-forward blue to facilitate smooth processing of a right-turn vehicle (non- Patent Document 1).
9B, the pedestrian blue of the crossing pedestrian traveling in the same direction as the straight traveling direction is assigned to the same display 1φ, 3φ as the straight traveling blue, and the right turn blue is separated from the pedestrian blue. Therefore, the crossing of the right turn vehicle and the crossing pedestrian, which is one of the main causes of personal injury at the intersection IS, is eliminated.

  In this sense, the present method shown in FIG. 9B is a right-turn vehicle that passes through one specific inflow path (hereinafter also referred to as “specific inflow path”) among the inflow paths to the intersection IS. The time zone (right turn indications 2φ, 4φ) that grants right of traffic to is separated from the time zone (bidirectional indications 1φ, 3φ) that grants right of passage to crossing pedestrians on the road that intersects the specific inflow path at the intersection IS This is a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation method”.

"Revised Traffic Signal Guide" Editorial and publication Traffic Engineering Research Group (pp. 115-116)

In the conventional pedestrian separation control of the conventional right turn vehicle separation system, for example, in the east-west direction, regardless of the number of pedestrians crossing in the east-west direction, the second current state is automatically displayed after a certain time has elapsed in the first display 1φ. Since there are many crossing pedestrians, there are cases where sufficient green time cannot be given to the crossing pedestrians.
For this reason, there are cases in which the time of pedestrian blue is much shorter than that of a normal non-separated display method in which a crossing pedestrian can pass even during a blue turn time zone.

As a measure for eliminating such drawbacks, for example, the number of pedestrians is detected by an image sensor installed near an intersection, and the pedestrian blue time zone is dynamically determined according to the detected number of pedestrians. It is conceivable to perform “sensitive control”.
However, although the number of vehicles can be accurately detected with the current image sensor, it is difficult to accurately detect the number of pedestrians. Therefore, it is difficult to implement pedestrian sensitive control, and if a special sensor capable of detecting a pedestrian with high accuracy is introduced, the equipment cost increases.

  In view of the conventional problems, the present invention provides a traffic signal control device that performs right-turn vehicle separation type pedestrian separation control, which can give a crossing pedestrian the longest possible travel time without significantly increasing the equipment cost. The purpose is to provide.

  (1) The traffic signal control device of the present invention provides a right of passage to a pedestrian crossing a road that crosses the specific inflow path at the intersection during a time zone in which the right turn vehicle passing the specific inflow path of the intersection is given. A traffic signal control device that performs pedestrian separation control of a right turn vehicle separation system that separates from a given time zone, a determination unit that determines a right turn demand in the specific inflow path, and corresponding to the determined right turn demand, A time setting unit for determining a blue time of a pedestrian lamp that displays whether or not the crossing pedestrian has the right to pass.

According to the traffic signal control device of the present invention, the time setting unit displays a blue light of a pedestrian lamp that displays whether or not a crossing pedestrian has a right of traffic corresponding to a right turn demand on the specific inflow path determined by the determination unit. Since the time is determined, when the demand for a right turn on the specific inflow path is small (including the case where there is no right turn), the blue time of the pedestrian lamp for the crossing pedestrian can be set longer.
Therefore, according to the traffic situation of the right turn vehicle, it is possible to give the crossing pedestrian the longest possible travel time without crossing with the right turn vehicle.

Further, according to the traffic signal control device of the present invention, since the determination unit determines the right turn demand in the specific inflow path, the above-described pedestrian sensitive control that requires an expensive sensor capable of detecting the pedestrian with high accuracy and On the other hand, there is an advantage that it can be implemented without increasing the equipment cost.
That is, as will be described later, a right turn demand on a specific inflow path can be accurately detected by a vehicle detector (such as an ultrasonic type or an image type) that is a relatively inexpensive general-purpose product that does not require pedestrian detection. Therefore, the traffic signal control apparatus of the present invention can be implemented at a normal facility cost.

(2) In the traffic signal control device according to the present invention, specifically, the time setting unit includes a right turn blue time of a vehicle lamp that displays the presence / absence of the right of passage of the specific inflow path, Employs a presenting method for displaying the present time including the blue hour of the pedestrian lamp, determines the right turn blue hour of the vehicle lamp based on the determined right turn demand, and based on the determined right turn blue hour The blue time of the pedestrian lamp is determined.
The reason for this is that, in the case of the current method that separates right-turn vehicles and crossing pedestrians, the right time for vehicle lights is determined first in order to determine the blue hours for pedestrian lights in response to demand for right turns. Because it is necessary to do.

(3) More specifically, the time setting unit includes a time span from the start time of the display including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp to the end time of the display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp. Is set to a certain time, and the blue time of the pedestrian lamp is determined.
The reason for this is that the right turn blue time from the right turn blue start time to the right turn blue end time fluctuates according to the right turn demand, so if the above time span is not fixed as a fixed time, the pedestrian lamp corresponding to the right turn demand This is because the blue hour cannot be determined.

The time span in this case may be fixed as a fixed value at the time of performing the right turn sensitive control that dynamically determines the right turn blue time corresponding to the right turn demand, and may be updated every cycle. Good.
For example, if the central equipment installed in the traffic control center etc. performs system control to automatically update the split, cycle length and offset according to traffic conditions, it is based on the updated split and cycle length. Update the time span to a certain time.

(4) Hereinafter, a method for determining the blue time of a pedestrian lamp will be described with specific presentation methods that can be adopted in the present invention.
That is, in the case of the intersection that adopts the presenting method of issuing the second present of the next (b) after the first present of the next (a), the time setting unit By performing subtraction including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (a) as a subtraction value, the blue color of the pedestrian lamp assigned to the second display of (b) What is necessary is just to calculate time.
(A) The first indication that gives the right of traffic in the direction of straight turn, left turn and right turn of the specific inflow route (b) The second indication that gives the right of passage to the pedestrian in the straight direction and left turn of the specific inflow route

In the above calculation method, when the blue blinking time is not included in the “blue time of the pedestrian lamp”, it is necessary to subtract the blue blinking time from the time span (this point is calculated later). The same applies to the method).
In addition, when “right turn yellow time” (yellow time for a right turn vehicle after the right turn arrow) is included in the first display of (a), it is necessary to subtract that “right turn yellow time” from the time span. There is.
In addition, “left straight blue time” (left turn that overlaps with pedestrian red time and blue time in the straight direction) and “left straight yellow time” (left turn that overlaps with pedestrian red time and yellow time in the straight direction) are ( If included in the second display of b), these times also need to be subtracted from the time span.

(5) By the way, in the above-mentioned presenting method, in the first presenting of (a), since the right of passage is given to the straight turn and the left turn simultaneously with the right turn direction, the inflow passage (hereinafter referred to as “opposing” When there is a large amount of straight-line vehicle traffic, the right-hand vehicle blocks the right-turn vehicle on the specific inflow route.
Therefore, depending on the time of day, the right turn demand on the specific inflow path does not disappear all the time, and the right turn blue time of the specific inflow path always becomes the maximum lighting time, and there is a case where sufficient traffic time cannot be given to the crossing pedestrian.

Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a presenting method in which the blue time of the pedestrian lamp is provided after the first present of the next (c) at the intersection controlled by the traffic signal control device of the present invention.
In this case, the time setting unit, based on the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (c) and the time span, includes the remaining time including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp. What is necessary is just to determine the display time.
(C) The first indication that gives the right of traffic in the right turn direction of the specified inflow channel

The first display in (c) above is a right turn exclusive display that gives the right of passage only in the right turn direction of the specific inflow path, so that the right turn vehicle of the specific inflow path is not obstructed by the straight vehicle of the opposite inflow path. It can be surely run.
For this reason, the right turn demand on a specific inflow channel increases or decreases regardless of the traffic volume on the opposite inflow channel, so when the right turn demand on a specific inflow channel is small, the right turn blue time can be set short and the longest possible travel time Can be given to crossing pedestrians.

(6) As the presenting method including the first presenting in (c), two types of presenting methods are considered depending on whether or not the left turn direction of the specific inflow path is separated from the crossing pedestrian. It is done. One of them is a display method in which the second display of the next (d) is given after the first display of the (c).
(D) The second indication that gives the right of passage to the straight pedestrian and left turn directions and the crossing pedestrian in the specific inflow path. In this case, the time setting unit uses the first indication of (c) as a subtraction value from the time span. The blue time of the pedestrian lamp assigned to the second display of (d) may be calculated by performing subtraction including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to.

In addition, when “right turn yellow time” (yellow time for a right turn vehicle after the right turn arrow) is included in the first display of (c), it is necessary to subtract that “right turn yellow time” from the time span. There is.
In addition, “left straight blue time” (left turn that overlaps with pedestrian red time and blue time in the straight direction) and “left straight yellow time” (left turn that overlaps with pedestrian red time and yellow time in the straight direction) are ( If included in the second display of d), those times also need to be subtracted from the time span.

(7) Further, another presenting method including the first present of (c) is the following second present of (e) and (f) after the first present of (c). This is a display method for sequentially displaying the third display.
(E) The second indication that gives the right of passage in the straight direction and the left turn direction of the specific inflow route (f) The third indication that gives the right of passage to the straight direction of the specific inflow route and the crossing pedestrian In this case, the time setting unit The right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (c) as the subtracted value from the time span, and the left turn blue of the vehicle lamp assigned to the second display of (e). What is necessary is just to calculate the blue time of the said pedestrian lamp allocated to the 3rd display of said (e) by performing the subtraction containing time.

In addition, when “right turn yellow time” (yellow time for a right turn vehicle after the right turn arrow) is included in the first display of (c), it is necessary to subtract that “right turn yellow time” from the time span. There is.
In addition, when the “left turn yellow time” (the yellow time for the left turn vehicle after the left turn arrow) is included in the second display of (e), the “left turn yellow time” must also be subtracted from the time span. There is.
Furthermore, the “straight ahead blue time” (the blue time in the straight direction that overlaps with the pedestrian red time) and the “straight yellow time” (the yellow time in the straight direction that overlaps with the pedestrian red time) are the third occurrences of (f). If included, the time must also be subtracted from the time span.

In the case of the presenting method in which the second present of (e) and the third present of (f) are sequentially performed after the first present of (c), the right of traffic in the left turn direction is changed to the second present. By assigning and assigning the right of crossing pedestrians to the third display, not only the right turn vehicle on the specific inflow path but also the left turn vehicle is separated from the crossing pedestrian traffic (left turn vehicle separation method) It has become.
Therefore, the vehicle and the crossing pedestrian can be more completely separated from each other as compared with the case where the second display of (d) which does not separate the left turn vehicle and the pedestrian is employed, and the safety of the crossing pedestrian is increased. Can be secured more reliably.

(8) In the case of the presenting method in which the second present of (e) and the third present of (f) are sequentially displayed after the first present of (c), the second present of (e) The left turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the indication may be set to a predetermined fixed time, for example. In this case, after the fixed time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the third display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp.
However, when the determination unit can determine the left turn demand in the specific inflow channel, the time setting unit assigns the second turn of (e) corresponding to the determined left turn demand. It is preferable to determine the left turn green time of the vehicle lamp.

In this case, since the time setting unit determines the left turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the second display in (e) in response to the left turn demand determined by the determination unit, the left turn demand in the specific inflow channel When there is little (including the case where there is no), the blue time of the pedestrian lamp assigned to the third display of (f) can be set longer.
Therefore, in addition to the traffic situation of the right turn vehicle, the blue time of the pedestrian lamp can be set according to the traffic situation of the left turn vehicle, crossing the longest possible transit time without crossing with the right turn vehicle and the left turn vehicle Can be given to a person.

  (9) In the traffic signal control method according to the present invention, the right of passing the right turn vehicle passing through the specific inflow path at the intersection is given to the pedestrian crossing the road crossing the specific inflow path at the intersection. A traffic signal control method according to pedestrian separation control of a right turn vehicle separation method that separates from a given time zone, the step of determining a right turn demand in the specific inflow path, and corresponding to the determined right turn demand, Determining a blue hour of a pedestrian lamp that displays whether or not a crossing pedestrian has the right to pass.

As described above, the traffic signal control method of the present invention performs substantially the same processing as the above-described traffic signal control apparatus of the present invention, and has the same effects as the traffic signal control apparatus of the present invention.
In the traffic signal control method of the present invention, substantially the same steps as the processes described in the above (2) to (8) may be included.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the right turn vehicle separation type pedestrian separation control is performed that separates the time zone in which the right of right turn vehicle is given access from the time zone in which the right of passage is given to crossing pedestrians. It is possible to perform pedestrian separation control that can give as much travel time as possible to crossing pedestrians without significantly increasing the equipment cost.

1 is a road plan view of a traffic signal control system including a traffic signal controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is explanatory drawing of an ultrasonic type vehicle sensor, (b) is explanatory drawing of an image type vehicle sensor. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram showing a transition of a current display included in one cycle in a pattern 1 current display method. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of the right turn demand by a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the right turn sensitive control by a control part. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram showing a transition of a current display included in one cycle in a pattern 2 current display method. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram showing a transition of current display included in one cycle in the current mode of pattern 3. It is a road top view of the traffic signal control system containing the traffic signal controller which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a road top view which shows an example of the intersection of a road, (b) is a transition diagram which shows an example of the conventional presenting method performed at the intersection.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
[Overall system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a road plan view showing a traffic signal control system including a traffic signal controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic signal control system of the present embodiment includes a traffic signal controller 1, a signal lamp 2, a roadside sensor 3, a central device 4 and the like to which the traffic signal control device of the present invention is applied. Yes.
The number of lanes of the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, L7 and the outflow paths L2, L4, L6, L8 of the crossroad intersection (hereinafter simply referred to as “intersection”) IS shown in FIG. The structure of the intersection IS is not limited to that shown in FIG.

The traffic signal controller 1 is connected to a signal lamp 2 installed at an intersection IS via a power line.
The signal lamp 2 according to the present embodiment includes a total of four vehicle lamps 2A for displaying the presence / absence of the right of passage to the vehicle 5 passing through the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, L7 of the intersection IS, and the inflow paths L1, L3, L3. It consists of a total of eight pedestrian lamps 2B that display the presence / absence of the right of passage to pedestrians (not shown) on the road intersecting L5 and L7.

Four vehicle lamps 2A are installed in the vicinity of the upstream ends (ends on the intersection IS side) of the respective outflow paths L2, L4, L6, L8 of the intersection IS. The vehicle lamp 2A shown in FIG. , Blue, yellow and red round lights, and blue arrow lights in straight, left and right turn directions.
In addition, the eight pedestrian lamps 2B are set near the entrance of the pedestrian crossing 6 of each intersection road that intersects at the intersection IS. The pedestrian lamp 2B shown in FIG. Two types of pedestrian lights are included.

The traffic signal controller 1 is connected to a central device 4 in a traffic control center via a communication line such as a telephone line. The central device 4 is a traffic signal controller 1 at a plurality of intersections IS in its own jurisdiction area. And a local area network (LAN).
Accordingly, the central device 4 can perform bidirectional communication with the traffic signal controller 1, and the traffic signal controller 1 can also perform bidirectional communication with the controller 1 at other intersections. The central device 4 may be installed on the road instead of the traffic control center.

The central device 4 performs “system control” for adjusting the traffic signal group 1 on the same road for the traffic signal controllers 1 belonging to its own jurisdiction area, or “wide area control ( Surface control) ”can be executed.
That is, the central device 4 calculates necessary traffic information for each predetermined period based on measurement information collected from various roadside sensors for each predetermined period (for example, one minute or one cycle), and the calculated traffic information. Traffic sensitive control that sets signal control parameters (split, cycle length, offset, etc.) based on

This traffic sensitive control includes, for example, a plurality of types including MODERATO control and profile control. The central device 4 outputs a signal control command relating to the timing of switching the color of the signal lamp 2 every predetermined time, which is an output of the result of the traffic sensitivity control, for a predetermined period (for example, 1.0 to 2.5 minutes). To the traffic signal controller 1.
In addition, the central device 4 notifies each traffic signal controller 1 in the jurisdiction area of control type information including permission / inhibition of terminal sensitive control at the intersection IS.

The traffic signal controller 1 receives a signal control command, which is an output of the result of traffic sensitivity control by the central device 4, from the central device 4, and turns on / off each signal lamp included in the signal lamp device 2 based on the signal control command. And control blinking.
The traffic signal controller 1 is also connected to the roadside sensor 3 through a communication line. The roadside sensor 3 measures information necessary for terminal sensitive control performed by the traffic signal controller 1 at the intersection IS, and the measurement information is transmitted to the traffic signal controller 1.

[Vehicle sensor to detect right turn vehicles]
In the present embodiment, the right turn green time of the vehicle lamp 2A is adjusted according to the right turn demand in the inflow channels L1, L3, L5, and L7. Therefore, the roadside sensor 3 includes a vehicle sensor that detects the presence or absence of the vehicle 5 (right turn vehicle) that passes through the right turn lane of the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, and L7.
As the vehicle detector, for example, an ultrasonic sensor type vehicle detector 3A (see FIG. 2 (a)) that detects vehicle passage to a predetermined place on the right turn lane of the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, and L7. Can be adopted.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic vehicle sensor 3A.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the ultrasonic vehicle detector 3A applies ultrasonic waves to a predetermined location near the entrance of the right turn lane (for example, a position 30 m away from the stop line upstream) every predetermined time. The presence or absence of the vehicle 5 is detected depending on whether the reflected wave is received from the vehicle 5. Therefore, the ultrasonic vehicle detector 3A monitors the vehicle passage with respect to a predetermined part of the right turn lane in a spot manner in a short time.

However, since the detection cycle of the vehicle detector 3A is 50 milliseconds or less and is sufficiently high speed with respect to the control cycle of the traffic signal controller 1, the passage of the vehicle 5 can be detected almost continuously.
As the vehicle detector 3A for spot-observing the passing of the vehicle 5 to the right turn lane, in addition to the ultrasonic type, an optical sensor using infrared light, laser light, or the like, or the vehicle 5 is detected by an inductance change. A loop coil can also be employed.
Further, as the roadside sensor 3 that can be used in the present embodiment, an image type vehicle sensor 3B (see FIG. 2B) that measures the presence / absence of the vehicle 5 by performing image processing on a camera image may be adopted. Good.

FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of the image type vehicle detector 3B.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the image-type vehicle detector 3B has a predetermined section (for example, a section from the stop line to 30 m) with sufficient extension in the right turn lane of the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, and L7. , And image processing is performed on the camera video within the monitoring range, the presence or absence of the vehicle 5 on the right turn lane can be detected almost in real time.

Thus, in the image-type vehicle detector 3B, in order to monitor the vehicle 5 passing through the right turn lane over a wide range, compared to the ultrasonic vehicle detector 3A that spot-monitors a predetermined portion of the right turn lane, “Subsequent determination time Td” (FIG. 4) described later can be shortened, and there is an advantage that the presence or absence of the vehicle 5 can be detected quickly.
For this reason, the presence or absence of the right turn demand can be determined more quickly, and the lighting time of the right turn blue time can be accurately optimized by quickly ending when there is no need for extension.

[Configuration of traffic signal controller]
As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic signal controller 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, and a lamp driving unit 104 inside.
The control unit 101 includes one or a plurality of microcomputers, and is connected to the storage unit 102, the communication unit 103, and the lamp driving unit 104 via an internal bus. The control unit 101 controls operations of these hardware units.

The control unit 101 generates the lamp color switching timing of the signal lamp device 2 in accordance with a signal control command that is an output as a result of the central device 4 performing traffic sensitivity control. In addition, when the control type information from the central device 4 permits terminal sensitive control, the control unit 101 performs terminal sensitive control (including right turn sensitive control described later (FIG. 5)) performed by the own device. According to the result, the lamp color switching timing of the signal lamp device 2 is generated.
The lamp driving unit 104 includes a semiconductor relay (not shown), and turns on / off the AC voltage (AC 100 V) or DC voltage supplied to each signal lamp of the signal lamp 2 based on the signal switching timing generated by the control unit 101. Turn off.

The communication unit 103 is a communication interface that performs wired communication with the central device 4 and the roadside sensor 3. The communication unit 103 receives a signal control command and control type information from the central device 4 and relays them to the control unit 101 of the own device.
Further, the communication unit 103 receives from the roadside sensor 3 measurement information (in this embodiment, detection information of the vehicle 5 in the right turn lane of the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, and L7) necessary for terminal sensitivity control performed by the own device. Then, this measurement information is transferred to the control unit 101 of the own apparatus.

The storage unit 102 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 102 has a storage area for temporarily storing various types of information (signal control commands, measurement information, etc.) received by the communication unit 103, and a computer program for executing terminal sensitive control set in the own device Storage area.
The control unit 101 performs predetermined terminal sensitivity control by reading the computer program from the storage unit 102 and processing the computer program.

In the traffic signal controller 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 101 displays “Pattern 1” shown in FIG. 3, which is a kind of pedestrian separation control of the right turn vehicle separation method, in accordance with the signal control command from the central device 4. Execute the method. The details of this presenting method will be described later.
Moreover, the control part 101 performs "right turn sensitive control" which determines the right turn green time of the vehicle lamp 2A according to the right turn demand of the inflow channels L1, L3, L5, L7 as terminal sensitive control, “Blue time setting” is performed to determine the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B based on the blue time. The contents of each control will be described later.

[Display method of pattern 1]
FIG. 3 is a transition diagram showing the transition of the current display included in one cycle in the current pattern 1 display system employed at the intersection IS.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the pattern 1 presenting method, the following four presents, the first present 1φ to the fourth present 4φ, are sequentially repeated in one cycle.

1st indication 1φ: Bidirectional indication that gives right to the left, right, and right turn directions on the east-west inflow channels L1, L5 Second indication 2φ: Straight direction, left turn on the east-west inflow channels L1, L5 Bidirectional display that grants right of traffic in the direction and gives right of traffic to pedestrians crossing the inflow paths L1 and L5 Third display 3φ: Go straight and turn left on inflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction 4th display 4φ: Give the right to drive in the straight and left turn directions for the inflow roads L3 and L7 in the north-south direction, and the intersection road of the inflow paths L3 and L7. Bidirectional display to give crossing pedestrians the right to pass

As described above, in the present method of pattern 1, in the inflow channels L1 and L5 in the east-west direction, the right to travel in the straight direction and the left turn direction continues to the second display 2φ, but the right turn direction is the first display 1φ. Canceled and the right to pass is given to the crossing pedestrian at the second display 2φ.
Thus, the present method of pattern 1 is that the road that intersects with the inflow paths L1 and L5 during the time zone (first display 1φ) in which the right-turning vehicle is given to the right turn vehicle in the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction. This is a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation method” that is separated from the time zone (second display 2φ) for giving the right of passage to crossing pedestrians.

Moreover, in the present pattern method of pattern 1, in the inflow channels L3 and L7 in the north-south direction, the right to travel in the straight direction and the left turn direction continues until the fourth sign 4φ, but the right turn direction is terminated at the third sign 3φ. The right of passage is given to the crossing pedestrian at the fourth display 4φ.
In this way, the present method of pattern 1 is such that the time zone (third display 3φ) that gives right to the right turn vehicle of the outflow roads L3 and L7 in the north-south direction is the road that intersects the inflow roads L3 and L7. This is a type of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation system” that is separated from the time zone (fourth display 4φ) that gives the right of passage to crossing pedestrians.

The current indications 1φ and 3φ that give the right to pass simultaneously in the straight, left and right turn directions are, for example, straight arrows, left turn arrows, and right turn arrows blue arrows with the round light of the vehicle lamp 2A set to “red”. It can be displayed by turning on the lights at the same time.
Further, in the following description, the “right turn” performed by the control unit 101 will be referred to as a “specific inflow path” focusing on the inflow paths L1, L5 in the east-west direction among all the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, L7 flowing into the intersection IS. The contents of “sensitive control” (FIG. 5) and “blue time setting” of the pedestrian lamp 2B will be described.

[Time zone and time contents in the figure]
In FIG. 3, “T1” indicates the time zone of the first display 1φ, and “T2” indicates the time zone of the second display 2φ. “Tp” indicates the start time of the first display 1φ, “tm” indicates the end time (also the start time of the second display 2φ), and “tq” indicates the end time of the second display 2φ. .
In FIG. 3, “Ts” indicates a “time span” from the start time tp of the first display 1φ to the end time tq of the second display 2φ. Therefore, a relationship of Ts = T1 + T2 is established between the time span Ts and the time zones T1 and T2.

  Here, the start time tp of the first display 1φ coincides with the right turn blue start time (also the left turn / straight forward blue start time) of the vehicle lamp 2A, but the end times tm, tq and time zones T1 and T2 may have the following variations depending on the lighting method of the lamps 2A and 2B in the present indication. The variations are summarized for each of the present 1φ and 2φ as follows.

(First display 1φ)
If there is no “right turn yellow time”:
End time tm = End time of “Right turn blue time” Time zone T1 = “Right turn blue time”
If there is a “right turn yellow time”:
End time tm = End time of “Right turn yellow time” Time zone T1 = “Right turn blue time” + “Right turn yellow time”

(Second display 2φ)
If there is no "left-hand blue time" and "left-hand yellow time":
End time tq = End time of “blue flashing time” Time zone T2 = “Pedestrian blue time” + “Blue flashing time”
When there is “left-hand left blue time” and “left-right yellow time”:
End time tq = End time of “Left Yellow Time” Time zone T2 = “Pedestrian Blue Time” + “Blue Flashing Time” + “Left Left Blue Time”
+ "Left yellow time"

In the above formula, “right turn yellow time” refers to the yellow time for a right turn vehicle to be issued after a right turn arrow.
“Blue flashing time” refers to the flashing time of the pedestrian blue light, and “left straight blue time” refers to the left turn that overlaps with the pedestrian red time and the blue time in the straight direction. The “left-right yellow time” refers to the yellow time in the left turn and straight direction that overlaps with the pedestrian red time.

(When the end time tq of the second display 2φ is defined as the end time of “pedestrian blue time”)
However, in pattern 1, the end time tq of the second display 2φ can also be defined as the end time of “pedestrian blue time”. In this case, tq and T2 are as follows.
End time tq = End time of “pedestrian blue time” (= start time of “blue blinking time”)
Time zone T2 = “Pedestrian Blue Time”

By the way, when the central device 4 performs traffic sensitive control such as cycle length control and split control, the time span Ts may change for each cycle. However, in one cycle, the time span is changed. Ts is stored in the storage unit 102 as a fixed time (fixed value).
Therefore, if the time zone T1 of the first indication 1φ is determined based on the “right turn blue time” of the vehicle lamp 2A determined by the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5), which will be described later, T2 = Ts−T1 The time zone T2 indicated by 2φ can be determined, and the “pedestrian blue time” that is the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B can be determined based on the time zone T2.

  Specifically, when the “right turn yellow time” is not included in the first display 1φ, the “right turn blue time” determined in the right turn sensitive control is directly used as the time zone T1, and if included, the right turn sensitive control is performed. The time zone T2 can be calculated by the formula of T2 = Ts−T1, where the value obtained by adding the “right turn yellow time” of the fixed number of seconds to the determined “right turn blue time” is the time zone T1.

When the second display 2φ does not include “left blue remaining time” and “left right yellow time”, the “blue blinking time” is subtracted from the time zone T2 to obtain “pedestrian blue time”. "Time" can be obtained and, if included, by subtracting "Blue blinking time", "Left left blue time" and "Left right yellow time" from the above time zone T2, "Pedestrian blue time" Can be requested.
If the end time tq of the second display 2φ is defined as the end time of the “pedestrian blue time”, the time zone T2 matches the “pedestrian blue time”, so T2 = Ts−T1 The time zone T2 calculated by the above formula may be used as the “pedestrian blue time” as it is.

[Right turn demand judgment processing]
The control unit 101 of the traffic signal controller 1 performs the “right turn demand determination process” shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 prior to or in parallel with the “right turn sensitive control” (FIG. 5) described later. Perform for L1 and L5.
Here, in the case of the ultrasonic vehicle detector 3A, the right turn vehicle can be detected only for a short time because the passage of the vehicle 5 is spot-monitored in a narrow range at a predetermined position of the right turn lane.

Therefore, when the time from when one vehicle 5 passing through the right turn lane is detected by the vehicle sensor 3A to when the subsequent vehicle 5 is detected is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the control unit 101 Considers that the right turn vehicle is in an interrupted state, and determines that the traffic demand (right turn demand) of the right turn vehicle for the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 has been completed.
That is, when the state in which the vehicle detector 3A of the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 does not detect the vehicle 5 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 101 completes the right turn demand on the inflow paths L1 and L5, that is, the right turn Judged that there is no demand.

The predetermined time is referred to as “subsequent determination time Td” (also referred to as “unit extended blue time”), and the subsequent determination time Td is set to 3 seconds, for example.
More specifically, with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit 101 resets the determination timer simultaneously with the start time tp of the first indication 1φ (step ST1). This determination timer includes a time counter for measuring whether or not the current time has passed the subsequent determination time Td.

Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the vehicle detector 3A detects a right turn vehicle (step ST2). If the detection continues (Yes in step ST2), the determination timer is reset. (Step ST1).
That is, the control part 101 repeats said step ST1-ST2 until it stops detecting a right turn vehicle in step ST2.

On the other hand, when vehicle detector 3A does not detect a right turn vehicle (No in step ST2), control unit 101 determines whether or not the determination timer value is equal to or greater than subsequent determination time Td (step ST3).
At this time, if the determination timer value is not equal to or longer than the subsequent determination time Td (No in step ST3), the control unit 101 returns to step ST2 and re-determines whether or not the vehicle detector 3A detects a right turn vehicle. To do.

That is, the control unit 101 repeats the above steps ST2 to ST3 until the determination timer value becomes equal to or longer than the subsequent determination time Td in step ST3.
When the determination timer value is equal to or longer than the subsequent determination time Td (Yes in step ST3), the control unit 101 determines that the traffic demand of the right turn vehicle on the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 is completed (step ST4).

In the above-described determination process, the “successive determination time Td” is set to 3 seconds assuming the ultrasonic vehicle sensor 3A. However, the image-type vehicle sensor whose almost full length of the right turn lane is the monitoring target. In the case of 3B, the “subsequent determination time Td” can be set to approximately zero.
Therefore, in the case of the image-type vehicle sensor 3B, it is possible to determine whether there is a right turn demand in almost real time.

[Right turn sensitive control]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the right turn sensitive control by the control unit 101.
In FIG. 5, the “minimum lighting time Tmin” is fixed in one cycle that is set in advance as a minimum value when the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lighting device 2A in the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 is turned on. It is the lighting time. Further, the “maximum lighting time Tmax” is a lighting time fixed in one cycle that is set in advance as a maximum value when the right turn blue arrow is turned on.

The minimum lighting time Tmin is set to be equal to or longer than the subsequent determination time Td so that the right turn demand determination process (FIG. 4) can appropriately determine the presence or absence of a right turn vehicle.
On the other hand, the maximum lighting time Tmax is determined from the viewpoint of optimizing the traffic volume of the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 in the traffic sensitive control of the central device 4, for example. That is, the control unit 101 sets the maximum lighting time Tmax according to the signal control command from the central device 4. However, as part of the right turn sensitive control performed by the traffic signal controller 1, the maximum lighting time Tmax may be fixed to a predetermined set value.

In the right turn sensitive control shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 101 turns on the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lamp 2 </ b> A until at least the minimum lighting time Tmin has elapsed from the start of turning right turn blue (start time tp in FIG. 3). Continue to turn on the right turn blue arrow light at the earlier of the completion of the right turn demand and the elapse of the maximum lighting time Tmax.
More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, first, the control unit 101 repeatedly determines whether or not the minimum lighting time Tmin has elapsed (step SS1), and waits for the minimum lighting time Tmin to elapse.

When the minimum lighting time Tmin elapses (Yes in step SS1), the control unit 101 acquires the determination result of the right turn demand (result of the determination process in FIG. 4) in the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 (step SS2), and the right turn It is determined whether the demand is completed (step SS3).
As a result of the determination, when the right turn demand is completed (Yes in Step SS3), the control unit 101 extinguishes the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lamp 2A (Step SS5). Conversely, when the right turn demand is not completed (No in Step SS3), the control unit 101 determines whether or not the maximum lighting time Tmax has elapsed (Step SS4).

As a result of the determination, when the maximum lighting time Tmax has not elapsed (No in Step SS4), the control unit 101 returns to Step SS3 and repeats the determination of whether or not the right turn demand is completed.
That is, the control part 101 repeats determination of step SS3 and step SS4 until the right turn demand is completed in step SS3, or until the maximum lighting time Tmax passes in step SS4.

  Then, when the right turn demand is completed (Yes in Step SS3), or when the maximum lighting time Tmax has elapsed (Yes in Step SS4), the control unit 101 controls the vehicle lamps for the specific inflow paths L1 and L5. The 2A right turn blue arrow light is extinguished (step SS5).

Thus, in the right turn sensitive control shown in FIG. 6, the lighting time of the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lamp 2A is ensured to be equal to or longer than the minimum lighting time Tmin regardless of the presence or absence of the right turn demand for the specific inflow channels L1 and L5. Is done.
Further, when there is a right turn demand for the specific inflow channels L1 and L5, the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lamp 2A is turned on when the right turn demand disappears or when the maximum lighting time Tmax has elapsed. It is designed to be censored.

[Set blue hours for pedestrian lamps]
When the right turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lighting device 2A for the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 is cut off by the right turn sensitive control shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 101 performs the cut off from the start time tp of the first display 1φ. The time up to the time is determined as “right turn blue time”, and based on this, the time zone T1 of the first display 1φ is determined.
Specifically, when the first display 1φ does not include the “right turn yellow time”, the control unit 101 sets the determined “right turn blue time” as it is as the time zone T1, and if included, the determination is confirmed. A time period T1 is a time obtained by adding the “right turn yellow time” (fixed number of seconds) to the “right turn blue time”.

  Then, the control unit 101 calculates the time zone T2 assigned to the next second display 2φ by subtracting the determined time zone T1 from the time span Ts that is a constant time in the cycle. That is, the control unit 101 determines the time zone T2 according to the equation T2 = Ts−T1.

Next, the control part 101 determines "pedestrian blue time" which is the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B based on the determined time slot | zone T2.
Specifically, when the second display 2φ does not include “left-hand left blue time” and “left-right yellow time”, the control unit 101 calculates “blue blinking time” from the determined time zone T2. The subtracted value is “pedestrian blue time”, and if included, the value obtained by subtracting “blue flashing time”, “left-hand left blue time” and “left-hand yellow time” from the determined time zone T2 is “ "Pedestrian green time".

When the end time tq of the second display 2φ is defined as the end time of the “pedestrian blue time” and the time zone T2 matches the “pedestrian blue time”, the control unit 101 determines The selected time zone T2 is adopted as “pedestrian blue time” as it is.
Further, the control unit 101 shifts the display to the next third display 3φ after a predetermined all-red time has elapsed from the end time tp of the determined time zone T2.

[Effect of traffic signal controller]
As described above, according to the traffic signal controller 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 101 determines the right turn demand of the specific inflow paths L1 and L5, and performs the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) based on the determined right turn demand. Since the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B to be displayed at the next current display 2φ is calculated using the determined right turn blue time, the right time of the vehicle lamp 2A is determined. When the right turn demand is small (including the case where there is no right turn), the right turn blue time is the minimum lighting time Tmin, and the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B for crossing pedestrians is set longer.

For this reason, according to the traffic situation of the right turn vehicle in specific inflow path L1, L5, the crossing pedestrian can be given to the crossing pedestrian as long as possible without crossing the right turn vehicle.
Further, the traffic signal controller 1 of the present embodiment uses the right turn demand of the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 that can be detected by the vehicle detectors 3A and 3B that are relatively inexpensive general-purpose products that do not require pedestrian detection. And since the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B is determined, there also exists an advantage that it can mount at normal installation cost.

In addition, although the description of the said effect assumes the case where the "specific inflow path" to which attention is paid is the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction, the same effect is also achieved in the inflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction. Can do.
That is, in the traffic signal controller 1 of the present embodiment, the right turn demand determination process (FIG. 4), the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5), and the blue color of the pedestrian lamp 2B for the inflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction. If the time is set, the same effect can be obtained for the inflow channels L3 and L7 in the north-south direction.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the control part 101 has determined the right turn demand of each inflow path L1, L5 of the east-west direction, only the right turn demand of any one inflow path L1 (or L5) of them is determined. Based on the right turn demand of one inflow path L1 (or L5) detected by the vehicle sensors 3A, 3B, right turn demand determination processing (FIG. 4), right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5), and pedestrian lamp 2B The blue time may be set. The same applies to the inflow channels L3 and L7 in the north-south direction.

[Modified example of present method (Pattern 2)]
FIG. 6 is a transition diagram showing the transition of the current display included in one cycle in the current pattern 2 display system, which is a modification of the current display system.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 of the traffic signal controller 1 can adopt the presenting method of pattern 2 shown in FIG. 6 instead of the presenting method of pattern 1 shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 101 performs the right turn demand determination process (FIG. 4), the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) and the blue time setting of the pedestrian lamp 2B.

In the present method of pattern 2 shown in FIG. 6, the following four presents from the first display 1φ to the fourth display 4φ are sequentially repeated in one cycle.
1st sign 1φ: right-turn exclusive sign that gives right to turn in the east-west inflow paths L1 and L5 2nd sign 2φ: right to go straight and left in the east-west inflow paths L1, L5 Bi-directional display to give pedestrians the right to pass and crossing pedestrians on the crossing roads of the inflow paths L1 and L5

3rd indication 3φ: right turn exclusive indication that gives right to turn in the north-south inflow channels L3, L7 4th indication 4φ: right to go straight and left in the north-south inflow channels L3, L7 Bi-directional indication to give pedestrians the right of passage to the crossing pedestrians of the inflow paths L3 and L7

As described above, in the present method of pattern 2, in the inflow channels L1 and L5 in the east-west direction, only the right-of-turn right is put forward at the first display 1φ, and the straight and left turn directions at the second display 2φ. And the right to pass is given to crossing pedestrians.
Therefore, the present method of pattern 2 is the crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the time zone (first display 1φ) for giving right to the right turn vehicle of the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction. This is a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation system” that separates from a time zone (second display 2φ) for giving the right to pass.

Further, in the present method of pattern 2, in the inflow channels L3 and L7 in the north-south direction, only the right of right-turn direction is advanced at the third display 3φ, and the straight and left turn directions are crossed at the fourth display 4φ. Pedestrians are given access.
Therefore, the present method of pattern 2 is the crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L3 and L7 during the time zone (third display 3φ) for giving right to the right turn vehicle of the outflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction. This is a kind of “right-turn vehicle separation system” pedestrian separation control that is separated from the time zone (fourth display 4φ) that gives the right of traffic to the person.

[Effect of adopting pattern 2]
As described above, the display method of pattern 2 is a walking after the first display 1φ (time zone T1) including the right turn green time of the vehicle lamp 2A that displays the presence / absence of the right of passage of the specific inflow channels L1 and L5. The second display 2φ (time zone T2) including the blue time of the person lamp 2B is common to the case of the pattern 1, and the control unit 101 adopts such a display method, and then described above. Right turn demand determination processing (FIG. 4), right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) and blue time setting of the pedestrian lamp 2B.

  Therefore, even when the pattern 2 display method is adopted, the same effect as in the case of the pattern 1 described above, that is, the time zone in which the right-turning vehicle is given to the right turn vehicle on the specific inflow paths L1 and L5, When performing right-wheel vehicle separation type pedestrian separation control that separates from the time zone that gives pedestrians the right to pass, it is possible to give crossing pedestrians the longest possible travel time without significantly increasing the equipment cost. There is an effect.

On the other hand, assuming that the inflow path L1 is a "specific inflow path" and the inflow path L5 opposite to the inflow path L5 is an "opposite inflow path", the pattern 1 shown in FIG. Since the right of passage is given not only in the right turn direction but also in the straight and left turn directions, if the amount of traffic of the straight traveling vehicle on the opposite inflow path L5 is large, the straight traveling vehicle prevents the right turn vehicle from traveling on the specific inflow path L1.
Accordingly, the right turn demand of the specific inflow path L1 is not completely lost depending on the time zone, and the right turn blue time of the specific inflow path L1 is always set to the maximum lighting time Tmax in the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5). You may not be able to give a long transit time.

On the other hand, if the display method of the pattern 2 shown in FIG. 6 is adopted, the first display 1φ is a right turn exclusive display that gives a right of passage only in the right turn direction of the specific inflow path L1. A right-turn vehicle on the specific inflow path L1 can be reliably hit without being obstructed by a straight-ahead vehicle on the opposite inflow path L5.
For this reason, when the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) is executed, the right turn demand of the specific inflow path L1 increases or decreases regardless of the traffic amount of the opposite inflow path L5, and therefore the right turn demand of the specific inflow path L1 is small. The right turn green time can be set to be as short as possible, and the longest possible travel time can be given to crossing pedestrians.

[Other variations of the present method (Pattern 3)]
FIG. 7 is a transition diagram showing the transition of the current display included in one cycle in the current pattern 3 display system, which is another modification of the current display system.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 of the traffic signal controller 1 can adopt the presenting method of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 7 instead of the presenting method of pattern 1 shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 101 performs the right turn demand determination process (FIG. 4), the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) and the blue time setting of the pedestrian lamp 2B.

In the present method of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 7, the following six presents from the first present display 1φ to the sixth present display 6φ are sequentially repeated in one cycle.
1st sign 1φ: right-turn exclusive sign that gives right to turn in the east-west inflow paths L1 and L5 2nd sign 2φ: right to go straight and left in the east-west inflow paths L1, L5 3rd display 3φ: Gives right to pass in the straight direction for the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction and gives right to the crossing pedestrians on the crossing road of the inflow paths L1 and L5 Bidirectional display

4th indication 4φ: right turn exclusive indication that gives right to turn in the north-south inflow channels L3, L7 5th indication 5φ: right to go straight and left in the north-south inflow channels L3, L7 6th indication 6φ: Give the right to pass in the straight direction for the inflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction, and give the right to the crossing pedestrian on the crossing road of the inflow paths L3 and L7 Bidirectional display

As described above, in the present method of pattern 3, in the inflow channels L1 and L5 in the east-west direction, only the right of right-turn direction is advanced in the first display 1φ, and then straight in the second display 2φ. The right to pass is given in the left turn direction, and the right to go straight and crossing pedestrians are given in the third display 3φ after that.
Therefore, the present method of pattern 3 is the crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the time zone (first display 1φ) for giving right to the right turn vehicle of the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction. This is a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation system” that is separated from the time zone (third display 3φ) for giving the right of traffic to the person.

  In addition, the present method of pattern 3 is a crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L1 and L5 during the time zone (second display 1φ) for giving right to the left turn vehicle of the inflow paths L1 and L5 in the east-west direction. It is also a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “left turn vehicle separation method” that is separated from the time zone (third display 3φ) for giving the right to pass.

Furthermore, in the present method of pattern 3, in the inflow channels L3 and L7 in the north-south direction, only the right-handed right-of-way right is put forward at the fourth present 4φ, and then the straight forward and left turn directions at the fifth present 4φ The right to pass is given to the pedestrian, and the right to go straight and crossing pedestrians are given at the sixth display 6φ thereafter.
Therefore, the present method of pattern 3 is the crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L3 and L7 in the time zone (fourth display 4φ) for giving right to the right turn vehicle of the outflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction. This is a type of pedestrian separation control of the “right turn vehicle separation method” that separates from the time zone (sixth display 6φ) that gives the right of traffic to the person.

  In addition, the present method of pattern 3 is a crosswalk of the road intersecting with the inflow paths L1 and L5 during the time zone (fifth display 5φ) for giving right to the left turn vehicle of the outflow paths L3 and L7 in the north-south direction It is also a kind of pedestrian separation control of the “left turn vehicle separation method” that separates from a time zone (sixth display 6φ) that gives the right of traffic to the person.

[Effect of adopting pattern 3]
Thus, the pattern 3 display method shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the pattern 2 shown in FIG. 6 in that the right turn indication (1φ, 4φ) is advanced, but in the left turn direction in addition to the right turn direction. It is different from the pattern 2 shown in FIG. 6 in that the pedestrian and traffic are separated.
Therefore, if the pattern 3 presenting method is adopted, the same effect as the traffic signal controller 1 employing the pattern 2 (FIG. 6) presenting method is obtained, and the left turn vehicle is separated from the pedestrian. The vehicle 5 flowing into the intersection IS and the crossing pedestrian can be separated more reliably.

In the present method of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 7, the first present 1φ (time zone T1) including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp 2A, and the third present 3φ (including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B) ( Between the time zone T3), the second display 2φ (time zone T2) including the left turn green time of the vehicle lamp 2A is interposed.
Therefore, in order to calculate the blue time (pedestrian blue time) of the pedestrian lamp 2B included in the third display 3φ, in addition to the time span Ts and the right turn blue time included in the first display 1φ, Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account the left turn green time included in the second display 2φ. Hereinafter, the calculation method will be described.

First, in FIG. 7, “T1” indicates the time zone of the first display 1φ, “T2” indicates the time zone of the second display 2φ, and “T3” indicates the time zone of the third display 3φ. “Tp” is the start time of the first display 1φ, “tm” is the end time thereof (also the start time of the second display 2φ), and “tn” is the end time of the second display 2φ (the third current display). This is also the start time of the display 3φ.) “Tq” indicates the end time of the third display 3φ.
In FIG. 7, “Ts” indicates a “time span” from the start time tp of the first display 1φ to the end time tq of the third display 3φ. Therefore, a relationship of Ts = T1 + T2 + T3 is established between the time span Ts and the time zones T1 to T3.

  Here, as in the case of the above-described pattern 1 (FIG. 3), end times tm, tn, tq and time zones T1 to T3 due to differences in lighting methods of the lamps 2A and 2B in the respective indications 1φ to 3φ. The variations are summarized as follows.

(First display 1φ)
If there is no “right turn yellow time”:
End time tm = End time of “Right turn blue time” Time zone T1 = “Right turn blue time”
If there is a “right turn yellow time”:
End time tm = End time of “Right turn yellow time” Time zone T1 = “Right turn blue time” + “Right turn yellow time”

(Second display 2φ)
If there is no “left turn yellow time”:
End time tn = End time of “left turn blue time” Time zone T2 = “Left turn blue time”
If there is a “left turn yellow time”:
End time tn = End time of “left turn yellow time” Time zone T2 = “left turn blue time” + “left turn yellow time”

(3rd display 3φ)
If there is no “straight ahead blue time” and “straight yellow time”:
End time tq = End time of “blue flashing time” Time zone T3 = “Pedestrian blue time” + “Blue flashing time”
When there is “straight blue time” and “straight yellow time”:
End time tq = End time of “straight yellow time” Time zone T3 = “Pedestrian blue time” + “Blue blinking time” + “Remaining straight blue time”
+ "Straight yellow time"

In the above formula, “left turn yellow time” refers to the yellow time for a left turn vehicle to be issued after the left turn arrow.
Also, “straight ahead blue time” means the blue time in the straight direction that overlaps with the pedestrian red time, and “straight yellow time” means the yellow time in the straight direction that overlaps with the pedestrian red time. Say.

(When the end time tq of the third display 3φ is defined as the end time of “pedestrian blue time”)
However, in the pattern 3, the end time tq of the third display 3φ can be defined as the end time of the “pedestrian blue time”. In this case, tq and T3 are as follows.
End time tq = End time of “pedestrian blue time” (= start time of “blue blinking time”)
Time zone T3 = “Pedestrian Blue Time”

  If the “left turn blue time” included in the second display 2φ is a fixed time of a fixed value stored in the storage unit 102 in advance, the time zone T2 of the second display 2φ is also a fixed value. Therefore, if the time zone T1 of the first indication 1φ is determined based on the “right turn blue time” of the vehicle lamp 2A determined by the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5), T3 = Ts−T1−T2 3 The time zone T3 of the present 3φ can be determined, and the “pedestrian blue time” that is the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B can be determined based on the time zone T3.

If the third indication 3φ does not include “straight ahead blue time” and “straight yellow time”, the “pedestrian blue time” is obtained by subtracting “blue blinking time” from the time zone T3. If it is included, subtract “blue blinking time”, “straight straight blue time” and “straight yellow time” from the above time zone T3 to obtain “pedestrian blue time” Can do.
When the end time tq of the third display 3φ is defined as the end time of “pedestrian blue time”, the time zone T3 coincides with “pedestrian blue time”, so T3 = Ts−T1 The time zone T3 calculated by the equation of −T2 may be used as “pedestrian blue time” as it is.

In the case of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 7, when the time zone T1 ends at the end time tm determined by the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5), the control unit 101 gives the right to travel in the straight and left turn directions. The display is shifted to display 2φ.
Thereafter, the control unit 101 turns off the left turn blue arrow light of the vehicle lamp 2A when a time period T2 (a left turn blue time or a time obtained by adding a left turn yellow time) elapses and the end time tn is reached. Turn on the light and move the display to the third display 3φ which gives the right of passage to the pedestrian in the straight direction.

In addition, in the case of adopting the pattern 3 display method shown in FIG. 7, if a left turn dedicated lane is provided in the specific inflow paths L1 and L5, vehicle traffic to the left turn dedicated lane of the specific inflow paths L1 and L5 is detected. In order to do so, the vehicle detectors 3A and 3B described above may be installed.
In this case, if the control unit 101 determines the left turn demand from the measurement information of the vehicle detectors 3A and 3B and obtains the left turn blue time corresponding to the left turn demand, the left turn demand in the specific inflow channels L1 and L5 When there is little (including the case where there is no), the left turn blue time included in the second display 2φ is shortened, and the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B assigned to the third display 3φ can be set longer. Become.

  Therefore, in addition to the traffic situation of the right turn vehicle, the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B can be set according to the traffic situation of the left turn vehicle, and crossing the longest possible transit time without crossing with the right turn vehicle and the left turn vehicle. Can be given to pedestrians.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a road plan view showing a traffic signal control system including a traffic signal controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The system of the second embodiment (FIG. 8) is different from the system of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in that a roadside communication device 7 capable of ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) wireless communication is installed at the intersection IS. This roadside communication device 7 and an in-vehicle device (not shown) mounted on each vehicle 5 are capable of radio wave communication in a predetermined communication area A.

In the example of FIG. 8, the roadside communication device 7 can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle-mounted device of the vehicle 5 in the communication area A that passes through the inflow channel L1 and the outflow channel L8, and the vehicle ID, current position, speed, Travel information (also referred to as probe information) including the travel direction and winker operation is received from the in-vehicle device of each vehicle 5 almost in real time.
Although omitted in FIG. 8, a roadside communication device that wirelessly communicates with the vehicle 5 passing through the other inflow paths L3, L5, L7 and the outflow paths L2, L4, L6 is also installed at the intersection IS. .

The communication unit 103 of the traffic signal controller 1 is connected to the roadside communication device 7 via a communication line, and transfers the probe information of each vehicle 5 received by the roadside communication device 7 to the control unit 101.
Based on the probe information obtained from the communication unit 103, the control unit 101 determines the traffic demand for each lane of the vehicle 5 passing through the inflow paths L1, L3, L5, and L7, and the destinations in the outflow paths L2, L4, L6, and L8. Whether clogging has occurred can be determined.

Further, the control unit 101 can perform the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) in the inflow channels L1, L3, L5, and L7 based on the right turn demand and the clogging information determined from the probe information, and this right turn sensitive control. The blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B is calculated using the right turn blue time determined in step 1.
Therefore, if probe information obtained by wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device is used, the pedestrian separation control according to the present invention can be performed without installing the vehicle detectors 3A and 3B in the right turn lane as shown in FIG. A traffic signal control method can be implemented.

  Further, if the above probe information is used, not only the right turn demand but also the left turn demand can be determined. Therefore, when the present method of pattern 3 shown in FIG. 7 is adopted, the vehicle detectors 3A and 3B are installed in the left turn lane. Even if not, the left turn green time of the vehicle lamp 2A allocated to the second display 2φ can be determined.

[Other variations]
The embodiments disclosed herein (including the above-described modifications) are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of right of the present invention is not the embodiment described above, but includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the scope of claims and the configuration thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 of the traffic signal controller 1 performs the right turn sensitive control (FIG. 5) and the blue time setting of the pedestrian lamp 2B. It may be determined by the control unit.
That is, the central device 4 executes these control processes to calculate the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp 2A and the blue time of the pedestrian lamp 2B, and the traffic signal control is performed on the “step command” based on the calculation result. You may decide to transmit to the machine 1.

1: Traffic signal controller (traffic signal control device) 2: Signal lamp 2A: Vehicle lamp 2B: Pedestrian lamp 3: Roadside sensor 3A: Vehicle sensor 3B: Vehicle sensor 4: Central device 5: Vehicle 6: Crosswalk 7: Roadside communication device 101: Control unit (determination unit, time setting unit) 102: Storage unit 103: Communication unit 104: Lamp drive unit IS: Intersection

Claims (5)

A right-turn vehicle separation system that separates a time zone in which right-turning vehicles are allowed to pass through a specific inflow path at an intersection from a time zone in which right-of-way pedestrians are allowed to cross the road that crosses the specific inflow path at the intersection. A traffic signal control device that performs pedestrian separation control,
A determination unit for determining a right turn demand in the specific inflow path;
In response to the determined right turn demand, a time setting unit that determines a blue hour of a pedestrian lamp that displays the presence or absence of the right of passage of the crossing pedestrian, and
The time setting unit has a display method for displaying a display including a blue time of the pedestrian lamp after a display including a right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp indicating the presence / absence of right of passage on the specific inflow path. Adopted
Determine the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp based on the determined right turn demand, determine the blue time of the pedestrian lamp based on the determined right turn blue time,
The time setting unit sets the time span from the start time of the display including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp to the end time of the display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp as a certain time. Determine the blue hour of the vessel,
In the case of the intersection that adopts the presenting method in which the second present in (e) and the third present in (f) are sequentially performed after the first present in (c),
The time setting unit includes a right turn green time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (c) as a subtraction value from the time span, and the vehicle assigned to the second display of (e). A traffic signal control apparatus for calculating a blue time of a pedestrian lamp assigned to the third display of (f) by performing subtraction including a left turn blue time of a lamp .
(C) The first indication that gives the right of traffic in the right turn direction of the specified inflow channel
(E) The second indication that gives the right of traffic in the straight direction and left turn direction of the specified inflow channel
(F) The 3rd indication which gives the right of passage to the pedestrian who crosses straight and the specific inflow path A right-turn vehicle separation system that separates a time zone in which right-turning vehicles are allowed to pass through a specific inflow path at an intersection from a time zone in which right-of-way pedestrians are allowed to cross the road that crosses the specific inflow path at the intersection. A traffic signal control device that performs pedestrian separation control,
A determination unit for determining a right turn demand in the specific inflow path;
In response to the determined right turn demand, a time setting unit that determines a blue hour of a pedestrian lamp that displays the presence or absence of the right of passage of the crossing pedestrian, and
The time setting unit has a display method for displaying a display including a blue time of the pedestrian lamp after a display including a right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp indicating the presence / absence of right of passage on the specific inflow path. Adopted
Determine the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp based on the determined right turn demand, determine the blue time of the pedestrian lamp based on the determined right turn blue time,
The time setting unit sets the time span from the start time of the display including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp to the end time of the display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp as a certain time. Determine the blue hour of the vessel,
In the case of the intersection which adopts the presenting method in which the second present in the next (b) is given after the first present in the next (a),
The time setting unit performs a subtraction including a right turn green time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (a) as a subtraction value from the time span, thereby obtaining a second current of (b). A traffic signal control device for calculating a green time of the pedestrian lamp assigned to the display .
(A) The first indication that gives right of traffic in the direction of straight line, left turn and right turn on the specified inflow channel
(B) The second sign that gives the right of passage to the pedestrians who go straight and turn left on the specified inflow path The determination unit can determine a left turn demand in the specific inflow path,
2. The traffic signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the time setting unit determines a left turn blue time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the second display of (e) in response to the determined left turn demand. A right-turn vehicle separation system that separates a time zone in which right-turning vehicles are allowed to pass through a specific inflow path at an intersection from a time zone in which right-of-way pedestrians are allowed to cross the road that crosses the specific inflow path at the intersection. A traffic signal control method executed by a traffic signal control device that performs pedestrian separation control,
A determination unit of the traffic signal control device, a first step of determining a right turn demand in the specific inflow path;
Time setting unit of the traffic signal controller, in response to the determined said right turn demand, a second step of determining the green time of the pedestrian lamp device for displaying the presence or absence of right of way of the transverse pedestrian, the and Nde including,
The time setting unit has a display method for displaying a display including a blue time of the pedestrian lamp after a display including a right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp indicating the presence / absence of right of passage on the specific inflow path. Adopted
Determine the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp based on the determined right turn demand, determine the blue time of the pedestrian lamp based on the determined right turn blue time,
The time setting unit sets the time span from the start time of the display including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp to the end time of the display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp as a certain time. Determine the blue hour of the vessel,
In the case of the intersection which adopts the presenting method in which the second present in (e) and the third present in (f) are sequentially performed after the first present in (c), In step 2,
The time setting unit includes a right turn green time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (c) as a subtraction value from the time span, and the vehicle assigned to the second display of (e). A traffic signal control method, comprising: calculating a blue time of a pedestrian lamp assigned to the third display of (f) by performing subtraction including a left turn blue time of a lamp .
(C) The first indication that gives the right of traffic in the right turn direction of the specified inflow channel
(E) The second indication that gives the right of traffic in the straight direction and left turn direction of the specified inflow channel
(F) The 3rd indication which gives the right of passage to the pedestrian who crosses straight and the specific inflow path A right-turn vehicle separation system that separates a time zone in which right-turning vehicles are allowed to pass through a specific inflow path at an intersection from a time zone in which right-of-way pedestrians are allowed to cross the road that crosses the specific inflow path at the intersection. A traffic signal control method executed by a traffic signal control device that performs pedestrian separation control,
A determination unit of the traffic signal control device, a first step of determining a right turn demand in the specific inflow path;
Time setting unit of the traffic signal controller, in response to the determined said right turn demand, a second step of determining the green time of the pedestrian lamp device for displaying the presence or absence of right of way of the transverse pedestrian, the and Nde including,
The time setting unit has a display method for displaying a display including a blue time of the pedestrian lamp after a display including a right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp indicating the presence / absence of right of passage on the specific inflow path. Adopted
Determine the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp based on the determined right turn demand, determine the blue time of the pedestrian lamp based on the determined right turn blue time,
The time setting unit sets the time span from the start time of the display including the right turn blue time of the vehicle lamp to the end time of the display including the blue time of the pedestrian lamp as a certain time. Determine the blue hour of the vessel,
In the case of the intersection that adopts the presenting method of issuing the second present of the next (b) after the first present of the next (a), in the second step,
The time setting unit performs a subtraction including a right turn green time of the vehicle lamp assigned to the first display of (a) as a subtraction value from the time span, thereby obtaining a second current of (b). A traffic signal control method, comprising: calculating a green time of the pedestrian lamp assigned to the display .
(A) The first indication that gives right of traffic in the direction of straight line, left turn and right turn on the specified inflow channel
(B) The second indication that gives the right of passage to the pedestrians who go straight and turn left on the specified inflow path and crossing pedestrians

Images