JP7126148B2 - Controller and signal control system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to control devices and signal control systems.

Based on the image, a detection unit that detects the traffic volume, and the display state of the signal display unit attached to the traffic signal is detected by the first traffic volume detected by the detection unit and the second traffic volume detected by the detection unit. A traffic signal control device including a display control unit that switches according to a ratio or a difference is disclosed (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2017-84397 A

There is a demand for more efficient infrastructure systems including multiple traffic lights by appropriately switching the signals of multiple traffic lights.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device and a signal control system that can improve the efficiency of an infrastructure system.

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided on a first road and self-controlled around a plurality of traffic lights arranged at an intersection where a first road and a second road intersect. an acquisition unit for acquiring position information indicating positions of one or more moving bodies that transmit position information of the aircraft and one or more moving bodies that exist on the second road and transmit position information of the aircraft; Based on the position information of each of the one or more moving bodies on the first road and the position information of each of the one or more moving bodies on the second road, the plurality of moving bodies corresponding to the first road Signals indicated by the plurality of traffic lights so as to shorten a stop period during which at least one moving object is stopped by one of the traffic lights and one of the plurality of traffic lights corresponding to the second road. and a signal control unit that performs control for switching between the two, and the signal control unit calculates the running speed and acceleration of each of the one or more moving bodies based on the position information of each of the one or more moving bodies. , based on the calculated running speed and acceleration, calculating the arrival time of the moving object that will be positioned within a predetermined range from one of the plurality of traffic lights, and based on the calculated arrival time, generating and outputting a control command that determines the timing of switching signals indicated by a plurality of traffic lights, and detecting that one or more moving bodies whose movements are restricted by the plurality of traffic lights exist on the first road; ratio of the number of moving bodies existing on the first road to the number of moving bodies existing on the second road when the number of moving bodies existing on the second road is larger than the number of moving bodies existing on the second road Alternatively, the specified period is set longer as the magnitude of the difference increases, and the green light lighting period of the traffic light that is lit for the first road is extended by the specified period set, and the moving object existing on the second road is extended. When the number of mobile objects is greater than the number of mobile objects on the first road, the ratio or difference between the number of mobile objects on the second road and the number of mobile objects on the first road is large. The longer the specified period is set as the value increases, and the green light lighting period of the traffic light for the second road is extended by the set specified period .

To achieve the above object, a signal control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device and a plurality of traffic lights.

According to the control device and the signal control system of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the infrastructure system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a signal control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating operations of a plurality of traffic lights in the signal control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the signal control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a period for switching signals of a traffic light according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a traffic light according to a modification.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below is a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in independent claims representing the highest concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional constituent elements.

Each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Therefore, for example, scales and the like do not necessarily match in each drawing. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about the substantially same structure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a signal control system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal control system 1 according to the embodiment.

First, a control device 50 and a signal control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

The signal control system 1 is a system capable of controlling lighting modes of a plurality of traffic signals 3 installed on a road. The signal control system 1 includes a plurality of traffic lights 3 and a control device 50 .

Each traffic light 3 restricts the movement of the mobile body 10 traveling on the road by switching red, yellow, and green lights at regular time intervals. Each traffic light 3 is installed on the road and identified by identification information. The mobile object 10 is, for example, a person, a motor vehicle, a vehicle such as a motorcycle, or a vehicle with an assist function such as an electric bicycle. The moving object 10 may be any object that moves.

Each traffic light 3 has a communication section 39 and a signal display section 37, respectively. Each traffic light 3 has the same configuration. Unless otherwise specified, one traffic light 3 will be described.

The communication unit 39 is a wireless module capable of communicating with the control device 50 . The communication unit 39 acquires control commands from the control device 50 and outputs the acquired control commands to the signal display unit 37 .

The signal display section 37 includes a first light emitting section, a second light emitting section, and a third light emitting section. This first light emitting part lights up in blue (or green), indicating that it is "progress possible" when lit. A 1st light emission part lights with a green light. The second light-emitting part lights up in yellow, and when lit, indicates that "Stop at the stop position. However, if it does not stop at the stop position, you may proceed as it is". The second light emitting unit lights up with a yellow light. The third light-emitting part lights up in red, indicating that "progress is not possible" when lit. The third light-emitting portion lights up with a red light. The first light emitting portion is an LED element that emits blue light (green light), the second light emitting portion is an LED element that emits yellow light, and the third light emitting portion is an LED element that emits red light.

Based on the control command acquired from the communication unit 39, the signal display unit 37 lights up with a red signal, a yellow signal, and a green signal for each predetermined period. The period during which each of the red light, the yellow light, and the green light is lit may be the same, or may be different.

The control device 50 is a device that controls the lighting modes of the red, yellow, and green signals displayed by the traffic signal 3, and can simultaneously control the signals that the respective traffic signals 3 turn on. Note that the control device 50 may be installed in a server that manages a plurality of traffic lights 3 .

The control device 50 has an acquisition unit 53 and a signal control unit 55 .

The acquisition unit 53 acquires position information indicating the positions of one or more moving bodies 10 existing around the plurality of traffic lights 3 . The acquisition unit 53 is, for example, a communication module or the like that can be connected to a network. Specifically, the acquisition unit 53 acquires, via a network, position information indicating the current position of each of a terminal device possessed by a person, a vehicle, and the like. The acquisition unit 53 outputs each acquired position information to the signal control unit 55 .

Note that the acquisition unit 53 is not limited to a communication module, and may be an obstacle detection sensor that detects the position of the moving body 10, for example. The obstacle detection sensor may be of any type, such as an optical type or an ultrasonic type, as long as it can detect the position of the moving body 10 .

In the present embodiment, the control device 50 identifies each moving object based on each position information, but identification information for identifying each terminal device and each vehicle is added to the position information. may have been Thereby, the positions of each terminal device and each vehicle can be specified.

Based on the position information of each of the one or more moving bodies 10, the signal control unit 55 causes the plurality of traffic lights 3 to shorten the stop period during which at least one moving body 10 is stopped by the plurality of traffic lights 3. It controls the switching of signals. Hereinafter, switching of signals indicated by a plurality of traffic lights 3 by the signal control unit 55 will be described with an example.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating operations of the plurality of traffic lights 3 in the signal control system 1 according to the embodiment.

First, assume that a plurality of traffic lights 3 are arranged at an intersection where a first road and a second road intersect. A first traffic light 3a, which is one of the plurality of traffic lights 3, restricts movement of the mobile body 10 on the first road and displays a red light, a yellow light, and a green light to the mobile body 10 traveling on the first road. A second traffic light 3b, which is one of the plurality of traffic lights 3, restricts the movement of the mobile body 10 on the second road, and displays a red light, a yellow light, and a green light to the mobile body 10 traveling on the second road. do. The first traffic light 3a and the second traffic light 3b have the same configuration.

FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing a case where a plurality of electric bicycles are running on the first road and no mobile object 10 exists on the second road. As shown in (a) of FIG. 3 , the signal control unit 55 acquires position information of the electric bicycle from the electric bicycle via the acquisition unit 53 . When the first traffic light 3a is lit in red and the second traffic light 3b is lit in green, and the position indicated by the position information of the electric bicycle is located within a predetermined range from the first traffic light 3a, the signal The control unit 55 shortens the lighting period of the green light during which the first traffic light 3a is lit (hereinafter referred to as the first period) by a first specified period, and shortens the lighting period of the red light during which the second traffic light 3b is lit (hereinafter referred to as the first period). 1 period) shall be shortened by the first prescribed period. Then, the signal control unit 55 transmits a control command for switching the signal from red to green to the first traffic light 3a, and transmits a control command for switching the signal on which the second traffic light 3b is lit from green to red to the second traffic light 3b. Send. As a result, the signal display unit 37 of the first traffic light 3a switches from red to green and lights up, and the signal display unit 37 of the second traffic light 3b switches from green to red and lights up.

In addition, the signal control unit 55 calculates the running speed and acceleration of the mobile object 10 based on the position information of each of the one or more mobile objects 10 . Then, the signal control unit 55 calculates the arrival time of the corresponding moving body 10 to the traffic signal based on the calculated running speed and acceleration. The signal control unit 55 generates a control command that determines the timing of switching the signals of the plurality of traffic lights 3 based on the calculated arrival times, and transmits the control command to the plurality of traffic lights 3 .

Accordingly, by switching the signal of the first traffic light 3a from red to green on the second road, the electric bicycle can smoothly travel on the first road.

In the case of (a) of FIG. 3, when the mobile object 10 does not exist on the second road, the first traffic light 3a is turned green to allow the mobile object existing on the first road to pass. Subsequently, the second traffic light 3b continues to be lit red.

The first period referred to here is a lighting period in a standard state in which the first traffic light 3a is turned on with a green signal. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first period during which the first traffic light 3a is lit in green is the same as the period during which the second traffic light 3b is lit in red.

As another example, (b) of FIG. 3 shows a case where a plurality of cars are running on the first road and one electric bicycle is running on the second road. As shown in (b) of FIG. 3 , the signal control unit 55 acquires position information from each of the electric bicycle and the plurality of automobiles from the acquisition unit 53 . Based on the acquired position information, the signal control unit 55 determines that there are a plurality of automobiles (mobile bodies 10) on the first road and the number of electric bicycles (an example of mobile bodies) on the second road. is recognized as one unit.

When there are a plurality of moving bodies 10 whose movement is restricted by a first traffic light 3a and a second traffic light 3b (an example of a plurality of traffic lights 3), the number of moving bodies 10 existing on the first road is It is larger than the number of moving bodies 10 existing on two roads. Therefore, the signal control unit 55 makes the first period during which the first traffic light 3a turns on the green light for the first road longer than the green lighting period during which the second traffic light 3b turns on for the second road. A control command is transmitted to the first traffic light 3a. Further, the signal control unit 55 makes the first period during which the second traffic light 3b turns on the red signal for the second road longer than the red lighting period during which the first traffic light 3a turns on the first road. The received control command is transmitted to the second traffic light 3b.

As a result, the control device 50 turns on the first traffic light 3a in a green signal during a second period extended from the first period by the specified period, and turns the second traffic light 3b on in a red signal during a second period extended by the specified period from the first period. Turn on the signal.

In this way, the signal control unit 55 changes the lighting period of the green signal and the red signal that the signal display units 37 of the first traffic light 3a and the second traffic light 3b turn on depending on the congestion situation of the road due to the mobile body 10. . In this case, it becomes possible to alleviate congestion caused by a plurality of vehicles existing on the first road.

As another example, in (c) of FIG. 3, the signal of the first traffic light 3a is a red light, the signal of the second traffic light 3b is a green light, one car is running on the first road, and A case is shown in which a plurality of electric bicycles are running on the second road.

As shown in (c) of FIG. 3, when each traffic light 3 performs control to switch the signal, the signal control unit 55 maintains the switched signal for a predetermined period. Specifically, when the signal of the first traffic light 3a switches from red to green and the signal of the second traffic light 3b switches from green to red, each signal display unit 37 displays the switched first traffic light 3a and second traffic light. 2 The signal of the traffic light 3b is maintained for a predetermined period. In other words, the signal control unit 55 maintains the green signal for the first traffic light 3a for a predetermined period and the red signal for the second traffic light 3b for the predetermined period after the signal is switched. The predetermined period is a period shorter than both the first period and the second period.

This is because, in this example, the number of mobile bodies 10 traveling on the second road is greater than the number of mobile bodies 10 traveling on the first road, so the first traffic light 3a turns green. The period may be shortened, and the first period in which the second traffic light 3b is turned on with a red light may be shortened. In this case, the first traffic light 3a is switched from green to red in a period shorter than the first period, and there is a risk that a vehicle traveling on the first road may enter the intersection. In this case, there is a risk of colliding with the electric bicycle traveling on the second road when the second traffic light 3b is switched to green. For this reason, the signal control unit 55 does not switch the signals until a predetermined period elapses after the first signal 3a and the second signal 3b switch the signals.

A terminal device possessed by a person, a motor vehicle, a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and a vehicle with an assist function such as an electric bicycle each have a position information acquisition unit 11a and a communication unit 11b. The position information acquisition unit 11 a acquires position information indicating its own position using a GPS (Global Position System), and transmits the acquired position information to the traffic light 3 via the control device 50 . The communication unit 11 b is a communication module capable of communicating with the control device 50 .

[motion]
Operation of the signal control system 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the signal control system 1 according to the embodiment. Here, it is assumed that there are a first road and a second road.

First, the control device 50 acquires the position information of each moving body 10 (S11). Specifically, the control device 50 acquires the position information of the terminal device possessed by the user, the position information of the electric bicycle, the position information of the automobile, and the like. The signal control unit 55 of the control device 50 acquires each position information via the acquisition unit 53 . Each piece of position information includes identification information for identifying an individual, and the signal control unit 55 can identify the moving object 10 such as a terminal device, an electric bicycle, and an automobile.

Next, the signal control unit 55 calculates the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road and the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road based on the acquired position information. The signal control unit 55 determines whether or not the number of mobile bodies 10 present on the first road is greater than the number of mobile bodies 10 present on the second road (S12).

When the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road is greater than the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road (YES in S12), as shown in FIG. 3B, the signal control unit 55 The green light lighting period (first period) during which the first traffic light 3a is lit is extended by a prescribed period, and the red light lighting period (first period) during which the second traffic light 3b is lit is extended by a prescribed period (S13). The signal control unit 55 causes the first traffic light 3a to turn on the green signal in the second period, and the second traffic light 3b to turn on the red signal in the second period.

The prescribed period may be a value fixed in advance, or a value calculated from the ratio or difference between the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road and the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road. For example, the larger the ratio or difference between the number of mobile bodies 10 on the first road to the number of mobile bodies 10 on the second road, the longer the prescribed period.

Next, the first traffic light 3a switches from the green signal to the red signal after the second period of the green signal extended in step S13 has elapsed. Further, the second traffic light 3b switches from the red signal to the green signal after the second period of the red signal extended in step S13 has passed (S14). Then, the control device 50 ends this process and returns to the start.

When the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road is less than the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road (NO in S12), the signal control unit 55 controls the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road. It is determined whether or not the number is the same as the number of mobile bodies 10 present on the second road (S15).

If the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road is not the same as the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road (NO in S15), the signal control unit 55 turns on the green signal that turns on the second traffic light 3b. The period (first period) is extended by a specified period, and the lighting period (first period) of the red light in which the first traffic light 3a is lit is extended by a specified period (S16).

Next, the second traffic light 3b switches from the green signal to the red signal after the second period of the green signal extended in step S16 has passed. Further, the signal display unit 37 of the first traffic light 3a switches from the red signal to the green signal after the second period of the red signal extended in step S16 has passed (S14). Then, the control device 50 ends this process and returns to the start.

If the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road is the same as the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road (YES in S15), the signal control unit 55 performs the second The signal of the first traffic light 3a is switched from one to the other, and the signal of the second traffic light 3b is switched from the other to one (S17). Then, the control device 50 ends this process and returns to the start.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a period for switching the signal of the traffic light 3 according to the embodiment.

First, when the signal display unit 37 switches the signal, the signal control unit 55 determines whether or not a predetermined period has passed since the last time the signal was switched (S21).

If a predetermined period has passed since the signal was switched immediately before (YES in S21), the signal control unit 55 switches the signal of the traffic signal 3 from one to the other (S22).

If the predetermined period has not elapsed since the signal was switched immediately before (NO in S21), the signal control unit 55 waits until the predetermined period elapses. Then, the control device 50 ends this process.

[Effect]
Next, effects of the control device 50 and the signal control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

As described above, the control device 50 according to the present embodiment includes the acquisition unit 53 for acquiring position information indicating the positions of one or more moving bodies 10 existing around a plurality of traffic lights 3, and one or more moving bodies a signal control unit 55 that performs control to switch signals indicated by the plurality of traffic lights 3 so as to shorten a stop period during which at least one moving object 10 is stopped by the plurality of traffic lights 3 based on each position information of the traffic lights 3; Prepare.

According to this, the signal control unit 55 performs control to switch the signals indicated by the plurality of traffic lights 3 so as to shorten the stop period during which at least one moving object 10 is stopped by the plurality of traffic lights 3 . For example, when one moving body 10 exists around a plurality of traffic lights 3, the moving body 10 is stopped by the traffic light 3 by switching the traffic light 3 in the direction in which the moving body 10 moves from red to green. The period of outage caused can be shortened.

Therefore, the control device 50 can improve the efficiency of the infrastructure system by controlling the operations of the plurality of traffic lights 3 . As a result, traffic efficiency can be improved.

Moreover, the signal control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 50 and a plurality of traffic lights 3 .

This configuration also has the same effects as those described above.

Moreover, in the control device 50 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of traffic lights 3 are arranged at the intersection where the first road and the second road intersect. When there are one or more moving bodies 10 whose movement is restricted by a plurality of traffic lights 3, the signal control unit 55 reduces the number of moving bodies 10 existing on the first road to the number of moving bodies 10 existing on the second road. When the number of vehicles 10 is greater than the number of vehicles 10, the lighting period of the green light of the traffic light 3 lit for the first road is extended, and the number of vehicles 10 existing on the second road is increased to the number of vehicles existing on the first road. When the number is greater than 10, the lighting period of the green light of the traffic light 3 that lights up for the second road is extended.

According to this, when the number of mobile bodies 10 present on the first road is greater than the number of mobile bodies 10 present on the second road, the green light of the first traffic light 3a is turned on for the first road. Extend the lighting period. Further, when the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the second road is greater than the number of mobile bodies 10 existing on the first road, the green light lighting period of the second traffic light 3b for the second road is set to Extend. In this manner, the signal control unit 55 changes the lighting periods of the green and red lights in the first traffic light 3a and the second traffic light 3b depending on the number of moving bodies 10. FIG. Therefore, by lengthening the lighting period of the green light on the congested road side and lengthening the lighting period of the red light on the empty road side, traffic efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the control device 50 according to the present embodiment, when the signal control unit 55 performs control to switch the signal indicated by the traffic light 3, the switched signal is maintained for a predetermined period.

For example, when a fast-moving automobile switches from a green light to a red light in a short period of time, the automobile may enter an intersection because it cannot stop suddenly. In this case, there is a risk of colliding with another moving body 10 entering the intersection. However, according to this, when the signal indicated by the traffic light 3 is switched, the signal control unit 55 maintains the switched signal for a predetermined period from the time of switching. Therefore, for example, it is difficult for a red light to switch to a green light immediately after the red light switches to a green light, so traffic safety can be improved.

(Other modifications, etc.)
Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the control device and signal control system described above.

For example, the control device 50 according to the above embodiment is a separate device independent of the traffic signal 103, but may be mounted on each of the plurality of traffic signals 103 as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic light 103 according to the modification. In this case, the signal control unit 55 outputs a control command to the signal display unit 37 to turn on the red signal, the yellow signal, and the green signal.

Each processing unit included in the control device according to the above embodiment is typically implemented as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be made into one chip individually, or may be made into one chip so as to include part or all of them.

Further, circuit integration is not limited to LSIs, and may be realized by dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

In each of the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by reading and executing a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor.

In addition, the numbers used above are all examples for specifically describing the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the illustrated numbers.

Also, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and a plurality of functional blocks can be realized as one functional block, one functional block can be divided into a plurality of functional blocks, and some functions can be moved to other functional blocks. may Moreover, single hardware or software may process the functions of a plurality of functional blocks having similar functions in parallel or in a time-sharing manner.

Also, the order in which each step in the flowchart is executed is for illustrative purposes in order to specifically describe the present disclosure, and orders other than the above may be used. Also, some of the above steps may be executed concurrently (in parallel) with other steps.

In addition, a form obtained by applying various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of to the embodiment, and a form realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements and functions in the embodiment within the scope of the present disclosure. Included in disclosure.

1 Signal control system 3, 103 Traffic light 10 Mobile object 50 Control device 53 Acquisition unit 55 Signal control unit

Claims (3)

One or more moving bodies that are present on the first road and that transmit position information of the moving body, and the second road, in the vicinity of a plurality of traffic lights arranged at an intersection where a first road and a second road intersect. an acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of one or more moving bodies that exist in the mobile device and that transmit the position information of the own machine;
the position information of each of the one or more mobile bodies on the first road and the position information of each of the one or more mobile bodies on the second road; and one of the plurality of traffic lights corresponding to the second road, the stop period during which at least one moving object is stopped is shortened. A signal control unit that performs control for switching signals,
The signal control unit is
calculating the running speed and acceleration of each of the one or more moving bodies based on the position information of each of the one or more moving bodies;
Calculate the arrival time of the moving object that will be positioned within a predetermined range from one of the plurality of traffic lights based on the calculated traveling speed and acceleration;
generating and outputting a control command that determines a timing for switching signals indicated by the plurality of traffic lights based on the calculated arrival time ;
When there are one or more moving bodies whose movement is restricted by the plurality of traffic lights,
When the number of moving bodies existing on the first road is greater than the number of moving bodies existing on the second road, the number of moving bodies existing on the first road and the movement existing on the second road The specified period is set longer as the ratio to the number of bodies or the magnitude of the difference increases, and the green light lighting period of the traffic light that is lit for the first road is extended by the specified period set,
When the number of moving bodies existing on the second road is greater than the number of moving bodies existing on the first road, the number of moving bodies existing on the second road and the movement existing on the first road The specified period is set longer as the ratio to the number of bodies or the size of the difference increases, and the green light lighting period of the traffic light for the second road is extended by the set specified period.
Control device. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the signal control unit maintains the switched signal for a predetermined period when performing control to switch the signal indicated by the traffic light. A control device according to claim 1 or 2 ;
A signal control system comprising a plurality of traffic lights.

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