JP7391520B2 - Traffic guidance system, construction signal and traffic guidance method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a traffic guidance system, a construction signal, and a traffic guidance method that can facilitate the passage of vehicles in a construction zone.

Conventionally, when a municipality, ward, town, or village uses a road construction contractor to carry out road construction, traffic guidance is provided to ensure smooth passage of vehicles. Specifically, a security guard who directs traffic requests the voluntary cooperation of the drivers driving each vehicle to smoothly guide each vehicle's progress.

In addition, if traffic guidance by security guards alone is insufficient, a temporary construction signal (hereinafter referred to as a "construction signal") may be installed. For example, when road construction is being carried out in a certain construction section that requires vehicles to pass alternately on one side, construction traffic lights are installed at both ends of the construction section. This construction traffic light has a red signal display that means "stop" (hereinafter referred to as "red light") and a green signal display that means "go ahead (possible to proceed)" (hereinafter referred to as "green signal"). ) and alternately.

When using this type of construction signal, it is necessary to prevent head-on collisions of vehicles within the construction zone. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which construction traffic lights are installed at both ends of a construction section from a certain direction of travel, and the red and green lights of the construction traffic lights are controlled to be turned on alternately.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-099508

However, the conventional technology has a problem in that smooth passage of vehicles may be hindered. Specifically, normally, the driver of a vehicle stopped at a red light continues to visually check the construction traffic light, confirms that the light has changed to green, and then starts the vehicle. However, if the driver begins to look elsewhere and the construction traffic lights become insufficiently visible, the driver may miss the change to a green light and be unable to start the vehicle.

If the driver goes back to the red light without noticing the change to green, the driver will not be able to take off until the next green light, which will significantly impede smooth traffic. Moreover, if there is a vehicle following, the traffic delay will also spread to the following vehicle.

By notifying the driver of the signal status in a non-visual way, such as by outputting a warning voice during a green signal, the driver can notice the change to a green signal even if he or she is looking elsewhere. However, if the audio output is to be performed every time the light turns green even when there are no vehicles passing by, it will impose an excessive burden on the surrounding area. It is not realistic to implement this at traffic lights.

For these reasons, it has become an important issue to encourage the vehicle to depart even if the driver misses the change to a green light, and to facilitate the smooth passage of vehicles in the construction zone.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate the passage of vehicles in a construction zone.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention provides a construction traffic signal that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road on which vehicles travel, and that displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section. and a management device for controlling the construction signal, the traffic guidance system comprising: a stop detection means for detecting a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter the construction zone; a display means provided in a traffic light and displaying the presence or absence of the right of way based on control from the management device, and a detection by the stop detection means after the display by the display means switches from no right of way to yes right of way; Based on the result, if the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a notification means for notifying the waiting vehicle that the display by the display means has been switched from no right-of-way to a right-of-way. It is characterized by being equipped.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the notifying means notifies the waiting vehicle by outputting sound.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the notification means is provided in the construction traffic signal together with the display means.

Further, in the above invention, the notifying means notifies an operating terminal carried by the guide when the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed even after notifying the waiting vehicle. do.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention provides that the management device maintains the right-of-way until the waiting vehicle parked at the waiting position departs at the time when the display by the display means switches from no right-of-way to with right-of-way. It is characterized by maintaining a state of existence.

The present invention also provides a construction signal that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road where vehicles travel, and displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section, and displays whether or not there is a right of way. and detecting a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position provided outside and waiting to enter the construction zone after the display by the display means switches from no right of way to right of way. If the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined period of time has elapsed based on the detection result of the stoppage detection unit , the display means will indicate that the display has changed from no right of way to right of way. The present invention is characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter the vehicle.

The present invention also provides a construction signal that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road on which vehicles travel and presents information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section, and a management device that controls the construction signal. A traffic guidance method in a traffic guidance system comprising: a stop detection step of detecting a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter the construction zone; a switching step for switching the display related to the right-of-way from no right-of-way to a right-of-way based on control; and after the switching step switches from no right-of-way to a right-of-way, based on the detection result by the stop detection step; and a notification step of notifying the waiting vehicle that the display related to the right-of-way has been switched from no right-of-way to a right-of-way, if departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined time has elapsed. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the passage of vehicles in a construction zone.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of a traffic guidance system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the construction signal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control section shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the stop sensor shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the passage detection sensor shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the server device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the construction traffic signal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the server device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the construction signal processing procedure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a traffic guidance system, a construction signal, and a traffic guidance method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Concept of traffic guidance system according to embodiment>
First, the concept of the traffic guidance system according to this embodiment will be explained. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of a traffic guidance system according to this embodiment. Here, road construction is being carried out on the illustrated construction section of a two-lane road with one lane on each side, and construction signals 10a and 10b (hereinafter collectively referred to as "construction signals 10") are installed at both ends of this construction section. , stop sensors 20a and 20b (hereinafter collectively referred to as "stop sensors 20") are installed at the front end of the stop line, and passage detection sensors 30a and 30b (hereinafter collectively referred to as "passage detection sensors 30") are installed at both inner ends of the construction zone. ) will be installed. Further, it is assumed that the traffic guide has an operating terminal 50 in his/her possession. Although the upper lane of the road shown in FIG. 1 is defined as an up lane and the lower lane is defined as a down lane, other terms may also be used.

The construction traffic light 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a traffic light that displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through a construction zone. Similar to the traffic lights installed at intersections, this construction traffic light 10 has a green circle display (hereinafter simply referred to as "green signal") or a red circle display (hereinafter simply referred to as "red light"). If the light is green, it means that vehicles have the right of way to pass through the construction zone, and if the light is red, it means that vehicles are not allowed to pass through the construction zone. means. As a result, vehicles attempting to pass through the construction zone will either follow the green signal displayed by the construction traffic light 10 and stop at the stop line in front of the construction zone. For the sake of explanation, we will omit the explanation of the case where a yellow circle is displayed, but when a yellow circle is displayed (yellow traffic light), a vehicle in a waiting state cannot safely stop at the stop line. Please drive through the construction zone while paying attention to surrounding traffic.

Moreover, the construction traffic light 10, the stop sensor 20, the passage detection sensor 30, and the operation terminal 50 provided around the construction zone are configured to be able to communicate with the server device 40. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the construction traffic light 10, the stop sensor 20, the passage detection sensor 30, and the operation terminal 50 are capable of wireless communication with the server device 40. Note that the server device 40 is a device that controls the construction traffic lights 10 provided at both ends of the construction zone.

Here, some conventional traffic guidance systems are equipped with a construction signal 10 and a server device 40 similar to the present embodiment, but such conventional traffic guidance systems are designed to be careful of vehicles that do not notice changes in the status of the traffic signal. Because they cannot be alerted, some vehicles may not start even though the light is green, which poses a problem in terms of smooth traffic guidance.

Therefore, in the traffic guidance system according to the present embodiment, a voice is output to encourage vehicles to depart if they do not notice the green light displayed by the construction traffic light 10. In FIG. 1, the construction traffic light 10a displays a green signal, and the construction traffic signal 10b displays a red signal. Even though the construction traffic light 10a has turned green, the construction traffic light 10a says "It's green" to the vehicle that remains stopped at the stop line ("Blue" means a green light). is outputting audio.

After the construction traffic light 10 displays a green signal, the server device 40 uses the passage detection sensor 30 to check the passing status of vehicles in the construction zone. As a result, when guiding traffic using the construction traffic light 10, stop sensor 20, and passing detection sensor 30 installed in the construction zone, this will encourage vehicles that do not notice the green light to start, as well as confirm the passing status of the departed vehicle. By doing so, it becomes possible to smoothly guide vehicles to traffic.

<External configuration of construction signal 10>
Next, the external configuration of the construction signal 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the construction signal 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this construction signal 10 has a display section 11, an audio output section 12, and a control section 13.

The display unit 11 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 11 is controlled to display a green signal and a red signal alternately. Furthermore, when controlling the display of a green signal, it is also possible to display messages such as "Please drive slowly," "Go ahead," and "It's green." Furthermore, in the case of a green signal, a graph or the like showing the remaining time of the green signal can also be displayed.

The audio output unit 12 outputs a voice prompting the vehicle to depart when the vehicle does not depart even after the green signal is displayed on the display unit 11 . As the voice prompting the driver to depart, a voice such as "It's green" or "The traffic light has turned green, please start the car" may be used.

<Configuration of control unit 13>
Next, the internal configuration of the control section 13 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control section 13 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the construction signal 10 is provided with a control section 13, a communication I/F section 14, and a storage section 15. The communication I/F section 14 is a communication interface section for performing wireless communication with the server device 40 and the parking sensor 20 using well-known technology such as wireless LAN or LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication.

The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile memory, and stores setting data regarding the audio output of the audio output unit 12. The setting data includes a notification delay threshold indicating a waiting time (for example, 10 seconds) from displaying a green light to outputting audio, audio data to be output, and the like.

The control unit 13 is a control unit that performs overall control of the construction signal 10, and includes a display control unit 13a and an audio control unit 13b. Note that, in reality, programs corresponding to the display control unit 13a and the audio control unit 13b are loaded onto a CPU (central processing unit) and executed, thereby exerting the functions of the display control unit 13a and the audio control unit 13b. It turns out.

The display control unit 13a selectively displays a green light or a red light on the display unit 11, and also controls the display of messages set in the storage unit 15. Here, in the first embodiment, switching between a green signal and a red signal on the display unit 11 is performed based on a switching instruction from the server device 40, but the switching instruction from the operating terminal 50 of the traffic director It can also be done based on.

The audio control unit 13b transmits to the audio output unit 12 the notification postponement threshold set in the storage unit 15 and the detection result transmitted from the stop sensor 20 (whether the vehicle stopped at the stop line has departed or not). ), the output of the audio data to be output is controlled.

Specifically, the audio control unit 13b outputs audio data when a time equal to or more than the notification delay threshold has elapsed without the vehicle stopped at the stop line starting after displaying the green signal. , a notification is issued to the driver of a vehicle stopped at the stop line to urge the driver to start the vehicle.

<Configuration of stop sensor 20>
Next, the configuration of the stop sensor 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the stop sensor 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, the stop sensor 20 includes an operation section 21, a display section 22, a communication I/F section 23, a sensor section 24, and a control section 25.

The operation unit 21 is an operation device such as a button or a liquid crystal touch panel, and the display unit 22 is a display device such as an LED or a liquid crystal panel. The communication I/F section 23 is a communication interface section for performing wireless communication with the construction signal 10 and the server device 40 using well-known technology such as wireless LAN or LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication. The sensor section 24 is a device that irradiates a laser beam onto the road in front of the stop line, detects the reflected light, and measures the distance to the object to be reflected.

The control unit 25 is a control unit that performs overall control of the stop sensor 20, and includes a stop/start determination unit 25a. Actually, the function of the stop/start determining section 25a is brought out by loading and executing the program corresponding to the stop/start determining section 25a on the CPU.

The stop/start determining unit 25a is a processing unit that determines whether there is a vehicle stopped at the stop line based on the change in distance to the object detected by the sensor unit 24. For example, if the vehicle is not stopped, the laser light is reflected off the road and returned, but if the vehicle is stopped, the laser light is reflected by the vehicle, which changes the measurement result. The stop/start determination unit 25a detects changes in the measurement results, determines whether the vehicle is stopped or departed, and transmits the determination results to the server device 40 and the construction signal 10.

<Configuration of passage detection sensor 30>
Next, the configuration of the passage detection sensor 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the passage detection sensor 30 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the passage detection sensor 30 includes an operation section 31, a display section 32, a communication I/F section 33, a sensor section 34, and a control section 35.

The operation unit 31 is an operation device such as a button or a liquid crystal touch panel, and the display unit 32 is a display device such as an LED or a liquid crystal panel. The communication I/F section 33 is a communication interface section for performing wireless communication with the server device 40 using well-known technology such as wireless LAN or LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication. The sensor unit 34 is a device that irradiates the road in the construction zone with laser light, detects the reflected light, and measures the distance to the object to be reflected and the direction of movement of the object to be reflected.

The control unit 35 is a control unit that performs overall control of the passage detection sensor 30, and includes a passage determination unit 35a. Note that, in reality, the function of the passage determining section 35a is brought out by loading and executing the program corresponding to the passage determining section 35a on the CPU.

The passage determination unit 35a is a processing unit that determines the presence or absence of a vehicle passing through the construction zone and the direction of movement based on the distance to the reflective object detected by the sensor unit 34 and changes in the direction of movement. For example, if no vehicle is passing, the laser beam is reflected on the road and returned, but if a vehicle is passing, the laser beam is reflected by the vehicle, which changes the measurement result. The passage determination unit 35a detects changes in the measurement results, determines the presence or absence of a passing vehicle and the passing direction, and transmits the determination result to the server device 40.

<Configuration of server device 40>
Next, the configuration of the server device 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 40 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, this server device 40 includes an operation section 41, a display section 42, a communication I/F section 43, a storage section 44, and a control section 45.

The operation unit 41 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the display unit 42 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a CRT. The communication I/F section 43 is a communication interface section for performing wireless communication with the construction signal 10 and the like using well-known technology such as wireless LAN or LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication. The storage unit 44 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile memory, and stores data related to signal switching times and the like. Specifically, the storage unit 44 stores the time during which the green light is continued as the green light duration time.

The control unit 45 is a control unit that performs overall control of the server device 40, and includes a vehicle state determination unit 45a and a signal switching instruction unit 45b. Note that, in reality, the functions of the vehicle condition determination section 45a and the signal switching instruction section 45b are exerted by loading and executing programs corresponding to the vehicle condition determination section 45a and the signal switching instruction section 45b on the CPU. become.

The vehicle condition determination unit 45a is a processing unit that determines the condition of a vehicle related to passing through a construction zone. Specifically, the vehicle state determination unit 45a determines the presence or absence of a waiting vehicle in each lane and the departure of the waiting vehicle based on the output from the stoppage sensor 20. If the output from the stop sensor 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle state determination unit 45a determines that there is a waiting vehicle in the corresponding lane. Here, the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates the vehicle that has stopped at the stop line, that is, the first vehicle among the waiting vehicles waiting at the traffic light. Further, if the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates the absence of a vehicle after the lane determined to have a waiting vehicle is switched to a green signal, the vehicle state determination unit 45a determines that the leading waiting vehicle has departed.

Furthermore, the vehicle state determination unit 45a calculates the number of vehicles located within the construction zone as the number of vehicles in the zone based on the output from the passage detection sensor 30. Specifically, the vehicle state determination unit 45a adds 1 to the number of vehicles in the section when a vehicle passes in the direction of entering the construction zone, and adds 1 to the number of vehicles in the section when a vehicle passes in the direction of leaving the construction zone. , subtract 1 from the number of vehicles in the section.

The signal switching instruction unit 45b is a processing unit that controls the right of way in a construction zone by transmitting a signal switching instruction to the construction signal 10 to switch the signal display. The signal switching instruction unit 45b causes all construction traffic lights 10 to display red lights as an initial state.

If any lane has a waiting vehicle in the initial state, the signal switching instruction unit 45b transmits a green signal switching instruction to the corresponding construction traffic signal 10, and switches from a red signal to a green signal. let After switching to a green signal, the construction traffic light 10 transmits a red light switching instruction when the green signal duration time has elapsed, and causes the red signal to switch to a green signal. Thereafter, the system waits until the number of vehicles in the section becomes "0", and when the number of vehicles in the section becomes "0", the other construction traffic lights 10 can be switched to green signals.

<Processing explanation>
Next, the processing procedure of the construction signal 10 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the construction traffic signal 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The display control unit 13a of the construction traffic light 10 displays a red light in the initial state (step S101).

The display control unit 13a determines whether or not a green light switching instruction has been received from the server device 40 (step S102), and if the green light switching instruction has not been received (step S102; No), the display control unit 13a displays the red light. Continue (step S101).

When the display control unit 13a receives the green signal switching instruction (step S102; Yes), it turns off the red signal and displays a green signal (step S103). When the green signal starts to be displayed, the audio control unit 13b starts the departure waiting timer T1 (step S104).

The voice control unit 13b determines whether the departure of the first waiting vehicle has been confirmed (step S105). Specifically, if the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped at the time of switching to the green light, and the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates that the vehicle is absent after switching to the green light, then the first This means that the departure of the waiting vehicle has been confirmed.

If the departure of the first waiting vehicle is not confirmed (step S105; No), the voice control unit 13b determines whether the value of the departure waiting timer T1 has become equal to or greater than the notification postponement threshold (step S106). Note that the notification grace threshold is shorter than the green light duration time. If the value of the departure waiting timer T1 is less than the notification delay threshold (step S106; No), the audio control unit 13b moves to step S105.

If the value of the departure waiting timer T1 becomes equal to or greater than the notification delay threshold (step S106; Yes), the audio control unit 13b performs audio notification to output a voice urging the first waiting vehicle to depart (step S107). ).

After step S107, or when it is confirmed that the first waiting vehicle has departed (step S105; Yes), the display control unit 13a determines whether a red light switching instruction has been received from the server device 40 (step S108), If the red light switching instruction has not been received (step S108; No), the green light continues to be displayed and the process of step S108 is repeated.

If the display control unit 13a receives the red light switching instruction (step S108; Yes), the display control unit 13a turns off the green light and displays the red light (step S109), and ends the process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the server device 40. First, the signal switching instruction unit 45b of the server device 40 causes all construction traffic lights 10 to display red lights as an initial state (step S201).

The vehicle state determining unit 45a determines whether there is a waiting vehicle in any lane (step S202). If there is no waiting vehicle in any lane (step S202; No), the vehicle state determination unit 45a repeats step S202.

If one of the lanes has a waiting vehicle (step S202; Yes), the signal switching instruction unit 45b selects the construction signal 10 to be controlled (step S203). The construction signal 10 to be controlled is selected from the construction signals 10 in lanes with waiting vehicles. Therefore, if a waiting vehicle first becomes available in one of the lanes, the construction signal 10 of that lane is selected as the control target. If two lanes have vehicles waiting at the same time, the construction traffic light 10 to be controlled may be selected by random selection or the like.

The signal switching instruction unit 45b transmits a green signal switching instruction to the construction traffic light 10 selected as the control target (step S204), causes the signal to switch from a red signal to a green signal, and causes the green signal continuation timer T2 to start timing. Start (step S205). Furthermore, the vehicle state determination unit 45a starts calculating the number of vehicles in the section (step S206).

The signal switching instruction unit 45b determines whether the value of the green signal continuation timer T2 is equal to or greater than the green signal continuation time (step S207), and if the value of the green signal continuation timer T2 is less than the green signal continuation time ( Step S207; No), repeat step S207.

If the value of the green signal continuation timer T2 becomes equal to or greater than the green signal duration time (step S207; Yes), the signal switching instruction unit 45b transmits a red signal switching instruction to the construction traffic light 10 to be controlled (step S208). ).

After that, the signal switching instruction unit 45b determines whether the number of vehicles in the section has become "0" (step S209), and if the number of vehicles in the section is not "0" (step S209; No), step S209 repeat.

If the number of vehicles in the section becomes "0" (step S209; Yes), the signal switching instruction unit 45b determines whether there is a waiting vehicle at another construction signal 10 that is not the control target. (Step S210). If another construction signal 10 indicates that there is a waiting vehicle (step S210; Yes), the process moves to step S203, and the construction signal 10 to be controlled is selected.

If the other construction traffic lights 10 do not indicate that there is a waiting vehicle (step S210; No), the process ends. At this time, all construction traffic lights 10 are in the initial state displaying red lights, and the processing from step S201 can be repeated.

Although FIG. 8 shows a case where a waiting vehicle is detected and the construction traffic light 10 of the lane where the waiting vehicle occurs is switched to a green signal, the construction traffic light 10 of the two lanes can be switched alternately regardless of the presence or absence of a vehicle. The configuration may be such that the signal is switched to green at any time. In this case, the processes from step S203 to step S209 may be repeatedly executed.

It is also possible to control the green light to continue until the first waiting vehicle departs. In this case, after transmitting the green signal switching instruction, when the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates that the first waiting vehicle has departed, the green signal continuation timer T2 may start counting.

Next, a modification of the operation of the construction signal 10 will be described. Although FIG. 7 shows a case where audio output is performed when the elapsed time exceeds the notification delay threshold after switching to a green signal, it is also possible to perform audio output at the time of switching to a green signal. Further, the audio output may be continued until the first waiting vehicle departs. Furthermore, if the first waiting vehicle does not depart despite the voice output urging the vehicle to depart, it is also possible to output a warning to the operating terminal 50 held by the traffic director.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modification of the processing procedure of the construction signal 10. In FIG. 9, the display control unit 13a of the construction traffic light 10 displays a red light in the initial state (step S301).

The display control unit 13a determines whether or not a green light switching instruction has been received from the server device 40 (step S302), and if the green light switching instruction has not been received (step S302; No), displays the red light. Continue (step S301).

When the display control unit 13a receives the green signal switching instruction (step S302; Yes), it turns off the red signal and displays a green signal (step S303). When the green signal starts to be displayed, the audio control unit 13b starts the departure waiting timer T1 (step S304).

Furthermore, the audio control unit 13b starts an audio notification that outputs audio urging the first waiting vehicle to depart (step S305). Thereafter, the voice control unit 13b determines whether the departure of the first waiting vehicle has been confirmed (step S306). Specifically, if the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped at the time of switching to the green light, and the output of the stop sensor 20 indicates that the vehicle is absent after switching to the green light, then the first This means that the departure of the waiting vehicle has been confirmed. If the departure of the first waiting vehicle is confirmed (step S306; Yes), the audio control unit 13b ends the audio notification (step S309).

If the departure of the first waiting vehicle is not confirmed (step S306; No), the voice control unit 13b determines whether the value of the departure waiting timer T1 has become equal to or greater than the warning delay threshold (step S307). Note that the warning grace threshold is shorter than the green light duration time. If the value of the departure waiting timer T1 is less than the notification delay threshold (step S307; No), the audio control unit 13b moves to step S306.

If the value of the departure waiting timer T1 becomes equal to or greater than the warning postponement threshold (step S307; Yes), the voice control unit 13b outputs a warning to the traffic director's operation terminal 50 (step S308).

After step S308 or step S309, the display control unit 13a determines whether or not a red light switching instruction has been received from the server device 40 (step S310), and if the red light switching instruction has not been received (step S310; No), the green light continues to be displayed and the process of step S310 is repeated.

If the display control unit 13a receives the red light switching instruction (step S310; Yes), the display control unit 13a turns off the green light and displays the red light (step S311), and ends the process.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter a construction zone is detected by the stop sensor 20, and the display section 11 provided in the construction signal 10 is activated. The presence or absence of the right of way is displayed based on the control from a server device 40 which is a management device, and the waiting vehicle is notified that the display has changed from no right of way (red light) to with right of way (green light). With this configuration, even if the driver misses the change of the light to green, the driver can be prompted to start the vehicle, thereby realizing smooth vehicle passage in the construction zone.

In this embodiment, the description will focus on a configuration that notifies the waiting vehicle if the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined time has elapsed after the display changes from no right of way to right of way. However, it is also possible to notify the waiting vehicle at the time the display changes from no right of way to with right of way.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the departure of a waiting vehicle is not confirmed even after notification is made to the waiting vehicle, a notification such as a warning can be sent to the operation terminal 50 owned by the guide.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the server device 40 maintains the state of having the right of way until the waiting vehicle parked at the waiting position departs when the display changes from no right of way to having right of way. I can do it.

In addition, although this embodiment has been described using an example in which audio output is used to notify the driver to depart, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification to request the driver to depart may be performed using any method. can. For example, sounds other than audio such as an alarm sound may be used, or light such as a flash or a revolving light may be used. Alternatively, a notification request may be made by communicating with the waiting vehicle.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which the number of vehicles entering the construction zone and the number of vehicles leaving the construction zone are calculated using the passage detection sensor 30 installed in the construction zone, but the present invention is not limited to this. Rather than using road-to-vehicle communication technology such as ETC (registered trademark), electronic tickets will be issued at the entrance to the construction zone, and electronic tickets will be verified at the exit to reduce the number of vehicles entering the construction zone. It is also possible to calculate the number of vehicles leaving the construction zone.

Further, in this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a two-lane road consisting of one up lane and one down lane is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to three-way roads, branch roads, etc. You can also. In this case, three or more construction traffic lights 10, three or more stop sensors 20, and three or more passing detection sensors 30 will be installed, but they can be processed in the same way as in this embodiment.

Furthermore, each configuration illustrated in this embodiment is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of dispersion/integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the diagram, but all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units depending on various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

For example, the audio output unit may be provided in the stop sensor 20 instead of the construction traffic signal 10, or a configuration may be such that a device for audio output is provided separately.

As described above, the traffic guidance system, construction signal, and traffic guidance method according to the present invention are suitable for smoothing the passage of vehicles in a construction zone.

10, 10a, 10b construction traffic lights 11, 22, 32, 42 display section 12 audio output section 13, 25, 35 control section 13a display control section 13b audio control section 14, 23, 33, 43 communication I/F section 15, 44 Storage unit 20, 20a, 20b Stop sensor 21, 31, 41 Operation unit 24, 34 Sensor unit 25a Stop/start determination unit 30, 30a, 30b Passage detection sensor 35a Passage determination unit 40 Management server 45a Vehicle state determination unit 45b Signal switching Instruction unit 50 operation terminal

Claims (7)

A traffic guidance system that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road where vehicles travel, and includes a construction signal that displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section, and a management device that controls the construction signal. And,
Stop detection means for detecting a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter the construction zone;
a display means provided in the construction traffic light and displaying the presence or absence of the right of way based on control from the management device;
If the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined time elapses based on the detection result by the stoppage detection means after the display by the display means switches from no right of way to right of way, the display means A traffic guidance system comprising: notification means for notifying the waiting vehicle that the display has changed from no right of way to right of way. The traffic guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the waiting vehicle by outputting a sound. 3. The traffic guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means is provided in the construction traffic light together with the display means. According to any one of claims 1 to 3, the notifying means notifies an operating terminal owned by a guide when the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed even after notifying the waiting vehicle. Traffic guidance system. The management device is characterized in that the management device maintains the right-of-way state until the waiting vehicle parked at the waiting position departs when the display by the display means switches from no right-of-way to right-of-way. The traffic guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A construction signal that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road on which vehicles travel, and displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section,
Display means for displaying the presence or absence of the right of way;
After the display by the display means switches from no right of way to right of way, a stop detection unit is installed outside and detects a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined waiting position waiting to enter the construction zone. Based on the detection result, when the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined time has elapsed, the display means indicates that the display on the display means has changed from no right-of-way to right-of-way, while waiting to enter the construction zone. A traffic signal for construction use, comprising: means for notifying waiting vehicles parked at a predetermined waiting position. A traffic guidance system that is installed in a predetermined construction section of a road where vehicles travel, and includes a construction signal that displays information regarding the right of way for vehicles passing through the construction section, and a management device that controls the construction signal. A traffic guidance method,
a stop detection step of detecting a waiting vehicle parked at a predetermined standby position waiting to enter the construction zone;
a switching step in which the construction signal switches a display related to the right of way from no right of way to a right of way based on control from the management device;
After switching from no right of way to having right of way in the switching step, if the departure of the waiting vehicle is not confirmed until a predetermined time elapses based on the detection result in the stoppage detection step , a display related to the right of way is displayed. a notification step of notifying the waiting vehicle that the vehicle has been switched from not having the right of way to having the right of way.

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