NL2001607C2 - Prefabricated modular paving element with rumble strip for roundabout, has radial cavities and ribs arranged to increase vibration as vehicle gets closer to roundabout center - Google Patents

Abstract

The number, shape and/or dimensions of the spaced apart cavities and/or ribs extending in the radial direction (8) of the paving element (3) varies in this direction, so that when at least one wheel of a given vehicle drives over the inner ring (2) of the roundabout (1), the vehicle will vibrate more strongly as it gets closer to the center (7) of the roundabout. The paving element forms an inner ring around the center of the roundabout, which can be driven over. An independent claim is also included for a method for forming at least part of an inner ring of a roundabout which can be driven over, comprising abutting the paving elements against each other as ring segments.

Description

P84629NL00 *

Title: Prefabricated modular paving element, as well as method for at least partially forming a drivable inner ring of a traffic circle.

The invention relates to a prefabricated modular paving element for forming at least partly a drivable inner ring of the traffic roundabout in placed condition with similar such elements in the circumferential direction of a traffic roundabout. The invention also relates to a method for at least partially forming a drivable inner ring of a traffic circle.

A traffic roundabout usually comprises a main ring, i.e. an annular main road of the roundabout, which surrounds a disc-shaped inner area, also called "island", in top view. An outer edge area of the island is usually formed by a traffic ring that can be driven on by the traffic circle. The inner ring may, for example, surround a green part or the like of the island.

For example, at a roundabout, the main ring can be asphalted, while the inner ring is paved with pavers, boulders, or the like. Such a combination of different types of paving for the main ring and inner ring makes driving over the main ring more attractive than driving over the inner ring. The reason is that driving over the inner ring is accompanied by stronger vibrations and noise in the vehicle than driving over the main ring. Such an inner ring is therefore also called "rattle strip". As a result, the bulk of the moving traffic, in particular, for example, passenger cars, motorbikes, vans, and the like, will essentially travel over the main ring, while heavy traffic, such as large work vehicles, trucks, buses, and the like, has the possibility to to use the drivable inner ring.

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Also known from practice are inner rings which are not paved with vowels or the like, but which are formed by relatively large and heavy prefabricated modular paving elements placed adjacent to each other. Such modular elements, usually cast in one piece from concrete, are commercially available in different (standard or non-standard) dimensions for roundabouts of different dimensions. Such a prefabricated element is often provided on its riding outer surface with a prefabricated pattern of "mock joints" which are intended to create the appearance as if the inner ring obtained with the large prefabricated elements was an inner ring paved with many smaller concrete clinkers. The pattern of apparent joints can, for example, be such that the suggestion of, for example, paving stones paved in a half-stone connection is created. The use of such false joints promotes the occurrence of vibrations and noise in vehicles, whereby inner rings formed by modular paving elements provided with such false joints are also called rattle strips.

Another prefabricated modular paving element for a roundabout is known from FR2709139. The element known from FR2709139 is provided with two ridges on its outside outer surface. These ridges serve to generate vibrations / noise perceptible to a driver of a vehicle when the vehicle drives over the element.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution according to which vehicles are prevented from driving too far in the direction of the center of the traffic circle on the inner ring or even exceeding the inner ring in that direction.

For this purpose, a prefabricated modular paving element according to claim 1 is provided according to the invention.

When an inner ring of a roundabout is equipped with such paving elements, a driver becomes aware during driving of the passable inner ring by the intensification in the generated vibrations that his vehicle is getting closer to the center of the roundabout. This sensation encourages drivers to correct him vehicles in the direction away from the center of the roundabout.

The occurring differences in the numbers and / or the shapes and / or the dimensions of hollowed-out and / or protruding parts situated on different radii can be of various kinds. They may be differences that change gradually in the radial direction, but they may also be more abrupt / discontinuous differences. The differences can be expressed, for example, in that there are more such hollowed-out and / or protruding parts at locations closer to the center of the roundabout than at locations further away from that center. But other types of differences in distribution patterns of the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts over the riding outer surface are also possible. Differences in shapes of the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts can be expressed, for example, by using different geometric smoothnesses in the curves of the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts. For example, more smooth curves will generally result in less violently generated vibrations than less smooth curves. Use can also be made of differences in the depths and / or heights and / or widths and / or lengths of the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts. For example, deeper and / or higher and / or wider and / or longer hollowed-out and / or protruding parts will generally lead to more strongly generated vibrations than less deep and / or less high and / or less broad and / or less long hollowed-out and / or bulging parts.

The invention is also embodied in a method according to claim 5.

Specific embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims.

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In a preferred embodiment, said intensification of the generated vibrations is at least partly realized in that the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts comprise at least one slot of which the slot-longitudinal direction has at least one component in said radial direction, and wherein a width dimension and / or a depth dimension of the slot shows an increase in the longitudinal direction towards the center of the traffic circle. Such a slot offers the advantage that, due to its recessed location, it is little sensitive to occurring wear. Furthermore, such a slot effectively functions as a water drain. The latter applies all the more when the prefabricated paving elements are placed slightly inclined downwards in the radial direction away from the center of the roundabout, which is usually the case. Furthermore, such a slot offers the advantage that, thanks to its elongated character and extending at least in the radial direction, a warning effect gradually varying in strength in the radial direction can be achieved.

In another preferred embodiment, which can optionally be combined with, for example, the above-described preferred embodiment, said intensification of the generated vibrations is at least partly realized in that the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts comprise at least one ridge of which the ridge longitudinal direction comprises at least one component in said radial direction. and wherein a width dimension and / or height dimension of the ridge in the ridge longitudinal direction shows an increase in the direction facing the center of the traffic roundabout. Such a ridge offers the advantage that, due to its elevated position, it effectively generates vibrations in vehicles that drive over the inner ring. Such a ridge also offers the advantage that, thanks to its elongated character and extending at least in the radial direction, a warning effect gradually varying in strength in the radial direction can be achieved.

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In the said embodiments in which said slots and / or said ridges are used, the slot or ribbed longitudinal direction may coincide with the radial direction. However, the slot or rib longitudinal direction can also have both a component in the radial direction and a component in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the slot c.q.

viewed in plan view, rib longitudinal direction are at least partly straight or piece-wise and / or at least partly have a (multiple) curved shape. Said slots and / or said ridges can also be (partially) interrupted in one or more places in their slot or ribbed longitudinal direction, for instance because there is no hollowing and / or bulging in such an interrupted part or for instance because in such an interrupted part a cavity and / or protuberance of a kind other than a slot or ridge is present.

In the following the invention is further elucidated with reference to the schematic figures in the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a traffic circle with a drivable inner ring which comprises several prefabricated paving elements according to an example of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows in top view one of the ones shown in FIG. 1 prefabricated paving elements.

FIG. 2B shows it in FIG. 2A is a side view of the paving element.

FIG. 3A shows a cross section of the device shown in FIG. 2, which section is taken on a first radius taken with respect to the center of the traffic circle, corresponding to the one shown in FIG. 2A circular arc UIA.

FIG. 3B shows a cross section of the device shown in FIG. 2 shows a paving element on a second radius taken with respect to the center of the traffic circle, corresponding to the one shown in FIG. 2A 30 shows circular arc IIIB.

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FIG. 4A shows an example of another embodiment of a paving element according to the invention in a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B again shows said other embodiment of the paving element, but then in a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 3B.

Reference is first made to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows a traffic circle 1 provided with a drivable inner ring 2 which comprises a plurality of prefabricated paving elements 3 which each connect to each other as a ring segment of the inner ring. With respect to the geometric center 7 of the traffic circle 1, FIG. 1 with arrows 8 and 9 respectively a circumferential direction and a radial direction.

The element 3 comprises a driving outer surface 4, in the placed state, and extending at least in the circumferential direction 9 and in the radial direction 8. In the example, the driving outer surface 4 of the element 3 comprises a number of hollowed-out parts 5 for generating vibrations in a vehicle traveling over the inner ring 2 to make a driver of the vehicle aware that the vehicle drives at least partially over the inner ring 2.

In the example, the hollowed-out parts are formed by slots 5 whose slot longitudinal direction is the same as the radial direction 8. As seen in Figures 2A, 3A and 3B, the width dimension of each slot 25 in the slot longitudinal direction shows an increase in the the center 7 direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, which is taken at a smaller radius with respect to the center 7 than the one shown in FIG. 3A, the width of the slots 5 is larger than in the one shown in FIG. 3A. In the example shown, the increase in said 7 if width dimension is a continuous increase. This continuous increase is shown in FIG. 2A can be seen in that in top view the slots 5 each have a tapered shape.

Reference is now made to the other exemplary embodiment of a prefabricated paving element 23 with riding outer surface 24 shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The difference with the paving element 3 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that with element 23 instead of slots 5 ridges 25 are used, wherein the width dimension of each rib 25 in the rib longitudinal direction shows an increase in the direction facing center 7.

In the examples shown in Figs. 1 to 4, instead of an increase in the width dimension of slots / ridges, it is also possible to use an increase in a depth or height dimension of slots / ridges.

Combinations of differences in width dimension with differences in depth or height dimensions are also possible. Instead of gradually changing such differences in the radial direction, more abrupt / discontinuous differences are also possible. Such differences result in that when a certain vehicle drives over the inner ring 2 at a certain constant speed with at least one wheel, the vibration generated is intensified if that vehicle gets closer to the center 7 during driving.

It is noted that the above-mentioned examples of embodiments do not limit the invention and that various alternatives are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, a paving element according to the invention can be used for at least partially forming a drivable inner ring of various types of traffic roundabouts, including not only circular roundabouts, but also roundabouts with oval-shaped shapes. However, other variants or modifications are also possible. These and similar alternatives are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

A prefabricated modular paving element for in the placed state with similar such elements (3; 23) in the circumferential direction (9) of a traffic roundabout (1) forming at least part of a drivable inner ring (2) of the traffic roundabout, wherein in the placed state the elements each connect to each other as a ring segment of the inner ring, which element (3; 23), viewed in the placed state, has an upper and at least in the circumferential direction (9) and in radial direction (8) with respect to the center ( 7) a traffic outer surface (4; 24) extending from the traffic circle, which outer surface 10 comprises hollowed-out and / or protruding parts (5; 25) for generating vibrations in a vehicle traveling over the inner ring (2) around a driver of the vehicle to be made aware that the vehicle travels at least partly over the inner ring, characterized in that, compared to different radii in the radial direction (8), such differences occur eden in the numbers and / or the shapes and / or dimensions of hollowed-out and / or protruding parts situated on said radii (5; 25) that, when a certain vehicle travels over the inner ring (2) at a certain constant speed with at least one wheel, an increase of the generated vibrations occurs if that vehicle gets closer to that center (7) while driving. 2. Paving element according to claim 1, wherein said intensification of the generated vibrations is at least partly realized in that the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts comprise at least one slot (5) of which the slot-longitudinal direction has at least one component in said radial direction (8), and wherein a width dimension and / or a depth dimension of the slot (5) in the longitudinal slot direction shows an increase in the direction towards the center (7) of the traffic circle (1). 3. Paving element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said intensification of the generated vibrations is at least partly realized in that the hollowed-out and / or protruding parts comprise at least one rib (25) of which the rib-longitudinal direction has at least one component in said radial direction (8) and wherein a width dimension and / or height dimension of the ridge (25) in the ridge longitudinal direction shows an increase in the direction towards the center (7) of the traffic circle (1). A traffic roundabout provided with a drivable inner ring (2) comprising a plurality of prefabricated paving elements (3; 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. Method for at least partially forming a drivable inner ring (2) of a traffic circle (1), wherein prefabricated modular paving elements (3; 23) according to any of claims 1 to 3 are each connected to each other as ring segment of the inner ring to become.