US2287090A

US2287090A - Traffic control system

Info

Publication number: US2287090A
Application number: US320020A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cooper Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-02-21
Filing date: 1940-02-21
Publication date: 1942-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 1959-06-23

Description

June 23, 1942. B. COOPER TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR fiI/VJAM/N COOAE'R ATTUINEY June 23, 1942. B. COOPER TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 B99 699 99 F IG 3 INVENTOR EE'JVJAM/N COOPER BY ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,287,090 TRAFFIC coN'mor. SYSTEM Benjamin Cooper, Jersey City, N. J.

Application February 21, 1940, Serial No. 320,020

36 Claims.

This invention relates to traihc control systems.

In highways, bridges, tunnels, and the like arteries for vehicular traflic, particularly where there is only one lane for each direction of vehicular travel, any obstruction to the flow of traflic, or slowing down of traflic below a predetermined speed, as may be caused by a vehicle stalling in the roadway, will result in blocking tramc and delay. If the normal movement of traflic is not restored quickly, a serious tie-up may follow. In highway tunnels, where traffic is not visible from the outside, a group of oflicers are usuailly maintained to continually patrol the highway within the tunnel and report to a traflic supervisor any obstruction in the lane or speeding violations, so that the necessary action may be immediately taken to clear the highway or apprehend the violators. These methods of traffic supervision are expensive and relatively slow. It is an object of this invention therefore to provide an automatic trafllc control system which will automatically detect an interruption in the flow of trafiic anywhere along the highway, and operate a warning signal located outside of the tunnel or at any point remote from the roadway, to indicate that traflic has been held up.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in a traflic control system of the character described, automatic means for determining the approximate location of the obstruction on the highway and indicating said location on a supervisory panel located at any convenient point, remote from the highway.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide in a traflic supervisory system of the character described, means for regulating traffic lights disposed along the highway so that when traffic is held up, all the lights before the obstructed area turn red, whereas the lights after the obstruction are green. Thus, vehicles moving toward the obstructed area are stopped, preventing a traffic jam, whereas vehicles moving away from said area are permitted to continue.

In ,traflic lanes, curves become points of danger. When vehicles traversing these lanes pass these points at greater speeds than is ordinarily safe. the possibility of accidents resulting is great. It is therefore 'a still further object of this invention to provide means to caution drivers whenthey are exceeding safe speeds over a section of a lane of a highway, and to further provide means to indicate on a remote panel in which section of a lane vehicles are being driven at excessive speed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a traffic supervisory system of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, positive in operation, and yet practical and efflcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part be hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic drawing of the trafilc control circuit embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of a differential counter used in connection with said circuit; and

Fig. 3 represents a supervisory panel upon which the warning signal and indicating devices may be located.

Referring now to the drawings, the traflic control system embodying the invention comprises a plurality of vehicle treadles such as H, l2, l3, l4 and I5, Fig. l, disposed at spaced intervals along a lane of a highway, traversely thereof. The treadles may be of any suitable type adapted to close a switch when actuated by a vehicle passing thereover, and may, comprise pairs of top and bottom contact strips such as Ila'l lb; l2a-l2b; etc., normally spaced apart but adapted to be pressed together for closing an electrical circuit when the wheels of a vehicle pass over the treadle. The sections of highway bounded by successive treadles are designated in the drawings as sections A, B, C, and D; section A being located between treadles H and 12, section B lying between treadles I2 and I3, etc. Said highway sections have associated therewith similar differential counters All), Bill, CHI and DH, respectively, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Referring now to Fig. 2, each counter comprises a vertical mounting panel 20 having rotatably mounted thereon and disposed in the same vertical plane two pairs of similar, vertically aligned sprocket wheels 2|, 23 and 22, 2|. Connecting wheels 2| and 23 is an endless link chain 25, the links thereof meshing with the sprockets of said wheels. The wheels 22 and 24 are similarly connected by an endless chain 26.

Floatingly supported on end between the chains wise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of'the drawings, I

chain 25 moves wheel 21 upwardly and raises rod 29. When wheel 22 is rotated counter-clockwisely wheel 21 and rod 29 are moved downwardly.

Means is provided to move the rod 29 of the corresponding differential counter upwardly a predetermined distance each time a vehicle axle enter a particular section of highway, and to move said rod downwardly an equal distance each time a vehicle leaves said highway section, so that the vertical position of rod 28 will continuously indicate the number of vehicle axles within saidhighway section.

To this end, there is mounted on wall 29, above the wheel 2|, a horizontal electromagnet 3| having a U-shaped core 32 comprising parallel upper and lower

horizontal legs

33 and 34. Surrounding leg 34 is a coil 35. Pivoted to the end of leg 33 and extending downwardly therefrom adjacent the leg 34 is an armature 36 normally urged in a clockwise direction against a stop.39 by a coil tension spring 31. Pivotally connected to the bottom end of armature 39, as at 39a, is a pawl 39. Rigidly attached to the sprocket wheel 2| and concentric therewith is a ratchet wheel 49 contacted by the pawl 39. A coil tension spring 4|, connected between said pawl 39 and the armature 36, tensions said pawl into engagement with the ratchet 49.

Each time the coil 35 is energized the arma ture 39 is attracted counter-clockwisely moving the pawl 39 to the right and advancing wheel 2| a predetermined angle in a counter-clockwise direction. Wheel 21 and rod 29 are consequently raised a predetermined distance.

The sprocket wheel 22 is similarly controlled by an electromagnet 42 having a coil 43 and a pawl 44 contacting a ratchet wheel 45 on wheel 22. Ratchet45 is similar to ratchet 49 so that wheels 2| and 22 are advanced equal angular distances for each actuation of their respective electromagnet. Hence each energization of the coil 43 lowers rod 29 by an amount equal to the distance said rod is raised when coil 35 is energized.

The coils 35 corresponding to the counters A|9, Bl9, CIO and D|9 are designated as A35, B35, C35 and D35, respectively; and the coils 43 of said counters are designated as A43, B43, C43, respectively. Referring to Fig. 1, one end of the coils A35, B35, C35 and D35 are connected to the negative power supply through the treadle switches ll, l2, l3 and i4, respectively, the other a succeeding section, the coil A43, B43, C43 or D43 corresponding to said section from which the vehicle is exiting, is energized, for lowering the respective rod 23 and indicating that a vehicle axle has left said section. Furthermore, the coil A35, B35, C or D35, corresponding to the succeeding highway section into which the vehicle is entering is simultaneously energized for raising the rod 29 corresponding to said succeeding section, and indicating that an additional axle has entered said section.

The counters Al9, BIO, CI9 and D|9 may be mounted together on the back side of a supervisory control panel such as panel 49, of Fig. 3. Said panel is formed with a plurality of slots 41 through which the rods 29- are visible. Said rods 29 may be provided with an indicating mark such as thecolored section 49, by means of which the vertical position of the rods can:

be determined by glancing at the front of the panel. Furthermore, a scale calibrated in units of vehicle axles may be mounted on the front of said panel adjacent to slots 41 so that an observer can immediately determine the density of traffic in any section.

There are also mounted on the supervisory panel 45, incidating lamps A59, B59 and C59, corresponding respectively to the highway sections A, B and C. Means is provided to illuminate the lamps corresponding to the various sections when the flow of traflic in said sections is obstructed by a stalled car in the roadway.

To this end the counters Al9, Bl9, C|9 and D|9 are provided with contact arms A59, B59, C59 and D59, mounted on the respective panels 29 beneath the rods 29. Arms A59 and C59 are connected to negative power supply and the arms B59 and D59 are connected to the positive power supply, Fig, 1. Said contact arms are' adapted to be contacted and moved downwardly by the insulating studs 29a when the respective rods 23 are in bottom position, corresponding to the condition that there are no vehicles in the respective highway section.

Arm A59 is normally open but is moved into engagement with a fixed contact A5| when the corresponding rod 29 is raised by the presence of one or more vehicle axles in section A.

The arm B59 normally engages a fixed contact B52 but is moved away therefrom and into engagement with the fixed contact B5l when there are vehicle axles in section B.

The arm C59 similarly engages a fixed contact C52 but is moved into engagement with the fixed contact C5| when the rod 29 of counter CM is raised from its bottom position.

The arm D59 normally engages fixed contact D52 when the highway section D is vacant, but is moved away therefrom when the corresponding rod 29 is raised by the presence of vehicle axles in section D.

There are further provided three similar relays A53, B53 and C53, corresponding respectively to the sections A, B and C. Said relays may be of any suitable time delayed type, constructed so that the respective contact arms are not actuated until the coil has been energized for a predetermined time interval. If the coil is energized and then de-energized before the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the relay becomes reset and the coil must be re-energized for the complete time interval before the contact arms are actuated. Relays of this type are old in the art.

Relay A53 has an actuating coil A54 and controls two normally open contact arms A55 and A51 which move into engagement with the fixed contacts A56 and A56 when said relay is actuated. Relay B53 has a coil B54 and also controls 'two normally open contact arms B55 and B51 which engage the fixed contacts B56 and B55 when said relay is energized. Similarly relay C53 has a coil C54 and moves normally open contact arms C55 and C51 into engagement with the contact C56 and C56 when said relay is energized.

The coils A54, B54 and C54 have one end thereof connected by wires A65, B60 and C60 to fixed contact A5l, BH and CH, respectively, of the corresponding differential counters. The other ends of said coils are connected by wires A6 I, B6! and C6! to the fixed contacts B52, C52 and D52, respectively, the differential counter of the next succeeding highway section. The contact arms A55, A51, B55, B51, and C55, C51 are connected to the negative power supply.

The indicating lamps A59, B59 and C59 have one terminal thereof connected to the positive power supply and have their other terminals connected to the fixed contacts A56 and C56, respectively.

When a vehicle axle enters a highway section such as B, the corresponding rod 26 is raised permitting contact arm B50 to engage fixed con- Ii there are no vehicle axles in the next succeeding section the arm C50 is in engagement with the contact C52, as heretofore described. A circuit is thus completed through coil B54 of relay B53, traceable from positive power supply, arm B50, contact Bl, wire B60, coil B54, wire BSI, contact C52, contact C50, to negative power supply. The time delay of relay B53 is pre-set for a time interval slightly in excess of I the normal time required for a vehicle to traverse the section B. Thus, if the vehicle continues along at the normal rate of speed it will enter section C and actuate counter Cl0 for raising the rod 29 before relay B53 has had sufiicient time to become actuated. The contact arm C50 will thereupon move out of engagement with the contact C52 and open the above mentioned circuit for the relay B53. The time delay of said relay is thereupon reset to zero pending reactuation by a subsequent vehicle axle.

However. if a vehicle should remain in section B longer than the time delay of B53, as for example because of a vehicle breakdown or accident, contact arm B50 will remain in engagement with the arm B5l. The vehicles following the stalled car would have to stop since the lane is blocked. However, the vehicles ahead of the obstructedsection can continue to move until there are no vehicles in the section C. Thus, the coni tact arm C50 will move into engagement with the contact C52 and will remain engaged therewith until the obstruction has been cleared for permitting vehicles to move again over the highway lane. The relay B53 is thereupon energized as heretofore described, and will remain energized until the flow of trafilc is restored. After the necessary time delay interval of relay B53 has elapsed, the contact arms B55, B51 will move into engagement with the fixed contacts B56, B55. The lamp B59 is thereupon energized through a circuit from negative power supply, arm B51, contact B56. lamp B59, to positive power supply.

Since the lamp B59 is located on the supervisory control panel, when lamp B59 becomes illuminated the trafilc supervisory personnel are immediately informed that the section B of the highway is blocked and the necessary steps may be taken to clear the obstructed section.

Means is also provided to actuate a warning signal, herein illustrated as a bell W, when any of the indicating lamps are illuminated, to immediately attract the attention of the supervisory personnel when the highway becomes blocked.

Tothis end there are provided three secondary relays A63, B63 and C63 corresponding to the relays A53. B53 and C53, respectively.

Relay A63 has an actuating coil A62 and controls two contact arms A64, A66. The arm A64 is normally open whereas arm A66 normally engages a fixed contact A10. When said relay A63 is energized arm A64 is moved into engagement with a fixed contact A61 and arm A66 is moved into engagement with a fixed contact A69 The relay B63 has an actuating coil B62 and controls three switch arms B64, B and B66 of which the arms B64 and B65 are normally open whereas arm B66 normally engages fixed contact B10. When said relay B63 is energized the arms B64 and B66 are moved into engagement with fixed contacts B61 and B68, and arm B66 is moved out of engagement with contact B10 and into engagement with contact B69.

The relay C63 similarly has a coil C62 and controls three switch arms C64, C65 and C66 of which arms C64 and C65 are normally open whereas arm C66 normally engages the fixed contact C10. When relay C63 is energized the arms C64, C65 and C66 move into engagement with the fixed contacts C61, C68 and C69, respectively.

Coils A62, B62 and C62 have one end thereof connected to the positive power supply and their other ends are connected'by wires All, B1! and C1! to the fixed contacts A56, B56 and C56, re-

spectively, of the relays A53, B53 and C53. It is seen that when any of the time delayed relays, such as relay B53, is actuated the corresponding secondary relay, such as relay B63, is energized through a circuit from negative power supply, arm B55, contact B56, wire B1l, coil B62, to positive power supply.

One end of the actuating coil Wi of bell W, is connected to positive power supply and the other end of said coil is connected by wires A12, B12 and C12 to the fixed contacts A61, B61 and 061, respectively. It is seen that when any secondary relay A63, B63 and C63 is energized the warning bell W is actuated through a circuit from positive power supply, coil Wl, switch arm A64, B64 or C64 to negative power supply. Thus, when any indicating lamp A59, B59 or C59 is illuminated, the warning bell W is simultaneously energized, for attracting attention to the fact that the highway is blocked.

Disposed along the highway are traffic signal lights A15, B15 and C15, preferably located adjacent the corresponding treadles Ii, l2 and I3, respectively. Said signals comprise red lights A16, B16 and C16 and green lights A11, B11 and C11, respectively.

The lamps A16 and A11 have one end thereof connected together and to positive power supply. The other end of lamp A16 is connected by wire A10 to the fixed contact A69 and the other terminal of lamp A11 is connected to the fixed contact A10 by wire A19.

Similarly, the lamps B16 and B11 have one end thereof connected by wires B19 and B19 to the fixed contacts B69 and B10, respectively, whereas the other end of said lamps are connected together and to positive power supply. The lamps C16 and C11 also have one end connected to positive power supply whereas their other ends are connected by wires C16 and C19 to the fixed contacts C69 and C10, respectively.

It will now be understood that the green lights A11, B11 and C11 are normally illuminated, the circuit for light A11 being traceable from negative power supply, arm A88, contact A18, wire A19, light A11, to positive power supply. Similarly, the circuits for lights B11, C11 involve switches B88, B18 and C88, C18, respectively.

However, when any secondary relay becomes energized, as heretofore described, by reason of the obstruction of trafllc in the corresponding highway section, the corresponding arm A88, B88 or C88 is 'moved out of engagement with the respective contact A18, B18 or C198, and into engagement with the contacts A89, B89 or C89.

- Thus, the corresponding green traflie light is extinguished, and the red light is stopped under the direction of said red light, preventing a trafilc jam in said section.

Means is also provided to change the green lights of all sections located before the obstructed section to red. To this end the fixed contact C88 is connected by wires C88 and B" to the coil B82 and contact B88 is connected by wire B88 and A" to the coil A82. When the secondary relay C88 is energized a circuit is completed for energization of coil B82 traceable from negative power supply, contact arm C88, contact C88, wire,

C88, wire B1l, coil B82, to positive power supply. Similarly, when relay B88 becomes energized, a circuit for 'energization of coil A82 is completed from negativepower supply, contact arm B88, contact B88, wire B88, wire A1l, coil'A82 to positive power supply. It is thus seen that when any secondary relay is energized all the second-, ary relays prior to said energized relay will be successively actuated. Consequently all the green lights located beforev the obstructed section will be changed to red, whereas the traiiic lights of succeeding highway remain green.

It is understood that as many highway sections as desired may be included in the supervisory system described herein. Each additional highway section requires an additional treadle, differential counter, time delayed relay, secondary relay and trafiic lights. Said additional equipment is connected into the circuit in a manner similar to the section B of Fig. l.

It will also be understood that instead of usin a single contact treadle as shown in Fla. 1, a uni-directional multi-contact treadle may be used such as is described in my co-pending application Serial No. 34,525 filed August 3, 1935. In such case the counter F of said co-pending application is replaced by a relay controlling an additional normally open switch replacing the treadle of this application. Thus a vehicle traversing the highwayin one direction will close said additional switch and actuate the differenplish this purpose there are provided signals B8l,- C8l etc., associated with the sections B, C etc. Said signal may be in the form of a caution light or any other suitable warning device. There is no caution light in the front section A. On the control panel are indicating devices B99, C99 etc. located adjacent the differential counter Bl8, Cl8 ;etc., there being none adjacent counter Al8.

Associated with the differential counters Al8. Bl8,Cl8etc.,are switch armsAl l8,Bl l8'andCll8 etc. respectively. These switch arms are connected by wires All2, Bll2, CH2 etc. to the treadle switch contacts llb, I21), I81) etc., respectively. The switch arms All8, Bll8, and

Cl l8 etc. are adapted to be held by the rods A28 of dififerential counters .Al8, Bl8, Cl8 etc. in engagement with fixed contacts Al I l, Bl II and Clll etc. until the rods are raised by passage of at least two. cars into the sections associated with said respective counters.

Associated with the counters Al8, Bl8 and C" etc. are relays A88, B88, C88 etc. Said relays are provided with coils A88, B88, C88 etc. respectively, connected to the fixed contacts All I, Blll, Clll etc. The relays A88, B88, C88 etc. are adapted to move normally open switch arms A88, B88,'C88 etc; into engagement with fixed contacts A88, B88, C88 etc. respectively. The switch arms A88, B88 and 088 etc., are connected to the minus power supply.

Associated with the differential counters A", Bill and C18 etc., are fast closing, slow opening time delay relays -A81, B81, C81 etc. respectively, provided with coils A88, B88, C88 etc., connected to the fixed contacts A88, B88 and C88 etc. respectively, at one side,.and each connected to the plus power supply at the other side. The relays A81, B81, C81 etc. are adapted to move switch arms A89, B89 and C89 etc. which are normally in engagement with fixed contacts A98, B98 and C98 etc. respectively, out of engagement with respect to said fixed contacts. Said switch arms are connected to the pluspower supply. The relays A81, B81 and C81 are also adapted to move normally open switch arms A9l, B9l and C9l etc., into engagement with fixed contacts A92,

tial counter. A vehicle traversing the highway in the opposite direction will not energize said relay and will produce no effect on the supervisory system.

The use of uni-directional treadles in the circuit disclosed in this application is sometimes necessary in highways where vehicle drivers may traverse the dividing line between lanes carrying trafllc in opposite directions, and actuate a treadle in the opposite lane. With the unidirectional treadle this will have no efiect on the operation of the supervisory system of said opposit lane.

Means is also provided to caution operators driving vehicles along the lane at an excessive speed, and also to indicate on the control panel "where the speeding is taking place. To accom- B92 and C92 etc. respectively. The coils A88, B88 and C88 etc. of the relays A88, B88 and C88 etc respectively are connected by wires All8, Bll8 and CH8 etc. to the fixed contacts'A98, B98 and C98 etc. respectively.

Associated with the differential counters Al8, Bl8 and Cl8 etc. 'are relays A98, B98, C98 etc. having coils A98, B98 and C98 etc. respectively. Said coils are connected by wires All8, Bll8, CH8 etc. to the treadle switch contacts 12b, I81) and Nb etc. respectively, of the switches l2, l8, l8 etc. The other sides of the coils A98, B98, C98 are connected by wires All5, B lli, CH5 etc., to the fixed contacts A92, B92 and C92 etc. respectively. The relays A93, B98, C98 are adapted to move normally open switch arms A95, B95, C95 etc., which are connected to the minus power supply, into engagement with fixed contacts A98, B98, C98 etc. respectively.

The fixed contacts A98, B98 and C98 are connected to warning signal devices A8l, B8l, Clil etc. disposed in the sections B, C, D etc., said warning signals being connected to the plus power supply. The relays A98, B98, C98 etc. are also adapted to move normally open switch arms A91, B91, C91 etc. which are connected to the Imnus power supply, into engagement with fixed contacts A98, B98 and C98 etc. Said fixed contacts are connected to indicating devices 1399, C99, D99 etc. which are preferably mounted on the control panel 99 and located adjacent the diiferential counters Bil, Cll, Dill etc. respectively. The relays A93, B99, C99 etc. are quick closing, slow opening time delay relays, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

When a vehicle is the first to enter a given section such as A, relay All is energized, receiving current from the negative power supply through treadle H, movable contact arm All9. fixed contact AIH, coil A99, fixed contact A99, movable contact arm. A99 to the positive of the power supply.

Energization of relay All moves movable contact arm A99 into contact with fixed contact A99 and completes a circuit from negative power supply to arm A95, contact A99 through coil All of relay A91 to positive power supply, thus energizing said relay 91.

Energization of relay A91 starts the timing process for the first vehicle of the group that had entered section A. Contact A99 is moved out of engagement with contact A99, and so prevents relay All from being again energized when relay A91 is in holding position. Movable arm AM is moved into contact with fixed contact A92, providing a circuit through which time delay relay B99 will be energized if relay A91 has not released contact arm A91.

If the vehicle reaches treadle B after the predetermined time of relay A91, he has not exceeded the fixed speed limit, and so relay A99 cannot be actuated. If however he has exceeded the speed limit, relay A99 will be actuated, receiving current from the negative of the power supply through treadle l2, coil A94 of relay A99, fixed contact A92, movable contact A9I to the positive of the power supply.

Energization of relay A99, brings moveable contact arms A95, A91 into contact with fixed contacts A99, A99, and so closes a circuit through the caution light Bll, from negative of power supply to contact arm A99, contact A99, light PM to the positive. This operation also closes a circuit through B99 on the panel 99 from the negative of the power supply to contact arm A91, contact A99, and light B99 to the positive of the power supply.

The same operation takes place in succeeding sections as described above.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As -various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In an automatic trafllc system, a plurality of vehicle actuated switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of sections, an electrically operated warning device, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated switches, and in-' cluding a circuit for said device and said switches, to energize said warning device when a vehicle traversing the highway passes the enterin switch of any section and remains within said section longer than a predetermined period of time, during which period no vehicles cross the exit switch oi said section, and all vehicles which have crossed the exit switch of said section into the succeeding section, have left said succeeding section by passing over the exit switch thereof prior to the beginning of said period, whereby said device indicates that trafilc through said first section is obstructed.

2. In a traflic control system, a plurality of vehicle actuated switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a plurality of electrically operated indicating devices, one for each section, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated switches, and including a circuit for said devices and said switches, to operate one of said indicating devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering switch of the section corresponding .to said device and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time after any ve hicles which have traversed the exit switch of said section and moved into the succeeding section have left said succeeding section by crossing the exit switch thereof.

3. In a traffic system, a plurality of vehicle actuated switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a plurality of electrically operated indicating devices, one for each section, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated switches, and including a circuit for said devices and said switches, to operate one of said indicating devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering switch of the section corresponding to said indicating device and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time after any vehicles which have traversed the exit switch of said section and moved into the succeeding section have left said succeeding section by crossing the exit switch thereof, a warning device, and means included in said circuit for actuating said warning device when any of said indicating devices have become actuated.

4. In a trafllc supervisory system, a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a plurality of electrically operated indicating devices, one for each section, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated treadles, and including a circuit for said devices and said treadles to operate one of said devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering treadle of the section corresponding to said device and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time after any vehicles which have traversed the exit treadle of said section and moved into the succeeding section have left said succeeding section by crossing the exit treadle thereof, stop" trafilc signal means associated with a plurality of said sections, and means included in said circuit to cause the tramc signal means associated with all sections preceding said succeeding section to indiczgg stop when said indicating device is actua 5. In a tramc supervisory system, a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successivesections, a plurality of electrically operated indicating devices, one for each section, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated treadles, and

including a circuit for said devices and said treadles, to operate one of said devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering treadle of the section corresponding to said .dicate stop" when said indicating device is actuated.

6. In a trafllc control system, a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles disposed,at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a diflerential counter for each section, means, including a circuit for said treadles and said counters, controlled by the treadles bounding any section for counting on the corresponding differential counter the vehicle axles within said section at any instant, an electrically operated indicating device for each section, and means controlled by said counters for actuating said indicating device when the counter of the corresponding section indicates that there has been one or more vehicle axles in said section for a predetermined period of time, while during said period there has'been no vehicle axles in the next succeeding section.

'1. In a trafllc control system, a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difl'erential counter associated with each section, means, including a circuit for said treadles and said counters, controlled by the treadles bounding any section for counting on the corresponding diiferential counter the vehicle axles within said section at any instant, an electrically operated warning device, means controlled by said counters for actuating said warning device when the counter of any section indicates that there have been one or more vehicle axles in said section for a predetermined period of time while during said period there has been no vehicle axles in the next succeeding section.

8. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles, disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, stop traillc signal means associated with the plurality of said sections, means, including an electric circuit for said treadles and said signal means, to cause the trafiic signal means associated with any section and all preceding sections to indicate "stop" when a vehicle traversing the highway passes the entering treadle of said section and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time during which no vehicle passes the exit treadle of said section and all vehicles which have passed the exit treadle of said section into said succeeding section have left said succeeding section by passing over the exit treadle thereof prior to the beginning of said period.

9. In combination with a plurality of vehicle actuated treadles disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a plurality of stop" and "go" trafiic signals associated with a plurality of said sections, said signals all being normally set for "go," means, including an electric circuit for said treadles and said signal means, to cause the signal means associated with any section and all preceding sections to indicate stop" when a vehicle traversing the highway passes the entering thesdle of said section and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time during which no vehicle passes the exit treadle of said section and all vehicles which have passed the exit treadle of said section into said succeeding section have left said succeeding section by passing over the exit treadle thereof prior to the beginning of said period, means, included in said circuit to also cause the trafllc signals associated with all treadles preceding said section to change from "go to stop," whereas the signals succeeding said section remain set for go."'

10. In a trafllc control system, a plurality of vehicle actuated switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a control panel, a plurality 01' indicating devices one for each section, mounted thereon, and means controlled by said vehicle actuated switches, and including a circuit for said switches and said devices, to operate one of said devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering switch of the section corresponding to said device and remains in said section longer than a predetermined period of time after any vehicles which have traversed the exit switch of said section and moved into the succeeding section have left said succeeding section by crossing the exit switch thereof.

11. In a traiiic control system, a plurality of vehicle actuated switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said highway into a plurality of successive sections, a plurality of electrically operated indicating devices, one for each section, and means controlled by saidsvehicle actuated switches, and including a circuit for said switches and said indicating devices, to operate one of said indicating devices when a vehicle traversing the highway crosses the entering switch of the section corresponding to said device and remains in said section longer than a. predetermined period oi time after any vehicles which have traversed the exit switch of said section and moved into the succeeding section have left said succeeding section by crossing the exit switch thereof, all of said indicating devices being located in juxtaposition so that they may all be seen at once.

12. 'In combination with means, located at spaced points along a traffic lane, and dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means located at a central station controlled by said first means for indicating in which of said zones speed of vehicular tramc is below a predetermined speed.

13. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a traffic lane, and dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means located at a central station controlled by said flrst means for indicating in which of said zones speed of vehicular tramc is below a predetermined speed, and means to indicate the density of vehicular traflic in any zone along said lane.

14. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a tramc lane, dividing'said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane,

electric means located at a central station, controlled by said first means for indicating in which of said zones speed of vehicular tramc is below a predetermined speed, and electrically controlled traiilc signalling means controlled by said vehicle responsive means to signal go" to traffic in said lane when trafllc is moving above said predetermined speed, and to signal stop" in any zone where speed is reduced to below said predetermined speed and to signal "stop in all zones back of said last zone.

15. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a tramc lane, dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means located at a central station controlled by said first means for indicating in which oi said zones speed or vehicular trailic is below a predetermined speed, and means to indicate the density oi vehicular trafilc in any zone along said lane, and electrically operated trafiic signalling means controlled by said vehicle responsive means to signal "go to traflic in said lane when trafiic i moving above said predetermined speed, and to signal stop in any zone where speed is reduced to below said predetermined speed and to signal stop" in all zones back of said last zone.

16. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a tramc lane, dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means controlled by said first means for indicating it speed of vehicular trafllc in any zone along said lane is below a predetermined speed, and means located at a central station and controlled by said first means .to indicate in which zone along said lane the traflic has slowed down below said predetermined speed.

17. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a tramc lane, dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means controlled by said first means to indicate if vehicular movement in any zone along said lane is above a predetermined speed, and electric means located at a central station controlled by said first means to indicate in which zone along said lane, the traiilc has increased above said predetermined speed.

18-. In combination with means, located at spaced points along a traiilc lane, dividing said lane into a series of contiguous zones, and responsive to vehicular movement along said lane, electric means located at a central station and controlled by said first means for indicating in which zone speed of vehicular trafilc along said lane is below a predetermined speed, and elec-- tric means located at said station and controlled by said first means to indicate in which zone fiow of tramc on said lane is above another higher predetermined speed,

19. In an automatic trafllc control system, a plurality of switches disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway, dividing said lane into a series of contiguous sections and adapted to be successively actuated by vehicles passing along said lane, a signalling device associated with each section and means controlled by passage of a vehicle over a section of said lane in less than a predetermined time, to actuate the signalling device associated with a succeeding section, a remote control panel, and means thereon to concurrently indicate which signaling device has been actuated.

20. Incombination, a plurality of vehicle ac tuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difleren'tial mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, toindicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of a differential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay oi that section only when the differential mechanism oi the next succeeding section is not operated after actuation of the preceding mechanism within the time set on said time delay relay, a go signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop signal in each section, and means controlled by the time delay relay in a section to extinguish the go" signal and operate the stop" signal in said section upon actuation of said time delay relay.

21. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a differential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of a diiierential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operated after actuation of the preceding mechanism within the time set on said time delay relay, a "go signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop signal in each section, means controlled by the time delay relay in a section to extinguish the go signal and operate the stop" signal in said section upon actuation of said time delay relay, and means to extinguish the go signals and operate the stop" signals oi! the preceding sections of the highway upon operation of the "stop signal in any section.

22. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a differential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations oi the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of a diflerential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism 01' the next succeeding section is not operated after actuation of the preceding mechanism within the time set on said time delay relay, a go" signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop" signal in each section, means controlled by the time delay relay in a section to extinguish the go" signal and operate the stop signal in said section upon actuation of said time delay relay, means to extinguish the go" signals and operate' the stop" signals of the preceding sections of the highway upon operation oi! the stop" signal in any section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, the means controlled by said time delay relay of a section being adapted to actuate the signal means on said panel for said section, when the go" signal in said section is extinguished and the stop signal operated,

23. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difierential mechanism for each section'controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of a differential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operatedafter actuation of the preceding mechanism within the time set on said time delay relay, a "go" signal normally operative, in each section, a stop" signal in each section, means controlled by the time delay relay in a section to extinguish the go signal and operate the stop signal in said section upon actuation of said time delay relay, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, the means controlled by said time delay relay of a section being adapted to actuate the signal means on said panel for said section, when the go signal in said section is extinguished and the stop signal operated.

24. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a differential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the actuations of a differential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay of that section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate the second time delay relay of a section upon actuation of its corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's differential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a "caution" signal for each section except the first section, and means to actuate the caution" signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay oi a preceding section.

25. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a diflerential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the actuations of a differential mechanism of one section to actuate the time delay relay of that section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate the second time delay relay of a section upon actuation of its corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's diflerential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution" signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay of a preceding section, a remote control panel, Sig-- tuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing, the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a diflerential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number oi vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the differential mechanism 01' each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation of the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's differential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay of a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the diflerential mechanism of one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay relay, a go signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop signal in each section, and means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section to extinguish the "go signal of the same section and operate the stop" signal in said section upon actuation of the third time delay relay of said section.

27. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a differential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicle in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the diflerential mechanism of each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay ior'each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation of the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding sections diflerential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay of a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the difierential mechanism oi? one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay, a go signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop signal in each section, means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section to extinguish the signal of the same section and operate the stop signal in said section upon actuation of the third time delay relay of said section, and means to extinguish the go signals and operate the stop signals of the preceding sections of the highway upon operation of the stop signal in any section.

28. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difierential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number of vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the difierential mechanism of each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation of the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's differential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the "caution" signal of a succeeding section upon actuation ,oi. the second time delay relay or a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the diflerential mechanism of one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the difierential mechanism oi the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay relay, a "go" signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop signal in each section, means controlled by the third time delay relay 01' an section to extinguish the "go" signal of the same section and operate the "stop signal in said section upon actuation of the third time delay relay of said section, means to extinguish the "go" signals and operate the stop signals of the preceding sections of the highway upon operation of the stop signal in any section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, said means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section including means for actuating the signal means on said panel of said section, when the go signal insaid section is extinguished and the stop signal of said section operated.

29. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difi'erential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations oi the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number 0! vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each 0! said sections, means controlled by the differential mechanism of each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation of the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's diflerential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution" signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay oi a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the differential mechanism of one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay relay, a "go signal, normally operative, in each section, a "stop signal in each section, means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section to extinguish the upon actuation oi the "caution" signal in said section.

30. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a difierential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations oi the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number- 0!. vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the dinerential mechanism of each section to actuate the timedelay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation of the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding section's diflerential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution" signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution" signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay oi a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the difierential mechanism of one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the differential mechanism of the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay relay, a go" signal, normally operative, in each section, a "stop" signal in each section, means controlled by the third time delay relayoi any section to extinguish the go" signal of the same section and operate the stop" signal in said section upon actuation of the third time delay relay of said section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, said means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section including means for actuating the signal means on said panel of said section, when the "go" signal in said section is extinguished and the "stop" signal oi said section operated.

31. In combination, a plurality oi vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a differential mechanism for each section controlled by the actuations of the vehicle actuated means bounding said sections, to indicate the number 0! vehicles in said section, a time delay relay for each of said sections, means controlled by the dinerential mechanism of each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each of said sections, means to actuate each second time delay relay upon actuation oi. the corresponding first time delay relay and of the succeeding sections difierential mechanism before the time set on said first time delay relay, a "caution signal foreach section except the first section, means to actuate the caution" signal or a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay 0! a preceding section, a third time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the diiiferential mechanism oi. one section to actuate the third time delay relay of that section only when the difierential mechanismpt the next succeeding section is not operated within the time set on said third time delay relay, a "go signal, normally operative, in each section, a stop" signal in each section, means controlled by the third time delay relay of any section to extinguish the go" signal of the same section and operate the "stop signal in said section upon actuation oi! the third time delay relay of said section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, said means controlled by the'third time delay relay of any section including means for actuating the signal means on said panel of said section, when the "go signal in said section is extinguished and the stop signal of said section operated, a second signal means on said panel for each section except the first section and means to operate said second panel signal means of a section upon actuation of the "caution signal in said section.

32. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at-spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the lane into a plurality of successive sections, a "go signal, normally operative, for each section, a stop signal for each section, an electrical circuit interconnecting said vehicle actuating means and said signals, said circuit including a delayed time relay for each section, means controlled by the vehicle actuated means at the entrance of a'section to actuate the time delay relay 0! said section when the vehicle actuated means at the exit of said section is not actuated atter actuation of the entrance means within the time set on said time delay relay, and means controlled by said time delay relay to extinguish the go" signal of said section and operate said stop signal upon actuation of said time delay relay.

33. In combination, a piurality'of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway'dividing the lane into a plurality of successive sections, a "go signal, normally operative, for each section, a stop" signal for each section, an electrical circuit interconnecting said vehicle actuating means and said signals, said circuit including a delayed time relay for each section, means controlled by the vehicle actuated means at the entrance of a sec-- tion to actuate the time delay relay oi! said section when the vehicle actuated means at the exit of said section is not actuated after actuation of the entrance means within the time set on said time delay relay, means controlled by said time delay relay to extinguish the go'signal of'said section and operate said stop" signal upon actuation of said time delay relay, and meansto extinguish the "go signals and operate the stop signals of the preceding sections of the highway upon operation of the stop signal in any section. A 34. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the lane into a plurality of successive sections, a go signal, normally operative, for each section, a stop signal for each section, an electrical circuit interconnecting said vehicle actuating means and said signals, said circuit including a delayed time relay for each section, means controlled by the vehicle-actuated means at the entrance of a section to actuate the time delay relay 0! said section when the vehicle actuated means 'at the exit of said section is not actuated after actuation of the entrance means within the time set on said time delay relay, means controlled by said time delay relay to extinguish the go" signal 0! said section and operate said stop signal upon actuation of said time delay relay, and means to extinguish the go" signals and operate the stop" signals of the preceding sections oi the highway upon operation 7 of the stop signal in any section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each of said sections, the means controlled by said time delay r'elay including means for actuating said signal means on said'panel of one section, when the-go" signal in said section is extinguished and the stop signal or said section operated.

35. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of the vehicle actuated means at the entrance of each section to actuate the time delay relay'ot said section, a second time delay relay for each section, means to actuate the second time delay relay of a section upon actuation of the first time delay relay of said section and of the vehicle actuated-means located at the exit of a section after actuation of the entrance means before the time set on said first time delay relay, .a caution signal for each section except the first section, and means to actuate the "caution signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay oi! a preceding section.

36. In combination, a plurality of vehicle actuated means disposed at spaced intervals along the lane of a highway dividing the highway into a plurality of successive sections, a time delay relay for each section, means controlled by the actuation of the vehicle actuated means at the entrance of each section to actuate the time delay relay of said section, a second time delay relay for each section, means to actuate the second time delay relay 01' a section upon actuation of the first time delay relay of said section and or the vehicle actuated means located at the exit of a section after actuation of the entrance means before the time set on said first time delay relay, a caution" signal for each section except the first section, means to actuate the caution" signal of a succeeding section upon actuation of the second time delay relay of a preceding section, a remote control panel, signal means on said panel for each section except the first section, and means to operate the panel signal means of a section upon actuation of the "caution signal in said section.

BENJAMIN COOPER.