WO2001004819A1 - Method and apparatus for roadway sponsorship and the construction and maintenance of roadways associated therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

Construction and maintenance products and services including accident reduction zone services and on-line application are provided (506). A plan is provided which forms a company for establishing sponsors (501) with municipalities (503) to form agreements which provide for the instalment of accident reduction zone reflectors. An on-line site which acts as a forum wherein the sponsors (501), contractors (502) and municipalities (502) congregate is provided. The on-line site provide services and products (506) relevant to the objective of accident reduction due to wildlife. The plan is incorporated into the on-line site. The services include providing maps of roads where reflectors may be sponsored, calculators for automatically calculating municipality funding in accordance with federal regulations and agreements contracts (507) which may be in the form of a bulletin board completed by the parties. In addition, the on-line site provides information and products relevants to the construction and maintenance of roads (504).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROADWAY SPONSORSHIP AND THE

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADWAYS ASSOCIATED

THEREWITH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial No. 60/143,392 filed July 12, 1999; the entire content of this provisional application being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the construction and maintenance of roadways and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing products and services for the construction and maintenance of roadways and on-line application therefor. The products and services may include accident reduction zone products and services.

There is a need for construction and maintenance products and services and a method of providing these products and services. These products and services must be provided in particular for reducing wildlife-related accidents. Under cover of darkness, deer and other wild game often try to cross our roadways and highways.

Sometimes they become paralyzed in the glare of oncoming headlights, and are struck by unsuspecting motorists. The number of accidents involving game at night is rising at an alarming rate. In 1997, animals were listed as a factor in 142 fatal crashes - an increase of 11 percent over 1996 and 25 percent over 1995. Over 500,000 vehicles are damaged or totaled each year in such crashes, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration. 16,000 of those crashes resulted in human injury. The insurance information institute estimates the cost of deer/car collisions to be approximately $2,000.00 per claim on average.

Reflectors for keeping the wildlife off of the roads and highways have been used in Europe for a considerable time with great success. In some cases, the number of collisions has decreased by 60-90%. Collisions between wildlife, especially deer and automobiles produce a substantial economic cost through damage to vehicles, loss or injury of human life, and high automobile insurance rates.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for providing construction and maintenance services for roadways.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for significantly reducing the number of automobile collisions with wildlife on our roadways.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for reducing human injuries and fatalities on roadways.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for reducing and avoiding costly vehicle repairs and the ever-growing number of insurance claims and cost of insurance premiums, as well as reducing the cost of accident cleanup and maintenance by police.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the Specification and the drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for providing construction and maintenance products and services, and specifically for providing these products and services including accident reduction zone services, and an on-line application therefor. The method of the invention includes the steps of forming a company, establishing sponsors with business entities and matching same with municipalities, and forming agreements that provide for the installment of accident reduction zone reflectors. The apparatus of the invention includes an on-line web site which acts as a forum wherein potential and actual sponsors and municipalities congregate. The on-line site provides services and products relevant to the objective of accident reduction due to wildlife. The method of the invention is incorporated into the on-line site. The various services include at least one of providing maps of roads where reflectors may be sponsored and providing calculators for automatically calculating municipality funding in accordance with federal regulations and agreements contracts which may be in the form of a bulletin board completed by both parties. In addition, the on-line site provides information and products relevant to the construction and maintenance of roads.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combination(s) of elements and arrangement of parts that are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a reflector used in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a wedge used in accordance with the invention;

Figs. 4A-C are flow diagrams depicting the more precise steps of the invention;

Figs. 5A-F depict one embodiment of an on-line service embodying the invention; Fig. 6 is a flow diagram depicting the steps for the calculation of funding according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram depicting the steps for installation of reflectors in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 8 is a flow diagram depicting the steps for maintenance of reflectors in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram depicting the steps for obtaining funding in accordance with the invention; Figs. 10A-C are flow diagrams depicting the steps of the processing of the on-line service of the invention shown in Figs. 5A-F.

Fig. 11 is a flow diagram depicting the overall processing of the invention; Fig. 12 is a flow diagram depicting the processing of the invention from the point of view of a government entity;

Fig. 13 is a flow diagram depicting the processing of the invention from the point of view of a corporate entity; and

Fig. 14 is a flow diagram depicting the processing of the invention from the point of view of the operator of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to Fig. 1, a method of the invention first calls for a newly formed company to be registered within a state. The company includes one or more individuals with experience in marketing, selling and distribution. The method at step ST 10 calls for the company's management team to bring years of experience from a variety of disciplines (including marketing, financing, operations, administration, distribution, and accounting) to bear upon execution of the company's method. The management team should be a group of highly skilled agents whose government contacts will improve upon the projected growth of the business. The company should attract and retain highly qualified personnel.

The next step ST 12 in the method is to acquire a portion of, or the existing Distribution Agreement between the company and manufacturer or other distributor of roadside reflectors for a particular geographic territory. This agreement allows for exclusive distribution across the portions of a territory such as U.S. and Canada in any appropriate subdivision.

At step ST 13, the method calls for the distribution of a special roadside warning reflector to government entities. The product is used to significantly reduce the number automobile collisions with wildlife. The distribution system will be discussed in greater detail below making reference to Figs. 11-14 as well as the remainders of the figures in the application.

Finally, at step ST 14, future financing from a corporate entity or the like for a particular sponsorship, and for the distribution company is secured.

Fig. 2 depicts the construction of a reflector 200 contemplated to be used with the invention. Any type of effective reflector can be used. When provided in a row along the edge of a highway, they provide an optical "wall of light" that keep game off the roads with a high degree of reliability. As the light from automobile headlamps traveling on the road hit the reflectors, the light is scattered away off to the side of the road, in a wide arc. The combined light from the reflectors immobilizes and deters wildlife from crossing the road. The light is reflected at a 90-degree angle, thereby directing the reflected light away from the drivers and to the side of the road. The natural living space of the game is not restricted in any way. As the automobile passes the light diminishes and the animals are free to roam safely.

The reflector is preferably formed of a matte black housing 210, measuring 3.2 x 7.1 inches for example, in which two inclined reflecting surfaces 220 (1.6 x 6 inches) are symmetrically imbedded. The surfaces are constructed of a pattern of small reflecting mirror facets 225; .14 inch in size, the backsides of which are high- vacuumed galvanized. A special coating that is highly resistant to road salt and other chemical road cleaning products is provided over the entire reflector 200. Reflector 200 may be red or of any color including an ultraviolet or infra-red color which can only be seen by wildlife but will not blind drivers.

A compensating wedge 300 shown in Fig. 3 is used in areas where the road either inclines upward or declines downward by at least 3 feet in comparison to the crown of the road. These compensating wedges are of matte black plastic and can be used in either case of road terrain. Compensating wedges 300 are provided with varying angles for use with different road inclines or declines. A reflector 200 is fixed to a proper compensating wedge 300, so that when mounted on a pole at the side of a road, the headlight reflections reflect properly and not into the sky or ground.

Very little maintenance is required to upkeep the reflectors. They should be cleaned at least twice a year. Using mild detergent and warm water will bring the reflectors back to optimum performance. It is suggested that once a month the reflectors are routinely checked to make sure they are upright and not cracked or defaced in any way.

Referring next to Fig. 11, the overall interactions between the owner, government and the business community will be described when sponsors are to be matched to support a roadway. At step ST 1102 a government entity contacts an Accident Reductions Zone (ARZ) entity by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, via an appropriate Accident Reduction Zone website, or any other readily available communication method. Additionally, at step ST 1104 the ARZ entity is contacted in the same manner by a corporate entity. At step ST 1106 the ARZ receives the inquiry from the government entity of step ST 1402 or the corporate entity of step ST 1104. The ARZ entity then sends a media kit and other requested information, which is received by the government entity at step ST 1108 or by the corporate entity at step ST 1110.

Upon receipt of this requested information, the government entity fills out a government ARZ road application at step ST 1112 and forwards the completed application to the ARZ entity via one of the communication methods noted above. This application presents a portion of road the government entity wishes to have sponsored for installation of ARZ reflectors. Similarly, at step ST 1114 the corporate entity completes the corporate sponsor application and forwards it to the ARZ entity in a similar manner. This corporate application presents a corporate entity for sponsoring a portion of a road. At step ST 1116 these applications are received by the ARZ entity. At step ST 1118, the government and corporate entity data from the respective applications are input into an available road database and a corporate sponsor database. The government and corporate entities are notified of their approval into the ARZ program at steps ST 1120 and ST 1122 respectively. A matching process is performed at step ST 1124 to match a particular sponsor with an appropriate portion of road to sponsor. This matching process is performed based upon road location, traffic pattern, accident incidence, availability of the ARZ site and price quote. If more than one sponsor wishes to sponsor a particular roadway, or if extra roadways are available, a bidding process may be employed to determine a final match. When a match is found in step ST 1124, the appropriate government and corporate entities are notified of the matched opportunity at steps ST 1126 and ST 1128 respectively. At these steps, the government and corporate entities approve the suggested matched opportunities. Once approved, appropriate contracts for the government and corporate entities are generated at step ST 1130 and forwarded them at steps ST 1132 and ST 1134 respectively to the government and corporate entities.

The government entity signs and returns the contract to the ARZ entity. The government entity also schedules various road crews for receiving and installing the reflectors, based upon provided information. The corporate sponsor also signs and returns their contract, and pays some portion of the cost of the reflectors for the road they are sponsoring. At step ST 1136, the ARZ entity receives the signed contracts and the partial payment from the corporate sponsor. The entry in the database for the particular road portion includes an indication of an intent to install reflectors. This effectively removes this portion of road from being suggested for sponsorship to any other corporate entity.

After the installation has been scheduled, control passes to step ST 1138 where it is determined whether a required amount of reflectors and other parts for installing the reflectors are in a warehouse. If so, these reflectors and other required parts are removed from the warehouse and forwarded to the government entity for installation. At step ST 1140, inventory is reordered, if necessary.

If at step ST 1138, if it is determined that sufficient reflectors and other required parts are not present in inventory, or if at step ST 1136 for any other reason the reflectors and other parts are not to the be provided from existing inventory, control passes to step ST 1142 where required reflectors and other parts are ordered from an appropriate supplier or manufacturer.

After acquisition of the required equipment, at step ST 1144, corporate signage is acquired for placement on a sign indicating the sponsorship of the road segment by the sponsor. At step ST 1146 this signage is approved and finalized.

At steps 1148 and 1150, the reflectors and signage are shipped to the government entity for installation. At step ST 1152, the government entity confirms installation of the reflectors and signage to the ARZ entity, and at step ST 1154 the ARZ entity confirms the installation to the corporate sponsor and obtains the remainder of the payment from the sponsor.

Referring next to Fig. 12, the workflow of Fig. 11 is presented from the point of view of the government entity. Steps similar to those in Fig. 11 are given like reference numerals. Steps ST 1102 depict the contacting of the ARZ entity, and steps ST 1112 provide requested information and differ based upon the chosen access method at steps ST 1102. Step ST 1126 is expanded to show the two substeps STl 126a and STl 126b of being notified of a match and acceptance of a match. Similarly, step ST 1152 has been expanded to show the receipt of various materials other than the actual signage and reflectors, and the receipt of the signage and reflectors at steps ST 1152a and ST 1152b. As is further shown in Fig. 12, after 30 days from receipt of the material to be installed, at step ST 1202, the reflectors and signage are installed, and at step ST 1204, the ARZ entity is notified of this installation. Within 30 additional days after installation, at step ST 1206, a press release is issued from the government entity announcing the installation and sponsorship. After six months from installation, statistical accident data is provided for the sponsored roadway to the ARZ entity at step ST 1208, and copies of press clippings and a testimonial form are provided to the ARZ entity at step ST 1210. Eleven months from the installation, a twelve month statistical accident data form and contract renewal form are provided to the government entity in step ST 1212. After twelve months from installation, statistical accident data from the sponsored roadway is provided from the government entity to the ARZ entity in step ST 1214. Referring next to Fig. 13, the workflow of Fig. 11 is presented from the point of view of the corporate entity. Steps similar to those in Fig. 11 are given like reference numerals and not further explained. Step ST 1104 is split based upon access method. If the corporate entity accesses an ARZ entity website, control passes to step ST 1114 where an ARZ application is filled out and submitted. If contact is made by phone, fax or other delayed method, a media kit is received at step ST 1110, and the ARZ survey is then filled out at step STl 114. The next few steps are identical to those of Fig. 11.

At step ST 1302, 45 days after installation of the reflectors, the ARZ entity provides copies of press releases from local media announcing the installation and sponsorship. Seven months after installation, the ARZ entity provides to the corporate entity statistical accident data for the sponsored roadway and copies of press clippings and government testimonial endorsements at steps ST 1304 and ST 1306. At step 1308, eleven months after installation, the corporate entity receives a contract renewal. After twelve months, the contract is returned, rejected or modified at step ST 1310. Finally, at step ST 1312, after thirteen months from installation, the ARZ entity provides further statistical accident data for the sponsored roadway.

Referring next to Fig. 14, the workflow of Fig. 11 is presented from the point of view of the ARZ entity. Steps similar to those in Fig. 11 are given like reference numerals and not further explained. At step ST 1402, within 30 days of installation, the government issues a press release to the local media, and a copy is forwarded to the ARZ entity. After six months at steps ST 1404 and ST 1406, the ARZ entity receives statistical accident data for the sponsored roadway, press clippings and testimonial data from the government entity. After eleven months from installation, at step ST 1408, the ARZ entity requests twelve month accident data and forwards a contract renewal to the government entity. After twelve months from installation, the government entity provides the requested accident data and a signed contract renewal form at step ST 1410.

The method in accordance with the invention further includes the steps for sales & marketing of the reflectors. As noted above, the method of the invention is to sell and market game warning reflectors to state and local government agencies with or without sponsorship throughout the U.S. and Canada as shown in step ST 401. It is contemplated that reflectors may be sold directly to government agencies and distributors. The method calls for the use of outside sales agents to sell directly. The method prescribes that the agents will be assigned specific territories and be compensated on a straight net commission basis. Contracts with agents should be a mandatory of six (6) month reviews. At step ST 402, in accordance with the method, major marketing mediums that will be penetrated over a period of time such as the next five years are identified. The method includes preferably penetrating Conventions/Tradeshows/Seminars, Media, Television and Radio. The method calls for pursuing conventions, tradeshows and seminars specifically targeted to a government audience at step ST 403. In addition transportation, public safety & highway safety product shows will also be good sources to target. Additionally, these shows will aid in attracting new distributors and or agents. The method further calls for advertising in, for example, Government journals, Government Magazines, Government Newsletters, Animal Rights Alliance and Environmental Agencies. The method also calls for a plan to expand into Television and Radio in step ST 404. The method prescribes obtaining an excellent working relationship with key members such as reporters at major television new stations. The method contemplated reports news stories of deer/car collisions in step ST 405. Step ST 506 of the method calls for the contact with a local radio station and obtaining a spot on a daily show. The radio program asks callers to call in with deer related stories in step ST 407, helpful hints, and locations of deer on highly traveled roads in step ST 408. At step ST 409, major awareness is created in the surrounding communities and alliances are formed with the station in the way of sponsorship.

The method pursues publications in, for example, NACO (National Association of Counties) ^■ NJ League of Municipalities ^• NJAC ( New Jersey Association of Counties) ^• DOT Newsletters ^• Highway Traffic Engineers Monthly Magazine.

The method includes setting up an apparatus for Internet e-commerce. The apparatus is implemented as a software application (Fig. 5) in the form of an on- line service such as an internet web-site for carrying out the invention, as will be described in greater detail below. Fig. 5 A depicts a first page of a website constructed in accordance with the invention. This page includes links to numerous internet directories dealing with public works, traffic engineering, public safety, reducing auto accidents, government procurement and highway safety to name a few. The web page also includes links to various information on the website, including sponsors 501, contractors 502, municipalities 503, road construction and maintenance links 504, an online forum 505, products and services 506, new contract bulletin 507, and a secure portion accessible to the web site company only 508, for including various website functions. Digital pictures of existing reflector sites as well as online order forms, and letters of endorsement are posted on the web-site in their proper locations.

When the "SPONSORS" link 501 shown in Fig. 5A is selected, control passes to the method described above in Fig. 13. The matching of a corporate entity and an available road portion is performed by matching a sponsor with a municipality near the sponsor's place of business, so that the signage listing the sponsorship is viewed by the relevant buying public. Upon selection of a particular road sponsorship, an image such as that in Fig. 5D is shown to present all of the required information to the corporate entity about the selection road portion. When the "MUNICIPALITIES" link 503 is selected, control passes to the method described above in Fig. 12. The government entity selects a roadway, and an appropriate sponsor is searched for. Current reflector placement is determined, and a portion of a roadway including insufficient reflectors but perhaps having a high accident rate is determined by the government entity. A geographic map of the section of roadway in question is presented. Insurance companies may be targeted for particular areas that might include a higher risk of accidents. Incentives could be provided for insurance companies to sponsor the reflectors, such as insurance premium puts through government supports. Further, a user can visit a page, such as that shown in Fig. 5F, to obtain further information.

The method of the invention contemplates a partnership with major insurance leaders and form an alliance to reduce insurance rates where localities have installed reflectors. The method pinpoints major areas to target marketing efforts where deer population per square mile is densest. The method provides a map pinpointing the areas available for sponsorship and the densest areas of deer population particularly.

The method pinpoints the most desirable areas for advertising such as those areas where traffic is densest.

The selection of the "CONTRACTORS" link in Fig. 5 A provides information for contractors wishing to bid on installation jobs. A user is provided to a bidding area, as shown in Fig. 5B. This page provides all information for an installation job, and allows for a contractor to submit an actual bid on the job.

The selection of the link 504 forwards a user to the screen such as that shown in Fig. 5C, providing various industry links. The method prescribes a plan for obtaining financial assistance (Fig. 6), particularly government-sponsored financial assistance as a further part of the "MUNICIPALITIES" link in Fig. 5 A. As is shown in Fig. 6, the method of the present invention provides the selection of several options for local and county governments to explore when it comes to funding for such projects. A sub-web page shown at Fig. 5E is employed for this portion of the method of the invention. Under the Federal Transportation Equity Act, specifically T-21, wildlife warning reflectors can be approved 100% with Federal Safety money.

At the State level any town, municipality or agency may work directly with the State Division of Highway Traffic and Safety to obtain funding. Usually at this level they provide for matching funds only. Below is information describing in better detail the procedures according to the method of the present invention for obtaining grant money.

To support State highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes and resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage, at step ST 601 under TEA- 21, a consolidated 402 program is created at step ST 604, merging the ISTEA's separate FHWA 402 authorization of step ST 602 and NHTSA 402 authorization of ST 603 into one authorization. A State may use these grant funds only for highway safety purposes (roadway and behavioral); at least 40 percent of these funds are to be used to address local traffic safety problems. The state in which a particular municipality resides is determined at step ST 605 and the method calculates automatically for the municipality the Section 402 formula at step ST 606: • 75 percent based on the ratio of the State's population in the latest Federal census to

the total population in all States.

• 25 percent based on the ratio of the public road miles in the State to the total public road miles in all States. Appropriate government forms are printed in step ST 607. As shown in Fig. 5E a page on the website is preferably provided for entering all of the required information of the method of Fig. 6, and calculating funds available to the municipality for the program. The apportionment to each State is no less than one-half of one percent of the total 402 apportionment. For purposes of this section, those jurisdictions defined as "States" in chapter 4 of Title 23 are eligible to receive Section 402 funds; this includes the 50

States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The method automatically determines whether the user is a "state" within this title.

The method provides a performance plan for the municipality. A State is eligible for these formula grants by submitting a Performance Plan, which establishes goals and performance measures to improve highway safety in the State, and a Highway Safety Plan, which describes activities to achieve those goals. TEA-21 revises the periodic rulemaking process used to determine national priority program areas, from one requiring States to direct resources to fixed program areas identified by the rulemaking, to one directing that the States consider such highly effective programs when developing their State highway safety program plans. TEA-21 also allows any State in FY 1999 and 2000, to use their 402 funds to purchase television and radio time for highway safety messages. The method of the present invention provides information and pinpoints on maps those areas of roads which are the most dangerous to motorists in accordance with governmental reports. The Highway Safety Infrastructure program funds activities for safety improvement projects to correct hazardous locations, sections and elements and to eliminate hazards at rail/highway grade crossings.

The method provides information such as the Hazard Elimination Program [23USC152] which funds activities to resolve safety problems at hazardous locations and sections, and roadway elements which may constitute a danger to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. According to the Hazard elimination program,

• funds are opened to Interstates (previously excluded), any public transportation surface facility , and any public bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail.

• traffic calming (previously ineligible) is explicitly mentioned as eligible activity.

• through a survey, hazards to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of highway facilities are identified and projects and programs are developed and implemented to address the hazards.

The method also provides information on the transportation enhancement (TE) activities which continue to be funded through a 10 percent set-aside from STP funds. In order to maximize the use of available TE funding, TEA-21 provides innovative financing alternatives for meeting matching requirements. The list of activities eligible for transportation enhancement funds is expanded, but all projects must related to surface transportation. The method updates and automatically applies for newly eligible safety education activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, establishment of transportation museums, and projects to reduce vehicle-caused wild/life mortality.

The method automatically calculates for the municipality the available funding and automatically prepares the forms in accordance with the foregoing funding governmental guidelines, as noted above.

By helping to reduce the number of vehicle/wildlife collisions each sponsor is entitled to the following:

• Company name proudly displayed on a, for example, 11X16-inch plaque, installed at the beginning and end of each roadway accepted, for example.

• Complete coverage in the Accident Reduction Zone Media Campaign program, including local and national papers, government and wildlife magazines, and national news wires.

• Listed & linked on web-site as a contributor to the Accident Reduction Zone Program. The remaining links on Fig. 5 A present access to a forum 505, where various interested parties can converse, a products and services link 506, including a list of available products and services from the ARZ entity, and a new contracts bulletin 507, listing new, completed contracts.

As noted above, pricing is important in selecting a particular roadway for sponsorship. As is next shown in Fig. 7, the method includes installing, maintaining, federal funding and pricing the reflectors. Installation of the Game Warning Reflectors includes the steps of:

ST 701. Length of the roadway is measured. ST 702. Reflectors should be no more than a predetermined distance, 60 feet for example, apart along each the side of the roadway. In cases of heavy populated areas reflectors should be no more than, for example, 50-60 feet apart.

ST 703. Reflectors should be installed as close to the side of the road as possible without exceeding, for example, 12 feet from the shoulder or edge of roadway. ST 704. In accordance with NHTSA guidelines, the optimum installed height should place the center of the reflector at a predetermined distance, 38 inches for example, from the crown of the roadway. When doubling the units the lowest reflector should not be less than a predetermined distance, 24 inches for example, from the crown of the road.

ST 705. Reflectors should face away from the roadway. ST 706. We recommend using compensating wedges in areas where the road either inclines upward or declines downward by at least, for example, 3 feet in comparison to the level roadway. In accordance with the present invention that the light is reflected at a 90 degree angle and is unseen by the motorist. It is within the invention to space the reflectors according to the design of the road condition.

As is shown in Fig. 8, maintenance of the game warning Reflectors is performed in accordance with the present invention according to the steps of: ST 801. Reflectors should be cleaned at least twice a year.

ST 802. Using a mild detergent and warm water will bring the reflector back to optimum performance. ST 803. We suggest that once a month the reflectors are routinely checked to make sure they are upright and not cracked or defaced in any way.

The present invention prescribes that the reflectors are made to withstand all weather conditions. They are specially coated with a temperature and weather resistant lacquer. The rainfall will keep the reflectors clean in between scheduled detergent cleanings.

Next, as shown in Fig. 9, Federal Funding of the Game Warning Reflectors is obtained in accordance with the following steps:

ST 901. The Highway Department in a particular state will provide forms, matching funds under the TEA-21 Transportation Equity Act.

ST 902. The FHWA has approved 80-90% Federal Funding under the Hazard Elimination Program.

ST 903. The governmental entity to apply for funding is determined. ST 904. Any state, county, city or municipality which wants to apply for Funding must go through the State Highway Department and the FHWA to gain approval.

It is within the scope of the present invention to obtain and maintain contacts of the Game Warning Reflectors.

The present invention therefore provides an on-line service such as a web-site on the Internet or world-wide web or other on-line connection such as a bulletin-board system, network or the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate the rudiments of web-site building and will understand without undue experimentation how to implement the invention in the form of a web-site. The on-line service may be programmed in any of various known programming languages including, but not limited to, C++, HTML and Java and may be in the form of a computer readable medium such as ROM, floppy disc, hard disc, CD-ROM, DVD or Magneto-Optical Disc or the like. The on-line service of the present invention provides a forum 505 wherein municipalities, sponsors such as insurance companies congregate. The on-line service provides information, products 506 and resources specific to road construction 504 and, in particular, the accident reduction zone reflectors for reducing motorist/wildlife accidents. The on-line service provides detailed road maps of various geographies sorted by location. The maps are selected automatically according to the location of the user logged on to the on-line service. The on-line service maintains in the form of a table or the like the sponsored areas and determines automatically availability of the areas to be sponsored. The availability may be ear-marked with a different color or by flashing areas on the on-line service screen.

The on-line service provides areas which are determined most hazardous and/or in need of repair. As such, the on-line service provides a municipality with the ability to manage its highways and roads. There is provided on the on-line service the ability, via ordering pages, to purchase information and/or products such as road signs, construction equipment and materials such as asphalt and the like.

The on-line service provides ordering of services such as construction services, installation of the road signs and reflectors. The on-line service provides automatic recordation and updating of the construction performed and indicates the same on the maps. The company may provide construction services which are selectable on the on-line site. The on-line service provides an area for construction contracts where municipalities or the like post bulletins which are conspicuously labeled on the on-line page to alert construction contractors for potential contracts and/or future bidding sessions, as noted above at Fig. 5B. The bulletins are clearly marked with the project and date thereof and are selectable by the mouse or the like which hyperlinks the user to the bidding session. The on-line service conducts the bidding sessions within the regulations required by law and the web-page is set up accordingly. Thus, secret bids on the service are designed to hide bids of the contractors. The bulletins may be linked directly to icons on the map. The icons may be symbols of the product or service offered such as road sign, asphalt, reflector/ AZR icons which are positioned adjacent the road area which it pertains and hyperlinked to the corresponding chat on bulletin page 1 area. The present invention calls for equipment icons such as bulldozers, men, shovels and the like which may be selected and placed in the requisite work area. The parameters such as quantity appear on or adjacent the icon and selectable by the user. The present invention automatically calculates a minimum bid in regard the costs of the contract as indicated by the icons and a bid with a predetermined profit. The present invention automatically presents the bid to the municipality at the selection of a bid key and routes the bid to the appropriate bidding area along with the contractors information. In addition, any user can utilize the icons to select products and services and designate or form a bidding area.

The on-line service also acts as a forum for municipalities and construction contractors to congregate. The on-line service provides on-line bidding for contracts which may be provided in a forum such as a chat room specially designed to receive bids. Such a chat room is designed to send bids to the municipality without revealing the bid to the other contractors. The on-line service also provides forms and contracts which may be filled on-line by the parties to complete the contract. Digital signature are provided which are affixed on the on-line contract which bind the parties. The on-line service provides records of the contracts for auditing. Bidding areas may be created automatically by a user, but may be limited to certain users, such as municipalities.

Figs. 10A, 10B and IOC depict additional features that are available from the "Municipality", "Sponsor" and "Contractor" links of Fig. 5 A. The on-line service provides actual photographs of the roads such that the municipalities, sponsors and construction contractors can identify the particular portion of the road which is in negotiation. The photographs may be hyperlinked to portions of the maps such that the photographs "pop-up" when the corresponding portion of the map is selected by use of the mouse or the like. An indicator such as a line or the like may be formed on the display to indicate the correspondence between the photo and the area of the map. For the contractor, this makes it easy to define which portion of the road is to be repaired/created. The sponsor can identify the area where the advertisement will be placed. The municipality more easily manages the maintenance of the road.

The on-line service superimposes various advertisements selected by the sponsor on a sign and digitally composes the sign on the photo or map where indicated. This confirms the sponsor's exact advertising desires. There is provided a design tool which allows the sponsor to create custom advertising which may include pre-formed stamps such as company logos, clip-art designed and imported by the sponsor or the like.

The on-line service provides demographics and population estimates for various areas which may be provided in response to selecting a portion of the maps in a demographics area. The on-line service provides hot sponsor areas where the population is high near the road or is traveled more often. The on-line service customizes the hot areas according to the type of sponsor in accordance with the demographics areas and tables or the like which match population types with predetermined population attributes. The demographics may be updated automatically from on-line census bureaus.

The on-line service provides auditing services which track every transaction according to the user such as advertising orders, material orders, and construction contracts and the like. The auditing system may also store information on contracts and orders input by the user which is not necessarily ordered through the service of the present invention. The audits for each user may be sorted in accordance with the users directives such as date, geographic location, parties to the contract and the like. The audit is in any number of user-selectable forms including a spreadsheet, printout and the like which the user selects. The on-line service generates graphs showing user activity such as bids arranged according to type of bid or contract which indicates a bidder's bidding history, success and failures.

The services of the on-line site may be segmented into discrete programming applications which are each charged to the user's account or added to a shopping cart. The account may be paid by credit card, annual check or the like. The on-line service provides auditing and display of each user's transaction and charges using the on-line service. The fee calculation and billing may be provided automatically and may be billed to the user in any number of manners including E-mail. The on-line application according to the present invention provides an escrow service. In particular, the municipalities may maintain escrow accounts. The on-line invention automatically allocates funds in escrow to bids according to the user's direction and automatically determines if contract awards or bids are within the allocated as available funds.

The on-line service provides information at a charge on federal government funding and aid for road construction repair and particularly for installing reflectors. The on-line service for a fee calculates, given a number of parameters prompted by the service and answered by the user, the available funding. The on-line service provides pre-determination of eligibility of the federal funds and indicates any points where the municipality is lacking. The on-line service provides printable forms and automated forms which are automatically completed by the service and sent to the government for funding purposes. The service tracks any number of funding requests and reports to the user the results of the funds in an audit format. The on-line service explains the reason, if any, the funding was rejected and automatically offers alternative funding measures in any event. The on-line service provides timely updates in governmental regulations and automatically updates all boiler-plate forms as well as contracts in existence to reflect the changes in the regulations. The service provides a limiter to the user which prevents certain documents from being updated. The service provides automatic previous warnings to users if they are in violation or in danger of future violation of current or updates in regulations. Regulations are provided for bidding sessions in an easily accessible area adjacent the bidding area or window which may be a pop-up window which the bidders easily access. The regulations may also be provided at the outset of any user entry to a bidding area. The on-line service automatically rejects any activity such as a bid and alerts the offending user as to an action which does not conform with the regulations of bidding or any other legal transaction for that matter. The on-line service provides for on-line legal assistance where legal advice is required. The on-line service is arranged in well-defined user areas such as sponsor, construction and municipality with each area including relevant applications for each type of user. A general forum area is provided where users chat on different subjects such as ventures for future construction and repair of a particular highway. Each of the user areas and chat rooms are labeled conspicuously as to the nature of the chat discussion. The different areas of the on-line service may be restricted in accordance with the type of user verified by any means.

The on-line service provides a management device by which the company of the afore-mentioned business plan operates and directs automatically the services and products provided to the users including the sponsor, contractors and municipalities. The on-line service provides annual reports of earnings in the form of spreadsheets and the like and automatically reports on daily events including user logons, contract creations and every aspect of the on-line service. The on-line service provides an audit of services and charges as well as distribution of products and materials such as the reflectors. The on-line service provides the company with maps of the distributed/installed products and services including a master map accessible only by authorized personnel of all the products/services and distributions sorted by date, user and geographic location and the like. The audit includes one or more graphs which indicate past and future areas where products and services may be needed. The on-line service provides a prediction calculator which predicts where and when such products and service are needed based on past products and services provided as well as extraneous data such as road or material conditions/life, weather conditions over a period of time and usage of the particular municipality asset and the like.

The present invention may employ the reflector described above but is not limited thereto and may of course employ other type of reflectors.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, because certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction(s) set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for contracting a government entity for installing reflectors on a road, obtaining sponsorship for installing said reflectors and installing a sign on said road, said method comprising the steps of: contracting with a government entity to install animal reflectors on a road; obtaining a sponsor for sponsoring installation of said animal reflectors on at least a portion of said road; and installing at least one sign on said road indicating said sponsor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing said reflectors on said portion of said road sponsored.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said government entity with a calculation of government funding available in accordance with government funding programs for roads.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of targeting for said sponsorship an insurance agency.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of negotiating an insurance rate reduction for motorists with said insurance agency.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the sponsor with information indicating suitable advertising areas of said road in accordance with market studies.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of targeting government- attended events to solicit the government entity.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming contacts in media for promotional purposes.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of promoting on a radio show.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a community alliance with communities for informational and promotional purposes.

11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of appearing on a television program for informational and promotional purposes.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing maps of said road to said sponsor.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of matching said government entity with said sponsor according to interests of said sponsor.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing legal papers for binding the parties.

15. the method according to claim 14, wherein said step of preparing includes preparing government forms for obtaining funding for said government entity.

16. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of providing includes determining whether said government entity is a state within the meaning of a particular government funding program.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of installing includes setting said reflectors on said road such that reflected light is substantially directed away from motorists.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining said reflectors installed on said road.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a company for obtaining said contract with said government entity and said sponsorship with said sponsor.

20. A method of installing animal reflectors on a road for deterring an animal from approaching and straying on said road, comprising the steps of: setting the reflector on the road in a manner which, when an electromagnetic beam is emanated from a moving vehicle light and impinges on said reflector, at least a portion of said electromagnetic beam is reflected in such a manner that said portion is directed toward said animal thereby deterring said animal from said road; and positioning said reflector on the road in a manner which, when said electromagnetic wave is emanated from a moving vehicle light and impinges on said reflector, at least a portion of said electromagnetic beam is reflected in such a manner that said portion is directed away from a motorist of said moving vehicle.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of selecting for installation said reflector having a characteristic that, when said portion impinges on and is reflected by said reflector, said portion is directed at substantially a 90 degree angle from a normal angle created by said electromagnetic beam and a face having a reflective property of said reflector.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said step of positioning positions said reflector such that said face of the reflector is directed away from said motorist.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of selecting for installation said reflector having a reflective surface comprised of reflective facets which provide substantially more light than a standard reflector.

24. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of selecting for installation said reflector having a reflective property which receives said electromagnetic beam from said moving vehicle light and reflecting said portion in an electromagnetic frequency visible to said animal such that incidental electromagnetic reflection from said reflector is not visible to said motorist.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said electromagnetic frequency is in the infra-red frequency spectrum.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said electromagnetic frequency is in the ultra-violet frequency spectrum.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein said step of positioning sets the reflectors on said road a distance apart in accordance with an animal population density.

28. The method according to claim 20, further wherein said step of positioning sets a height of said reflectors above a crown of said road.

29. The method according to claim 20, wherein said step of positioning sets a distance of said reflectors from said crown in accordance with a number of reflectors employed in a predetermined portion of said road.

30. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of employing compensating wedges to adjust the angle of the surface of said road in order to compensate for an inclination in said road.

31. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of measuring the length of the road.

32. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of maintaining said reflectors.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein said step of maintaining includes periodically cleaning said reflectors.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said cleaning includes employing a mild detergent.

35. The method according to claim 32, wherein said step of maintaining includes periodically checking said reflectors.

36. An on-line service apparatus for providing construction and maintenance of road products and or services, said apparatus comprising: a home page with user-selectable images hyper- linked to relevant web-pages directed to different types of entities having interests relating to the construction and maintenance of road products and/or services; a page indicating said products and/or services for the construction and maintenance of said road; and wherein said product and/or service selected is provided.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising an accident reduction zone product and/or service for contracting to install animal reflectors on said road which reflect an electromagnetic beam emitted from a motor- vehicle light and deter an animal from approaching or straying on said road.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising an accident reduction zone web page for indicating said accident reduction zone product and/or service.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said accident reduction zone web page solicits a government entity to contract to install said animal reflectors on at least a portion of said road.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said accident reduction zone web page solicits a sponsor to sponsor the installation of said animal reflectors on said portion of said road.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said accident reduction zone web page contracts said sponsor to advertise for said sponsor on said portion of said road in exchange for sponsorship.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said accident reduction zone web page contracts said sponsor to advertise at a location selected by said sponsor.

43. The apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising an on-line road map provided to said sponsor indicating said road where said sponsor may advertise.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising an indicator indicating to said sponsor an available portion of said road available for advertising.

45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said indicator is a marking adjacent said available portion of said road.

46. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising an indicator indicating on said on-line road map where said sponsor contracts to advertise.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said indicator resembles a road sign.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising a superimposed advertisement on said road sign.

49. The apparatus according of 48, further comprising a design area for importing an advertisement designed by said sponsor and superimposed on said indicator.

50. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising a photograph of said road taken from a vantage point corresponding to an area of said road selected by said sponsor where the advertisement is to be positioned.

51. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising an indicator indicating on said on-line road map another sponsor who sponsors installation of said animal reflectors.

52. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising demographics information for indicating to said sponsor demographics of an area of said road.

53. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising weather information for indicating to said sponsor weather of an area of said road.

54. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a calculator for automatically calculating government funding in accordance with government funding programs available to a government entity for installation of said animal reflectors.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, further comprising a government form automatically generated for said government entity based on a result of said calculator.

56. The apparatus according to claim 54, further comprising a performance plan automatically generated for said government entity for submission for government funding.

57. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising informational services related to said accident reduction zone.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said informational services includes government regulations.

59. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said informational services includes independent lab studies of said animal reflectors.

60. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said informational services includes letters of endorsement of the accident reduction zone program.

61. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said informational services includes information on said animal reflectors.

62. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said informational services includes performance plan criteria.

63. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said different entities includes contractor and government entities such that said home page and/or associated pages comprises an interactive forum wherein a contractor and a government entity negotiate and contract with for construction and maintenance products and or services of said road.

64. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said home page is arranged according to the type of entity such that contractors are directed to a contracting page including products and/or services of interest to contractors and a government entity page including products and or services of interest to government entities.

65. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said different types of entities include sponsors which sponsor accident reduction zone products and/or services service for contracting to install animal reflectors on said road which deter an animal from approaching or straying on said road.

66. The apparatus according to claim 63, further comprising a bidding area wherein a government entity offers a contract for construction and/ or maintenance of said road and one or more contractors input bids.

67. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said bidding area includes a description of said offer input by said government entity.

68. The apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising an on-line mechanism for conducting said bidding in accordance with government regulations.

69. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising an on-line attorney for consulting on legal issues concerning construction and/or maintenance of said road.

70. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising links to at least one web-site related to construction and/or maintenance of roads.