WO2008131475A1

WO2008131475A1 - A traffic management system

Info

Publication number: WO2008131475A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000557
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Fredrick Morris
Original assignee: M.T.M. Pty Ltd; Traffic Tech Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-26
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A traffic management system (10), including a traffic surface section (12) for the passage of traffic thereover. The system (10) also includes a traffic sensor unit for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section (12). The traffic sensor unit includes at least one traffic pressure activated sensor (20) provided below the traffic surface section (12) for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section (12).

Description

A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The present invention relates broadly to traffic management. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for controlling pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic and will herein be described generally in that context. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention may be adapted for use in other applications.

Pedestrian crossings are now generally widely used in Australia and elsewhere, to allow pedestrians to cross roads and other vehicle carriageways in relative safety.

A range of pedestrian crossing arrangements are in existence, with the type of crossing installed dependent largely on the specific application required.

At many busy intersections and mid-block crossings, full-time pedestrian signals (signals of the type that activate every cycle) are provided. However, at many intersections and crossings, full-time signals are not warranted due to the low number of pedestrians using the crossing. In such a scenario, a push- button crossing may be employed, whereby the pedestrian pushes a button to activate the crossing signal.

It has been found, however, that for a variety of reasons pedestrians often do not push the crossing button to activate the crossing signal, instead preferring to cross the road without the aid of the pedestrian crossing signal.

In an effort to circumvent the issue of pedestrians not electing to activate pedestrian crossing signals, crossings have been designed incorporating passive pedestrian detection technology. Examples of this type of technology include the use of microwave, video or infrared detectors installed at a suitable location to detect the presence of pedestrians, at which time the crossing signal is activated. Inherent problems with these types of arrangements often result in the detector(s) making an incorrect detection or no detection at all, such that the pedestrian signal is activated at the wrong time or not at all. It would be desirable to provide a traffic management system that at least partially addresses the problems referred to above associated with existing arrangements.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic management system. The traffic management system includes a traffic surface section. The system also includes a traffic sensor unit for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section. The traffic sensor unit includes at least one traffic pressure activated sensor provided below the traffic surface section for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section.

It is to be appreciated that the traffic management system of the present invention may be adapted to manage any one or more of vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, bicycle traffic, rail (including train and tram) traffic, as well as other traffic types.

In a preferred form, the traffic sensor unit includes a plurality of traffic pressure activated sensors provided below the traffic surface section. Each of the traffic pressure activated sensors may adopt any suitable form, and in one particularly preferred form is a traffic pressure activated switch such as a traffic pressure activated micro-switch. The plurality of sensors may be provided in an array or matrix.

It is envisaged that, in one form, the traffic sensor unit also includes an electromagnetic loop provided below the traffic surface section. Each of the traffic pressure activated switches and the electro-magnetic loop may be provided in a generally planar arrangement below the traffic surface section and generally parallel to the traffic surface section. Such an arrangement may prove particularly beneficial in circumstances where the system is configured for managing, for example, both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Because of the metal content of vehicles, the provision of an electro-magnetic loop may generate a signal upon vehicle traffic passing thereover, but not when pedestrian traffic passes thereover. Thus, the system may be used to separately identify and manage both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

It is to be appreciated that each of the pressure activated sensors may be provided immediately below the visible surface of the traffic surface section. Further, each of the pressure activated sensors and traffic surface section may be provided in one unit, which may or may not be an integrated unit.

In one form, the traffic management system includes a pedestrian walkway section, the pedestrian walkway section including a walkway section surface. In such an arrangement, the traffic sensor unit may include at least one pressure activated sensor for sensing the presence of pedestrian traffic on the walkway section surface.

The traffic surface section may include a vehicle roadway section, the vehicle roadway section including a roadway section surface. In such an arrangement, the traffic sensor unit may include at least one pressure activated sensor for sensing the presence of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic on the roadway section surface.

The traffic management system may include a control system for control of the traffic management system. The control system may include a traffic sensor signal receiver for receiving one or more traffic sensor signals from the traffic sensor unit. The control system may further include a converter for converting each traffic sensor signal into data, a processor for processing the data, and a controller for controlling the traffic management system based upon the processed data.

The traffic sensor signal receiver may include a pedestrian sensor signal receiver for receiving pedestrian sensor signals from a pedestrian sensor unit, and a vehicle sensor signal receiver for receiving vehicle sensor signals from a vehicle sensor unit. The traffic management system may include or be linked to at least one traffic management signal for control by the controller such as, for example, a traffic light, set of traffic lights, gate, boom gate, traffic counter or other signal (or device) for indicating the presence of traffic.

The traffic sensor signal receiver, converter, processor and controller may be provided in a control unit, which may include a user interface to enable programming and re-programming of the control unit.

The traffic sensor unit may be mounted to or in a traffic sensor mat. Indeed, the traffic sensor unit and traffic sensor mat may be integrated. It is envisaged that the traffic sensor mat may be configured for mounting on top of one or more of a vehicle roadway, pedestrian walkway and bicycle lane.

The system may include one or more mats of the same or differing configurations.

In the situation where the system includes separate vehicle sensor and pedestrian sensor mats, the mats may be separate or, alternatively may be integrated.

In another broad aspect, the present invention provides a traffic management system, including a traffic surface section for the passage of traffic thereover, and a traffic sensor unit for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section. The traffic sensor unit includes at least one electro-magnetic loop provided below the traffic surface section for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section.

Each electro-magnetic loop may be provided in a generally planar arrangement below and generally parallel to the traffic surface section. Further, each electro-magnetic loop may be mounted within a printed circuit board provided in a generally planar arrangement below and generally parallel to the traffic surface section. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing. The particularity of the drawing is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a traffic management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is provided a traffic management system 10 for a mid-block crossing over a roadway R between two generally parallel walkways W.

The traffic management system 10 includes a traffic surface section for the passage of traffic thereover. The traffic surface section includes two pedestrian walkway sections 12, each including a walkway section surface 14. Each walkway section 12 includes a pedestrian sensor unit (not clearly illustrated) for sensing the presence of pedestrian traffic on the walkway section surface 14.

The traffic surface section also includes a roadway section 16 including a roadway section surface 18. The roadway section 16 includes a roadway sensor unit (not clearly illustrated) for sensing the presence of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the roadway section surface 18. The roadway sensor unit includes a plurality of roadway pressure activated sensors 20 (only some of which have been numbered) provided in the roadway section 16 below the roadway section surface 18 for sensing the presence of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the roadway section surface 18.

It is to be appreciated that the system 10 may be varied to incorporate, any practical combination of pedestrian walkway sections 12 and roadway sections 16. Each of the roadway pressure activated sensors 20 is a roadway pressure activated switch and, more particularly, a roadway pressure activated micro- switch.

The roadway pressure activated sensors 20 are provided in an array or matrix arrangement, with the direction of travel of a vehicle or pedestrian over the array of sensors 20 able to be determined from the sequence of activation of individual sensors within the array. In this respect, it is to be appreciated that a vehicle traveling along the road in a given direction (for example, left to right in Figure 1 ) will activate specific sensors in a specific order, which will differ from the sequence of individual sensors activated if a vehicle was traveling in the opposite direction (say, right to left). Similarly, different specific sensors 20 will be activated by a pedestrian crossing the roadway R. The system 10 can use the activation sequence of the sensors 20 to optimize the flow of both vehicle and pedestrian traffic across the roadway R, by suitable operation of the traffic management system.

The roadway sensor unit also includes an electro-magnetic loop 22 (illustrated in phantom lines) provided in the roadway section 16 below the roadway section surface 18. Each of the roadway pressure activated sensors 20 and the electro-magnetic loop 22 are provided in a generally planar arrangement below the roadway section surface 18 and generally parallel to the roadway section surface 18. The provision of an electromagnetic-loop allows the system 10 to distinguish between vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic. While pedestrian traffic generally will not effect the electro-magnetic field generated by the loop 22, the metallic content of vehicles will be sufficient to effect the electro-magnetic field.

Each pedestrian sensor unit includes a plurality of pressure activated sensors 24 for activation by pedestrian traffic. Only some of the sensors 24 have been numbered. The sensors 24 are provided in respective walkway sections 12 below the walkway section surfaces 14. Each of the pedestrian pressure activated sensors 24 is in the form of a pedestrian pressure activated switch and, more particularly, a pedestrian pressure activated micro-switch. The micro-switches may adopt any suitable form.

The pedestrian pressure activated sensors 24 are provided in an array or matrix arrangement, with the direction of travel of a pedestrian over the array of sensors 24 able to be determined from the sequence of activation of individual sensors 24 within the array. Thus, the sensors 24 can not only identify the presence of pedestrians, but also their direction of travel over the surfaces 14.

The traffic management system 10 includes a control system for control of the traffic management system. The control system includes a pedestrian sensor signal receiver for receiving a pedestrian sensor signal from each of the micro- switches of pedestrian sensor units, and a roadway sensor signal receiver for receiving a roadway sensor signal from each of the micro-switches of the roadway sensor unit. The control system further includes a converter for converting each pedestrian sensor signal and each roadway sensor signal into data, a processor for processing the data, and a controller for controlling the traffic management system based upon the processed data. The control system is provided in the form of a control unit 26.

The pedestrian and roadway sensor signal receivers may be wired or wireless receivers, although in the illustrated embodiment are wired.

The control unit 26 may be situated at any suitable location, and in the illustrated example is mounted in a tamper proof housing 28. The control unit 26 may be programmed and re-programmed via a user interface provided in the housing 28. The control unit 26 may be self-adjusting in response to the level of walkway and/or roadway traffic. Information recorded by the control unit may also be downloaded for later analysis.

The control unit may be powered by any suitable means. It is envisaged that the unit 26 may be powered by a low-voltage system in the order of 4 volts. The traffic management system 10 includes or is linked to one or more traffic management signals for control by the controller. In the illustrated embodiment, the traffic management signal is provided in the form of a set of pedestrian traffic lights 30. It is to be appreciated, however, that the traffic management signal could adopt any other suitable form including but not limited to a gate, boom gate, traffic counter or other signal indicating the presence of a vehicle.

The roadway sensor unit is mounted in a generally rectangular roadway sensor mat 32. The mat 32 is deformable upon a vehicle or pedestrian passing over it. In the illustrated embodiment, the roadway sensor unit and roadway sensor mat 32 are integrated, with the roadway pressure activated sensors 20 provided in an array or matrix extending over the roadway R. It is to be appreciated that the precise arrangement and number of sensors 20 within the mat 32 may be selected as desired and need not be as illustrated.

The roadway sensor mat 32 is configured for mounting on top of a roadway R. The underside of the mat is affixed (such as by glue) to the upper surface of the roadway to secure the mat 32 in position on the roadway R.

The electro-magnetic loop 22 is designed for activation upon sensing a metallic portion of a vehicle passing there over, but will not activate if, for example, a person stands on or walks across the mat 32 above the electromagnetic loop 22. The provision of the micro-switches 20 in an array over the roadway R enables the identification of which direction a vehicle is traveling along the roadway R. In this respect, if the left-hand row 20a is activated first then the vehicle is traveling in the right-hand direction along the roadway R; whereas, if the right-hand row 20b is activated first then the vehicle is traveling in the left-hand direction along the roadway R.

If desired, minor roadway excavation work may be performed prior to installing the mat 32 into position so that the top surface of the mat 32 and the roadway surface are substantially planar. Each pedestrian sensor unit is mounted in (and indeed integrated into) a generally rectangular pedestrian sensor mat 34, with one mat provided on either side of the roadway R at a pedestrian crossing. Each mat 34 is deformable upon a pedestrian standing upon it. Each pedestrian sensor mat 34 is configured for mounting on top of (or at least partially counter-sunk into) a pedestrian walkway W. The underside of each mat 34 is glued to the upper surface of the walkway W to secure the mat 34 in position on the walkway surface.

The mats 32,34 may include a non-slip top surface. The top surface may be profiled.

The mats 32,34 are preferably non-conductive.

The pedestrian pressure activated sensors 24 are provided in a generally matrix-like configuration within each mat 34, although it is to be appreciated that the precise number and arrangement of sensors 24 may varied if desired.

If desired, minor walkway excavation work may be performed prior to installing the mats 34 into position so that the top surface of each mat 34 and the adjacent walkway surface are substantially planar.

The edges of the mat 32 may be tapered for a smoother transition from the mat 32 to the roadway R. Likewise, the edges of the mats 34 may be tapered for a smoother transition from the mats 34 to the underlying walkways W.

The roadway sensor mat 32 and pedestrian sensor mats 34 are illustrated as separate mats, but may be integrated.

As previously described, the control unit 26 may be situated at any suitable location, and in the illustrated example is mounted in a tamper proof housing 28. The mats 32,34 are connected to the control unit 26 by any suitable means. In an alternative arrangement, the control unit 26 may include one or more computer chips (not illustrated) or other control unit form embedded in one or more of the mats 32,34. The computer chip(s) may be provided for receiving and sending a digital signal, rather than an analogue signal. Of course, the system can operate effectively whether using analogue and/or digital signals.

Operation of the traffic signals may be altered by information received and interpreted by the control unit 26 for altering the delay between a pedestrian arriving at the crossing and activation of the traffic signals. The information received by the control unit 26 may also be recorded by the control unit 26 for later analysis and possible adjustment of the system 10.

The system 10 can be configured for use in conjunction with a bicycle lane(s), in which case a separate bicycle sensor unit or units may be incorporated into the system 10, for example, between the mats 32,34. Likewise, the system 10 may be used at a railway or tram crossing, or any other practical application, whether retail, commercial, industrial, residential or other application.

If desired, a pedestrian and/or vehicle counter may be incorporated into the system 10 for recording vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic passing over the mats 32,34.

The system 10 may include an audible warning device for visually impaired pedestrians, in addition to standard traffic signals.

A flashing light or other highly visible signal may also be incorporated into the system, particularly in situations where the system 10 is used in safety applications such as in industrial applications.

In use, in a non-activated state, the traffic lights 30 are initially set to allow vehicles to proceed along the roadway R and are further set to indicate to pedestrians not to cross the roadway R.

A pedestrian wishing to cross the roadway R proceeds to the crossing and stands on one of the mats 34. Each mat 34 may be adorned with a sign such as "PLEASE WAIT HERE, CROSSING TO ACTIVATE SHORTLY" or similar, indicating that the pedestrian should expect the traffic signals to change shortly to allow them to cross the roadway R.

The pedestrian's weight is sufficient to activate one or more of the micro- switches 24 provided in the mat 34. Activation of one or more of the micro- switches generates an electric signal(s) which, in turn, is received by the pedestrian sensor signal receiver in the control unit 26. The converter within the control unit 26 converts each pedestrian sensor signal into data, whereafter the processor processes the data, and the controller activates the traffic signals based upon that processed data.

The specific micro-switches 24 activated and the sequence of activation can be interpreted by the control unit 26 to determine whether activation of the traffic signals is necessary or whether the person has already left the mat 34 and is potentially no longer waiting for the traffic signals to change.

The control unit 26 may activate the traffic lights 30 immediately (or almost immediately) upon sensing a pedestrian on one of the mats 34, in order to stop vehicle traffic and allow the pedestrian to safely cross the roadway R. Alternatively (and more preferably), the control unit 26 first determines whether any signals are being received from one or more of the micro-switches 20 and electro-magnetic loop 22 in the mat 32, which may indicate vehicle traffic on the roadway R. The control unit 26 is able to distinguish between pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the mat 32, because the metallic structure of vehicular traffic passing across the mat will effect the electro-magnetic field generated by the loop 22, whereas pedestrian traffic will not. This information can be utilized by the system in an effort to optimize the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the crossing.

Vehicle traffic may be allowed to proceed along the roadway R for a short period of time to clear the crossing prior to allowing pedestrians to safely cross the roadway R. After a designated period of time, the traffic signals would then revert to again allow vehicle traffic to proceed along the roadway R.

The presence of vehicle or pedestrian traffic on the roadway surface and the direction of travel of that traffic can be readily ascertainable by the specific sensors 20 activated on the roadway and the specific sequence of activation of those sensors. Pedestrian traffic can be differentiated from vehicular traffic because vehicular traffic will affect the electro-magnetic field generated by the loop 22, whereas pedestrian traffic will not.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a system capable of both activating and deactivating upon sensing the movement of pedestrian (and vehicular) traffic over the system sensors.

Reference has herein generally been made to using the system 10 on a roadway R. It is to be appreciated that the roadway R could adopt any suitable form, including but not limited to any road, car park or driveway, whether commercial, residential, industrial, retail or other.

It is also to be appreciated that the traffic lights 30 may also be operable using conventional push buttons in addition to the herein described system.

Although not illustrated, the mat 32 may be replaced with one excluding an electro-magnetic loop. Such a mat may be particularly useful in applications such as commercial car-parks, the driveways of fast-food outlets and the like, where directional determination of the traffic may not be necessary. Such an arrangement may be used in combination with other mats (such as mats 34) or in isolation.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A traffic management system, including: a traffic surface section for the passage of traffic thereover, a traffic sensor unit for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section; the traffic sensor unit including at least one traffic pressure activated sensor provided below the traffic surface section for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section.

2. A traffic management system according to claim 1 , wherein each traffic pressure activated sensor includes a traffic pressure activated switch.

3. A traffic management system according to claim 3, wherein each traffic pressure activated switch includes a traffic pressure activated micro-switch.

4. A traffic management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic sensor unit further includes at least one electromagnetic loop provided below the traffic surface section.

5. A traffic management system according to claim 4, wherein at least one traffic pressure activated switch and each electro-magnetic loop are provided in a generally planar arrangement below the traffic surface section and generally parallel to the traffic surface section.

6. A traffic management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic surface section includes: a pedestrian walkway section, the pedestrian walkway section including a walkway section surface, and the traffic sensor unit includes at least one pressure activated sensor for sensing the presence of pedestrian traffic on the walkway section surface.

7. A traffic management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic surface section includes: a roadway section, the roadway section including a roadway section surface, and the traffic sensor unit includes at least one pressure activated sensor for sensing the presence of roadway traffic on the roadway section surface.

8. A traffic management system according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the walkway section surface and the roadway section surface at least partially overlap.

9. A traffic management system according to claim 8, wherein at least one pressure activated sensor is provided for sensing the presence of both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.

10. A traffic management system according to claim 1 , wherein the traffic sensor unit includes a plurality of pressure activated sensors provided below the traffic surface section for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section.

1 1. A traffic management system according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors is provided in a generally planar array below and generally parallel to the traffic surface section.

12. A traffic management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic management system includes a control system, the control system including: a sensor signal receiver for receiving one or more traffic sensor signals from the traffic sensor unit; a converter for converting each traffic sensor signal into data; a processor for processing the data; and a controller for controlling the traffic management system based upon the processed data.

13. A traffic management system according to claim 12, wherein the traffic management system includes at least one traffic management signal for control by the controller.

14. A traffic management system according to claim 13, wherein at least one traffic management signal includes at least one traffic light, set of traffic lights, gate, boom gate, traffic counter or other signal indicating the presence of traffic.

15. A traffic management system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sensor signal receiver, converter, processor and controller are provided in a control unit.

16. A traffic management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic sensor unit is mounted to or in a traffic sensor mat.

17. A traffic management system according to claim 16, wherein the traffic sensor unit and traffic sensor mat are integrated.

18. A traffic management system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the traffic sensor mat is configured for mounting on top of at least one of a vehicle roadway and a pedestrian walkway.

19. A traffic management system, including: a traffic surface section for the passage of traffic thereover, a traffic sensor unit for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section; the traffic sensor unit including at least one electro-magnetic loop provided below the traffic surface section for sensing the presence of traffic on the traffic surface section.

20. A traffic management system according to claim 19, wherein each electro-magnetic loop is provided in a generally planar arrangement below and generally parallel to the traffic surface section.

21. A traffic management system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein each electro-magnetic loop is mounted within a printed circuit board provided in a generally planar arrangement below and generally parallel to the traffic surface section.

22. A traffic management system substantially as herein described and illustrated.