WO2014124748A1

WO2014124748A1 - System for controlling road signals

Info

Publication number: WO2014124748A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/000378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Attilio DEMO
Original assignee: A Due A S.R.L.
Priority date: 2013-02-13
Filing date: 2014-02-12
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: ITVI20130028A1

Abstract

A controlling system for road signals, comprising vertical signs (C), generally referred to by the term "signposts" and light signals (S) such as light lamps, mobile traffic lighs, and other similar apparatus. The correct functioning of the road signals is monitored in real time and constantly over time through an operating unit constituted by an electronic control unit (1), positioned in proximity of the road signals, said control unit being connected through cables (2), to the vertical signs (C) and, through wires (6), to a battery (3) which supplies power to the light signals (S), it being provided that said electronic control unit, connected through signals over the air with a head of a worksite and/or with a Remote Operating Centre (K) constitutes a mobile, independent and transportable integral unit.

Description

Title: SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention regards a road signage control system, according to the general part of claim 1.

As well known, road signage serving to signal drivers the presence of worksites or other discontinuity elements not predictable in traffic substantially uses two types of signals and precisely: vertical signals, generally referred to as "signposts" and light signals, such as light lamps and mobile traffic lights.

Document US 8319662 B l describes a system which controls road signals and which comprises, in particular, a battery which supplies the aforementioned light signals, there being provided a connection with a remote control unit.

However, such system does not provide for any control of the vertical signage and it is also difficult to install and manage. Therefore, the control service is currently carried out manually and after the signage, the vertical and/or light one, has been positioned on the road site, the contracting firm providing the service is forced according to the laws in force to provide a service for controlling these signals, the so-called "surveillance", 24 hours a day all year round.

According to the state of the art the surveillance is carried out by designated staff required to perform three operations:

- constantly controlling the correct positioning of the signals, restoring the exact positioning thereof, as provided according to the law, should they be moved or should they fall down due to the wind, passing users or any other cause;

- maintaining the efficiency of the signals and the light devices, ensuring they operate correctly;

- constantly maintaining contacts and telephone connection with the Operating Centre.

In order to achieve all this so as to be relieved from any liability for accidents or intentional deeds the users and their property may be subjected to due to the absence or negligence of the surveillance service, the firm is required to employ several persons, within 24 hours, who should constantly cover the road section subjected to signalization in both directions of traffic.

However, in practice, only one person is employed. Such person covers the signalled section applying the required corrections on the signals, straightening any signals that may have fallen and/or replacing the electric battery, should it be low, with another charged one when the signals are off. This occurs occasionally and at more or less long intervals, depending on the type of traffic, which can be more or less intense, on the level of danger of the signalled area and last but not least on the financial resources available.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a road signage control system capable of totally replacing the human intervention thus making the controlling operations for all signals automatic and constant over time and capable of signalling any possible malfunctions to the operator present at the worksite and/or operating centre in real time and automatically.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a road signage control system that can be applied on any type of road signage, in a simple and quick manner through only one operator, even an unskilled one.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a road signage control system as described above that can be used with any climatic conditions and that does not depend on the number of road signs to be controlled.

These objects are obtained by using an electronic control unit which has the characteristic of being positionable in the area of the road signage, which is configured with a programme that allows the remote control, through the exchange of SMSs (Short Message Service), of two physical and electrical components:

- the vertical position of the signposts:

- the voltage of the 12V battery used for supplying power "on site" to light signals.

In case of malfunctions the control unit sends an SMS to the worksite operator and/or to the Remote Operating Centre, said SMS containing a message explaining the status of the signposts (e.g.: "fallen signpost") or the status of the battery charge (e.g.: "low battery").

These and other characteristics of the invention shall be outlined more in detail through the description of one possible embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

- fig 1 (table I) represents a schematic view of the road signage control system, according to the invention, applied to the control of "signposts" and "lamps";

- fig 2 (table II) represents a schematic perspective view of the control unit according to the invention; - fig 3 (table III) represents a schematic view of the employing methods of the control unit of a mobile traffic light according to the invention;

- fig 4 represents a schematic perspective view of the application of the control unit according to the invention on a pair of traffic lights.

As observable in figure 1, the road signage, constituted by the vertical signals "C" and the light signals "S", is monitored in real time and continuously through an operating unit constituted by an electronic control unit 1, which is positioned in proximity of said road signage and it is connected with the Remote Operating Centre "K" through signals over the air.

The electronic control unit 1 is connected, through the cables 2, to the vertical signals "C" and, through the cables 6, to the battery 3 which supplies power to the light signals "S", through the cables 4.

The control unit 1 is programmed to detect the abnormal position (fallen) of one or more vertical signs "C", which is signalled by the falling sensors 5 applied preferably through mechanical/magnetic couplings, on each of said vertical signs.

Again the control unit 1 is also programmed to detect the battery voltage 3, which should not drop below a given value, usually 10-11 V, otherwise the light signals may malfunction.

Furthermore, in order to ensure the regular operation of the operating unit, in the different climatic conditions in which the road worksites are operated, the control unit

1, the battery 3 and the other accessories required for the operation of said unit are enclosed in a container 7 which is advantageously provided with sensors 8 which, through the wires 9, signal to the control unit 1 any possible tampering with the container by ill intentioned people.

In addition, in order to make the system modular, the cables 2 and 4 are made up of a plurality of portions 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 which removably connect two consecutive signals.

In practice, the control unit 1 may be programmed to detect malfunctions of one, two or three types of control signals: the falling of one or more vertical signs "C", the drop of voltage in the battery 3, attempts to tamper with the container 7. II this case, the control unit may send, through the antenna, an SMS signal to the designated person present in the worksite and/or at the Operating Centre "K". As observable in fig 2, the control unit 1 comprises a modem 10, positioned within a container 11, provided with connectors 12, 13 and 14 for the connection with the corresponding external cables 2, 6 and 9, which are connected to the components of the road signage.

In addition, on the container 11 at least one sensor 15 is applied which signals to the modem 10 any possible tampering with the container itself by ill intentioned people. In practice, as observable from fig 2, the control unit 1 according to the invention is configured as a mobile integral part which is independent and easy to transport manually, as well as convertible; said control unit may actually be combined with all various types of road signage, in that it is configured in such a way that the only parameter to be modified every time a new road worksite is set up, is the different reference telephone number for the head of the worksite or the Remote Operating Centre.

With the aim of further outlining the advantages of the invention there are mentioned mobile traffic lights 20 (see figs 3-4), used in continuously moving worksites, where the control unit 1 is placed on the structure 21 and the operator is only required to apply the falling sensor 5 on the lamp, to carry out the connection with the internal battery 22 and, possibly, to apply a safety sensor 23 against any possible attempt to tamper with said structure.

Obviously, the construction details and the used components may vary, as long as they fall within the inventive concept of the invention, which is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, which comprises vertical signals (C), known with the generic term "signs", and light signals (S), such as lamps, mobile traffic light regulators and other similar apparatuses, all having the function of indicating to drivers the presence of roadworks or other unexpected elements of discontinuity while driving,

said control system being characterised in that the correct operation of the road signal is monitored in real time and with continuity through an operative unit consisting of an electronic control unit (1), positioned close to the road signal, said control unit being connected, through cables (2), to the vertical signals (C) and, through cables (6), to a battery (3), which feeds the light signals (S), with it being foreseen that said electronic control unit, connected through over-the-air signals with a worksite boss and/or with a Remote Operations Centre (K), constitutes a mobile monoblock, which is independent and manually transportable.

2. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to claim 1, characterised in that the control unit (1) is convertible, i.e. it can be paired with all of the different types of road signal, being configured so that the only parameter to be modified, whenever said control unit is placed in operation at new roadworks, is the different reference telephone number of the worksite boss or of the Remote Operations Centre (K).

3. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the control unit (1) is programmed to detect the anomalous position (tipped over) of one or more vertical signals (C) and the voltage value of the battery (3), which must not fall below a predetermined value, otherwise the light signals would malfunction.

4. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the anomalous position (tipped over) of one or more vertical signals (C/S), is detected through tipping sensors (5), applied on the vertical signals through mechanical and/or magnetic fasteners.

5. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the connection cables (2) between control unit (1) and signals (C), as well as the cables (4) for connecting between the battery (3) and the light signals (S) are made up of a plurality of pieces (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4:2,

4.3) that removably connect two consecutive signals (C, S) to make the system "modular".

6. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the control unit (1) comprises a modem (10) positioned inside a container (11) equipped with connectors (12, 13, 14) for the connection with the corresponding external cables (2, 6, 9 ) of the components of the road signal, with at least one sensor (15) being applied on said container (11) that informs the modem (10) of possible tampering on the container itself.

7. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the control unit (1), the battery (3) and the accessories necessary for the operation of the system are enclosed in a container (7), equipped with sensors (8), which inform the control unit (1) of possible tampering on the container itself.

8. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ROAD SIGNALS, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the control unit (1) is programmed to detect the operating anomaly of one, or of two or three different types of controls: tipping over of one or more vertical signals (C), decrease in voltage in the battery (3), attempt to taper with the container (7), the control unit being programmed to send, through an antenna (9), an SMS signal to the Operations Centre (K).

9. WORKSITE FOR ROADS, MOTORWAYS AND THE LIKE, where vertical signals (C) and/or light signals (S) are used, characterised in that the supervision service is carried out through the signal control system as described in one or more of claims 1 to 8.