WO2014137255A1

WO2014137255A1 - Description traffic management and control system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2014137255A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/050195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan Hjelm
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2013-03-06
Filing date: 2013-03-06
Publication date: 2014-09-12

Abstract

A method and system for managing and controlling traffic is disclosed. The method assumes that information about speed, direction and current location of an automobile is obtained from a plurality of sensors installed along a road and information about a state of a traffic light installed in an intersection between the road and another road to which the automobile is approaching is obtained. According to the method, the information about the speed, direction and current location of the automobile and the information about the state of the traffic light are received in the communication node. Then, the received information are analyzed, and a street light controller which controls a plurality of street lights, respectively installed along the road is instructed such that the plurality of street lights are illuminated based on a result of the analysis.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic management and control system and method, particularly to a traffic management and control system that

contributes to smoothing traffic on a road.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many traffic accidents occur because drivers accidentally pass a red light in an

intersection of a road. These occur particularly when a traffic light has been yellow for some time, and then has switched over to red. Often, when an automobile is approaching an intersection at a regulation speed according to a traffic law, the driver has no idea about the duration of the remaining period of control, for instance when a yellow light will switch over to red, or when a red light will turn green.

[0003] Traffic lights, which are controlled by remote sensing technique and can determine if one or more vehicles are approaching an intersection and coordinate the lights intelligently have been proposed. Policy-controlled traffic lights already exist, which allow the setting of a preferred set of directions for the traffic passing through an intersection by the periodicity etc. of the traffic light.

[0004] A system which combines traffic lights and street lights has been proposed. For example, EP

Patent Application Publication No. 2123972 Al (EP

2123972 Al ) discloses traffic lights connected to street lights. The LED-based light source gives information about the indication of an upcoming traffic light. The light source is synchronized with a nearby traffic light. As a result, drivers or passersby can be alerted to the indication of the traffic light before coming into view of the traffic light.

[0005] However, there is no indication to the driver or passerby about when a traffic light he/she is approaching will change (except in rare cases with numerical or graphical indicators, but those are not visible from a distance) . Also, there is no indication about how fast he/she should drive to pass it, or if it does not make any sense to accelerate, but it would be better to continue at a slow but safe speed; or whether it is better to stop altogether. EP 2123972 Al does not give any information about recommended speed, speed up, or slow down to a traffic light.

[0006] The driver approaching a traffic light has no idea about the time which the current signal has been illuminated, or when it will change. Hence, there is no clue for what would be an appropriate driving behavior to be a safe driver. This is true even in situations where the lights are controlled by the approach of vehicles into the intersection (as

indicated by cameras, radio sensors, radar, magnetic loops or other sensors) .

SUMMARY

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is conceived as a response to the above-described

disadvantages of the conventional art.

[0008] A system according to the present invention assumes the use of traffic lights, smart street lights, sensors for sensing speed and direction of a moving ob ect such as an automobile, a street light controller for controlling the smart street lights, a traffic light controller for controlling the traffic lights, a sensor controller for controlling the sensors, and a communication network among the aforesaid controllers. A core unit of the system in view of the present invention is a communication node connected to the communication network.

[0009] The communication node includes a module, in which an embodiment of the present invention is implemented, which receives sensor information from the sensors via the sensor controller which determines if an automobile is approaching an intersection; and which extracts information about the location and state of the traffic light from the traffic light controller. The module is also connected via the communication node to the street light controller which controls the street lights installed along the road where an

automobile is approaching the intersection.

[0010] An alternative embodiment of implementation of the present invention is a separate server, which is connected via a communication network to the sensor controller for measuring the vehicle approach and the traffic light controller for monitoring/controlling the state of traffic lights.

[0011] The present invention is based on the above assumption.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprised of at least one traffic light, a plurality of smart street lights to which a plurality of sensors for sensing speed and direction of an automobile are respectively attached, a street light controller, a traffic light controller, a sensor controller, a communication node (a server), and a communication network among the aforesaid controllers and nodes .

[0013] More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing and controlling traffic, based on

information about speed, direction and current location of a moving ob ect obtained from a plurality of sensors installed along a road and information about a state of a traffic light installed in an intersection between the road and another road to which the moving ob ect is approaching .

[0014] The system comprises: a plurality of street lights, respectively installed in a plurality of light poles along the road, configured to be illuminated with a given intensity, direction and lighting pattern; a street light controller configured to control the plurality of street lights so as to be illuminated according to a given instruction, lighting pattern and light intensity; and a module configured to receive the information about the speed, direction and current location of the moving ob ect and the information about the state of the traffic light, analyze the received information, and instruct the street light controller such that the plurality of street lights are

illuminated based on a result of the analysis.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing and controlling traffic, based on information about speed, direction and current location of a moving object obtained from a plurality of sensors installed along a road and information about a state of a traffic light installed in an intersection between the road and another road to which the moving object is approaching.

[0016] The method may comprise the steps of:

receiving the information about the speed, direction and current location of the moving object; querying for the information about the state of the traffic light and receiving the information about the state of the traffic light; analyzing the received information; and instructing a street light controller, which controls a plurality of street lights, respectively installed in a plurality of light poles along the road, such that the plurality of street lights are illuminated based on a result of the analysis.

[0017] The present invention makes it possible to ensure that the number of accidents on the road due to drivers/passerby running red lights, or hurrying to run a red light, decreases. This contributes to saving lives, decreasing the number of people disabled in traffic, reducing material damages, and saving time for other road users who are not affected in the same way as they would be by an accident.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of deployment of a traffic management and control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a detailed construction of the system.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed construction of the module and the pattern library.

[0023] Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C are examples of simplified lighting patterns according to pattern data supplied from the pattern library.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing process for controlling a lighting pattern generated by street 1ights .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of deployment of a traffic management and control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0027] As shown in Fig. 1, a traffic management and control system 1000 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system") is deployed in cooperation with at least one traffic light 100-1, a plurality of street lights

300-1, 300-2, , 300-N, and a plurality of sensors

400-1, 400-2, , 400-N for sensing speed, direction and current location of an automobile. Note the

although a number of traffic lights are usually

deployed along roads and in intersections, for sake of simplicity, Fig. 1 shows only one traffic light 100-1.

[0028] The plurality of street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N and the plurality of sensors 400-1, 400-2, ,

400-N are installed in a plurality of light poles 200-1, 200-2, , 200-N, respectively.

[0029] The plurality of street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N are assumed to be smart street lights, each capable of not only providing illumination for

cars/passersby of the road but also controlling the intensity and direction of the light and inserting patterns into the light. To do this, these smart lights are connected to a street light controller (to be described later in detail), and the light intensity, the light direction, and the lighting patterns are controlled by the street light controller. Each of the smart street lights is an illuminative device which applies illumination to a stretch of road. These

illuminative devices (e.g. LED lights) are assumed to apply a technique which enables fine-grained control of the illumination.

[0030] The plurality of sensors 400-1, 400-2, ,

400-N installed in the respective light poles 200-1,

200-2, , 200-N can detect speed and direction of an automobile 30 running on a street 10 along the

plurality of light poles 200-1, 200-2, , 200-N, as shown in Fig. 1. Information about the speed and direction of the automobile 30 detected by the

plurality of sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N are sent to a sensor controller (to be described later in detail) .

[0031] The sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N

respectively measure the approach of moving objects such as the automobile 30 in the road 10 and the conditions associated with these moving objects, e.g. the speed and direction. As mentioned above, both the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N and the sensors

400-1, 400-2, , 400-N are installed on the light poles

200-1, 200-2, , 200-N or in some other way allocated in a coordinated fashion, so that the illumination provided by the illuminative device applies to the area which is measured by the sensors.

[0032] In an example of Fig. 1, the automobile 30 is running along the road 10 toward an intersection 20 between the road 10 and another road 11 as indicated by an arrow 40 at speed of "v". Then, the sensor

controller obtains information about the speed (v) , direction, and current location of the automobile 30. The traffic light 100-1 and the plurality of light poles 200-1, 200-2, , 200-N are installed in

predefined locations P, Pi, P2, P3, PA, P5, , P as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the location of the automobile 30 is easily estimated based on the above predefined locations .

[0033] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a detailed construction of the system 1000.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the system 1000

includes a traffic light controller 100, a

communication node 200, a street light controller 300, and a sensor controller 400.

[0035] Since the traffic light controller 100 controls a number of traffic lights, the traffic light controller 100 communicates with each of traffic lights, and controls/monitors the states (green, yellow, red, changing green to yellow, changing yellow to red, changing red to green and the like) of the respective traffic lights.

[0036] Note that the traffic light controller 100 is a device which controls one or more traffic lights, and the traffic light 100-1 is a regulatory device which provides directions to conductors of vehicles in a traffic situation. Such devices are well known in the state of the art.

[0037] The system 1000 fully utilizes information obtained by the traffic light controller 100, the street light controller 300, and the sensor controller 400. A communication node 200 which can play a main role in managing and controlling traffic according to this invention is connected via a communication network 500 to the traffic light controller 100, the street light controller 300, and the sensor controller 400.

[0038] When the automobile 30 approaches the intersection 20, the communication node 200 determines the appropriate speed for the automobile 30, given its current location, either to reach the intersection 20 when the light shifts to green, or before the light shifts to yellow. Ideally the driver of the automobile 30 should just be able to continue driving at a safe and comfortable speed, but there may be other vehicles to consider as well, so that it may not be possible to slow down the approaching vehicles too much. The detail will be described later.

[0039] The communication node 200 then sends an instruction to the street light controller 300 so as to direct the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N to project a pattern in the illumination which induces the driver to drive at a certain speed. This may, for instance, imply applying a series of chevrons which seemingly approach the automobile at a speed which induces the driver to lower the speed. If the driver should speed up, a series of reverse chevrons are projected as a lighting pattern using the street lights which induces him to speed up. For instance, these chevrons pass the automobile at a speed which is faster than the automobile is moving. These patterns exploit the innate behaviors in attempting to move with a moving ob ect. The detail will be described later.

[0040] The communication node 200 includes a module 260 dedicated to managing and controlling traffic and a pattern library 270 for storing many light patterns, each causing the street lights to be illuminated according to a particular pattern. The communication node 200, particularly the module 260, real-timely receives information about the state of the traffic light 100-1 from the traffic light controller 100, information about the speed, direction and current location of the automobile 30 from the sensor

controller 400, and information about the current light pattern by the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N from the street light controller 300 via the

communication network 500.

[0041] As mentioned before, the pattern library

270 contains many patterns which are applied to entice drivers to perform different actions. Simplified examples are explained later, but the patterns may be significantly more complex and vary depending on the frequency by which they are applied.

[0042] The street light controller 300 directs the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N to project a lighting pattern determined by the module 260 according to a frequency determined by the module 260. The method of direction may be depending on the individual manufacturer of the street lights.

[0043] The sensor controller 400 performs pre- computation (e.g. collation and computation of movement vectors) of the received information about the speed, direction and current location of the automobile 30 received from the sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N.

[0044] Note that, as an alternative embodiment, a separate server which simply includes the module 260 and the pattern library 270 may be provided as

indicated by a broken line in Fig. 2, in place of the communication node 200.

[0045] It should be noted that the communication mechanism applied between the plurality of sensors 400-

1, 400-2, , 400-N and the sensor controller 400, as well as the street light controller 300 and the

plurality of street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N, and also the mechanism by which the module 260 queries the traffic light controller 100, are out of scope from this invention. They are already well known to an ordinary skilled person in this art.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed construction of the module 260 and the pattern library 270. [0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the pattern library 270 stores many pattern data such as data 270a, 270b and 270c. Each of pattern data 270a, 270b and 270c causes the street lights (smart street lights) 300-1, 300-2, ,

300-N to illuminate a particular lighting pattern as shown in Figs. 4A-4C.

[0048] Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C depict some examples of simplified lighting patterns according to pattern data supplied from the pattern library 270.

[0049] In a case where pattern data 270a is

supplied, a lighting pattern 401 shown in Fig. 4A is created by the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N.

The lighting pattern 401 is used for the driver of the automobile 30 to be enticed to speed up the automobile 30. In a case where pattern data 270b is supplied, a lighting pattern 402 shown in Fig. 4B is created by the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N. The lighting pattern 402 is used for the driver to be enticed to slow down the automobile 30. In a case where pattern data 270c is supplied, a lighting pattern 403 shown in

Fig. 4C is created by the street lights 300-1, 300-2, ,

300-N. The lighting pattern 403 is used for the driver to be enticed to maintain the current speed. Of course, it goes without saying that the pattern library 270 is able to store pattern data other than the pattern data 270a, 270b and 270c. The pattern data 270a, 270b and 270c are merely illustrative. [0050] Returning back to Fig. 3, the module 260 is a device which creates an appropriate lighting pattern to be applied, and a frequency by which the lighting pattern should be applied, depending on the state of the traffic light 100-1, the distance from the traffic light 100-1 to the approaching automobile 30, and the speed (v) of the automobile 30 measured by the sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N.

[0051] The module 260 contains a communication interface (I/F) 261 having a reception port 261a and a transmission port 261b, a retrieve unit 262, an

analysis unit 263, and a determination unit 264. The retrieve unit 262 serves an interface to/from the pattern library 270. The retrieve unit 262 accesses to the pattern library 270 based on an instruction from the determination unit 264, and retrieves appropriate pattern data from the pattern library 270.

[0052] The communication interface (I/F) 261 receives the information about the speed, direction, current location of the automobile 30, and the

information about the state of the traffic light 100-1 through the reception port 261a, and transmit an instruction and its associated data based on the retrieved pattern data to the street light controller 300 through the transmission port 262b so as to

illuminate a desirable lighting pattern from the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N. [0053] The analysis unit 263 analyzes as to how far from the traffic light 100-1 the automobile 30 is and how long it takes to reach the traffic light 100-1 from the current location of the automobile 30, based on the received information about the speed, direction, current location of the automobile 30, and the state of the traffic light 100-1, and transfers the analysis result to the determination unit 264.

[0054] The determination unit 264 determines which lighting pattern to be used in the street lights 300-1,

300-2, , 300-N, instructs the retrieve unit 262 to access to the pattern library 270, based on the

determination result to obtain suitable pattern data. The determination unit 264 also creates an instruction and its associated data based on the retrieved pattern data, and transfers them to the transmission port 262b.

[0055] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing process for controlling a lighting pattern created by the street lights 300-1, 300-2, , 300-N.

[0056] When the sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N detect the automobile 30 moving down the road 10 towards the traffic light 100-1 as shown in Fig. 1, the sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N report the detected movement (including the speed, the location of the sensor etc.) to the sensor controller 400.

[0057] The sensor controller 400 collects the reports from the sensors 400-1, 400-2, , 400-N, processes them, and sends the information about the speed, direction and current location of the automobile 30. Note that, depending on the specification of the sensor controller 400, the sensor controller 400 may pass the collected reports to the module 260 without processing them. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a single automobile is running down on the road 10 toward the intersection 20. However, it goes without saying that multiple automobiles are often running down the road. In such a case, the reports about the movement of the multiple automobiles are collected and processed by the sensor controller 400.

[0058] At step S100, the module 260 receives the information about the speed, direction and current location of the automobile 30 through the reception port 261a. At step S110, as soon as the module 260 receives the information, the module 260 queries the traffic light controller 100 for the location and the current state (also including when it will shift) of the traffic light 100-1. In response to the query, the module 260 receives the information about the current state of the traffic light 100-1 and the remaining time before the current state will change.

[0059] At step S120, the analysis unit 263

analyzes the received information, and estimates how far from the traffic light 100-1 the current location of the automobile 30 is, how long it takes to reach the traffic light 100-1, and how long it takes to change the current state of the traffic light 100-1. This estimation is performed based on the locations (Po, Pi,

P₂, , P_N) of the traffic light 100-1 and the light poles 200-1, 200-2, , 200-N that are known upon installation, the speed (v) of the automobile 30, and the sensed time (t) by the sensors 300-1, 300-2, ,

300-N. This estimation also considers the remaining time (Tremain) before the current state of the traffic light 100-1 will change. Then, the analysis unit 263 transfers the result of the above analysis to the determination unit.

[ 0060 ] At step S130, the determination unit 264 determines which lighting pattern to be used, based on the transferred analysis data. For example, in a case where the current speed (v) of the automobile is moderate, the current state of the traffic light 100-1 is green, and the remaining time (T_remain) before the green light will change to yellow is sufficient, but the distance between the current location of the automobile 30 and the traffic light 100-1 is a little far, the determination unit 264 then determines to encourage the driver to speed up the automobile 30. In this case, the determination unit 264 determines to use the pattern data 270a which causes the street lights

300-1, 300-2, , 300-N to illuminate a series of

"reverse chevrons" as shown in Fig. 4A. [0061] In a case where the current speed (v) of the automobile is moderate, the current state of the traffic light 100-1 is green, but the remaining time

(Tremain) before the green light will change to yellow is running out, and the green light is about to blink, the determination unit 264 then determines to encourage the driver to slow down the automobile 30. In this case, the determination unit 264 determines to use the pattern data 270b which causes the street lights 300-1,

300-2, , 300-N to illuminate a series of "chevrons" as shown in Fig. 4B. Also, in a case where the current speed (v) of the automobile is moderate, the current state of the traffic light 100-1 is green, and the remaining time (T_remain) before the green light will change to yellow is sufficient taking the distance between the current location of the automobile 30 and the traffic light 100-1, the determination unit 264 then determines "no action". In this case, the

determination unit 264 determines to use the pattern data 270c which causes the street lights 300-1, 300-

2, , 300-N to illuminate a series of "squares" as shown in Fig. 4C.

[0062] At step S140, the determination unit 264 requests the retrieve unit 263 to acquire pattern data according to the determination. More specifically, in case where "speed up" is a desirable action for the driver, the determination unit 264 requests the retrieve unit 263 to acquire the pattern data 270a from the pattern library 270, and in case where "slow down" is a desirable action for the driver, the determination unit 264 requests the retrieve unit 263 to acquire the pattern data 270b from the pattern library 270. In a case where "maintain speed" is a desirable action for the driver, the determination unit 264 requests the retrieve unit 263 to acquire the pattern data 270c from the pattern library 270.

[0063] Note that in a case where "maintain speed" is a desirable action for the driver, the determination unit 264 may determine "NO LIGHTING PATTERN" as an alternative action, and may not require anything to the retrieve unit 263. It goes without saying that the illuminated lighting patterns described above are merely illustrative, and other lighting patterns are possible .

[0064] At step 150, the retrieve unit 263

retrieves the suitable pattern data according to the request from the pattern library 270, and transfers it to the determination unit 264. At step S160, the determination unit 264 creates an instruction based on the retrieved pattern data including a frequency by which a lighting pattern based on the retrieved pattern data should be applied to the street lights 300-1, 300-

2, , 300-N to engender the desired behavior in the driver (e.g. speed up or slow down) . [0065] Then, at step S170, the determination unit

264 instructs the street light controller 300 through the transmission port 262b to apply the pattern data retrieved from the pattern library 270 according to the computed frequency.

[0066] In response to the instruction from the module 264, the street light controller 300 applies the pattern data according to the computed frequency in the sequence of street lights 300-1, 300-2, 300-N, so that the lighting pattern is continuously projected at the right frequency in the field of view of the driver of the automobile 30 which is approaching the

intersection 20, thus enticing him/her to speed up or slow down so that he reaches the traffic light in time, or does not feel implied to rush if it is going to turn red soon.

[0067] According to the embodiment as described above, since a driver of an automobile is guided to smoothly and safely pass through an intersection or stop at the intersection according to a state of a traffic light, a current speed and location of the automobile, unnecessary occurrence of traffic am due to a driver' s behavior is avoided, thus contributing to smooth traffic.

[0068] In the above embodiment, a case where a single automobile is approaching an intersection has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to a case where multiple automobile are approaching an intersection, and a case where one or more pedestrians are approaching an intersection on a sidewalk.

[0069] In the above embodiment, a case where there is a single traffic light on a road has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable to a case where multiple traffic lights are installed on many roads. This simply falls within a matter of deployment of the present invention.

[0070] In the above embodiment, a specific type of sensor for sensing speed and direction of an automobile has not been defined. However, it is apparent for an ordinary skilled person in this art that such a sensor is well known. For example, an infra-red sensor, optical sensor, microwave sensor, magnetic field sensor or the like is applicable to the present invention.

[0071] Implementation of the module 260 may be an

ASIC in view of real-time performance. However, where that performance is acceptable, a microprocessor with its associate memory which executes the above-described process according to a computer program may be one of the options.

[0072] As many apparently widely different

embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (1000) for managing and controlling traffic, based on information about speed, direction and current location of a moving ob ect (30) obtained from a plurality of sensors (400-1, 400-2, , 400-N) installed along a road (10) and information about a state of a traffic light (100-1) installed in an intersection (20) between the road and another road (11) to which the moving ob ect is approaching, comprising:

a plurality of street lights (300-1, 300-2, ,

300-N) , respectively installed in a plurality of light poles (200-1, 200-2, , 200-N) along the road,

configured to be illuminated with a given intensity, direction and lighting pattern;

a street light controller (300) configured to control the plurality of street lights so as to be illuminated according to a given instruction, light intensity and lighting pattern;

a module (260) configured to receive the

information about the speed, direction and current location of the moving object and the information about the state of the traffic light, analyze the received information, and instruct the street light controller such that the plurality of street lights are

illuminated based on a result of the analysis.

2. The system according to claim 1, further

comprising a pattern library (270) configured to store various pattern data (270a, 270b, 270c) , each causing the plurality of street lights to illuminate a

particular lighting pattern.

3. The system according to claim 2, further

comprising:

a traffic light controller (100) configured to control one or more traffic lights and monitor the state of the traffic lights;

a sensor controller (400) configured to control operation of the plurality of sensors and process data sensed by the plurality of sensors; and

a communication network (500) configured to communicate between the module and, the street light controller, the traffic light controller and the sensor controller .

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the module (260) comprises:

a communication interface (261) configured to receive the information about the speed, the direction and the current location of the moving ob ect from the sensor controller and the information about the state of the traffic light (100-1) via the communication network; an analysis unit (263) configured to analyze the information received by the communication interface, and estimate based on the result of analysis how far from the traffic light the moving ob ect is and how long it takes to reach the intersection;

a determination unit (264) configured to

determine which lighting pattern to be applied to the plurality of street lights, based on a result of the estimation; and

a retrieve unit (262) configured to access to the pattern library to retrieve pattern data based on a result of the determination.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit is further configured to create an instruction and frequency by which the plurality of street lights are illuminated, based on the retrieved pattern data, and send the instruction and frequency to the street light controller via the communication interface .

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of street lights are smart street lights, each capable of changing intensity, and

direction of light, and a lighting pattern.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of sensors and the plurality of street lights are installed in the plurality of light poles together.

8. The system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the module and the pattern library are included in a communication node (200) which communicates with the traffic controller, the street light controller, and the sensor controller.

9. The system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the module and the pattern library are provided in a server (250), separate from a communication node (200), which communicates with the traffic controller, the street light controller, and the sensor controller.

10. The system according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the moving ob ect includes an automobile and pedestrian.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the various pattern data includes:

first pattern data (270a) causing the plurality of street lights to illuminate a first lighting pattern presenting a series of reversed chevrons which entice a driver of the automobile to speed up;

second pattern data (270b) causing the plurality of street lights to illuminate a second lighting pattern presenting a series of chevrons which entice the driver of the automobile to slow down; and

third pattern data (270c) causing the plurality of street lights to illuminate a third lighting pattern presenting a series of squares which entice the driver of the automobile to maintain the speed.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the determination unit (264) is further configured to determine the first pattern data to be applied to the plurality of street lights in a case where the speed of the automobile is moderate, the state of the traffic light is green, and the remaining time before the green light will change to yellow is sufficient, but the distance between the location of the automobile and the traffic light is a little far.

13. The system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the determination unit (264) is further configured to determine the second pattern data to be applied to the plurality of street lights in a case where the speed of the automobile is moderate, the state of the traffic light is green, the remaining time before the green light will change to yellow is running out, and the green light is about to change.

14. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the determination unit (264) is further configured to determine the third pattern data to be applied to the plurality of street lights in a case where the speed of the automobile is moderate, the current state of the traffic light is green, and the remaining time before the green light will change to yellow is sufficient.

15. The system according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit, the analysis unit, the

determination unit, and the retrieve unit included in the module are integrated into an ASIC.

16. A method for managing and controlling traffic, based on information about speed, direction and current location of a moving ob ect (30) obtained from a plurality of sensors (400-1, 400-2, , 400-N) installed along a road (10) and information about a state of a traffic light (100-1) installed in an intersection (20) between the road and another road (11) to which the moving ob ect is approaching, comprising the steps of:

receiving (SI 00) the information about the speed, direction and current location of the moving object; querying (S110) for the information about the state of the traffic light and receiving the

information about the state of the traffic light; analyzing (S120) the received information; and instructing (S170) a street light controller (300), which controls a plurality of street lights

(300-1, 300-2, , 300-N) , respectively installed in a plurality of light poles (200-1, 200-2, , 200-N) along the road, such that the plurality of street lights are illuminated based on a result of the analysis.