Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
  • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
  • E01F9/576—Traffic lines
  • E01F9/582—Traffic lines illuminated
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
  • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
  • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
  • E01F9/576—Traffic lines
  • E01F9/578—Traffic lines consisting of preformed elements, e.g. tapes, block-type elements specially designed or arranged to make up a traffic line

Definitions

• the present invention relates to road marking, in particular a road marking that can be placed on a base of the road.
• the present invention further relates to roads provide with such markings.
• An important element thereof is the road marking, for example in the form of lines, stripes and strips.
• Road markings can therefore be regarded as signs present on the road surface, which guide the traffic by means of visual information.
• Road markings comprise, inter alia, arrows, stripes, continuous and interrupted lines, but also so-called “shark's teeth" (give-way road marking).
• Road markings function not only to guide, but may also function as information sources, in particular in order to embellish the paving on which the markings are provided. Examples include, inter alia: city beautification, land art, artistic expressions, publicity, encouragement signs and the like.
• a luminescent component or also a light-reflecting material, such as glass beads, is added to the road marking in certain applications, which latter component lights up after it has been irradiated by a headlight of a car.
• a luminescent component absorbs energy from daylight during the daytime, which effect is stronger when the sun shines.
• the "charging" effect of a headlight of a car is small, however, on account of the low energy content of the light source.
• the irradiation time of such a headlight is short, because the car is travelling on the road and thus keeps irradiating new points of the road marking. The result is that after some time the marking is no longer visually perceptible in a dusky or nightly situation, not even if a luminescent component is used.
• road marker wherein the road marker has the following layer structure: an adhesive layer, a layer which comprises a rechargeable lithium battery, a layer which comprises an electronic circuit, a layer which comprises a reflecting metal layer, a layer which comprises an electroluminescent film and, finally, a layer which comprises a transparent protective film.
• US patent application US 2012/301657 relates to a road marker wherein the photoluminescent material present therein emits light after being irradiated with sunlight, artificial light or light from passing cars.
• International application WO 2013/017410 relates to a road marker comprising an electrically conductive electrode applied to a carrier layer, a dielectric layer applied to the electrode, a light-emitting layer applied to the dielectric layer, an electrically conductive, translucent electrode applied to the light-emitting layer and, finally, a translucent protective layer provided with a reflecting layer.
• a road marking comprising a profile including a luminescent component, which is to be installed in the road surface, in which profile one or more light sources are furthermore present and which luminescent component is disposed above said one or more light sources, wherein the profile is made of an elastic material, wherein the part of the profile present at the surface of the road surface is translucent.
• British publication GB 346372 relates to a transparent illuminated sign to be installed in the road or other surface for guiding traffic, wherein electrical connections of the wires and lamps are entirely or partly embedded or protected in a semi-plastic waterproof insulation material.
• German publication DE 2 336 479 relates to a light signal device for roads for use of various indicator panels, traffic signs and the like for regulating the road traffic, wherein a watertight housing is used provided with a lamp with a transparent cover plate.
• One aspect of the present invention concerns providing a road marking for placement on a base of the road, to which marking certain functionalities can be attributed.
• Another aspect of the present invention concerns providing a road marking for placement on a base of the road, which marking is easy to produce and which can possibly be used as a prefab material.
• Yet another aspect of the present invention concerns providing a road marking for placement on a base of the road, which placement may be of a temporary nature and which is easy to remove or place as needed.
• Yet another aspect of the present invention concerns providing a road marking, which marking exhibits a good visibility to road users, viewed in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction of the marking.
• the present invention therefore relates to a road marking for placement on a base of a road, wherein said marking comprises a light-transmitting window, which window extends in the longitudinal direction of the marking, wherein, seen in the longitudinal direction, said window is surrounded on both longitudinal sides thereof by a strip of a non-transparent material, wherein said strips extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking, parallel to said window.
• Such a marking can be simply placed on the road, wherein the two strips that are present on both sides of the light-transmitting window are preferably made of material of a colour different from that of the light-transmitting window, for example a material which is white in colour or which reflects light. In one embodiment, a dark colour, for example black, may be used.
• base is to be understood to be the upper surface of a road surface, or a groove or a gutter formed in the road surface.
• the road may be composed of stone, asphalt concrete but also of a synthetic material or a combination thereof.
• the window has a height greater than the height of the strips positioned on the two longitudinal sides thereof, which strips extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking, parallel to said window.
• the window has a highest point or maximum height, seen in the transverse direction of said marking, with the height decreasing, seen in the transverse direction, from said highest point to the height of the strip of a non-transparent material adjacent to said window.
• the light-transmitting window that forms part of the present marking is preferably configured with a slight slope.
• the term "slight slope" is to be understood to mean that the window on the side adjacent to the strip of a non- transparent material has a height greater than the aforesaid adjacent strip. Such a greater height is in particular preferable in order to enhance the visibility of the window, in particular seen from the side of the marking. Because the window extends slightly "above” said strips, which strips extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking, parallel to said window, the visibility of the window will increase. The visibility, which is perceived both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the marking, is very important in particular to the road users.
• the window is preferably configured so that its highest point is located in the centre of the marking, seen in the transverse direction of the marking, with the height of the window decreasing from said highest point, viz on both sides thereof, in the direction of the strips of the non-transparent material.
• the light-transmitting window comprises a transparent or semi- transparent resin.
• the light-transmitting window comprises one or more luminescent components. Such components will only emit light after they have been irradiated with light. It is also possible to assign a particular colour to the window, especially if the light-transmitting window comprises colour pigments. In this way the marking can be given a certain colour expression.
• the light-transmitting window comprises one or more additional components selected from the group of glass and plastics, in particular glass beads, glass dust and plastic spheres. Such one or more additional components may be arranged in a particular pattern.
• said strip of a non-transparent material is a prefab material, in particular a thermoplastic plastic.
• the material used for the window is based on a similar type of thermoplastic plastic.
• said strips of a non-transparent material are provided with an adhesive layer on one side, which adhesive layer is used to install the marking on the road.
• an adhesive or bonding layer makes it possible to realise a good bond to the road surface, so that the marking will not shift undesirably under the influence of the traffic passing thereover.
• the present road marking is preferably configured so that, seen in the transverse direction, the window is positioned practically centrally in the marking.
• Such a construction leads to a marking in which the window is provided with strips of a non-transparent material on either side thereof, which strips each have practically the same width.
• Such a marking is preferable from the viewpoint of traffic engineering.
• the two strips of a non-transparent material exhibit a slight slope, wherein the height of the two strips at the edge of the marking is lower than the height of the two strips adjacent to the aforesaid window.
• Said draining off ensures that the marking will retain its skid resistance, which is important in particular for cyclists and motorcyclists.
• the present road marking is provided with one or more light sources, which light sources are located in the aforesaid window, wherein said one or more light sources extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking.
• an "active" marking is obtained, which is useful in particular in the dark or the dusk.
• the one or more light sources in the aforesaid window are surrounded by the aforesaid transparent or semi-transparent resin.
• the marking further comprises means for electrically driving the aforesaid one or more light sources, in particular voltage sources, for example via a connection to the electricity grid, but possibly also by means of batteries, solar collectors or induction coils installed in the road surface.
• such means for electrically driving the aforesaid one or more light sources are incorporated in the present marking, in particular in the central part thereof, viz the window, which is provided with a strip of a non-transparent material on both longitudinal sides thereof.
• Examples of said one or more light sources include EL (Electroluminescence), LED and glass fibre.
• the present invention further relates to a road provided with one or more markings as described in the foregoing.
• Such a road is in particular provided with markings provided at regular intervals, wherein one or more slots are present in the said road, in which slots means for supplying said markings with electricity are provided.
• slots means for supplying said markings with electricity are provided.
• slots or gutters are present, it is preferable that said markings are disposed above said one or more slots in the road.
• Such slots can function as lead- through systems, for example for power cables.
• a profile is located in said one or more slots, which profile extends over at least part of the length of said slots.
• a profile is preferably made of an elastic material, and the elastic material envelopes one or more light sources.
• a transparent thermoplastic polymer can be mentioned as an example of such an elastic material.
• the aforesaid transparent material preferably comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group of silicones, polyolefins and elastomers.
• a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group of silicones, polyolefins and elastomers.
• Such translucent materials are slightly flexible and consequently they can be easily placed in slots or grooves, which slots or grooves are present in the road surface.
• Usual additives, for example UV stabilisers, may be present in the aforesaid transparent material, insofar as they do not interfere with the transparency of the material.
• the profile is provided with one or more protrusions, so-called barbs, on the circumferential or outer side thereof, which function to help fix the profile in the road surface.
• the profile is preferably made up of two separate elements, which can be joined together by means of a snap connection.
• a luminescent component is present above the one or more light sources in said profile.
• the intensity of the light emitted by the luminescent component will decrease as a function of time. This means that the road marking will no longer be sufficiently visible to the road user after some time.
• the presence of one or more light sources makes it possible to irradiate the luminescent component at any time, as a result of which the luminescent component will start to emit light again.
• Examples of the aforesaid luminescent component include a phosphorus-based compound, in particular comprising zinc sulphide and/or strontium aluminate, preferably zinc sulphide, strontium aluminate SrAl20 4 , or derivatives thereof, possibly doped with lanthanides and/or actinides, for example europium.
• a phosphorus-based compound in particular comprising zinc sulphide and/or strontium aluminate, preferably zinc sulphide, strontium aluminate SrAl20 4 , or derivatives thereof, possibly doped with lanthanides and/or actinides, for example europium.
• light sources include light sources of the electroluminescent (EL) or UV-LED, OLED type, in particular in the form of a wire, ribbon or tape.
• EL electroluminescent
• OLED organic light-emitting diode
• the space between said profile and the slot is filled with a transparent or semi-transparent resin, in particular that said profile is fully surrounded by the transparent resin in the slot.
• the present invention further relates to a road wherein the transparent resin forms an integral part of the marking disposed above the slot, in particular wherein the transparent or semi-transparent resin forms part of the material of which the light-transmitting window is made.
• Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a marking according to the present invention
• Figure 7 is a schematic view of a road in which a number of markings according to the present invention are installed
• Figure 8 is another schematic view of a road in which a number of markings according to the present invention are installed.
• Figure 9 is another schematic view of a road in which a number of markings according to the present invention are installed.
• a marking according to the present invention is schematically indicated at 1.
• the road marking 1 is placed on a base 2 of a road.
• the marking 1 comprises a light-transmitting window 3, which window 3 extends in the longitudinal direction of the marking 1 .
• the window 3 is surrounded by a strip 4, 5 of a non-transparent material on both longitudinal sides, which strips 4, 5 extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking 1 , parallel to said window 3.
• the strips 4, 5 abut against the window 3, as indicated at 7.
• the outer edge of each one of the strips 4, 5 is indicated at 6.
• the two strips 4, 5 of a non-transparent material preferably exhibit a slight slope, seen in the transverse direction, wherein the height of the two strips 4, 5 is lower at the edge 6 of the marking 1 than at the location adjacent to the window 3 (indicated at 7). From figure 1 it is apparent that the window 3 has a highest point, wherein the height decreases on either side thereof to the height of the adjacent strips 4, 5. The window 3 thus exhibits a slope in the illustrated embodiment as well. The highest point is located at approximately half the width of the window, viz. halfway.
• a marking according to the present invention is schematically indicated at 20.
• a light source 21 for example of the EL, LED or glass fibre type, which light source 21 extends over the length of the marking 20.
• the light source 21 is fully embedded in the window 3 in figure 2.
• a marking according to the present invention is schematically indicated at 30.
• a light source 31 for example of the EL, LED or glass fibre type, which light source 31 extends over the length of the marking 30.
• the marking 30 is provided with an adhesive layer 32 on the underside thereof. The marking 30 can thus be easily installed on the base 2 via the adhesive layer 32.
• Figure 2 and figure 3 both clearly show that the window 3 has a highest point, with the height decreasing on either side of said highest point to the height of the adjacent strips 4, 5.
• the window 3 thus exhibits a slope in the illustrated embodiments as well.
• the highest point is located at approximately half the width of the window, viz halfway.
• a marking according to the present invention is schematically indicated at 40.
• the window 43 comprises a light source 41 , with the strips being indicated at 42.
• a recess 44 for example for an induction coil and PCB, is present in the material of the strips 42.
• the material of the strips 42 may be composed of two individual elements, one element comprising the recess 44 and the other element comprising the light source 41 and the window 43, wherein the two individual elements are brought into contact with each other upon assembly so as to form the marking 40.
• no conductors for interconnecting the lighting means are provided in the embodiments of figures 3 and 4, it is preferable in certain embodiments that the present marking are provided with such conductors for interconnecting the lamp elements.
• the window 43 has a highest point higher than the strips 42.
• Figure 5 shows a special embodiment of a marking 70, in which a profile 50 (schematically indicated) is positioned in a slot 61 , embedded in a transparent or semi-transparent resin 72.
• the transparent resin 72 forms an integral part of the marking 70 comprising a window 71 and strips 4, 5 disposed above the slot 73; the transparent or semi-transparent resin in particular forms part of the material of which the light-transmitting window 71 is made.
• a marking is for example made by first forming a slot 73 in a road and subsequently placing a profile 50 therein. The areas adjacent to the slot 71 thus obtained are provided with strips 4, 5, whereupon the area enclosed by the slot and the two strips 4, 5 is filled with a pourable transparent resin composition. After curing, the construction shown in figure 5 is obtained. For the sake of clarity the necessary ground cable and the connection points to the light source present in the profile have been left out.
• Figure 6 shows a special embodiment of a marking 80, in which the profile 50 is positioned in a slot, embedded in a transparent resin 72.
• the marking comprising the window 3 and the strips 4, 5 does not form an integral part of the profile positioned in the slot thereunder.
• a marking is for example made by first forming a slot in a road and subsequently placing a profile 50 therein. The area enclosed by the slot and the profile is filled with a pourable transparent resin composition. After curing, the marking comprising the window 3 and the strips 4, 5 is positioned on the slot thus obtained.
• the necessary ground cable and the connection points to the light source present in the profile have been left out.
• Figure 5 and figure 6 both clearly show that the window 71 , 3 has a highest point, with the height decreasing on either side of said highest point to the height of the adjacent strips 4, 5.
• the window 71 , 3 thus exhibits a slope in the illustrated embodiments as well.
• the highest point is located at approximately half the width of the window, viz halfway.
• Figure 7 is a schematic view of a road 90, which is provided with a number of markings 91 according to the present invention.
• the markings 91 are interconnected via conductors 94, which conductors are connected to an energy supply unit 92 via connections 95, which energy supply unit is fed via the energy source 93.
• the markings that are used may be different from each other, for example have different colours, and be individually controlled.
• Figure 8 is another schematic view of a road 100, which is provided with a number of markings 103 according to the present invention.
• a connecting cable 62 extends under the road surface and is connected to the individual markings 103 via branch lines 101 . It is preferable that the strips 102 pass between the markings 103, so that the marking is not provided with a window over the entire length thereof. Because of the presence of such a window, the marking 103 can be regarded as an "active" marking, for example owing to the presence of light sources, luminescent components.
• the markings that are used may be different from each other, for example have different colours, and be individually controlled.
• the markings can be individually controlled. Said controlling may for example take place on the basis of the traffic intensity, the weather conditions, but also in response to certain calamities, such as accidents or the "clearing" of traffic lanes for emergency services. Thus it is also possible to form a so-called “continuous" line by means of the road marking.
• Figure 9 is another schematic representation, seen in top view, of a road 1 10 which is provided with a number of markings according to the present invention.
• the top view clearly shows that the connecting cable 62 extends over the entire length of the road, with the "active" marking being indicated at 1 14, 1 13 and 1 1 1 .
• the strips of the marking are schematically indicated at 102, with the window of the marking being surrounded on both longitudinal sides thereof by such a strip of a non-transparent material, wherein said strips extend in the longitudinal direction of the marking, parallel to said window.
• the strip 102 is only partly continuous in the figure, it should be understood that in all cases said strip 102 surrounds the illustrated "active" marking 1 14, 1 13, 1 1 1 on both sides thereof.
• the "active" marking 1 14, 1 13 and 1 1 1 shown in the figure may for example comprise a combination of light sources and PV elements. With a view to realising a good water management it is preferable that the marking be provided with one or more recesses or gutters disposed between the "active" markings 1 14, 1 13 and 1 1 1 shown in the figure.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (14)

• 2015
  • 2015-11-18 NL NL2015808A patent/NL2015808B1/nl active
• 2016
  • 2016-11-18 WO PCT/NL2016/050812 patent/WO2017086795A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (15)

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