Intelligent traffic control and warning system and method

• US 20020008637A1
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dorothy Lemelson, Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven Robert Pedersen
• Original Assignee: Dorothy Lemelson, Jerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, Steven Robert Pedersen
• Inventors: Pedersen, Steven R., Lemelson, Jerome H., Pedersen, Robert D., Lemelson, Dorothy
• Granted Patent: US 6,633,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0116 from roadside infrastructure, e.g. beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/08 according to detected number or speed of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096 provided with indicators in which a mark progresses showing the time elapsed, e.g. of green phase
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system and method for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing warning messages to motorists includes a controller to determine appropriate action based on traffic congestion parameters. Fuzzy logic is used to determine optimum traffic light phase split based on the traffic information from the traffic information units. Global Positioning System technology is used by the system and method in order to track moving vehicles and signs and be able to communicate with them.

Claims

1. A method of using at least one central controller, at least one intelligent traffic light controller and at least one other intelligent controller for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing warning messages to motorists comprising the acts of:

(a) obtaining traffic information from various traffic information units,

(b) transmitting the traffic information to at least one central controller,

(c) using the central controller to determine traffic congestion parameters and warning information,

(d) further using the derived congestion and warning information as input variables to a fuzzy logic controller to derive traffic light phase split control signals,

(e) transmitting traffic light phase split control information to one or more intelligent traffic light controllers,

(f) setting the traffic light phase splits at at least one traffic light and transmitting a confirmation message back to the central controller,

(g) further broadcasting traffic warning information signals from at least one central controller, said traffic warning information signals defining the nature of at least one traffic situation to be avoided, geographic coordinates of the traffic situation and a level of avoidance indication for the identified traffic situations,

(h) receiving said broadcast warning information signals at at least one other intelligent traffic controller,

(i) determining the geographic coordinates of at least one other receiving intelligent traffic controller,

(j) comparing the coordinates of the receiving intelligent traffic controller with the coordinates of the traffic situation to be avoided and computing the distance between that intelligent controller and the situation,

(k) using the received level of avoidance indication and the derived distance as fuzzy variable inputs to a second fuzzy logic controller located in the receiving intelligent controller to derive a danger warning message for the traffic situation to be avoided relative to the location of the receiving intelligent controller, and

(l) intelligibly indicating the danger warning message to motorists.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the other intelligent traffic controllers of act (h) is a controller for a fixed location traffic warning sign with known geographic coordinates.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the other intelligent traffic controllers of act (h) is a controller for a portable traffic warning sign and where the geographic coordinates of that portable sign are determined using GPS satellite location signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fuzzy logic calculation of act (d) is made at a central controller.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fuzzy logic calculation of act (d) is made at a traffic light intelligent controller.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the other intelligent traffic controllers of act (h) is located in a motor vehicle, the GPS coordinates of that motor vehicle are calculated in the vehicle, and the fuzzy logic calculation determining the degree of danger is made in the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the other intelligent traffic controllers of act (h) is located at a traffic warning sign and at least one other of those intelligent traffic controllers is located in a motor vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the traffic light intelligent controllers includes a television camera used to monitor traffic at an intersection and transmit video information signals to at least one central controller.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the traffic situations to be avoided indicated in act (g) is an intersection with unusual traffic light phase splits as calculated using the fuzzy logic calculation of act (d).

10. A method of using an intelligent traffic light controller for controlling traffic at an intersection having traffic lights comprising the acts of:

(a) obtaining traffic information from various traffic information units,

(b) transmitting said traffic information to said intelligent traffic light controller,

(c) using said intelligent traffic light controller to determine traffic congestion parameters,

(d) further using the derived congestion information as input variables to a fuzzy logic controller to derive traffic light phase split control signals,

(e) setting the traffic light phase splits at one traffic light and transmitting a confirmation message back to the intelligent traffic light controller.

11. A method of using at least one central controller and at least one intelligent controller for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing warning messages to motorists comprising the acts of:

(a) obtaining traffic information from various traffic information units,

(b) transmitting the traffic information to at least one central controller,

(c) using the central controller to determine congestion parameters and warning information,

(d) transmitting the congestion parameters and the warning information from the at least one central controller to the intelligent controller, and

(e) using the intelligent controllers to determine appropriate action based on the congestion parameters and the warning information.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with intelligent controllers wherein each of the traffic lights with the intelligent controllers further comprises:

(a) a computer controller including a processor and memory,

(b) a receiver coupled to the computer controller wherein the receiver receives and analyzes communication signals from at least one central controller, and

(c) a transmitter coupled to the computer controller wherein the transmitter generates and transmits signals to at least some of the other traffic information units.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with intelligent warning signs wherein each of the traffic lights with the intelligent warning signs further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(b) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists.

14. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are intelligent roadside warning signs wherein each of the intelligent roadside warning signs further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(b) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists.

15. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with cameras wherein the traffic lights with cameras further comprises:

(a) a camera that monitors an intersection or road,

(b) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(c) a transmitter that at least receives signals from the camera and generates and transmits signals to at least some of the other traffic information units.

16. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are roadside traffic and weather sensors wherein each of the roadside traffic and weather sensors further comprises a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the at least one central controller.

17. The method according to claim 11 wherein the traffic information units are vehicle warning units wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least one central controller,

(b) a satellite receiver that receives and analyzes communications signals from a satellite positioning system and determines current geographic location of each of the warning units,

(c) a transmitter that generates and transmits data to at least one central controller, and

(d) an alarm indicator that indicates a relevant traffic situation or emergency.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the vehicle warning units are a plurality of vehicle warning units wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises:

(a) a receiving circuit to receive data from the at least one central controller,

(b) a transmitter to transmit data to the at least one central controller, and

(c) a global positioning system receiver to determine exact location of each of the vehicle warning units.

19. The method according to claim 17 wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises a communication system that communicates with a fuzzy logic processor which determines and calculates if received warning messages are relevant to the each of the vehicle warning units and communicates vehicle warnings based on the received warning messages and the current geographic location of each of the vehicle warning units.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the fuzzy processor uses results of the fuzzy logic calculations at the central controller for determining traffic light phase splits and further uses the traffic light phase splits as input variables into the calculation of the vehicle warnings thereby creating a series of dependent fuzzy logic calculations.

21. The method according to claim 17 further comprises the acts of:

(a) providing the vehicle warning units with audio and speech recognition capabilities,

(b) determining if recognized audio or speech is indicative of an emergency or dangerous situation, and

(c) transmitting warning messages to the central controller when the audio or speech indicative of an emergency or dangerous situation are detected.

22. The method according to claim 17 wherein the intelligent central controller comprises a plurality of central controllers and wherein each of the vehicle warning units is capable of determining from which one of the plurality of central controllers it is to receive data transmission based on the current geographic location of the each of the vehicle warning units.

23. The method according to claim 11 wherein at least one controller is one of a plurality of central controllers, wherein each of the central controllers further comprises:

(a) a database computer having a database storage unit,

(b) a processor and memory configured to monitor existing traffic conditions and emergency situations and distribute warning messages,

(c) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the traffic information units, and

(d) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the traffic information units.

24. The method according to claim 11 further comprises the acts of:

(a) providing a plurality of traffic light controllers, and

(b) configuring the traffic light controllers to receive data from the central controller, to transmit data to the central controller, to transmit data from at least some of the traffic information units, and to receive data from the at least some of the traffic information units.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the act of providing a plurality of traffic light controllers further comprises the acts of providing traffic light controllers with fuzzy logic processors wherein the fuzzy logic processors calculate correct traffic light phase split and determine if received warning messages are relevant to each of the traffic information units.

26. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the acts of:

(a) providing a plurality of traffic sensors, and

(b) configuring the traffic sensors to transmit information to at least one central controller.

27. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of providing a plurality of roadside warning signs wherein each of the roadside warning signs includes a receiving circuit to receive data from the at least one central controller and at least some of the traffic information units and also includes global positioning system receivers to determine exact locations of the roadside warning signs.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the act of providing a plurality of roadside warning signs further comprises the act of providing a plurality of fixed-location roadside warning signs.

29. The method according to claim 27 wherein the act of providing a plurality of roadside warning signs further comprises the act of providing a plurality of movable roadside warning signs.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the act of providing a plurality of movable warning signs further comprises the act of providing each of the movable roadside warning signs with a fuzzy logic processor that determines if received warning messages are relevant to the each of the movable roadside warning signs and calculates warnings based on location of the each of movable roadside warning signs, the received warning messages, and abnormal phase splits of traffic lights.

31. The method according to claim 30 further comprises the acts of having the fuzzy processors of the road-side warning signs use results of the fuzzy logic calculation for determining traffic light phase splits and having the fuzzy processors further use the traffic light phase splits as input variables into calculation of warning messages thereby creating a series of dependent fuzzy logic calculations.

32. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of providing global positioning system location receivers and processors for the traffic information units located in emergency vehicles wherein the receivers and the processors precisely locate the emergency vehicles and report location, movement and destination to the at least one central controller for use in generating traffic management controls.

33. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of using fuzzy logic to determine optimum traffic light phase split based on the traffic information from the traffic information units.

34. The method according to claim 33 wherein the act of using fuzzy logic further comprises the act of determining the optimum traffic light phase split at each of the intelligent controllers.

35. The method according to claim 33 wherein the act of using fuzzy logic further comprises the act of determining the optimum traffic phase split at the at least one central controller.

36. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of using fuzzy logic controllers to execute fuzzy logic inference rules from a fuzzy rule base in determining the congestion parameters and the warning information and the appropriate action.

37. The method according to claim 36 further comprising the acts of:

(a) defining input variables and output variables as members of fuzzy sets having degrees of membership determined by membership functions,

(b) using the fuzzy rule base to define a fuzzy inference system wherein the fuzzy rule base is based on expert knowledge for system control based on observed values of control variables,

(c) using the input variables to define the membership functions used by the fuzzy rule base,

(d) using a reasoning mechanism to execute the fuzzy rule base and the fuzzy inference system, and

(e) using the membership functions to convert the input variables to output variables that define the control variables.

38. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the membership functions is a fuzzy membership for traffic flow.

39. The method according to claim 38 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a low traffic flow.

40. The method according to claim 38 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a medium traffic flow.

41. The method according to claim 38 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a high traffic flow.

42. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the membership functions is a fuzzy membership for a traffic light phase split.

43. The method according to claim 42 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a short traffic light phase split.

44. The method according to claim 42 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a normal traffic light phase split.

45. The method according to claim 42 wherein one of the fuzzy sets for the fuzzy membership is a long traffic light phase split.

46. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the membership functions is a fuzzy membership for traffic flow and wherein one of the membership functions is a fuzzy membership for a traffic light phase split and further comprising the act of using the fuzzy rule base to determine the traffic light phase splits based on the traffic flow from various directions of an intersection and on outside factors at the intersection.

47. The method according to claim 46 further comprising the acts of:

(a) communicating fuzzy logic calculations to the at least one central controller controlling the intersection,

(b) implementing the respective traffic light phase split for the intersection,

(c) detecting abnormal traffic light phase split for the intersection, and

(d) transmitting warning signals to the respective traffic information units if an abnormal traffic light phase split is detected.

48. The method according to claim 47 wherein the act of transmitting warning signals further comprises the acts of:

(a) comparing geographic locations of the traffic information units that are in vehicles to geographic locations of intersections,

(b) generating warning signals in the vehicles in proximity of the intersection.

49. The method according to claim 11 the act of using the intelligent controllers further comprises the act of operating at least one of the intelligent controllers for controlling an intersection.

50. The method according to claim 49 wherein the operating act further comprises the acts of:

(a) sensing and updating data from traffic sensors at the intersection,

(b) sensing and updating data from auxiliary sources,

(c) selecting a fuzzy logic rule set,

(d) using the at least one central controller to derive a correct traffic light phase split based on the fuzzy logic rule set selected,

(e) generating and displaying respective warning messages at the intersection,

(f) transmitting appropriate traffic light control and warning information to the at least one central controller, and

(g) updating data at the at least one central controller.

51. The method according to claim 50 wherein the determining act further comprises the acts of:

(a) entering a time delay and repeating the method acts if the operation is to continue, and

(b) terminating the operation if the operation is to not continue.

52. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the input variables is a level of avoidance variable.

53. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the input variables is a length of warning radius variable.

54. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the input variables is a distance to dangerous situation variable.

55. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the output variables is an output danger index.

56. The method according to claim 37 wherein one of the output variables is a radius of concern parameter.

57. The method according to claim 11 wherein the act of using the intelligent controllers further comprises the act of using the intelligent controllers to determine appropriate traffic control action.

58. The method according to claim 11 wherein the act of using the intelligent controllers further comprises the act of using the intelligent controllers to determine appropriate traffic information distribution.

59. The method according to claim 58 wherein the traffic information is traffic warning messages.

60. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of integrating traffic light control operations and traffic information distribution operations in determining the appropriate action.

61. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the act of using fuzzy logic to derive the warning information based on avoidance level of dangerous situation and distance to dangerous situation and detection of abnormal phase splits of traffic lights.

62. The method according to claim 61 further comprising the act of using communication systems located in vehicles that communicate with fuzzy logic controllers which make fuzzy logic calculations for the vehicles based on the avoidance level of the dangerous situation and global positioning system coordinates of the dangerous situation received in the message from the respective at least one central controller and global positioning system coordinates of the vehicles derived by local global positioning system receivers and location processors in the vehicles.

63. The method according to claim 61 further comprising the acts of:

(a) locating at least one warning sign at a fixed location of known global positioning system coordinates,

(b) determining the warning information to be displayed using fuzzy logic at the at least one central controller, and

(c) transmitting the warning information to the at least one warning sign at the fixed location.

64. The method according to claim 61 further comprising the acts of:

(a) providing at least one portable warning sign having a global positioning system receiver and processor to determine the global positioning system coordinates of the at least one portable warning sign and further having a control processor that uses fuzzy logic,

(b) using the control processor to determine global positioning system coordinates of the at least one portable warning sign, and

(c) receiving a danger avoidance level of a dangerous situation to compute an appropriate warning message to be displayed on the at least one portable warning sign depending on a distance of the at least one portable warning sign to the dangerous situation.

65. A system for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing warning messages to motorists comprising:

(a) various traffic information units with intelligent controllers that obtain traffic information,

(b) at least one central controller that receives the traffic information transmitted from the various traffic information units and that also determines congestion parameters and warning information,

(c) wherein the congestion parameters and the warning information are transmitted from the at least one central controller to the intelligent controllers, and

(e) wherein the intelligent controllers determine appropriate action based on the congestion parameters and the warming information.

66. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with intelligent controllers wherein each of the traffic lights with the intelligent controllers further comprises:

(a) a computer controller including a processor and memory,

(b) a receiver coupled to the computer controller wherein the receiver receives and analyzes communication signals from the at least one central controller, and

(c) a transmitter coupled to the computer controller wherein the transmitter generates and transmits signals to at least some of the other traffic information units.

67. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with intelligent warning signs wherein each of the traffic lights with the intelligent warning signs further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(b) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists.

68. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are intelligent roadside warning signs wherein each of the intelligent roadside warning signs further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(b) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists.

69. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are traffic lights with cameras wherein each of the traffic lights with cameras further comprises:

(a) a camera that monitors an intersection or road,

(b) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from at least some of the other traffic information units, and

(c) a transmitter that at least receives signals from the camera and generates and transmits signals to at least some of the other traffic information units.

70. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are roadside traffic and weather sensors wherein each of the roadside traffic and weather sensors further comprises a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the at least one central controller.

71. The system according to claim 65 wherein the traffic information units are vehicle warning units wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises:

(a) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the at least one central controller,

(b) a satellite receiver that receives and analyzes communications signals from a satellite positioning system and determines current geographic location of each of the warning units,

(c) a transmitter that generates and transmits data to the at least one central controller, and

(d) an alarm indicator that indicates a relevant traffic situation or emergency.

72. The system according to claim 71 wherein the vehicle warning units are a plurality of vehicle warning units wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises:

(a) a receiving circuit to receive data from the at least one central controller,

(b) a transmitter to transmit data to the at least one central controller, and

(c) a global positioning system receiver to determine exact location of each of the vehicle warning units.

73. The system according to claim 71 wherein each of the vehicle warning units further comprises a communication system that communicates with a fuzzy logic processor that determines and calculates if received warning messages are relevant to the each of the vehicle warning units and communicates vehicle warnings based on the received warning messages and the current geographic location of the each of the vehicle warning units.

74. The system according to claim 73 wherein the fuzzy processor uses results of the fuzzy logic calculations at the central controller for determining traffic light phase splits and further uses the traffic light phase splits as input variables into the calculation of the vehicle warnings thereby creating a series of dependent fuzzy logic calculations.

75. The system according to claim 71 wherein the vehicle warning units further comprises an audio and speech recognition system determining if recognized audio or speech signals are indicative of an emergency or dangerous situation and for transmitting warning messages to the at least one central controller when the audio or speech signals indicative of an emergency or dangerous situation are detected.

76. The system according to claim 71 wherein the at least one central controller is a plurality of central controllers and wherein each of the vehicle warning units is capable of determining from which one of the plurality of central controllers it is to receive data transmission based on the current geographic location of the each of the vehicle warning units.

77. The system according to claim 65 wherein the at least one controller is one of a plurality of central controllers, wherein each of the central controllers further comprises:

(a) a database computer having a database storage unit,

(b) a processor and memory configured to monitor existing traffic conditions and emergency situations and distribute warning messages,

(c) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the traffic information units, and

(d) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the traffic information units.

78. The system according to claim 65 further comprises a plurality of traffic light controllers that are configured to receive data from the at least one central controller, to transmit data to the at least one central controller, to transmit data from at least some of the traffic information units, and to receive data from the at least some of the traffic information units.

79. The system according to claim 78 wherein the plurality of traffic light controllers further comprises traffic light controllers with fuzzy logic processors wherein the fuzzy logic processors calculate correct traffic light phase split and determine if received warning messages are relevant to each of the traffic information units.

80. The system according to claim 65 further comprises a plurality of traffic sensors configured to transmit information to the at least one central controller.

81. The system according to claim 65 further comprises a plurality of roadside warning signs wherein each of the roadside warning signs includes a receiving circuit to receive data from the at least one central controller and at least some of the traffic information units and also includes global positioning system receivers to determine exact locations of the roadside warning signs.

82. The system according to claim 81 wherein the plurality of roadside warning signs further comprises a plurality of fixed-location roadside warning signs.

83. The system according to claim 81 wherein the plurality of roadside warning signs further comprises a plurality of movable roadside warning signs.

84. The system according to claim 83 wherein each of the plurality of movable warning signs further comprises a fuzzy logic processor that determines if received warning messages are relevant to the each of the movable roadside warning signs and calculates warnings based on location of the each of movable roadside warning signs, the received warning messages, and abnormal phase splits of traffic lights.

85. The system according to claim 84 wherein the fuzzy processors of the roadside warning signs use results of the fuzzy logic calculation for determining traffic light phase splits and having the fuzzy processors further use the traffic light phase splits as input variables into calculation of warning messages thereby creating a series of dependent fuzzy logic calculations.

86. The system according to claim 65 further comprises global positioning system location receivers and processors for the traffic information units located in emergency vehicles wherein the receivers and the processors precisely locate the emergency vehicles and report location, movement and destination to the at least one central controller for use in generating traffic management controls.

87. The system according to claim 65 further comprises fuzzy logic controllers that communicate with the at least one central controller and the intelligent controllers to execute fuzzy logic inference rules from a fuzzy rule base in determining the congestion parameters and the warning information and the appropriate action.

88. The system according to claim 65 wherein the intelligent controllers determine appropriate traffic control action.

89. The system according to claim 65 wherein the intelligent controllers determine appropriate traffic information distribution.

90. The system according to claim 89 wherein the traffic information is traffic warning messages.

91. The system according to claim 65 further comprises fuzzy logic controllers that use fuzzy logic to derive the warning information based on avoidance level of dangerous situation and distance to dangerous situation and detection of abnormal phase splits of traffic lights.

92. The system according to claim 91 further comprises communication systems located in vehicles wherein the communication systems communicate with the fuzzy logic controllers that make fuzzy logic calculations for the vehicles based on the avoidance level of the dangerous situation and global positioning system coordinates of the dangerous situation received in the message from the respective at least one central controller and global positioning system coordinates of the vehicles derived by local global positioning system receivers and location processors in the vehicles.

93. The system according to claim 91 further comprises at least one warning sign located at a fixed location of known global positioning system coordinates wherein the at least one central controller uses fuzzy logic to determine the warning information to be displayed and transmits the warning information to the at least one warning sign at the fixed location.

94. The system according to claim 91 further comprises at least one portable warning sign having a global positioning system receiver and processor to determine the global positioning system coordinates of the at least one portable warning sign and further having a control processor that uses fuzzy logic wherein the control processor determines global positioning system coordinates of the at least one portable warning sign and receives a danger avoidance level of a dangerous situation to compute an appropriate warning message to be displayed on the at least one portable warning sign depending on a distance of the at least one portable warning sign to the dangerous situation.

95. A system for controlling traffic and traffic lights and selectively distributing waning messages to motorists comprising:

(a) central controllers that each have;

(1) a database computer having a database storage unit;

(2) a processor and memory configured to monitor existing traffic conditions and emergency situations and distribute warning messages;

(3) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals;

(4) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals;

(b) traffic lights with intelligent controllers that each have;

(1) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the central controllers;

(2) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals;

(3) a computer controller including a processor and memory;

(c) traffic lights with intelligent warning signs that each have;

(1) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the traffic lights with intelligent controllers;

(2) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists;

(d) intelligent road-side warning signs that each have;

(1) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the traffic lights with intelligent controllers and the central controllers;

(2) a warning sign that displays the warning messages to the motorists;

(e) traffic lights with cameras that each have;

(1) a camera that monitors an intersection or road;

(2) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from traffic lights with intelligent controllers;

(2) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the traffic lights with intelligent controllers;

(f) road side traffic and weather sensors that each have;

(1) a transmitter that generates and transmits signals to the central controllers;

(g) vehicle warning units that each have;

(1) a receiver that receives and analyzes communication signals from the central controllers;

(2) a satellite receiver that receives and analyzes communications signals from a satellite positioning system and determines current warning unit geographic location;

(3) a transmitter that generates and transmits data to the central controllers;

(4) an alarm indicator that indicates a relevant traffic situation or emergency;

(h) wherein;

(1) the traffic lights with cameras transmit images to the traffic lights with intelligent controllers, and the traffic lights with intelligent controllers transmit the images to the central controllers;

(2) the traffic and weather sensors transmit traffic and weather data to the central controllers;

(3) the vehicles warning units transmit data to the central controllers (4) the central controllers receive and process data from the traffic lights with intelligent controllers, the vehicle warning units, and the traffic and weather sensors and determines traffic congestion parameters, (5) the central controllers transmit congestion parameters and warning information to the traffic lights with intelligent controllers, the intelligent road-side warning signs, and the vehicle warning units;

(6) the traffic lights with intelligent controllers determine if warning information is applicable to said intersection and transmit any applicable warning information to the traffic lights with intelligent warning signs and to the intelligent road-side warning signs;

(7) the intelligent road-side warning signs receives transmitted information from the central controllers and the traffic lights with intelligent controllers and determines if warning information is applicable for the signs and display any applicable warnings;

(8) the vehicle warning units receive and process transmitted information from the central controllers and determine if warning information is applicable to the controllers and alerts motorists of any relevant warnings.