Method and apparatus for reducing traffic congestion

• US 20020084917A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ariel Hauptman, Benjamin J. Hauptman
• Original Assignee: Ariel Hauptman, Benjamin J. Hauptman
• Inventors: Hauptman, Ariel, Hauptman, Benjamin J.
• Application Number:
  US09/749,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084917A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/937
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors

Abstract

A method and system for reducing traffic congestion is disclosed, wherein a video camera is used to scan license tags of vehicles transiting a particular roadway, preferably only during a time interval T2 during which it is desirable to use the motorway in order to alleviate congestion at another time T1. The scanned images are transmitted to a database to identify the vehicle owner. An appropriate reward may then be rewarded, such as a tax credit, to reward the motorist'"'"'s behavior.

Claims

1. A method for reducing traffic congestion, comprising the steps of:

a) specifying one or more time based standards that encourages a motorist to use a certain motorway L1 at a particular time T2 of the day that will alleviate congestion at another time T1;

b) monitoring said motorway with a sensor;

c) identifying with said sensor the presence of the motorist on said motorway at said particular time T2; and

d) rewarding said motorist for using said motorway at said particular time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring occurs with a video camera.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring occurs with a bar code scanning system in which a unique bar code is affixed to the motorist'"'"'s vehicle to be scanned by a bar code scanner located along the motorway.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a vehicle'"'"'s license tag is scanned to identify the vehicle owner.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the license tag information is digitized and transmitted to a government approved database that correlates the license tag information with the identity of the vehicle owner.