Traffic control method for multiple intersections

• US 20020186147A1
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Basinger
• Original Assignee: John Basinger
• Inventors: Basinger, John
• Granted Patent: US 6,617,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/910
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/081 Plural intersections under common control

Abstract

A method for controlling a plurality of traffic intersections comprising (a) storing traffic flow data and related time data at each traffic intersection in a data storage unit; (b) periodically downloading the traffic flow data and the time data to a computer; (c) using the computer to generate a new set of operating parameters based upon the traffic flow data and the time data; and (d) controlling the plurality of traffic intersections with the new set of operating parameters.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a plurality of traffic intersections, each traffic intersection being defined by the intersection of at least two streets and each traffic intersection comprising (i) an alternating traffic control signal for controlling the flow of traffic through the intersection, (ii) at least one traffic flow sensor for sensing the flow of traffic on at least one of the two streets and for generating traffic flow data derived therefrom, (iii) a clock for measuring time and for generating time data derived therefrom, and (iv) a traffic signal controller for controlling the traffic control signal pursuant to a set of one or more operating parameters, the method comprising:

(a) continuously gathering and storing the traffic flow data and the time data in a data storage unit;

(b) downloading the traffic flow data and the time data from the data storage device to a computer;

(c) using the computer to generate a new set of operating parameters for each of the traffic controllers, the new set of operating parameters being derived from the traffic flow data and from the time data;

(d) installing the new set of operating parameters into each of the traffic controllers;

(e) controlling the plurality of traffic intersections with the traffic controllers after the new sets of operating parameters have been installed in the traffic controllers in step (d); and

(f) repeating steps (b)-(e) at least as often as every 180 days.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each set of operating parameters comprises a table having a plurality of operating instructions and wherein each traffic signal controller controls one of the traffic intersections in step (e) using the operating instructions from its respective table, the table being indexed by the traffic signal controller at least as often as twice every second.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

(f) monitoring a first street within a first traffic intersection with the traffic flow sensors to identify when the first street is unduly congested;

(g) communicating the fact that the first street is unduly congested to the traffic signal controller at the first traffic intersection; and

(h) controlling the first traffic intersection with the traffic signal controller at the first traffic intersection to allow increased traffic through the first traffic intersection along the first street so as to decongest the first street.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of traffic intersections comprises a first traffic intersection defined by a first street and a second street and having a first traffic flow sensor, the method comprising the additional steps of:

(f) emitting a first wireless transmission signal from the first traffic signal controller to a first portion of the first street;

(g) emitting a second wireless transmission signal from the first traffic signal controller to a second portion of the first street;

(h) receiving the first wireless transmission signal at the first portion of the first street by a mobile transponder;

(i) transmitting a first corresponding wireless transmission signal from the mobile transponder to the first traffic signal controller, the first corresponding wireless transmission signal being a reflection of the first wireless transmission signal;

(j) moving the mobile transponder to the second portion of the first street;

(k) receiving the second wireless transmission signal at the second portion of the first street by a mobile transponder; and

(l) transmitting a second corresponding wireless transmission signal from the mobile transponder to the first traffic signal controller, the second corresponding wireless transmission signal being a reflection of the second wireless transmission signal, whereby the first traffic signal controller senses that the mobile transponder in step (j) has moved from the first portion of the first street to the second portion of the first street.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of traffic intersections comprises (i) a first traffic intersection defined by the intersection of a first street and a second street, the first traffic intersection having a first traffic signal controller, and (ii) a second traffic intersection defined by the intersection of the second street and a third street, the second traffic intersection having a second traffic signal, the method further comprising the steps of:

(f) sensing signal changes at the second traffic signal by a video camera disposed proximate to the first traffic intersection and emitting a corresponding output signal from the video camera to the first traffic signal controller; and

(g) controlling the traffic flow at the first traffic intersection by the first traffic signal controller.

6. A traffic control combination comprising:

(a) an alternating traffic signal for controlling the flow of traffic through a first traffic intersection;

(b) A video camera disposed proximate to the first traffic intersection and focused upon a second alternating traffic control signal disposed at a second traffic intersection spaced apart from the first traffic intersection, the video camera being capable of sensing signal changes in the alternating traffic control signal at the second traffic intersection and for emitting an output signal based thereon; and

(c) a traffic signal controller for receiving the output signal from the video camera and for controlling the alternating traffic control signal at the first traffic intersection based upon the output signal from the video camera.

7. A traffic flow sensor comprising:

(a) a plurality of signal emitters, each signal emitter being adapted to transmit a signal embodied in a wireless transmission signal to a different portion of a roadway; and

(b) a signal receiver capable of receiving signals from each of the different portions of the roadway and for emitting a traffic data signal based thereon.

8. The traffic flow sensor of claim 7 further comprising a traffic signal controller for controlling an alternating traffic control signal based upon the traffic data signal.

9. The traffic flow sensor of claim 7 further comprising a mobile transponder capable of receiving each of the signals emitted from the plurality of emitters and for transmitting a related signal to the signal receiver.