Automatic gate control system for freeway interchanges

• US 20030201907A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory E. Thompson
• Original Assignee: ThomTech Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Via, Matthew J., Thompson, Gregory E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,696,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/917
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals

Abstract

A freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system allows individual ones of the gates and signs to be operated from a workstation connected via the Internet to a web server and communications server that control spread spectrum radio transceivers. A system operator logs onto the Internet, proceeds to the interchange URL where a control panel and video screen appear. Signals may be sent from the workstation to a web server to operate the gates and to turn on advanced warning signs. Video feeds from strategically located cameras allow for viewing traffic activity at the intersection at the remote workstation. Provision is also made for detecting instances of violations whereby an alarm is given and the video detailing the violation is captured for analysis.

Claims

1. A freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system comprising:

(a) a plurality of motorized, radio-controlled gates, each having a barrier arm movable between a raised disposition and a lowered, traffic-blocking disposition, a first pair of said plurality of gates having barrier arms adapted to span first and second entrance ramps of said freeway when in their lowered disposition and a second pair of said plurality of gates having barrier arms adapted to span oppositely directed freeway driving lanes when in their lowered disposition, the second pair of gates being positioned immediately downstream of a pair of freeway exit ramps; and

(b) a control center having an INTERNET connection to a communications server for permitting authorized persons to cause predetermined signals to be transmitted by the radio transmitter to said plurality of radio-controlled gates for controlling the movement of the barrier arms between their raised and lowered disposition.

2. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 1 and further including:

(a) a radio-controlled sign located upstream of the interchange by a predetermined distance and actuated to provide a warning message to vehicle drivers when at least one of said radio-controlled gates receives a signal to move its barrier arm to its lowered disposition.

3. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 2 wherein the radio-controlled sign receives signals from the same radio transmitter that sends the signals to the radio-controlled gates.

4. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 1 and further including:

(a) a plurality of video cameras placed to view each of the oppositely directed freeway driving lanes and said entrance ramps; and

(b) a broadband radio link for transmitting video data from the plurality of video cameras to a communications server having a connection to the INTERNET.

5. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 1 wherein the radio transmitter comprises a transceiver adapted to receive status messages from the radio-controlled gates for routing same to said control center.

6. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 2 and further including a time delay circuit for actuating the radio-controlled gate a predetermined time following actuation of the radio-controlled sign.

7. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 1 wherein the motorized radio-controlled gates comprise:

(a) a vertically disposed mounting pole, the barrier arm being pivotally hinged proximate one end thereof to said mounting pole at a predetermined height above the roadway surface; and

(b) a linear actuator operatively coupled between the mounting pole and the barrier arm;

(c) a motor coupled in driving relation to the linear actuator for raising and lowering the barrier arm; and

(d) a radio receiver responsive to signals from the radio transmitter for connecting electrical power to the motor.

8. A freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system comprising:

(a) a plurality of motorized, radio-controlled gates, said gates being individually positioned at a freeway interchange to selectively block traffic flow on freeway entrance ramps and on freeway driving lanes while allowing traffic flow on freeway exit ramps;

(b) a plurality of radio-controlled freeway status warning signs positioned along the driving lanes a predetermined distance up road of the freeway interchange;

(c) a control center having a workstation for sending messages over the INTERNET to a first radio transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting motor control signals to said motorized, radio-controlled gates and to said freeway status warning sings as specified by said messages;

(d) a plurality of monitoring video cameras disposed at said interchange and positioned to view scenes including the plurality of gates; and

(e) a radio transceiver for transmitting signals representing video images from the plurality of cameras to the control center over the INTERNET.

9. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 8 and wherein the video cameras include pan, tilt, and zoom controls actuatable by signals transmitted from the control center over the INTERNET to said transceiver.

10. The freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system as in claim 9 and further including:

(a) a detector in said video cameras for detecting an occurrence of vehicle circumventing one of said gates and a video capture buffer for storing a predetermined number of frames of video data prior to, during, and following such occurrence; and

(b) means including the transceiver for transmitting the captured frames of video data to the workstation at the control center over the INTERNET.