Vehicular safety system and method

• US 20030227395A1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced American Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced American Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Zeineh, Rashid A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,943,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/006 in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

A relatively low cost but effective vehicular safety system includes a navigational status determination system generating navigational status information, an alarm response system generating alarm responses in response to alarm response command information and a data processing system. The data processing system stores a list of safety zones having one or more safety conditions for each safety zone. The data processing system receives the navigational status information and compares the received navigational status information to the stored safety conditions. If a safety condition is found to be violated the data processing system communicates a response command to the alarm response system. Depending upon the severity of the violated safety condition, the alarm response system notifies the vehicle operator of the violation, notifies law enforcement authorities external to the vehicle of the violation or takes some other safety response. In an extreme condition, the alarm response system assumes control over some aspect of the operation of the vehicle such as steering or engine control.

Claims

1. A vehicular safety system comprising:

a navigational status determination system generating navigational status information representing a navigational status of a vehicle;

a data processing system storing at least one navigational condition for operation of the vehicle and generating alarm information in response to the navigational status information when the navigational status information indicates that the at least one navigational condition has been violated; and

an alarm response system generating a protective response in response to the alarm response information.

2. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane.

3. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a truck.

4. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a trailer.

5. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position of the vehicle.

6. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position and speed of the vehicle.

7. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational status determination system includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position, speed and direction of the vehicle.

8. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter a selected restricted area and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the restricted area of overriding an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from entering further into the restricted area.

9. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone of overriding an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling farther away from the inclusive safety zone.

10. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter an exclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the exclusive safety zone which alarm response includes providing an audible warning to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone.

11. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone which protective response includes providing an audible warning to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has left the inclusive safety zone.

12. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter an exclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the exclusive safety zone of providing a warning to a communication center outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone.

13. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone of providing a warning to a communication center outside the vehicle that the vehicle has left an inclusive safety zone.

14. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane, wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter a selected restricted area and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the restricted area of overriding operator steering control of the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to turn left.

15. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone of overriding an aspect of operator control over steering of the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to turn left.

16. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane, wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter a selected restricted area and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the restricted area of overriding operator steering control of the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to turn for a predetermined period of time.

17. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone of overriding an aspect of operator control over steering of the vehicle by forcing the vehicle to turn for a predetermined period of time.

18. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter an exclusive safety zone, wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the exclusive safety zone of providing a warning to a communication center outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone and wherein the data processing system includes a display providing to the vehicle operator a display of a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including an indication of the location a boundary of the exclusive safety zone.

19. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not leave a selected inclusive safety zone, wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle leaving the inclusive safety zone of providing a warning to a communication center outside the vehicle that the vehicle has left an inclusive safety zone and wherein the data processing system includes a display providing to the vehicle operator a display of a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including an indication of the location of a boundary of the inclusive safety zone.

20. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational condition is that the vehicle should not enter an exclusive safety zone having a spherical shape with a selected radius centered in the vicinity of an object and wherein the alarm response system generates a protective response upon the vehicle entering the exclusive safety zone of providing a warning to a communication center outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone.

21. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processing system stores information defining a plurality of zones, each having an associated navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone.

22. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a ship.

23. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processing system stores information defining a first plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected first location and a second plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected second location, the first and second pluralities of zones each including:

(a) an early warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of notifying the vehicle operator of a violation of the navigational condition,

(b) a general warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of providing notice to a location external to the vehicle of a violation of the navigational condition, and

(c) an operator override zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of overriding operator control of the vehicle to limit further penetration of the vehicle into the operator override zone.

24. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and wherein the data processing system stores information defining a first plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected first location and a second plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected second location, the first and second pluralities of zones each including:

(a) an early warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of notifying the vehicle operator of a violation of the navigational condition,

(b) a general warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of providing notice to a location external to the vehicle of a violation of the navigational condition, and

(c) an operator override zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of overriding operator control of the altitude of the airplane by forcing the airplane to climb for a selected period of time.

25. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and wherein the data processing system stores information defining a first plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected first location and a second plurality of zones, each surrounding a selected second location, the first and second pluralities of zones each including:

(a) an early warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of notifying the vehicle operator of a violation of the navigational condition,

(b) a general warning zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of providing notice to a location external to the vehicle of a violation of the navigational condition, and

(c) an operator override zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the zone and an associated protective response of overriding operator control of the altitude of the airplane by forcing the airplane to climb for a selected period of time, the selected period of time being in the range of 2 to 10 seconds, inclusive.

26. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processor includes an operator input device that receives a password and receives a command for terminating the active status of a previously entered password and wherein a stored navigational condition requires a valid password be entered and have active status.

27. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processor includes an operator input device that receives a password and receives a command for terminating the active status of a previously entered password and wherein a stored navigational condition requires a valid password be entered and have active status and wherein the alarm response system permits operator control of a parked vehicle unless a password has been entered by an operator and the password is active.

28. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processor includes an operator input device that receives a password and receives a command for terminating the active status of a previously entered password and wherein one navigational condition stored by the data processing system is that a defined zone may not be entered by the vehicle unless a valid password has been entered into the input device and entered and has active status.

29. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and a condition stored by the data processing system is that the airplane not enter a defined safety zone unless the airplane is above a certain altitude, the boundary of the defined safety zone having a location that varies in response to the speed of the airplane.

30. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the stored at least one navigational condition includes a condition that the vehicle not come within a selected distance of a defined location of an object, the distance of the vehicle from the object being determined in three dimensions as follows:

Rv=Square Root ((Xv−

X1)²+(Yv−

Y1)²+(Zv−

Z1)²)

where Rv is the distance from the object location to the vehicle, Xv is the longitudinal coordinate of the vehicle, X1 is the longitudinal coordinate of the object location, Yv is the latitudinal coordinate of the vehicle, Y1 is the latitudinal coordinate of the object location, Zv is the altitude coordinate of the vehicle, and Z1 is the altitude coordinate of the object location.

31. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the stored at least one navigational condition includes a condition that the vehicle not come within a selected distance of a defined location of an object, the distance of the vehicle from the object being determined in two dimensions as follows:

Rv=Square Root((Xv−

X1)²+(Yv−

Y1)²)

where Rv is the distance from the object location to the vehicle, Xv is the longitudinal coordinate of the vehicle, X1 is the longitudinal coordinate of the object location, Yv is the latitudinal coordinate of the vehicle and Y1 is the latitudinal coordinate of the object location.

32. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the navigational status determination system includes a GPS receiver, a compass, an altimeter and a radar system and includes a Kallman filter processing data generated by the GPS receiver, compass, altimeter and radar system to generate the navigational status information.

33. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the alarm response system includes a communication system receiving other vehicle navigation information representing position, speed and direction of motion of another vehicle and wherein the data processing system establishes a safety zone surrounding the other vehicle in response to the received other vehicle navigation information, the safety zone having a condition that the vehicle should not enter the safety zone.

34. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1 wherein the data processing system includes a data store storing a list of navigational conditions, the data processing system generating the alarm information in response to the navigational status information when the navigational status information indicates that the vehicle has violated a listed navigational condition.

35. A vehicular safety system according to claim 34 wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

36. A vehicular safety system according to claim 34 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

89. A vehicular safety system according to claim 1,

wherein the vehicle is an airplane;

and

wherein the data processing system stores map information defining a topographical map of a region through with the vehicle might be expected to travel and stores information defining a safety zone that extends ahead of the vehicle for a selected distance and moves with the vehicle, the safety zone having an associated condition that the vehicle not descend below an adaptively selected altitude floor which is set at a selected distance above a highest point on the ground within the area of the safety zone as indicated by the stored map information.

90. A vehicular safety system according to claim 89,

wherein the safety zone is an override response safety zone having as a response to the altitude floor condition, a response by the alarm response system of causing the vehicle to climb above the selected altitude floor.

37. A vehicular safety system comprising:

a navigational status determination system generating navigational status information representing a navigational status of the vehicle;

a data processing system storing a list of one or more safety zones, each safety zone having associated therewith at least one condition restricting operation of the vehicle, the data processing system determining in response to the navigational status information whether or not a listed safety zone is occupied by the vehicle and, if it is determined that a listed safety zone is occupied by the vehicle, whether or not a condition of the occupied safety zone restricting operation of the vehicle has been violated by the vehicle, the data processing system generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response in response to a determination that a condition of an occupied safety zone has been violated;

an alarm response system producing a protective action in response to the alarm information generated by the data processing system.

38. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

39. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

40. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the vehicle is an automobile and wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

41. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the vehicle is a ship and wherein the generated navigational status information includes information indicating the position of the vehicle in a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a display displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle which map indicates the location any navigational conditions in the local area, the display further displaying an indication of a violation of a navigational condition upon the occurrence of such a violation.

42. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the navigational status determination system includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and generates navigational status information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle and wherein the data processing system includes a data store storing the list of one or more safety zones, the list of one or more safety zones including:

(a) a first safety zone having a boundary extending around an object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone,

(b) a second safety zone having a boundary located within the boundary of the first safety zone and extending around the object, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone, and

(c) a third safety zone having a located within the boundary of the second safety zone and extending around the object, the third safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the third safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion into the third safety zone and toward the object by the vehicle,

a data processor mounted on the vehicle and receiving navigational status information from the navigational status determination system and determining in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with the violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone is violated; and

an alarm response system receiving alarm response information from the data processor and executing an alarm response indicated by the received alarm response information, the alarm response system including;

(a) an audio alarm providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) a visual alarm providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) a vehicle operator override system overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information,

(d) a secure communication system communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(e) an extra-vehicular communication and command center located outside the vehicle and receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

43. A vehicular safety system according to claim 42 further comprising a display providing the a vehicle operator an indication of a location of at least one of the safety zones relative to the vehicle.

44. A vehicular safety system according to claim 42 wherein the vehicle is a trailer.

45. A vehicular safety system according to claim 42 wherein the vehicle is a ship.

46. A vehicular safety system according to claim 37 wherein the navigational status determination system is located on the vehicle, wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing a position of the vehicle within a coordinate system, wherein the data processing system includes a data store located on the vehicle and storing the list of one or more safety zones, wherein each of the one or more safety zones has at least one navigational condition associated therewith with each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the one or more safety zones including a safety zone having a boundary extending around an object, the safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the operator override response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion of the vehicle into the safety zone and toward the object, wherein the data processing system is mounted on the vehicle and receives navigational status information from the navigational status determination system and determines in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated, the data processing system generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with the violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone is violated.

47. A vehicular safety system comprising:

a navigational status determination system, the navigational status determination system generating navigational status information including information representing a position of the vehicle within a coordinate system;

a data store located on the vehicle storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including a safety zone having a boundary extending around an object, the safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion of the vehicle into the safety zone and toward the object,

a data processor determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone entered by the vehicle has been violated, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with the violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone is violated; and

an alarm response system receiving alarm response information from the data processor and executing an alarm response indicated by the received alarm response information.

48. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle is a truck and wherein the alarm response includes an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the truck to limit further motion of the truck into the safety zone and toward the object.

49. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47 wherein the vehicle is an airplane and wherein the alarm response includes an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the truck to limit further motion of the airplane into the safety zone and toward the object.

50. A vehicular safety system according to claim 49, wherein the operator override alarm response includes forcing the airplane to make a left turn.

51. A vehicular safety system according to claim 49, wherein the defined operator override safety zone has a ceiling associated therewith such that the airplane does not enter the safety zone when flying above the ceiling and wherein the operator override alarm response includes causing the airplane to climb to a higher altitude above the ceiling.

52. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47, wherein the plurality of safety zones defined by information stored in the data store include:

(a) a first safety zone having a boundary extending around an object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone, and

(b) a second safety zone having a boundary located within the boundary of the first safety zone and extending around the object, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone;

and wherein the alarm response system includes;

(a) an audio alarm providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) a visual alarm providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) a secure communication system communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(d) an extra-vehicular communication and command center located outside the vehicle and receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

53. A vehicular safety system according to claim 52 further comprising a display providing the a vehicle operator an indication of a location of at least one of the safety zones relative to the vehicle.

54. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47, wherein the plurality of safety zones defined by information stored in the data store include:

(a) a first safety zone having a boundary encompassing an object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone, which navigational condition has an associated alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone, and

(b) a second safety zone having a boundary located within the boundary of the first safety zone and encompassing the object, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition which navigational condition is associated with an alarm response including an alarm response of notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning exclusive safety zone.

55. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47, wherein the plurality of safety zones defined by information stored in the data store include:

(a) a first safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the first safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notification of the vehicle operator of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the second safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the second safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation,

(c) a third safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the third safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a zone within which the vehicle must travel, the third safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the third safety zone;

wherein the data processor is mounted on the vehicle and receives navigational status information from the navigational status determination system, the data processor determining in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

wherein the alarm response system includes;

(a) an audio alarm providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) a visual alarm providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) a vehicle operator override system overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information,

(d) a secure communication system communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(e) an extra-vehicular communication and command center located outside the vehicle and receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

56. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47 wherein the defined safety zones include:

(a) a first safety zone, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication and command center of a violation, and

(c) a third safety zone, the third safety zone being an inclusive operator override safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the third safety zone.

57. A vehicular safety system according to claim 56 wherein the vehicle is an automobile and further comprising a display providing the a vehicle operator an indication of a location of at least one of the safety zones relative to the vehicle.

58. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the vehicle is an airplane;

wherein the defined safety zones include;

(a) a first safety zone, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the airplane to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the airplane to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication and command center of a violation,

(c) a third safety zone, the third safety zone being an inclusive operator override safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the airplane to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the airplane to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the third safety zone; and

wherein the data processor is mounted on the airplane.

59. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47 wherein

a navigational status determination system located on a truck, the navigational status determination system generating navigational status information including navigational status information representing a position of the vehicle;

a data store storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication and command center of a violation,

(c) a third safety zone, the third safety zone being an inclusive operator override safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the third safety zone;

a data processor mounted on the truck and receiving navigational status information from the navigational status determination system, the data processor determining in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

an alarm response system executing an alarm response indicated by the alarm response information generated by the data processor.

60. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the navigational status determination system is mounted on a trailer;

wherein the data store is located on the trailer and the defined safety zones include;

(a) a first safety zone, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication and command center of a violation, and

(c) a third safety zone, the third safety zone being an inclusive operator override safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the third safety zone; and

wherein the data processor is mounted on the trailer.

61. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47, wherein the navigational status determination system is located on the vehicle and wherein the data store is mounted on the vehicle and the stored information defining a plurality of safety zones includes information defining an inclusive operator override safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the safety zone with an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from traveling outside the safety zone.

62. A vehicular safety system according to claim 61 further comprising a display providing the a vehicle operator an indication of a location of at least one of the safety zones relative to the vehicle.

63. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47 wherein the data store is located on the vehicle and the plurality of defined safety zones includes:

(a) a first safety zone, the first safety zone being an early warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation, and

(b) a second safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning inclusive safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication center of a violation.

64. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the defined plurality of safety zones includes;

(a) a first safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the first safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the first safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation, and

(b) a second safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the second safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the second safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the second safety zone;

wherein the data processor is mounted on the vehicle; and

wherein the data processor generates display information in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information, the generated display information indicating a map covering an area in the vicinity of the vehicle and indicating a location of the vehicle and a location of the first and second safety zones; and

further comprising;

a monitor display positioned in the vehicle in view of the vehicle operator, the monitor display providing a display of the map in the vicinity of the vehicle including an indication of a location of the vehicle and a location of the first and second safety zones; and

wherein the alarm response system includes;

(a) an audio alarm providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) a visual alarm providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information, and

(c) a vehicle operator override system overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information.

65. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the navigational status information generated by the navigational status determination system includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the defined plurality of safety zones includes;

(a) a first safety zone having an asymmetrically shaped boundary that is relatively elongated along a major axis, the first safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the first safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation, and

(b) a second safety zone having an asymmetrically shaped boundary that is relatively elongated along a major axis, the second safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the second safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the second safety zone;

wherein the data processor is on the vehicle;

wherein the data processor receives navigational status information from the navigational status determination system, the data processor rotating the direction of the major axes of the first and second safety zones to a direction parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle and determining whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone is being violated in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone is being violated, the data processor generating display information in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information, the generated display information indicating a map covering an area in the vicinity of the vehicle and indicating a location of the vehicle and a location of the first and second safety zones; and

further comprising;

a monitor display positioned in the vehicle in view of the vehicle operator, the monitor display providing a display of the map in the vicinity of the vehicle including an indication of a location of the vehicle and a location of the first and second safety zones.

66. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the navigational status information generated by the navigational status determination system includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the navigational status determination system is located on a vehicle;

wherein the data store is located on the vehicle;

wherein the defined plurality of safety zones includes a safety zone having an asymmetrically shaped boundary that is relatively elongated along a major axis, the asymmetrically shaped safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation; and

wherein the alarm response system includes an indicator indicating to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered the safety zone in response to the alarm response information generated by the data processor.

67. A vehicular safety system according to claim 47,

wherein the navigational status information generated by the navigational status determination system includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the navigational status determination system is located on a vehicle;

wherein the data store is located on the vehicle;

wherein the data store stores information defining a safety zone having an asymmetrically shaped boundary that is relatively elongated along a major axis, the safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the first safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the safety zone by the vehicle;

wherein the data processor is mounted on the vehicle, rotates the direction of the major axis of the safety zone in response to a direction of motion of the vehicle and determines whether or not the vehicle has entered the safety zone in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that the vehicle has entered the safety zone; and

wherein the alarm response system overrides operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the safety zone by the vehicle in response to the alarm response information generated by the data processor.

68. A vehicular safety system comprising:

a navigational status determination system located on a vehicle, the navigational status determination system including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and generating navigational status information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

a data store located on the vehicle storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary having a selected radius and a center near a protected object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone,

(b) a second safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary that is concentrically located within the boundary of the first safety zone and has a radius less than the radius of the first safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone,

(c) a third safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary that is concentrically located within the boundary of the second safety zone and has a radius less than the radius of the second safety zone, the third safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the third safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion into the third safety zone by the vehicle,

(d) a fourth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the fourth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the defined travel path having boundaries sufficiently distant from a normal path of the vehicle that the defined travel path does not interfere with normal operation of the vehicle, the fourth safety zone being an early warning safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the fourth safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notification of the vehicle operator of a violation,

(e) a fifth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the fifth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the defined travel path having boundaries sufficiently distant from a normal path of the vehicle that the defined travel path does not interfere with normal operation of the vehicle, the fifth safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the fifth safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation,

(f) a sixth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the sixth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the defined travel path having boundaries sufficiently distant from a normal path of the vehicle that the defined travel path does not interfere with normal operation of the vehicle, the sixth safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the sixth safety zone with an alarm response to violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to keep the vehicle within the fifth safety zone,

(g) a seventh safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the seventh safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the seventh safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation,

(h) an eighth safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the eighth safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the eighth safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the eighth safety zone;

a data processor mounted on the vehicle and receiving navigational status information from the navigational status determination system and determining in response to the received navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated, the data processor generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone is violated; and

an alarm response system receiving alarm response information from the data processor and executing an alarm response indicated by the received alarm response information, the alarm response system including

(a) an audio alarm providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) a visual alarm providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) a vehicle operator override system overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information,

(d) a secure communication system communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(e) an extra-vehicular communication and command center located outside the vehicle and receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

69. A vehicular safety method comprising the acts of:

generating navigational status information representing a navigational status of a vehicle;

storing at least one condition for operation of the vehicle;

generating alarm information in response to the navigational status information when the navigational status information indicates that a stored condition for operation of the vehicle has been violated; and

generating a protective response in response to the alarm information.

70. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69 further comprising displaying to a vehicle operator an indication of a location of at least one of the safety zones relative to the vehicle.

71. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69 wherein the vehicle is an airplane.

72. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69 wherein the vehicle is an automobile.

73. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69 wherein the vehicle is a ship.

74. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing a list of one or more protective zones, each protective zone having associated therewith a condition restricting operation of the vehicle;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of determining in response to the navigational status information whether or not a listed protective zone is occupied by the vehicle and if the protective zone is occupied by the vehicle, whether or not a condition of the occupied protective zone restricting operation of the vehicle has been violated by the vehicle; and

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm information when it is determined that a protective zone has been violated by the vehicle.

75. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position the vehicle;

wherein the stored information includes information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the first safety zone being an early warning safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the second safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation, and

(c) a third safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the third safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the third safety zone with an alarm response to violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to limit the distance that the vehicle can travel beyond a boundary of the third safety zone;

wherein the act of generating alarm response information includes the act of determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle and the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety is violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

76. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position of the vehicle;

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing information defining a plurality of safety zones using a data store, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having a boundary surrounding an object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone,

(b) a second safety zone having a boundary surrounding the object with the boundary of the second safety zone being inside of the boundary of the first safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone, and

(c) a third safety zone having a boundary surrounding the object with the boundary of the third safety zone being inside of the boundary of second safety zone, the third safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the third safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion of the vehicle into the third safety zone;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone which the vehicle has entered is violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

77. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing the position of the vehicle;

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having a boundary surrounding an object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response of notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone,

(b) a second safety zone having a boundary surrounding the object, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone, and

(c) a third safety zone having a boundary that is surrounding the object, the third safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the third safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion of the vehicle into the third safety zone;

wherein the act of generating alarm response information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating a particular alarm response if a determination is made that the vehicle has violated a condition associated with a safety zone; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing the alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

78. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes, storing information defining at least one safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith with each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined at least one safety zone including a safety zone having a boundary surrounding an object, the safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone, which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone.

79. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the act of generating navigational status information includes the act of generating navigational status information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle using a navigational status determination system located on the vehicle, the navigational status determination system including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver;

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing information defining a plurality of safety zones using a data store located on the vehicle, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis, the first safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the first safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation, and

(b) a second safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis, the second safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the second safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the second safety zone;

further comprising the act of rotating the major axes of the first and second safety zones in response to the navigational status information to maintain the major axes of the first and second safety zones parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle;

further comprising the act of determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone which the vehicle has entered has been violated;

further comprising the act of displaying to the vehicle operator a map of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including an indication of the location of each safety zone in the area that is displayed;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with a violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information, the alarm response including at least one of the following;

(a) providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information,

(d) communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(e) receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

80. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the act of storing includes the act of storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having an elongated, asymmetrically shaped boundary, the boundary being elongated along a major axis, the first safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the first safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation, and

(b) a second safety zone having an elongated, asymmetrically shaped boundary, the boundary being elongated along a major axis, the second safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the second safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the second safety zone in the event the vehicle enters the second safety zone;

further comprising the act of rotating the major axes of the first and second safety zones in response to the navigational status information to maintain the major axes of the first and second safety zones parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle;

further comprising the act of determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone which the vehicle has entered has been violated;

further comprising the act of displaying to the vehicle operator a map of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including an indication of the location of each safety zone in the area that is displayed;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with a violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

81. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing information defining a safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zone having an elongated, asymmetrically shaped boundary, the boundary being elongated along a major axis, the safety zone having an associated condition that the vehicle not enter the safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation;

further comprising the act of rotating the major axis of the safety zone in response to the navigational status information to maintain the major axis of the safety zone parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle;

further comprising the act of determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with the safety zone has been violated;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with a violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

82. A vehicular safety method according to claim 69,

wherein the generated navigational status information includes information representing position, speed and direction of motion of the vehicle;

wherein the act of storing at least one condition includes the act of storing information defining a safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith with each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zone having an elongated, asymmetrically shaped boundary, the boundary being elongated along a major axis, the safety zone having an associated condition that the vehicle not enter the safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into the safety zone;

further comprising the act of rotating the major axis of the safety zone in response to the navigational status information to maintain the major axis of the safety zone parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle;

further comprising the act of determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone which the vehicle has entered has been violated;

wherein the act of generating alarm information includes the act of generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response associated with a violated condition if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated; and

wherein the act of generating a protective response includes the act of executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

83. A vehicular safety method comprising the acts of:

generating navigational status information including information representing the position a vehicle;

storing information defining a plurality of safety zones using a data store located in the vehicle, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone defining an available travel path for the vehicle, the first safety zone being an early warning safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notification of the vehicle operator of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone defining an available travel path for the vehicle, the second safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extravehicular communication and command center of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation, and

(c) a third safety zone defining an available travel path for the vehicle, the third safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the third safety zone with an alarm response to violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to limit the distance that the vehicle can travel beyond a boundary of the third safety zone;

determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle;

displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including an indication of the location of each safety zone in the local area;

generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety is violated; and

executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

84. A vehicular safety method comprising the acts of:

generating navigational status information representing position, speed and direction of motion of a vehicle using a navigational status determination system located on the vehicle, the navigational status determination system including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver;

storing information defining a plurality of safety zones using a data store located on the vehicle, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including;

(a) a first safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary having a selected radius and a center near a protected object, the first safety zone being an early warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the first safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to the vehicle operator that the vehicle has entered an exclusive safety zone,

(b) a second safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary that is concentrically located within the boundary of the first safety zone and has a radius less than the radius of the first safety zone, the second safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone,

(c) a third safety zone having a spherically shaped boundary that is concentrically located within the boundary of the second safety zone and has a radius less than the radius of the second safety zone, the third safety zone being an operator override safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the third safety zone which navigational condition includes an alarm response including an operator override response in which the alarm response overrides an aspect of operator control of the vehicle to limit further motion into the third safety zone by the vehicle,

(d) a fourth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the fourth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the fourth safety zone being an early warning safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the fourth safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notification of the vehicle operator of a violation,

(e) a fifth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the fifth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the fifth safety zone having a first navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the fifth safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation and a second navigational condition requiring the vehicle to travel at a speed below a selected speed limit with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation,

(f) a sixth safety zone having an elongated boundary of rectangular cross section, the sixth safety zone being an inclusive safety zone defining a travel path for the vehicle, the sixth safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the sixth safety zone with an alarm response to violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to keep the vehicle within the fifth safety zone,

(g) a seventh safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the seventh safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the seventh safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of notifying the vehicle operator of the violation,

(h) an eighth safety zone having an elliptically shaped boundary, the ellipse being defined along a major axis that remains parallel to a direction of motion of the vehicle, the eighth safety zone having a condition that the vehicle not enter the eighth safety zone and an alarm response to a violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to prevent further penetration of the vehicle into to eighth safety zone;

determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle;

displaying to the vehicle operator a map of a local area in the vicinity of the vehicle, the map including and indication of the location of each safety zone in the local area;

generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety zone has violated by the vehicle; and

executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information, the alarm response including at least one of the following;

(a) providing an audio alarm to the vehicle operator in response to audio alarm response information,

(b) providing a visual alarm to the vehicle operator in response to visual alarm response information,

(c) overriding the vehicle operator with respect to a vehicle control function in response to operator override alarm response information,

(d) communicating information indicating a condition violation in response to communication alarm response information, and

(e) receiving information indicating a condition violation communicated by the secure communication system.

85. A vehicular safety system comprising:

means for generating navigational status information representing a navigational status of a vehicle;

means for storing information storing at least one condition for operation of the vehicle;

means for generating alarm information in response to the navigational status information when the navigational status information indicates that a stored condition for operation of the vehicle has been violated; and

means for producing a safety response in response to the alarm information.

86. A vehicular safety system according to claim 85,

wherein the means for storing includes means for storing information defining a plurality of safety zones, each safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith and each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined safety zones including:

(a) a first safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the first safety zone being an early warning safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the first safety zone with an alarm response that the vehicle operator be notified of a violation,

(b) a second safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the second safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the second safety zone with an alarm response of notifying an extra-vehicular communication and command center of a violation, and

(c) a third safety zone defining boundaries of an available travel path for the vehicle, the third safety zone having a navigational condition requiring the vehicle to remain within the boundaries of the third safety zone with an alarm response to violation of the condition of overriding operator control of the vehicle to limit the distance that the vehicle can travel beyond a boundary of the third safety zone;

further comprising means for determining in response to the generated navigational status information and in response to the stored safety zone definition information whether or not a condition associated with a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle;

wherein the means for generating includes a data processor system generating alarm response information indicating an alarm response if a determination is made that a condition associated with a safety is violated; and

wherein the means for producing a safety response includes means for executing an alarm response indicated by the generated alarm response information.

87. A vehicular safety system according to claim 85,

wherein the means for storing information includes means for storing a list of one or more safety zones, each safety zone having associated therewith a condition restricting operation of the vehicle;

and

wherein the means for generating alarm information includes a data processor determining in response to the navigational status information whether or not a listed safety zone is occupied by the vehicle and if the safety zone is occupied by the vehicle, whether or not a condition of the occupied safety zone restricting operation of the vehicle has been violated by the vehicle, the data processor generating alarm information when it is determined that a condition of a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle.

88. A vehicular safety system according to claim 85,

wherein the means for storing information stores information defining at least one safety zone having at least one navigational condition associated therewith with each navigational condition having at least one alarm response associated therewith, the defined at least one safety zone including a safety zone having a boundary surrounding an object, the safety zone being a general warning exclusive safety zone having a navigational condition that the vehicle should not enter the second safety zone, which navigational condition includes an alarm response including a notification to personnel outside the vehicle that the vehicle has entered an exclusive general warning safety zone;

wherein the means for generating alarm information generates alarm response information in response to a violation of a condition associated with the safety zone; and

wherein the means for producing a safety response includes an alarm response system executing the alarm response associated with the violated condition of the safety zone. by the vehicle, the data processor generating alarm information when it is determined that a condition of a safety zone has been violated by the vehicle.