Emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption system
First Claim
1. An emergency vehicle traffic control system comprising;
- intersection control hardware at each intersection for preemption and control of traffic signals;
an emergency vehicle transponder for gathering navigation data to predict heading and position of said emergency vehicle;
a warning display at each intersection alerting vehicles and pedestrians of approaching emergency vehicle;
a communications and operations network for connecting said intersection control hardware at each intersection with said emergency vehicle transponder in each emergency vehicle to collect and transmit real-time data regarding intersection status, emergency vehicle direction and location and activation of said display at each intersection;
whereby said emergency vehicle traffic signal control system controls preemption of traffic signals at selected intersection autonomously by transmissions to and from said emergency vehicle and said intersections.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An emergency vehicle traffic light preemption system for preemption of traffic lights at an intersection to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles. The system includes a real-time status monitor of an intersection which is relayed to a control module for transmission to emergency vehicles as well as to a central dispatch office. The system also provides for audio warnings at an intersection to protect pedestrians who may not be in a position to see visual warnings or for various reasons cannot hear the approach of emergency vehicles. A transponder mounted on an emergency vehicle provides autonomous control so the vehicle operator can attend to getting to an emergency and not be concerned with the operation of the system. Activation of a priority-code (i.e. Code-3) situation provides communications with each intersection being approached by an emergency vehicle and indicates whether the intersection is preempted or if there is any conflict with other approaching emergency vehicles. On-board diagnostics handle various information including heading, speed, and acceleration sent to a control module which is transmitted to an intersection and which also simultaneously receives information regarding the status of an intersection. Real-time communications and operations software allow central and remote monitoring, logging, and command of intersections and vehicles.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. An emergency vehicle traffic control system comprising;
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intersection control hardware at each intersection for preemption and control of traffic signals;
an emergency vehicle transponder for gathering navigation data to predict heading and position of said emergency vehicle;
a warning display at each intersection alerting vehicles and pedestrians of approaching emergency vehicle;
a communications and operations network for connecting said intersection control hardware at each intersection with said emergency vehicle transponder in each emergency vehicle to collect and transmit real-time data regarding intersection status, emergency vehicle direction and location and activation of said display at each intersection;
whereby said emergency vehicle traffic signal control system controls preemption of traffic signals at selected intersection autonomously by transmissions to and from said emergency vehicle and said intersections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57)
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5. An emergency vehicle traffic control system in which said warning alert control module at each intersection activates both visual and audio alerts.
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37. An emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption and control method comprising;
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receiving emergency vehicle critical data at an intersection transceiver;
processing said emergency vehicle critical data in an intersection digital communication control module;
activating a traffic light controller by an output from said intersection digital communication control module;
preempting all traffic and pedestrian lights at an intersection to stop all vehicle and pedestrian traffic at said intersection;
monitoring the status of said traffic light controller, traffic lights and pedestrian lights at said intersection;
transmitting said status information monitored to said emergency vehicle;
displaying the status of said intersection and other emergency vehicles in said emergency vehicle;
whereby said emergency vehicle traffic light preemption method operates to control the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at an intersection autonomously to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 49, 55)
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45. The method according to claim 45 in which said pedestrian call buttons are disabled when said emergency vehicle is within a predetermined distance from said intersection.
- 46. The method according to claim 46 in which all pedestrian call buttons at each corner of said intersection are disabled to stop all pedestrian traffic.
Specification