System and method for improving traffic flow
First Claim
1. A method of facilitating traffic flow, comprising:
- sensing within a first vehicle the relative velocity of a second vehicle positioned ahead of the first vehicle in the same lane of traffic; and
providing a simple indicator to a driver of the first vehicle as to whether the second vehicle has a relative positive velocity or a relative negative velocity with respect to the first vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique facilitates the flow of traffic along highways by placing sensor devices within vehicles traveling along a highway. A sensor device within a first vehicle is able to detect whether the vehicle immediately ahead is increasing or decreasing the distance back to the first vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle is notified of the increasing or decreasing distances through simple indicators that enable the driver to take corrective action more appropriately than otherwise possible. The sensor device and indicators reduce driver overreaction that can result in standing wave traffic patterns, traffic congestion, wasted fuel and wasted time. Additionally, the system can be designed to integrate information from multiple users to enable coordination of movement among motor vehicles to improve overall traffic speed in a given line.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of facilitating traffic flow, comprising:
-
sensing within a first vehicle the relative velocity of a second vehicle positioned ahead of the first vehicle in the same lane of traffic; and
providing a simple indicator to a driver of the first vehicle as to whether the second vehicle has a relative positive velocity or a relative negative velocity with respect to the first vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system for facilitating traffic flow, comprising:
-
a sensor for use in a first vehicle to sense changing distances between the first vehicle and a second vehicle only when the second vehicle is immediately in front of the first vehicle; and
a display having a first indicator exhibited when the relative distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is increasing and a second indicator exhibited when the relative distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is decreasing. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method, comprising:
-
preparing a sensor to sense a specific energy signal only from a vehicle positioned immediately ahead of the sensor in the same lane of a highway; and
operatively coupling the sensor with a display that indicates a positive relative velocity, a negative relative velocity, or equal velocity of the sensor and the vehicle.
-
Specification