TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20080238721A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howard H. Roberts
• Original Assignee: Howard H. Roberts
• Inventors: Roberts, Howard H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,898,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/932
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions

Abstract

A system and method for moving vehicular traffic in a single lane through a control zone requires creation of a control protocol. The protocol establishes a spacing distance “s” and a speed “v” for each vehicle in the control zone. A computer then controls movement of a visible signal through the control zone in accordance with the established protocol. Electronic regulators monitor the distance “s” between the signal and the vehicle, and the system alarms when “s” becomes greater than a predetermined distance “d”.

Claims

1. A system for moving a vehicle in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises:

a sensor for determining an approach of the vehicle to a threshold of the control zone;

a conveyor for moving a signal from the threshold along the lane through the control zone at a speed “

v”

according to a control protocol;

a regulator for monitoring a distance “

s”

between the vehicle and the signal; and

a computer connected to the sensor for initiating the control protocol for the vehicle at the threshold, wherein the computer is connected to the conveyor for establishing the speed “

v”

for the signal, and further wherein the computer is connected to the regulator to create an alarm when the distance “

s”

creates a predetermined condition.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is a row of laser light emitters positioned along the lane of traffic in the control zone, and the signal is a laser beam.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is a row of lights positioned along the lane of traffic in the control zone and the signal is a light beam.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is a track positioned along the lane of traffic and the signal is a pop-up flag mounted on the track for movement through the control zone therewith.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signals for a contiguous sequence of control protocols each have a different color.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein each signal is selectively activated and is dedicated to a single control protocol.

7. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein a control protocol is established for each vehicle entering the control zone, and includes an “

s” and

a “

v”

.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle (subscript 2) follows a lead vehicle (subscript 1), and wherein the sensor establishes a length “

I₂”

for the vehicle, and a safe stopping distance “

sd₂”

based on “

I₂”

for the vehicle, wherein the signal follows at a distance “

d₁”

behind a lead signal for the lead vehicle, wherein d₁=I₁+s₁+sd₂, and further wherein a first predetermined condition occurs when s₂=0, and a second predetermined condition occurs when d₁−

I₁−

s₁<

sd₂.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is mounted on the roadway.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor is mounted above the roadway.

11. A system for moving a vehicle in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises:

a means for determining an approach of the vehicle to a threshold of the control zone;

a means for establishing a control protocol for each vehicle, wherein the control protocol includes a spacing distance “

s”

, for spacing between the vehicle and a signal, and a speed “

v”

, for movement of the signal along the lane through the control zone;

a means for moving a signal through the control zone in accordance with the control protocol;

a means for monitoring the distance “

s”

between the vehicle and the signal; and

a means for creating an alarm when the distance “

s”

creates a predetermined condition.

12. A system as recited in claim 11 further comprising a computer for controlling the establishing means and the alarm means.

13. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the signal is moved by a conveyor and wherein the conveyor is a plurality of aligned light sources and the signal is a visible, moving light indicator.

14. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the determining means establishes a length “

I₂”

for the vehicle, and a safe stopping distance “

sd₂”

based on “

I₂”

for the vehicle, wherein the signal follows at a distance “

d₁”

behind a lead signal for a lead vehicle (subscript 1), wherein d₁=I₁+s₁+sd₂, and further wherein a first predetermined condition occurs when s₂=0, and a second predetermined condition occurs when d₁−

I₁−

s₁<

sd₂.

15. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein signals for a contiguous sequence of control protocols each have a different color, and wherein each signal is selectively activated and is dedicated to a single control protocol.

16. A method for moving a vehicle in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises the steps of:

determining an approach of the vehicle to a threshold of the control zone;

establishing a control protocol for each vehicle, wherein the control protocol includes a spacing distance “

s”

, for spacing between the vehicle and a signal, and a speed “

v”

, for movement of the signal along the lane through the control zone;

moving a signal through the control zone in accordance with the control protocol;

monitoring the distance “

s”

between the vehicle and the signal; and

activating an alarm when the distance “

s”

creates a predetermined condition.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein a computer is used for controlling the establishing step and the alarm step.

18. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the moving step is accomplished by a conveyor.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the conveyor is a plurality of aligned light sources and the signal is a visible, moving light indicator.

20. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the vehicle (subscript 2) follows a lead vehicle (subscript 1), and wherein the determining step is accomplished by establishing a length “

I₂”

for the vehicle, and a safe stopping distance “

sd₂”

based on “

I₂”

for the vehicle, wherein the moving step involves placing the signal at a distance “

d₁”

behind a lead signal for the lead vehicle, wherein d₁=I₁+s₁+sd₂, and further wherein the creating step is accomplished when a first predetermined condition occurs, s₂=0, and when a second predetermined condition occurs, d₁−

I₁−

s₁<

sd₂.