Road Course and Methods of Use

• US 20090047068A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Louis R. Bucalo
• Original Assignee: Louis R. Bucalo
• Inventors: Bucalo, Louis R.
• Application Number:
  US12/192,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20090047068A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/9
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/50 Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users for redirecting vehicles E01F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/535 Kerbs or road edgings specially adapted for alerting road users

Abstract

A system and corresponding method is provided for conveying driving-related information to vehicle drivers on a track or road course. The system includes evaluating a track or road course and determining recommended driving actions for various segments of the track or road course which may be suitable for drivers of different skill levels, including a relatively inexperienced driver. The recommendations can include speed-related information such a target speed, maximum speed, or a speed range. Optionally, the recommendations relate to other specific driving tasks such as starting or stopping a braking procedure, the appropriate line or path to follow around a curve at a given indicated speed, or starting or stopping an acceleration procedure. The recommendations are conveyed to the driver by way of indicia that is preferably provided on a portion of the driving surface of the track or road course. The indicia can be one or multiple colors, one or multiple shapes or symbols, or other suitable visually conspicuous elements or matter.

Claims

16. A method of conveying guidance to a vehicle driver using a track or road course, the method comprising:

(a) evaluating a track or road course by a relatively more experienced track or road course driver;

(b) determining recommended driving actions suitable for a relatively less experienced track or road course driver based on the evaluation, for at least one segment of the track or road course;

(c) providing indicia indicative of the recommended driving actions upon a surface that is on or adjacent a driving surface of the track or road course.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the indicia provides at least one of a recommended maximum vehicular speed and a recommended vehicular speed range.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the indicia includes a color indicative of the recommended maximum vehicular speed or speed range.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the indicia includes multiple shapes that change as a function of a changing recommended maximum vehicular speed or speed range.

20. A road course, comprising:

a) an elongate driving surface defining a width thereof between first and second outer edges;

b) one or more pieces of indicia providing driving related information to a driver on the road course, the one or more pieces of indicia defined on a surface that is positioned laterally beyond the driving surface of the road course and is on a plane that is generally parallel to or coplanar with a plane defined by the driving surface.

22. The road course of claim 20 further comprising a piece of indicia defined upon the driving surface indicating a recommended driving path.

21-1. The road course of claim 21 wherein the indicia conveys speed related information to a driver.