Stretched Intersection and Signal Warning System

• US 20160019783A1
• Filed: 07/18/2014
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lijun Gao
• Original Assignee: Lijun Gao
• Inventors: Gao, Lijun
• Granted Patent: US 9,576,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/08 according to detected number or speed of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

One embodiment of a traffic intersection lane and signal system for improving intersection capacity and safety. Through traffic is stopped by signal means (22) a distance away from the intersection. Turning traffic on turn lanes (10) and (14) have an option to proceed and queue on lane segments (12) and (16) respectively, then complete the turning maneuvers during phase φ7 and phase φ1 respectively. The through traffic released from signal means (22) arrives at the intersection at the time opposing left turn phase φ5 expires and through phase φ6 starts, and passes through the intersection without significant delay. A set of detectors (50) and signal means (52) located before the presignal help drivers to make stop decisions, and another set of detectors (54) and signal means (56) located before the intersection provide last second warning to drivers who ran the red light at the presignal. This system accommodates left-handed or right-handed driving conventions.

Claims

1. A traffic intersection lane and signal system comprising:

a) a signal controlled traffic intersection,

b) one or more groups of traffic to discharge from said intersection,

c) one or more other groups of traffic to discharge from said intersection,

d) one or more mixed use lane segments adjacent to said intersection, and

e) means for using said one or more mixed use lane segments to discharge said one or more groups of traffic and said one or more other groups of traffic alternately during each repeating signal cycle,

whereby said traffic intersection lane and signal system effectively utilize roadway surface to increase intersection capacity and reduce delay.

2. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including signal means to show an indication of which group of traffic can enter and use said mixed-use lane segments.

3. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 2 wherein said signal means are laser lights that can downwardly project pavement marking onto the pavement.

4. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 2 wherein said signal means are overhead dynamic lane assignment signs.

5. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 2 wherein said signal means are signals embedded in pavement surface.

6. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including means to detect the length of a traffic queue on said one or more mixed use lane segments.

7. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including a dynamic speed limit sign to inform drivers of a preferred speed to proceed forward to said intersection, whereby the discharging headways at said intersection can be minimized.

8. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including a U-turn crossover and a bulb-out or loons on one or more departure legs of said intersection.

9. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including street business signs located in advance of said intersection, whereby the names of the upcoming crossing street and businesses around said intersection are conveyed to drivers in advance.

10. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including a red light warning system comprising:

f) a detection means for measuring an upcoming vehicle speed,

g) a signal means to illuminate and project a downward light beam when said vehicle speed is below a predetermined value,

whereby an indication is conveyed to the driver of said vehicle to advise him or her to prepare to stop for an upcoming red light.

11. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including a stop warning system comprising:

h) a detection means to measure an upcoming vehicle speed,

i) a signal means to project a message onto pavement or midair when said vehicle speed is above a predetermined value,

whereby a last second warning message is issued to the driver of said vehicle to stop him or her from running the red light of said traffic intersection.

12. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said intersection is a single point urban interchange.

13. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups of traffic are through traffic, and said one or more other groups of traffic are left turn and right turn traffic.

14. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups of traffic are through traffic, and said one or more other groups of traffic are left turn or right turn traffic.

15. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups of traffic are a portion of through traffic, and said one or more other groups of traffic are left turn or right turn traffic.

16. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups of traffic are turn traffic and through traffic, and said one or more other groups of traffic are turn traffic received from the adjacent approaching legs of said intersection.

17. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups of traffic are through traffic, and said one or more other groups of traffic are buses.

18. The traffic intersection lane and signal system of claim 1 further including a transit station queue jumper comprising:

j) a transit station located near said intersection,

k) means for buses stopped at said transit station to use said one or more mixed use lane segments to discharge from said intersection ahead of the general traffic,

whereby buses are given priority to discharge from said intersection without penalizing the general traffic.

19. A signal warning system comprising:

a) a detection means to measure an upcoming vehicle speed,

b) signal means to project a downward light beam, a message onto pavement surface or a 3-D object into midair when said vehicle speed is above or below a predetermined value,

whereby a warning message is conveyed to the driver of said vehicle.

20. A street business sign located in advance of an intersection showing the name of the upcoming crossing street and the names of businesses around said intersection.