Traffic control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for moving a plurality of vehicles in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises:
- a sensor for determining an approach of each vehicle to a threshold of the control zone;
a plurality of signals wherein each signal moves at a distance “
s”
ahead of a corresponding one of said vehicles through the control zone for managing the movement of the corresponding vehicle at a speed “
v”
determined for each signal;
a control protocol established for each vehicle entering the control zone wherein the control protocol establishes and continuously updates a safe stopping distance “
sd” and
a distance “
d”
between consecutive ones of said signals based on the length “
l”
of the corresponding vehicle and the distance “
s”
;
a regulator for monitoring the distance “
s”
between each vehicle and the corresponding signal; and
a computer connected to the sensor for initiating the control protocol for each vehicle at the threshold, wherein the computer establishes the speed “
v”
for moving each signal, and further wherein the computer is connected to the regulator to create an alarm when the distance “
s”
creates a predetermined condition.
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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”.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for moving a plurality of vehicles in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises:
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a sensor for determining an approach of each vehicle to a threshold of the control zone; a plurality of signals wherein each signal moves at a distance “
s”
ahead of a corresponding one of said vehicles through the control zone for managing the movement of the corresponding vehicle at a speed “
v”
determined for each signal;a control protocol established for each vehicle entering the control zone wherein the control protocol establishes and continuously updates a safe stopping distance “
sd” and
a distance “
d”
between consecutive ones of said signals based on the length “
l”
of the corresponding vehicle and the distance “
s”
;a regulator for monitoring the distance “
s”
between each vehicle and the corresponding signal; anda computer connected to the sensor for initiating the control protocol for each vehicle at the threshold, wherein the computer establishes the speed “
v”
for moving each signal, and further wherein the computer is connected to the regulator to create an alarm when the distance “
s”
creates a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for moving a vehicle in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises:
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a means for determining an approach of the vehicle to a threshold of the control zone; a means for establishing a control protocol based on a length “
l”
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 activating the signal; a mechanism for moving the signal through the control zone in accordance with the control protocol; a means for monitoring the distance “
s”
between the vehicle and the signal; anda means for creating an alarm when the distance “
s”
creates a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for moving a vehicle in a single lane of traffic on a roadway through a control zone which comprises the steps of:
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determining an approach of the vehicle to a threshold of the control zone; establishing a control protocol based on a length “
l”
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;activating the signal to control the movement of the vehicle through the control zone; moving the signal through the control zone with a conveyor in accordance with the control protocol; monitoring the distance “
s”
between the vehicle and the signal; andcreating an alarm when the distance “
s”
creates a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification