Dynamic speed limit system

• US 7,978,097 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Arenburg, Robert Thomas, Dutta, Shivnath, Cobb, Bradford Lee, Barillaud, Franck
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US11/949,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20090140882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/936
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle

Abstract

A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which the presence of workers in a long highway construction zone is monitored and the electronically-controlled posted speed limit is adjusted in accordance with the detected presence of workers in the immediate area. In an example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners or readers are strategically placed in a construction or working area. Such RFID reading devices may be embedded, for example, in construction speed limit signs. The displayed speed limit is controlled by the detected proximity of construction workers wearing RFID-embedded clothing, for example, such as safety vests or helmets. The speed limit sign includes logic to display one of many possible speed limit displays based on the nearest, and/or the number of RFID signals detected in a given area. Vehicular traffic is thereby enabled to travel faster through construction zones where no workers are present and, when appropriate, traffic is slowed when workers are present within a given proximity of the RFID reading devices.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an electronically displayed vehicle speed limit, said method comprising:

detecting a presence of an individual within a predetermined area near a roadway; and

controlling a display of said vehicle speed limit along said roadway in response to said detecting of a presence of an individual within said predetermined area, wherein said detecting is accomplished by using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said individual within said predetermined area has an RFID device, said RFID device being enabled to transmit RFID signals within said predetermined area, said detecting being accomplished by reading said RFID signals by an RFID reading device, said RFID reading device being enabled to read said RFID signals transmitted within said predetermined area.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 and further including a plurality of RFID reading devices placed sequentially along said roadway, each of said RFID reading devices being enabled to independently read said RFID signals within corresponding sequential sections of said predetermined area.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controlling includes displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, and displaying a speed limit lower than said first speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including determining a specific number of individuals present within said predetermined area wherein said controlling includes displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, and displaying a second speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, said second speed limit being determined depending upon said specific number of individuals detected as being present within said predetermined area.

6. A storage medium including machine readable coded indicia, said storage medium being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within a computer system, said processing circuitry being operable in response to a reading of said machine readable coded indicia, for controlling an electronically displayed vehicle speed limit by effecting the steps of:

enabling a detecting of a presence of one or more individuals within a predetermined area near a roadway; and

controlling a display of said vehicle speed limit along said roadway in response to said detecting of a presence of one or more individuals within said predetermined area, said vehicle speed limit being incrementally changed depending upon a number of said individuals detected and/or a proximity of said individuals to said roadway.

7. The medium as set forth in claim 6 wherein said detecting is accomplished by using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

8. The medium as set forth in claim 7 wherein said individual within said predetermined area has an RFID device, said RFID device being enabled to transmit RFID signals within said predetermined area, said detecting being accomplished by reading said RFID signals by an RFID reading device, said RFID reading device being enabled to read said RFID signals transmitted within said predetermined area.

9. The medium as set forth in claim 8 and further including a plurality of RFID reading devices placed sequentially along said roadway, each of said RFID reading devices being enabled to independently read said RFID signals within corresponding sequential sections of said predetermined area.

10. The medium as set forth in claim 6 wherein said controlling includes displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, and displaying a speed limit lower than said first speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area.

11. The medium as set forth in claim 6 and further including determining a specific number of individuals present within said predetermined area wherein said controlling includes displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, and displaying a second speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, said second speed limit being determined depending upon said specific number of individuals detected as being present within said predetermined area.

12. A system for controlling an electronically displayed vehicle speed limit, said system comprising:

means for detecting a presence of one or more individuals within a predetermined area near a roadway; and

means for controlling a display of said vehicle speed limit along said roadway in response to said detecting of a presence of said one or more individuals within said predetermined area, said detecting being accomplished by receiving signals transmitted from devices carried by said one or more individuals.

13. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said detecting is accomplished by using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said one or more individuals within said predetermined area is carrying an RFID device, said RFID device being enabled to transmit RFID signals within said predetermined area, said detecting being accomplished by an RFID reading device arranged for reading said RFID signals, said RFID reading device being enabled to read said RFID signals transmitted within said predetermined area.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14 and further including a plurality of RFID reading devices placed sequentially along said roadway, each of said RFID reading devices being enabled to independently read said RFID signals within corresponding sequential sections of said predetermined area.

16. The system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for controlling includes display means for displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, said display means being operable for displaying a speed limit lower than said first speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area.

17. The system as set forth in claim 12 and further including means for determining a specific number of individuals present within said predetermined area wherein said means for controlling includes a display means for displaying a first speed limit when no individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, and displaying a second speed limit when one or more individuals are detected as being present within said predetermined area, said second speed limit being determined depending upon said specific number of individuals detected as being present within said predetermined area.