Method and apparatus for reducing and controlling highway congestion to save on fuel costs

• US 8,711,004 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2010
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TrackThings LLC
• Original Assignee: TrackThings LLC
• Inventors: Gabara, Cassandra Marlene, Gabara, Thaddeus John
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang, Son M
• Application Number:
  US12/651,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20110163893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,577 Days
• Field of Search: 340908-9081, 404/6, 404 9- 13
• US Class Current: 340/908.1
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 7/00 Devices affording protection against snow, sand drifts, side-wind effects, snowslides, avalanches or falling rocks permanently installed heating or blowing devices for roads E01C11/26; Anti-dazzle arrangements ; Sight-screens for roads, e.g. to mask accident site E01F8/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/00 Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution for obstructing or restricting traffic E01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/617 Illuminated or wired-up posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures for traffic guidance, warning or control E01F9/559 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/646 extensible, collapsible or pivotable E01F9/627, E01F9/631 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/688 Free-standing bodies

Abstract

One estimate indicates that rubbernecking and congestion consumes about 4% of this country'"'"'s fuel. Two approaches are presented to help solve this problem. The first uses shields to block the view of a car accident. Rubbernecking is reduced since the visibility of the car accident is reduced. A second approach uses mobile flat units that can be remotely controlled to enter a roadway that is carrying active traffic. The traffic runs over these units that are being moved until the master processor indicates that the mobile flat units are in position. A post is extended from the flat unit that issues commands to the motorists so the master processor can begin to control and reduce congestion. Both approaches can be used to help decrease fuel waste in the US.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of mobile flat units;

a master processor configured to control a movement of the mobile flat units, wherein a tire is able to roll over the mobile flat unit;

a highway having more than one lane;

a new set of lanes defined by a final position of the mobile flat units;

a motor to move the mobile flat units;

a local processor coupled to the motor and a wireless block configured to control the motor based on a command received from the master processor;

a post in plurality of mobile flat units is extended at the final position; and

a display screen with printed instruction located on the post of one of the plurality of mobile flat units.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the post in the plurality of mobile flat units can be retracted.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication channel established between the master processor and each of the flat units.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the communication channel can be wired or wireless between the mobile flat units and the master processor.

5. The apparatus in each:

of the mobile flat units of claim 1, further comprising;

a plurality of rubber tracks coupled to the motor and a road.

6. The apparatus in each of the mobile flat units of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) that can display instructions.

7. A method of creating a new set of lanes comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of mobile flat units in an initial position;

controlling a movement of the mobile flat units over a roadway by using a master processor, wherein a tire is able to roll over the mobile flat unit;

moving the mobile flat units to a final position;

creating the new set of lanes defined by the final position of the mobile flat units;

communicating information either wired or wirelessly between the master processor and each of the mobile flat units;

extending a post in the mobile flat units when they are in the final position; and

displaying a screen with printed instruction located on the post of one of the plurality of mobile flat units.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein

the initial position is located in a shoulder of the roadway.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

moving the mobile flat units slowly so that the new set of lanes superimpose an original set of lanes in the roadway.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

retracting the post in the mobile flat units; and

moving the mobile flat units off an active portion of the roadway.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of mobile flat units;

a master processor configured to control a movement of the mobile flat units by a wireless communication channel, wherein a tire is able to roll over the mobile flat unit;

a highway having more than one lane and one or more shoulders;

a new set of lanes defined by a final position of the mobile flat units;

a motor to move the mobile flat units;

a local processor coupled to the motor and a wireless block configured to control motor based on a command received from the master processor;

a post in the plurality of mobile flat units is extended at the final position; and

a display screen with printed instruction located on the post of one of the plurality of mobile flat units.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

the post in the plurality of mobile flat units can be either extended or retracted.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein

the communication channel is established between the master processor and each of the flat units.