Stretched intersection and signal warning system
First Claim
1. A traffic intersection lane and signal system comprising:
- a) a traffic intersection,b) a first signal means and associated first stop bar located near said traffic intersection for each approaching leg of said traffic intersection,c) at least one approaching leg of said traffic intersection further comprising the following features and characteristics;
i. a second signal means and associated second stop bar located a distance away from before said traffic intersection on said at least one approaching leg,ii. at least one traffic lanes approaching and passing beyond said second signal means on said at least one approaching leg,iii. one or more mixed use lane segments between said first signal means and said second signal means,d) one or more groups of traffic to discharge from said traffic intersection,e) one or more other groups of traffic to discharge from said traffic intersection, andf) means of a repeating signal cycle for 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,whereby said traffic intersection lane and signal system effectively utilize roadway surface to increase intersection capacity and reduce delay.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A traffic intersection lane and signal system comprising:
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a) a traffic intersection, b) a first signal means and associated first stop bar located near said traffic intersection for each approaching leg of said traffic intersection, c) at least one approaching leg of said traffic intersection further comprising the following features and characteristics; i. a second signal means and associated second stop bar located a distance away from before said traffic intersection on said at least one approaching leg, ii. at least one traffic lanes approaching and passing beyond said second signal means on said at least one approaching leg, iii. one or more mixed use lane segments between said first signal means and said second signal means, d) one or more groups of traffic to discharge from said traffic intersection, e) one or more other groups of traffic to discharge from said traffic intersection, and f) means of a repeating signal cycle for 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, whereby said traffic intersection lane and signal system effectively utilize roadway surface to increase intersection capacity and reduce delay. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A traffic intersection lane and signal system comprising:
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a) a traffic intersection, b) a first signal means and associated first stop bar located near said traffic intersection for each approaching leg of said traffic intersection, c) at least one approaching leg of said traffic intersection further comprising the following features and characteristics; i. a second signal means and associated second stop bar located a distance away from before said traffic intersection on said at least one approaching leg, ii. one or more mixed use lane segments between said first signal means and said second signal means, iii. one or more groups of traffic on one or more lanes of said at least one approaching leg to discharge from said traffic intersection, iv. one or more other groups of traffic on one or more other lanes of said at least one approaching leg to discharge from said traffic intersection, v. said one or more groups of traffic on said one or more lanes stops at said second stop bar when receiving a red light from said second signal means, vi. said one or more other groups of traffic on said one or more other lanes stops at said first stop bar when receiving a red light from said first signal means, vii. said traffic intersection lane and signal system further comprising the following steps; 1) when said one or more groups of traffic on said one or more lanes stops at said second stop bar, said one or more other groups of traffic on said one or more other lanes may enter said mixed use lane segments and discharge from said traffic intersection when receiving a green light from said first signal means, 2) said one or more groups of traffic receive a green light from said second signal means, move onto said mixed use lane segments and discharge from said traffic intersection without stopping at said first signal means, 3) said second signal means green light ends a predetermined time earlier than said first signal means green light for said one or more groups of traffic so that said one or more groups of traffic can clear from said mixed use lane segments and said one or more other groups of traffic may utilize said mixed use lane segments in the next signal cycle, 4)
1),
2), and
3) repeat in each signal cycle of said traffic intersection, whereby said traffic intersection lane and signal system effectively utilize roadway surface, reduce delay and increase intersection capacity.
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Specification