Autonomous highway traffic modules

• US 6,900,740 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: McVay, Michael, Larsson, Erik G., Dumas, Christopher, Bloomquist, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blount, Eric
• Application Number:
  US10/336,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/906, 340/907, 340/908, 340/910, 340/917, 340/286.01, 340/286.02, 340/903, 340/933, 340/932, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 370/236, 370/324, 370/503, 348/118, 348/119, 348/148, 348/149
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A vehicle safety and control system provides early warning and includes a network including a plurality of remotely located modules disposed along a vehicle pathway. Each module is communicably connected to at least one of the other modules. The modules include a measurement system including at least one sensor for obtaining sensor data. The sensor data provides position and velocity data for objects proximate thereto. The modules also include an illuminated display having a plurality of observable distinct states, the observable states including states relating to the sensor data.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety and control system, comprising:

a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, said modules each including;

a measurement system comprising at least one sensor for autonomously obtaining sensor data, said sensor data including distance and velocity for objects proximate thereto, and

an illuminated display having a plurality of observable distinct states, said observable states including states relating to said sensor data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of modules further comprise a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data including said sensor data between said plurality of remotely located modules, wherein said remotely located modules are all wirelessly interconnected.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said transceiver comprises an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit, said UWB radio unit providing radar for obtaining said sensor data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said network is divided into a plurality of sectors, said sectors each including at least one centralized node, said centralized node wirelessly connected to respective ones of said plurality of modules in each of said sectors.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of modules include at least one solar panel, wherein said system is powered at least in part by solar energy.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said observable distinct states are provided by at least one LED, said LED capable of continuous or pulsed illumination.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said system provides wireless communications between said plurality of modules and said vehicles.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said modules wirelessly communicate with vehicles having a car navigation system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said car navigation system includes a UWB transceiver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said system automatically provides real-time remote roadway information to vehicles traveling along said vehicle pathway.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said remote roadway information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of traffic, accidents and weather.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein transmissions from each of said plurality of modules are distinguishable from one another.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a visibility sensor for detecting at least one selected from the group consisting of fog, rain and smoke.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle pathway comprises a motor vehicle roadway or a navigable waterway.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle pathway includes at least a portion of an interstate highway system.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located modules are affixed to fixed locations.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located modules include a central processing unit (CPU).

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located modules are disposed in a staggered configuration along alternating sides of said vehicle pathway.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located modules provide at least one of said plurality of observable distinct states to indicate approaching emergency vehicles.

20. A method for warning or directing vehicles, comprising the steps of:

p1 disposing a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each comprising at least one sensor for autonomously sensing distance and velocity of objects proximate to said modules, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, and

generating visual warning or directing signals using a plurality of observable distinct lit states at said modules, said states relating to said sensor data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said plurality of modules include a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data including sensor data.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said transceiver comprises an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit, said UWB radio unit providing radar for obtaining said sensor data.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said observable distinct lit states are provided by at least one LED, said LED capable of continuous or pulsed illumination.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of communicating a wireless warning or control signal to vehicles traveling on said vehicle pathway.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said vehicles include a car navigation system for supporting communications with said modules.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of automatically providing real-time remote roadway information to operators of automobiles via said car navigation system.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said remote roadway information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of traffic, accidents and weather.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein transmissions from each of said plurality of modules are distinguishable from one another.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein said vehicle pathway comprises a motor vehicle roadway or a navigable waterway.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein said vehicle pathway includes at least a portion of an interstate highway system.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein said remotely located modules provide at least one of said plurality of observable distinct states to indicate approaching emergency vehicles.

32. A method of sequencing traffic lights, comprising the steps of:

determining a vehicle traffic queue at or approaching a road intersection for each of a plurality of intersecting paths comprising said intersection using a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules having radar, said modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from said plurality of intersecting paths, said radar providing distance measurements for objects proximate thereto, each of said paths having an associated traffic signal, and

setting respective times for said traffic signals based on said traffic queue.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said radar is provided by an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit.