Synchronized traffic warning signal system

• US 9,666,068 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2015
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Fleming, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US14/658,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20160275791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 340906, 340907, 340909, 3405391, 340929, 340944, 340332, 362145, 362243, 3621531, 362555, 362153, 404 16, 404 12, 404 15, 404 17, 404 22, 404 8405
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/529 specially adapted for signalling by sound or vibrations, e.g. rumble strips; specially adapted for enforcing reduced speed, e.g. speed bumps
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/559 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

A traffic warning signal system includes a substrate, and at least one light-emitting device embedded into the substrate and placed in proximity to a traffic signal such as to be visible upon approach to the traffic signal, such as the at least one light-emitting device is synchronized in at least one of a timing, a color, or a frequency with the traffic signal.

Claims

1. A traffic warning signal system, comprising:

a substrate;

at least one light-emitting device embedded into the substrate;

wherein the at least one light-emitting device is synchronized with a traffic signal; and

a roadway rumble strip structure containing the substrate and disposed within a roadway pavement at a plurality of intervals leading up to the traffic signal in a direction of travel;

wherein an approaching motorist to the traffic signal receives a visual warning of a state of the traffic signal by viewing the light-emitting device upon approach, and a vibratory and audible warning of the traffic signal when traveling over the roadway rumble strip structure.

2. The traffic warning signal system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED) device.

3. The traffic warning signal system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting device is integrated into the substrate.

4. The traffic warning signal system of claim 1, further including a transceiver connected to the light-emitting device for providing wireless communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

5. The traffic warning signal system of claim 4, further including a hard wire connection to the light-emitting device for providing communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

6. The traffic warning signal system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting device is capable of producing a plurality of colors.

7. A traffic warning signal system, comprising:

a substrate;

at least one light-emitting device embedded into the substrate and placed in proximity to a traffic signal thereby visible upon approach to the traffic signal;

wherein the at least one light-emitting device is synchronized in at least one of a timing, a color, or a frequency with the traffic signal; and

a roadway rumble strip structure containing the substrate and disposed within a roadway pavement at a plurality of intervals leading up to the traffic signal in a direction of travel;

wherein an approaching motorist to the traffic signal receives a visual warning of a state of the traffic signal by viewing the light-emitting device upon approach, and a vibratory and audible warning of the traffic signal when traveling over the roadway rumble strip structure.

8. The traffic warning signal system of claim 7, wherein the light-emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED) device.

9. The traffic warning signal system of claim 7, wherein the light-emitting device is integrated into the substrate.

10. The traffic warning signal system of claim 7, further including a transceiver connected to the light-emitting device for providing wireless communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

11. The traffic warning signal system of claim 10, further including a hard wire connection to the light-emitting device for providing communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

12. The traffic warning signal system of claim 7, wherein the light-emitting device is capable of producing a plurality of colors.

13. A method of manufacturing a traffic warning signal system, comprising:

forming a substrate;

embedding at least one light-emitting device into the substrate;

wherein the at least one light-emitting device is synchronized with a traffic signal; and

forming a roadway rumble strip structure containing the substrate and disposed within a roadway pavement signal at a plurality of intervals leading up to the traffic signal in a direction of travel;

wherein an approaching motorist to the traffic signal receives a visual warning of a state of the traffic signal by viewing the light-emitting device upon approach, and a vibratory and audible warning of the traffic signal when traveling over the roadway rumble strip structure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the light-emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED) device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the light-emitting device is integrated into the substrate.

16. The method of claim 13, further including a transceiver connected to the light-emitting device for providing wireless communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

17. The method of claim 16, further including a hard wire connection to the light-emitting device for providing communication between the light-emitting device and the traffic signal.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the light-emitting device is capable of producing a plurality of colors.