초록 ▼

System and method for the improved operation of a traffic signal system which reduces delays to vehicular traffic at one or more signalized intersections by detecting vehicular demand for movement through each intersection. The present invention uses detectors for detecting vehicles entering an inte

System and method for the improved operation of a traffic signal system which reduces delays to vehicular traffic at one or more signalized intersections by detecting vehicular demand for movement through each intersection. The present invention uses detectors for detecting vehicles entering an intersection, at a distance sufficiently great from the intersection, and for detecting vehicles leaving an intersection, at a distance sufficiently near to the intersection, to permit, when possible, one or more vehicles to proceed completely through the intersection prior to coming to a near, or complete stop. The system and method further facilitates accident reduction by monitoring portions of traffic lanes entering an intersection for vehicles, determining the probability of a vehicle being able to timely stop for a halt signal, and, if it is determined that the vehicle cannot timely stop for a halt signal, attempting to clear the intersection of other vehicles by setting all signals to halt.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [8.] A method for controlling movement of vehicles at one or more intersections, wherein each of said one or more intersections includes a plurality of traffic lanes and a plurality of traffic signals, wherein each of said plurality of traffic lanes includes an entering portio

[ What is claimed is:] [8.] A method for controlling movement of vehicles at one or more intersections, wherein each of said one or more intersections includes a plurality of traffic lanes and a plurality of traffic signals, wherein each of said plurality of traffic lanes includes an entering portion, a leaving portion, a stop line located between each of said one or more intersections and each of said entering portions for each of said plurality of traffic lanes, and wherein each of said plurality of traffic signals corresponds to one or more of said plurality of traffic lanes, comprising:setting each of said plurality of traffic signals to a stop indication;monitoring one or more of said entering portions of said plurality of traffic lanes to detect presence of one or more vehicles within one or more of said entering portions of said plurality of traffic lanes;generating a demand signal corresponding to said plurality of traffic lanes in which said one or more vehicles was detected approaching said one or more intersections during said monitoring of one or more of said entering portions;monitoring one or more of said leaving portions of said plurality of traffic lanes to detect presence of one or more vehicles within one or more of said leaving portions of said plurality of traffic lanes;generating a block signal corresponding to said plurality of traffic lanes in which said one or more vehicles was detected leaving said one or more intersections during said monitoring of one or more of said leaving portions;setting at least one of said plurality of traffic signals corresponding to at least one of said plurality of traffic lanes for which said demand signal was generated and said block signal was not generated to a proceed indication;setting each of said plurality of traffic signals to a stop indication if said demand signal is not present;determining if a conflicting demand signal is present, wherein said conflicting demand signal corresponds to one of said plurality of traffic lanes that conflicts with said at least one of said plurality of traffic lanes corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of traffic signals with said proceed indication;setting each of said plurality of traffic signals corresponding to each of said plurality of traffic lanes that conflict with said one of said plurality of traffic lanes corresponding to said conflicting demand signal to a halt indication and setting each of said plurality of traffic signals corresponding to said one of said plurality of traffic lanes corresponding to said conflicting demand signal to a proceed indication if said conflicting demand signal is present and if said conflicting demand signal has been present for a predetermined period of time and if a block signal corresponding to said one of said plurality of traffic lanes corresponding to said conflicting demand signal is not present;determining if a vehicle corresponding to said conflicting demand signal is traveling at a rate of speed such that it is capable of stopping before reaching said stop line corresponding to said traffic lane in which said vehicle is traveling; andsetting each of said plurality of traffic signals to a stop indication if it is determined that said vehicle is not capable of stopping before reaching said stop line.