초록 ▼

Traffic monitoring and warning systems and vehicle ramp advisory systems are provided herein. Such system includes a set of sensor arrays comprising a set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays which is disposed above a traffic lane approaching a hazard for producing signals which are indicati

Traffic monitoring and warning systems and vehicle ramp advisory systems are provided herein. Such system includes a set of sensor arrays comprising a set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays which is disposed above a traffic lane approaching a hazard for producing signals which are indicative of whether the vehicle is an automobile or a truck and, if it is a truck, to record the presence of such truck, and to provide signals which are indicative of the speed of such truck. A processor is provided which has a memory for storing site-specific data related both to the geometry of the hazard and to signals which have been received from the set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays. A traffic signalling device is associated with the traffic lane and is disposed downstream of the set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, the traffic signalling device being controlled by the processor. The processor is responsive to the signals from the set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays for computing an actual speed of the truck and for computing a computed maximum safe speed for such truck at the hazard. The computed maximum safe speed of the truck is derived from the site-specific dimensional data of the hazard and from at least the initial speed of the truck, the computed maximum safe speed of the truck being a maximum safe speed for that truck safely to negotiate the hazard. The processor compares the computed actual speed of the truck with the computed maximum safe speed for the truck. Then, the processor automatically operates the traffic signalling device if the computed actual speed of the truck exceeds the computed maximum safe speed for the truck. The processor also discontinues operating the traffic signalling device if the computed actual speed of the truck no longer exceeds the computed maximum safe speed for the truck.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.](i) a first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays disposed adjacent a traffic lane in a first detection zone approaching a hazard for sensing a vehicle in said first detection zone and for producing signals indicative of said sensed vehicle;(ii) a second set of a

[What is claimed is:] [1.](i) a first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays disposed adjacent a traffic lane in a first detection zone approaching a hazard for sensing a vehicle in said first detection zone and for producing signals indicative of said sensed vehicle;(ii) a second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, in a second detection zone downstream of said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays for sensing a vehicle in said second detection zone and for producing signals indicative of said sensed vehicle in said second detection zone;(iii) a processor operatively connected both to said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, and to said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, said processor for analysing said signals from said first set of electro-acoustic sensor arrays indicative of said sensed vehicle in said first detection zone to determine if said sensed vehicle is a truck, to determine a truck classification of said truck, and to determine an appropriate safe speed for traversing said hazard in view of hazard site-specific information and said classification, said processor also for analysing signals from said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensors for determining the speed of said truck in said second detection zone, and(iv) a traffic signalling device associated with said traffic lane and disposed downstream of said first set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays, said traffic signalling device being controlled by said processor to provide a warning to said truck concerning said appropriate safe speed, said second set of above-road electro-acoustic sensor arrays being upstream of said traffic signal, said processor also determining the actual speed of said truck in said first detection zone and activating said traffic signalling device if said actual speed exceeds said appropriate safe speed, said processor including a timer for discontinuing operating said traffic signalling device, said processor activating said timer in response to deceleration of said truck, said processor alternatively for discontinuing the operation of said traffic-signalling device if the speed of said truck in the second detection zone no longer exceeds said appropriate safe speed for said truck.