Controlling traffic signal preemption includes inputting to a conditional preemption circuit, values of a plurality of incident parameters that include at least a vehicle unit identifier of a vehicle unit and an incident priority that describes an incident. The conditional preemption circuit determines a preemption mode for a vehicle associated with the vehicle unit identifier based on one or more of the plurality of incident parameters. The preemption mode is one of a first mode or a second mode. Traffic signal preemption is enabled for the vehicle unit in response to the conditional preemption circuit determining the first mode. Traffic signal preemption is disabled for the vehicle unit in response to the conditional preemption circuit determining the second mode.
Disclosed approaches for selecting a travel route involve considering phase interruptibility of traffic signals on alternative routes. Multiple alternative routes are determined in response to a request for a route. Information describing each route specifies a set of road segments, a set of intersections, and estimated travel times on the road segments. For each road segment that connects to an intersection having a phase-interruptible traffic signal, the estimated travel time on the segment is reduced based on a correction factor associated with the intersection. Estimated travel times on the alternative routes are determined based on the reduced estimated travel times on the segments. One or more of the alternative routes are displayed, including a visual indication of the route having the least estimated travel time.
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p.ex. pilote automatique
3.
DYNAMIC ACTIVATION OF VIRTUAL PHASE SELECTORS FOR CONTROL OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREEMPTION
According to the disclosed approaches, a server system receives vehicle messages having information transmitted from vehicle processors. Each vehicle message specifies published geographical coordinates that indicate a geographical location of a vehicle. For each vehicle message, the server system determines one or more virtual phase selectors associated with the published geographical coordinates; determines whether each virtual phase selector is active or inactive; starts execution of each virtual phase selector determined to be in inactive; and communicates the vehicle message to the one or more virtual phase selectors. Each virtual phase selector determines traffic signal control data based on the vehicle message and transmits the traffic signal control data to a traffic signal controller associated with the virtual phase selector. The method includes stopping execution of an executing virtual phase selector in response to absence of a vehicle message having published geographical coordinates associated with the executing virtual phase selector for a period that is greater than a threshold period.
G06K 9/00 - Méthodes ou dispositions pour la lecture ou la reconnaissance de caractères imprimés ou écrits ou pour la reconnaissance de formes, p.ex. d'empreintes digitales
G08G 1/09 - Dispositions pour donner des instructions variables pour le trafic
G08G 1/00 - Systèmes de commande du trafic pour véhicules routiers
According to the disclosed approaches, a first processor receives location messages from second processors. Each location message specifies published geographical coordinates that indicate a geographical location, and the published geographical coordinates are a version of actual geographical coordinates truncated from a first level of precision to a second level of precision. The first processor accesses subscriptions to location topics in response to the location messages. Each location topic specifies in the second level of precision, subscribed-to geographical coordinates of a location. The first processor determines whether or not the published geographical coordinates match any of the subscribed-to geographical coordinates. Non-matching location messages are discarded, and matching location messages are transmitted to one or more third processors identified by the subscriptions.
Approaches are disclosed for determining a position of a vehicle. An image of a tag is captured with a camera onboard a vehicle. A location of the tag is determined from data encoded in the image. A size of the image of the tag is compared to a baseline size of the tag. A capture position of the image of the tag is determined. A position of the vehicle is determined based on the determined location of the tag and the capture position.
G01S 19/48 - Détermination de position en combinant ou en commutant entre les solutions de position dérivées du système de positionnement par satellite à radiophares et les solutions de position dérivées d'un autre système
G01S 5/16 - Localisation par coordination de plusieurs déterminations de direction ou de ligne de position; Localisation par coordination de plusieurs déterminations de distance utilisant des ondes électromagnétiques autres que les ondes radio
G06K 7/14 - Méthodes ou dispositions pour la lecture de supports d'enregistrement par radiation corpusculaire utilisant la lumière sans sélection des longueurs d'onde, p.ex. lecture de la lumière blanche réfléchie
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p.ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
6.
TIMING SUBMISSION OF TRANSIT SIGNAL PRIORITY REQUESTS TO REDUCE TRANSIT VEHICLE STOP TIMES
Approaches are disclosed for timing the submission of transit signal priority (TSP) requests. A phase selector receives TSP information of a vehicle at a current time, and the phase selector determines an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vehicle at an intersection having a traffic signal controlled by an intersection controller. The phase selector determines the arrival phase of the traffic signal at the ETA, along with a phase-relative arrival time of the ETA. The phase selector determines a time to issue the TSP request based on the phase-relative arrival time, and issues the TSP request to the intersection controller at the determined time.
The disclosure describes a device for configuring an infrared (IR) emitter. The device includes a support structure and a microprocessor attached to the support structure. An interface circuit is also attached to the support structure and is configured to provide communications between the microprocessor and a portable computing device. A memory, which is attached to the support structure, is coupled to the microprocessor and is configured with instructions. Execution of the instructions by the microprocessor cause the microprocessor to communicate with an application executing on the portable computing device and initiate transmission of configuration data received from the application to the IR emitter. A transmitter is attached to the support structure and is coupled to the microprocessor. The transmitter is configured to transmit the configuration data to the IR emitter.
Approaches for managing transit vehicle schedules. The method includes determining a current location and current heading of a transit vehicle by a global positioning system (GPS) module aboard the transit vehicle and communicating the current location and current heading to a computer processor. The computer processor determines a current time and current day, and a trip schedule is selected from a plurality of trip schedules in a database. The selected trip schedule has attributes consistent with the current location, current heading, current time, and current day. The method determines whether the transit vehicle is ahead of the selected trip schedule or behind the selected trip schedule. An output signal indicates whether the transit vehicle is ahead of or behind schedule.
G08G 1/127 - Systèmes de commande du trafic pour véhicules routiers indiquant la position de véhicules, p.ex. de véhicules à horaire déterminé à une station centrale
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p.ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
Approaches for classifying vehicles include generating a signal waveform from a signal in a single inductive loop generated by a passing vehicle. The signal waveform is compared to a first plurality of model waveforms. Each model waveform is associated with a respective class of vehicle. A first model waveform of the first plurality of model waveforms that matches the signal waveform is determined, and data indicating the respective class of vehicle associated with the first model waveform is output.
G08G 1/015 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande avec des dispositions pour distinguer différents types de véhicules, p.ex. pour distinguer les automobiles des cycles
G08G 1/042 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande utilisant des détecteurs inductifs ou magnétiques
G08G 1/052 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande avec des dispositions pour déterminer la vitesse ou l'excès de vitesse
G08G 1/08 - Commande des signaux de trafic selon le nombre ou la vitesse détectés des véhicules
The disclosed approaches for processing traffic signal priority requests include receiving traffic signal priority requests from a vehicle. The number of stopped vehicles at the intersection and on an approach to the intersection is determined in response to receiving each priority request. An activation threshold is computed as a function of an estimated-time-of-arrival (ETA) threshold and the number of stopped vehicles. A vehicle ETA of the vehicle at the intersection is determined in response to each priority request. In response to the vehicle ETA being less than the activation threshold, the priority request is submitted for preemption service processing at the intersection. In response to the vehicle ETA being greater than the activation threshold, submission of the priority request is bypassed for preemption service processing at the intersection.
Approaches for managing transit signal priority (TSP) requests are disclosed. The arrival of a first transit vehicle at a transit stop is detected, and a first value indicative of an actual arrival time is stored in a memory in response to the arrival of the first transit vehicle at the transit stop. A processor determines from the first value whether or not the actual arrival time of the first transit vehicle satisfies a scheduling parameter. In response to the actual arrival time of the first transit vehicle not satisfying the scheduling parameter, a priority request device is enabled to make TSP requests. In response to the actual arrival time of the first transit vehicle satisfying the scheduling parameter, the priority request device is disabled from making TSP requests.
Approaches for issuing preemption requests. The boundaries of a geo- window are repeatedly determined based on locations and headings of a vehicle as the vehicle is traveling along a roadway. The methods and systems determine whether or not any one of a plurality of intersections is located within the boundaries of the geo-window in response to changed boundaries of the geo- window. In response to determining that one of the plurality of intersections is located within the boundaries of the geo-window, a preemption request is transmitted from the vehicle to an intersection controller at the one of the plurality of intersections.
A priority control unit is provided for use with light-based and GPS-based traffic control priority systems. The priority control unit includes a light emitter subsystem that is configured to emit pulses of light. The pulses of light encode a priority request for activating preemption of a traffic signal by a light-based traffic control priority system. The priority control unit also includes a GPS-based subsystem that is configured to transmit a priority request by radio waves. The priority request from the GPS-based subsystem is for activating preemption of a traffic signal by a GPS-based traffic control priority system. A switch is coupled to the light emitter subsystem and to the GPS-based subsystem. The switch simultaneously activates both the light emitter subsystem and the GPS-based subsystem for transmitting priority requests in response to user control. In another embodiment, the priority control unit further includes a broadcast based subsystem for transmitting priority requests.
Controlling a traffic signal phase at one or more intersections. A control system at an intersection is configured to operate in one of a first mode or a second mode. While operating the controller in the first mode, in response to a transit priority signal received by the control system from a vehicle assigned transit priority, a green phase of the traffic signal is extended in favor of the vehicle assigned transit priority. While operating the control system in the second mode, in response to a transit priority signal received by the control system from the vehicle assigned transit priority, a current non-green phase of the traffic signal is preempted to a green phase in favor of the vehicle assigned transit priority.
Methods and systems for creating an approach map for a traffic signal preemption controller. A road map is displayed (302), and in response to user input for instantiating a first segment of an approach map, a first instance of a graphical object overlaying one of the plurality of roads is displayed (304). The one road represents an approach road to an intersection having the preemption controller. First segment location data that describes a first geographical area bounded by the first segment are determined from size and placement of the first instance of the graphical object on the road map and from location data associated with the one road (306). The first segment location data are stored in assocation with the approach map for the preemption controller (308). The preemption controller, once configured with the first segment location data (312), initiates traffic signal preemption in response to a preemption request transmitted from within the first geographic area described by the first segment location data.
Management of traffic signal preemption control equipment. In one approach, logged preemption data is periodically read (302) from each of a plurality of intersections having respective preemption controllers (210, 212) for preempting traffic signals at the intersections. The logged preemption data at an intersection describes operational states of the preemption controller and each vehicle control unit that submitted a preemption request at the intersection and data describing each individual preemption request. The logged preemption data read from the plurality of intersections are stored in a database (304). The database is monitored (306) for data indicative of changes in operational status of the traffic signal preemption control equipment. In response to the data indicating a change in operational status, data descriptive of the change are output (308).
G08G 1/097 - Systèmes de surveillance de la commande du trafic, p.ex. en donnant l'alarme si deux rues se croisant ont des feux verts simultanément
G08G 1/081 - Commande des signaux de trafic plusieurs carrefours dépendant d'une commande commune
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p.ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
G08G 1/13 - Systèmes de commande du trafic pour véhicules routiers indiquant la position de véhicules, p.ex. de véhicules à horaire déterminé à une station centrale l'indicateur étant sous la forme d'une carte
17.
PRIORITIZATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREEMPTION REQUESTS RECEIVED FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES OVER DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION MEDIUMS
Approaches for prioritizing multiple candidates (312) for preemption of a traffic signal phase at an intersection are disclosed. Light signals transmitted from light-signaling (108) vehicles approaching an intersection encode priority codes using a first set of values. Radio signals from radio-signaling (110) vehicles approaching the intersection encode priority codes using a second set of values. A set of preemption candidates is determined (210) from the light and radio signals, as well as from network-based (134) requests, and a respective relative priority of each preemption candidate based on the priority code of each preemption candidate is determined (440, 444). A request is output (448) for preemption of the traffic signal phase for a preemption candidate having a highest priority.
Approaches for monitoring traffic signal preemption at one or more intersections. According to one embodiment, a road map that includes a plurality of roads and intersections is displayed with a computer system. Preemption data periodically received by the computer system from at least one preemption controller at a respective intersection is used to update the road map. In response to the preemption data, the road map is updated to include a traffic signal icon at the respective intersection and a vehicle icon at a location on the map corresponding to a location of a vehicle transmitting a preemption request as indicated by the preemption data.
Managing traffic signal preemption data accumulated at a plurality of intersections. In one approach a method includes reading the preemption data stored at each of the intersections (402). The preemption data includes for each preemption request an emitter code, and a date and a time the preemption request was submitted. The preemption data read from the intersections are stored in a database, and each emitter code is associated with a vehicle name in the database (404, 406). Selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are read from the database in response to user input (422), and the selected preemption data and associated vehicle names are displayed (424). The database further stores data identifying the intersection from which the preemption data was read (404).
Managing traffic signal preemption at a plurality of intersections. In one approach a security level code that specifies one of a plurality of security levels for at least one jurisdiction is input (402). The security level controls which emitter codes are allowed to preempt traffic signals at the intersections in the jurisdiction. A set of emitter codes for the plurality of intersections in the jurisdiction is determined in response to the security level code (410). The set of emitter codes is downloaded to a plurality of preemption controllers at the plurality of intersections in the jurisdiction (412). Each preemption controller accepts a preemption request only if the preemption request contains an emitter code indicated by the downloaded set of emitter codes as being allowed to preempt traffic signals at the intersections in the jurisdiction.
A remotely-activated vehicle priority system includes a control center(26), a vehicle-priority communication device(24A,24B,24C), at least one receiver(16A, 16B), phase selector(18). The control center(14) transmits an activation message. The vehicle-priority communication device is mounted to a vehicle and is communicatively coupled to the control center. In response to the activation message, the vehicle-priority communication device transmits apriority preemption request. Transmission of the priority preemption request in response to the activation message prevents improper activation, either intentional or unintentional, of the vehicle priority system by an operator of the vehicle. The receiver is situated at a traffic signal and receives the priority preemption request. The phase selector issues, responsive to the priority preemption request a command to a controller(14) of the traffic signal. The command selects a phase for the traffic signal.
A traffic-preemption system and method that communicates an identification code from vehicles to a traffic location. Traffic light control equipment, such as a receiver and traffic light circuit at each intersection of a controlled area, is used to manage headway in mass-transit systems as well as to provide traffic light pre-emption for emergency vehicles. Each traffic light circuit in the controlled area has a receiver located at a traffic location and adapted to receive an identification code from a mass-transit vehicle. A decoding circuit responds to the received identification code by attempting to identify the mass-transit vehicle and determine the timing on the identified route that improves an identified vehicle's headway and/or route timing. In response to determining the timing, a traffic-preemption command is generated for a traffic light on the identified route.
A traffic light control system includes at least one parameter and a signal decoding circuit. The parameter or parameters are useful for assisting in differentiating between multiple communication modes. The signal decoding circuit has a front-end circuit and a back-end circuit. The front-end circuit is adapted to receive respective signals transmitted in multiple communication modes. The front-end circuit is adapted to produce data representative of at least a portion of the respective signals. The back-end circuit is adapted to interpret and process the produced data according to at least one of multiple traffic light control protocols respectively associated with the multiple communication modes. The signal decoding circuit is adapted to access said at least one parameter and associate the produced data with one of the multiple communication modes.
A secure optical-communication traffic-preemption system and method is provided that securely communicates an identification code from an optical emitter to a traffic location. The optical emitter transmits light pulses that represent an encrypted code that is an encryption using a time-varying encryption key of at least an identification code. An optical detector situated at a traffic location receives the transmitted light pulses. Validation, including decryption using a time-varying decryption key, is attempted for the encrypted identification code represented within the received light pulses. In response to validating the included identification code, a traffic-preemption command is generated for a traffic light at the traffic location.
An arrangement for requesting preemption from a vehicle is used in a traffic control system. The arrangement for requesting preemption includes a protocol circuit, a signal control generation circuit, and an optical source. The protocol circuit is adapted to provide a plurality of communication protocols, wherein a plurality of the communication protocols communicate encoded data. The signal control generation circuit is adapted to generate an output signal in accordance with at least one of the plurality of communication protocols. The optical source is adapted to transmit light pulses from the vehicle, wherein the light pulses are generated from the output signal and include the encoded data for said at least one of the plurality of communication protocols.
A remotely-controlled traffic preemption system and method includes an encoder circuit, an optical source, an optical detector, and a decoder circuit. The encoder circuit is adapted to generate a set of signal pulses. At least one bit of a data word is encoded as a function of amplitude modulation of a first subset of the set of signal pulses and at least another bit of the data word is encoded as a function of frequency modulation of a second subset of the set of signal pulses. The optical source is adapted to transmit a set of light pulses having a respective light pulse for each signal pulse of the set of signal pulses. The optical detector is adapted to receive the set of light pulses. The decoder circuit is adapted to generate the data word from the set of light pulses received at the optical detector.
brevets
