EP3079966B1 - Method for displaying information about the operation of a rail vehicle for traffic participants - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for displaying information for road users about the operation of a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle specially configured for such a method.

In order to avoid collisions with other road users, such as pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, when operating a tram acoustic signals, such as horn, horn, bell, are used.

Such warnings are not sufficient especially in confusing places, for example in pedestrian areas in the area of stops and intersections to protect against collisions. In such places often meet several trams, coming from different directions or departing in different directions, each other, which makes the situation particularly confusing for pedestrians. This situation is exacerbated in pedestrian zones with additional pedestrian flows. Especially older passengers or children are often overwhelmed with the situation in such confusing places. The problem also affects passengers who are getting off or changing.

The DE 10 2007 049 922 A1 discloses a mini-projector arranged in or on a vehicle in such a way that it projects information such that it can be seen by a viewer at a location outside the vehicle. In one embodiment, the information is warning or hint information. So z. B. with the embodiment information is projected onto a roadway, the vehicle following a vehicle warning, z. B. excessively too close or a close traffic jam, surrenders.

The DE 10 2012 104 312 A1 discloses a device mounted on a vehicle for protecting a passenger by using a graphic light projection, comprising a first detection unit that detects opening of a vehicle door, a second detection unit, which is a boarding person getting in or a boarding person exiting detects, a side stage drive unit which drives a side stage, a light projection unit which projects an entry protection light or exit protection light, and a control unit which controls the side stage drive unit to pull out and / or extend and / or extend and / or to the side step located within the vehicle when the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door, and the light projecting unit drives to project the exit protection light when the second detection unit detects the disembarkation of the exiting person.

An object of the present invention is to increase safety for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists, and to provide improved means for preventing the collision of a rail vehicle with other road users. The present invention is defined by the features of the independent claims.

According to a basic idea of the invention, information about the current and / or the future operating state of the rail vehicle by projection of visually perceptible signals on the road, which is also entered and / or driven by other road users, for example, when disembarking or crossing the road. Other road users are in particular pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. Operating conditions are in particular the imminent stop, the upcoming departure and the upcoming direction of travel or speed, or the future location. The direction of travel can be indicated in particular by at least one projected arrow.

The projection is preferably a light projection, in particular a laser light projection, the type, intensity and / or duration of the operating state of the rail vehicle can be controlled dependent. The optical signaling is used to inform and warn other road users, especially pedestrians.

Furthermore, a combination with acoustic signals, in particular in the common mode or alternately done. Thus, for individual operating conditions, acoustic signals can be defined which are assigned to the projections of corresponding optical signals. The focus of the signaling between the purely optical signal and the additional acoustic signal can be selectable. By avoiding or largely avoiding acoustic signals, unnecessary noise pollution can be avoided.

The signal strength of the optical signal may be individually selected depending on the time of day, the lighting condition (e.g., by artificial lighting of the roadway), the daylight, and / or the driving route. To increase the attention, the intensity of the projection can be varied, for example, increasing and decreasing.

With a method and a device of the invention, an effective additional protection of the traffic route is made possible by other road users. The invention provides a method for presenting information to other road users about the operation of a rail vehicle on the surface of a rail track of the rail vehicle, comprising the projection of a visible anticollision signal for other traffic participants on the roadway with light. The anti-collision signal indicates an accessible and / or drivable free area. The anti-collision signal may further indicate a prohibited area to be entered and / or to be traveled and / or the stop or the departure of the rail vehicle. The signal is projected from the rail vehicle with a projection device.

As a solution to the above object, a method and a rail vehicle are proposed according to the independent claims. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A method for displaying information for other road users on the operation of a rail vehicle, comprising the projection of at least one accessible and / or drivable free area onto the surface of a track of a rail vehicle, which is referred to as the first rail vehicle, is disclosed. wherein the at least one accessible and / or drivable open space is projected with a projection device.

The term "enter and / or drive" can represent different situations. The open space is accessible and / or passable for other road users than the rail vehicle. From the perspective of only one other road user, the open space is usually either accessible, e.g. in the case of a pedestrian, or passable, e.g. in the case of a cyclist. When considering several other road users, who are in particular on foot or driving on the road, the open space can be entered and traveled, simultaneously or successively.

In a variant of the invention, the at least one accessible and / or drivable open space is projected from the first rail vehicle. In this case, the projection device is attached to the first rail vehicle. The rail vehicle may also have a plurality of projection devices.

In a variant of the invention, the at least one accessible and / or drivable free surface is projected from a second rail vehicle. In this case, at least one projection device is attached to the second rail vehicle.

In a variant of the invention, the at least one accessible / drivable open space is projected from a fixed location. A fixed location is a location that is permanently stationary. So does not include a holding rail vehicle, for example. A fixed location may be, for example, in the area of a train station, a stop, along the railway track or in the area of an intersection. The projection device is located at this fixed location. For example, the projection device may be attached to a support or masts that may be anchored to the floor or wall. In another variant, the projection device may be attached to a bus stop or a ceiling of a stop. Several projection devices can be located at different fixed locations, for example along a rail track for the rail vehicle.

The projection can be done from several of the named locations or vehicles.

The projection device can be controlled by a control device in which data on the current and / or future state of motion, such as speed, acceleration, direction of travel exist. When the projection device on a fixed Location is appropriate, the control device may also be located at this location and it may be transmitted directly from the vehicle directly or indirectly (eg via a control center) data on the current and / or future state of motion to the control device, after which the control device, the projection device controls. Alternatively, a control device may be arranged in a vehicle, and the control device may directly or indirectly control the projection device from the vehicle.

A preferably electronic control device may be transmitted data on the current and / or future state of motion, such as speed, acceleration, direction of travel. From these data, the future spatial position of the rail vehicle can be determined, from which in turn the free space can be determined. The processing or determination of data on the current and / or future state of motion and the future location of the rail vehicle and the possible open spaces can also take place elsewhere, e.g. in a trip computer, and the results may be communicated to the controller for further control of the projection of the clearance.

Preferably, the method comprises the determination of the prospective future location of the first rail vehicle and the determination of the at least one accessible and / or drivable free area from the future location of the first rail vehicle. The prospective future location can be determined by determining the current or future state of motion, in particular speed, acceleration and / or direction of travel of the vehicle.

The generation of the projection of the free surface can be achieved, for example, by means of a lighting technology, in particular laser-based, projection onto the travel path. The projection can be "drawn" by means of a steerable laser beam onto the roadway in such a way that the impression of a two-dimensional surface area results for other road users. The projection can be colored, for example green, to further clarify the accessibility / trafficability.

The infrastructure means the area of a traffic route, eg a road, which can be occupied by the railway vehicle at a time of the journey or covered from above. Preferably, a minimum distance around the vehicle, in particular at the side of the vehicle, is also calculated for the travel path. The driveway can preferably be determined by means of the known control clearance or the clearance gauge of the rail vehicle and the known track layout.

The projection device can be integrated in a headlight of the rail vehicle.

The projection device has at least one light source and projection means for the targeted guidance of the light.

The projection device is preferably a laser projection device having a laser light source and projection means for guiding a laser beam. A laser projection device is advantageously set up for the line by line or pixel-by-pixel emission of laser light beams. It may comprise a diode-pumped solid-state laser for generating laser light with the colors red, green and blue. Alternatively or additionally, it may have a projection head with a biaxial mirror scanner for vertically and horizontally deflecting a laser beam. As the laser projection device, a laser device based on the laser display technology (LDT) can be advantageously used. With the LDT, the image is written line by line on a screen. The deflection is done by a special scanner with a facet mirror (line layout) and a tilt mirror (line feed). The laser beam can be previously modulated, thereby defining the brightness and color of each pixel. Advantages of the LDT are that almost any shaped projection surfaces can be used, no focusing is required, a very high contrast can be achieved and a large color palette is given by the mixing of pure primary colors (RGB), ie monochromatic light. Instead of the LDT, any other suitable laser device may be used, such as a laser device based on the Grating Light Valve System (the company Silicon Light Machines) or the Digital Micromirror Device System (the company Texas Instruments).

The term "projection of the free surface" can mean that the projection itself is extended over a wide area. For example, an open area can be fully illuminated with light. Alternatively, filling with a pattern (e.g., hatching) is possible. Alternatively or in addition to an areally extended projection, a line-shaped bordering of an open area is possible in order to achieve a planar marking.

In the process, the projection of other, preferably temporally limited, pavement surfaces (open spaces) or driving surfaces for the railroad crossing other takes place Road users. This ensures that the road users receive the information which surfaces can be entered or driven on without danger of collision with the rail vehicle. In one embodiment, the projection of a signal, which indicates information about a period of time (period signal), how long the at least one free area is still accessible or passable, takes place on the surface of a travel path of the rail vehicle. Such a signal may be a signal in addition to the projection of the flank or a variation of the projection of the flank, as explained below with reference to some examples.

With the period signal can be given information about how long a holding rail vehicle is still or how long the time to departure, or when the approaching vehicle is so close that the area must be left. The period signal can be of various shapes. In a variant, a period is displayed numerically with a customary unit of measure, preferably seconds or minutes. In addition, such a time can be projected into a projected open space. In another variant, a period may be represented in the form of a decreasing object, e.g. in the form of a stripe or beam segmentally decreasing in length, or in the form of a segment-by-segment vanishing circle. In yet another variant, the intensity of the projection of the free surface is varied, for example by varying the intensity of a light projection of the free surface (flashing free surface), the frequency of the variation can be gradually increased, the closer the time comes when the free surface is removed. In another variant, the color of the projection of the open space is varied, for example, from green to red, red indicates the cancellation or imminent cancellation of the open space.

In an even more specific variant, the projection of a plurality of signals that indicate information about different time periods along the future travel path of the rail vehicle, as long as the at least one free area is still accessible / passable. For example, several numerical time signals can be projected along the future route. Alternatively, in another variant, a color gradient signal may be projected, for example from green to red, the color being changed as the distance from the future position of the rail vehicle increases, for example from red (relatively close to the future position) to green (relative far from the future position). Since the future position of the rail vehicle is constantly changed when the rail vehicle is moving, the period signal (s) will / will be changed as it were.

• die Ermittlung des voraussichtlichen zukünftigen Aufenthaltsorts zumindest eines weiteren Schienenfahrzeugs, beispielsweise eines zweiten Schienenfahrzeugs,
• die Ermittlung zumindest einer betretbaren und/oder befahrbaren Freifläche im Fahrweg des zumindest einen weiteren Schienenfahrzeugs aus dem zukünftigen Aufenthaltsort des zumindest einen weiteren Schienenfahrzeugs,
• die Projektion der betretbaren und/oder befahrbaren Freifläche im Fahrweg des zumindest einen weiteren Schienenfahrzeugs von dem ersten Schienenfahrzeug aus mit der Projektionseinrichtung (2a-2h) oder mit zumindest einer der Projektionseinrichtungen.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed, comprising

• the determination of the probable future location of at least one further rail vehicle, for example a second rail vehicle,
• the determination of at least one accessible and / or drivable free area in the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle from the future location of the at least one further rail vehicle,
• the projection of the accessible and / or drivable free area in the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle from the first rail vehicle with the projection device (2a-2h) or with at least one of the projection devices.

The determination of the prospective future location of the further rail vehicle and the determination of at least one accessible and / or drivable open space in the guideway of the at least one further rail vehicle can take place at one or more different locations, for example in the second vehicle, a control center and / or the first vehicle ,

The method may further comprise: the transmission of information about the probable future location of the at least one further rail vehicle to the first rail vehicle and / or the transmission of information about the accessible and / or drivable open space in the path of the at least one further rail vehicle to the first rail vehicle , This variant can be applied if the information mentioned was not determined in the first vehicle.

The first and the at least one further rail vehicle can travel, for example, on adjacent tracks, in particular in the opposite direction of travel. The at least one accessible / drivable open space in the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle is then projected from the first vehicle. In this variant, a plurality of rail vehicles can be networked with each other, for example, directly or via a control center and preferably by radio. When determining one or more open spaces, the information of several rolling stock is taken into account. It can be signaled which parts of a track of other vehicles are safely accessible. This variant of the method enables the protection of the rail area directly in front of a vehicle and additionally the protection of a larger rail area over several spatially adjacent track sections. The method described above can also take place in the reverse manner, ie by the Transmission of information about the probable future location of the first rail vehicle to the at least one further rail vehicle, for example a second rail vehicle mentioned above, takes place and the at least one accessible / drivable open area in the driveway of the first rail vehicle is projected from the at least one further vehicle.

In a variant of the method, the intensity of the projection of the at least one accessible / accessible free area changes. An intensity change in the form of flashing may be used to signal the imminent cancellation of the clearance, as previously mentioned. It is instead or additionally possible to increase the attention of other road users by changing the intensity. For example, a slow change in intensity, or slow blinking or swelling, may alert you to the clearance, a quick change in the form of a quick blink may signal the imminent cancellation of the clearance.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, in addition to the projection of the at least one free surface, the projection of at least one non-accessible or to be traveled blocking surface on the surface of the track. The blocking area is an area in which there is a danger of collision with the rail vehicle. The open space and the blocking area can be represented, for example, in different hatching or in different colors, such as red and green. In this embodiment, the projection of restricted areas onto the road takes place, in particular in pedestrian zones and especially in the area of stops and intersections to secure the traffic route. This embodiment can be supplemented by the projection of a visible signal indicating the period of time, how long the restricted area is not to enter or to drive on or when it is canceled.

In yet another variant of the invention, the projection of a visible signal via the stop or the departure of the rail vehicle takes place on the surface of the track. Again, the projection is preferably a light projection, in particular a laser light projection. In the case of a departure signal, the signal may be multi-level. A special case is an increasing signal intensity. The signal indicating the stop of the rail vehicle is in a special variant, the projection of a stop position of the rail vehicle, for example, at a stop.

In one variant, the accessible / accessible open space indicates an escape route, which is projected only in a dangerous situation. It is in this variant an escape route for the Evacuation case to ensure a fast person rescue projected. The projection of an escape route can be done in a signal color and be swelling and swelling. The projection of an escape route can be combined with acoustic signals.

• Erfassen eines Bilds in einer vorbestimmten Umgebung um das Schienenfahrzeug;
• Auswerten eines erfassten Bilds;
• Manipulieren eines Inhalts des erfassten Bilds, und
• Projizieren eines manipulierten Inhalts des erfassten Bilds mittels Laserlichtstrahlen an eine in der vorbestimmten Umgebung um das Fahrzeug vorhandene Stelle, die eine vorbestimmte Beziehung zu einer Stelle des Erfassens des Bilds in der vorbestimmten Umgebung um das Fahrzeug aufweist.

In a further variant of the invention, an identification of an obstacle that is detected by a driver assistance system takes place for the driver. This marking may be accomplished by a method of projecting a laser light image into an environment around the rail vehicle, comprising:

• Capturing an image in a predetermined environment around the rail vehicle;
• Evaluating a captured image;
• Manipulating a content of the captured image, and
• Projecting a manipulated content of the captured image by laser light beams to a location in the predetermined environment around the vehicle having a predetermined relationship to a location of capturing the image in the predetermined environment around the vehicle.

Such a method is in the patent application DE 102012003158 A1 described in detail with reference to a motor vehicle and the disclosure of this document is referenced.

• eine Projektionseinrichtung, eingerichtet zur Projektion einer betretbaren/befahrbaren Freifläche auf der Oberfläche eines Fahrweges des Schienenfahrzeugs,
• eine Steuerungseinrichtung, die in Abhängigkeit von dem derzeitigen und/oder zukünftigen Bewegungszustand des Schienenfahrzeugs die Projektion der Freifläche auf der Oberfläche des Fahrweges steuert.

In a further aspect, the invention also relates to a rail vehicle, in particular a tram, having a device for projecting an accessible and / or drivable free area on the surface of a track of the rail vehicle, the device comprising:

• a projection device, set up for projection of a accessible / drivable open space on the surface of a track of the rail vehicle,
• a control device that controls the projection of the free surface on the surface of the travel path as a function of the current and / or future movement state of the rail vehicle.

Reference is made to the entire disclosure of the above method. There mentioned subject features may be on features of the rail vehicle. The projection device has already been described above. The control device controls the projection location. A preferably electronic control device may be transmitted data on the current and / or future state of motion, such as speed, acceleration, direction of travel. From these data, the future spatial position of the rail vehicle can be determined, from which in turn the free space can be determined. The processing or collection of data on the current and / or future movement state and the future spatial position of the rail vehicle and the possible open spaces can also be done elsewhere, for example in a trip computer, and the results can be transmitted to the control device for further control of the projection of the open space.

In a variant, the control device can also control the projection of at least one free surface onto the surface of the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle, depending on the current and / or future state of motion of another rail vehicle. With such a rail vehicle, as described in a method variant above, the projection of a accessible / drivable open space in the travel path of at least one further rail vehicle from the first rail vehicle can be carried out with the projection device. In this variant, a plurality of rail vehicles can be networked with each other, for example, directly or via a control center, for example by radio. Information about the state of motion of the further rail vehicle can be transmitted to the (first) rail vehicle. The controller may be provided with data on the current and / or future state of motion of the second rail vehicle, such as speed, acceleration, direction of travel. The processing or determination of the data on the current and / or future state of motion and the future location position of the further rail vehicle and the possible open spaces can also take place at another location, e.g. in the already mentioned cruise computer, and the results can be transmitted to the control device for further control of the projection of open spaces.

Fig. 1

eine Straßenbahn mit Projektionseinrichtungen,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine Straßenbahn und einen Fahrweg mit Projektion mehrerer betretbarer oder befahrbarer Freiflächen und

Fig. 3

zwei vernetzte Schienenfahrzeuge und betretbare und/oder befahrbare Freiflächen.

The invention will now be described by way of example. Show it:

Fig. 1

a tram with projection equipment,

Fig. 2

a plan view of a tram and a driveway with projection of several accessible or drivable open spaces and

Fig. 3

two networked rail vehicles and accessible and / or passable open spaces.

Fig. 1 shows a rail vehicle 1, in this case a tram, in a partial view. Shown are various possible positions of a projection device 2. The projection device 2a is integrated in a headlight 3. The projection devices 2b and 2c are mounted behind a front or behind a side window. The Projection devices 2d, 2e and 2f are mounted on the outside of the tram either in the upper or lower portion of the car body. With the projection devices 2a, 2b, 2d or 2f, it is particularly advantageous to display open spaces in front of the vehicle, with the projection devices 2c and 2e advantageously open spaces laterally of the rail vehicle 1. It is not necessary for all the projection devices shown to be present on the vehicle 1. For example, the device 2a or 2f may alternatively be present, alternatively the device 2b or 2d or alternatively the device 2c or 2e. On the side facing away from the viewer back of the vehicle 1 can be mounted analog projection devices such as 2c and / or 2e. Furthermore, further projection devices can be present along the tram 1, of which only the front part is shown.

By way of example only on the projection device 2a, a laser beam 4 is drawn, which is emitted by the projection device 2a and is used for the line by line construction of an accessible / drivable open space on the surface of the road.

In Fig. 1 Furthermore, a control device 30 is shown, which is connected to the projection devices 2a to 2f and controls the direction of the laser beams emitted by the projection devices, such as the beam 4, for the purpose of projecting free surfaces onto the travel path surface.

Fig. 2 shows a tram 1 in a schematic representation from above, so with the view of the viewer on the roof of the tram and on the surface of the track 10 of the tram 1. Shown are also rails 5. For example, the tram 1 is in the hold state at a stop. From the projection device 2 f from a accessible / accessible open space 6 is projected onto the surface of the guideway 10. The guideway 10 is in the representation of Fig. 2 bounded by the dashed lines 11 and 12. Outside the route 10 there is no risk of collision with pedestrians, cyclists or motorists. Like in the Fig. 2 shown, a safety distance is calculated to the track 10 on both sides of the rail vehicle 1.

At the end of the rail vehicle 1, a free surface 7 is projected onto the surface of the travel path by a projection device 2h. Shown in all projection devices 2 laser beams 4, which are used for line by line construction of the projection of open spaces. On the right in the direction of travel F (shown by an arrow) of the rail vehicle 1, an open space 8 is projected by the projection devices 2e and 2g. In an analogous manner is on the left side of the rail vehicle 1 by the Projection devices 2e and 2g projected an open space 9. The open spaces 6 to 9 indicate the area that can be safely entered or driven by pedestrians or cyclists. The open spaces 6 to 9 can be projected during a stop of the rail vehicle 1. The open spaces 6 and 7 indicate where the railroad can be safely crossed. The open spaces 8 and 9 indicate that during the stop of the vehicle 1, these areas can be safely entered for boarding or boarding. During travel of the rail vehicle 1, open spaces may remain faded in. For example, the open spaces 6 and 7 can also be projected while driving and thus move while driving along the guideway 10. During the journey, the area 6 indicates that in this area the tracks can still be traversed safely. In the schematic, not to scale representation, however, the surface 6 is moved closer to the rail vehicle 1, as this should be the case during normal driving at normal speed. In an analogous manner, the free surface 7 indicates in which area during the journey of the rail vehicle 1, the tracks behind the rail vehicle can already be crossed again.

While driving, the open spaces 8 and 9 are not projected. There should be no passerby in this area during the journey of the rail vehicle. Instead, for example, differently colored, for example red, illustrated blocking surfaces could be projected while driving. Locking surfaces on the side of the vehicle can also be projected during a stop, for example when passengers are not allowed to get off because of a passing other rail vehicle, for example a return train.

Likewise, locking surfaces could be projected directly in front of and behind the rail vehicle, both while driving and during the stop.

In Fig. 3 a method is shown taking into account two rail vehicles 1 and 20. The first rail vehicle 1 has analogous to that in Fig. 2 Rail vehicle 1, the projection devices 2e ', 2f', 2g 'and 2h' on. In the same way as in Fig. 2 are shown free spaces 6, 7, 8 and 9, which are projected with the projection devices 2e to 2h around the rail vehicle 1. The second rail vehicle 20 has analogous projection devices with which analogous open areas can be projected. The analog projection devices and free surfaces are marked with high marks in the second rail vehicle 20.

In addition, in the process with two rail vehicles further accessible open spaces 15 and 16 are projected. The vehicles 1 and 20 are connected to each other via radio connected and informed each other about their states of motion. In the rail vehicle 1, the prospective future location of the rail vehicle 20 can be determined by means of the information about the state of movement of the rail vehicle 20. For example, both vehicles are in the hold state and the future location is for the duration of the stop in the Fig. 3 shown location on both rail vehicles. In the rail vehicle 1, the location of the rail vehicle 20 is known, and based on this information, the projection devices 2e and 2g disposed on the left side of the vehicle 1 in the traveling direction F (arrow) (in FIG Fig. 3 the upper 2g and 2h), an open space 15 can be projected. The open space 15 indicates that this area, which lies on the travel path of the second rail vehicle 20, can be entered safely. The free surface 15 can not be projected from the vehicle 20 in this case, because it is too far away. When the vehicle 20 is set in motion, in the direction of travel F '(arrow), the movement state is in turn transmitted to the vehicle 1 and at a certain point in time, the free surface 15 is no longer projected.

In an analogous, but reverse manner, information about the state of movement of the first rail vehicle 1 is present in the second vehicle 20, and an open space 16 can be projected from the second rail vehicle 20, which lies in the travel path of the first rail vehicle 1. With the aid of this embodiment of the invention, further route areas can be secured by the travel information or movement states of a first vehicle being processed by one or more further vehicles and free spaces in the travel path of the first vehicle being projected by these other vehicles.

Claims (13)

1. A method for displaying information about the operation of a rail vehicle (1) for other traffic participants, comprising
   projecting at least one free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on onto the surface of a travel path (10) of a first rail vehicle, wherein the at least one free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on is projected by means of at least one projection device (2a-2h).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on is projected from the first rail vehicle.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on is projected from a fixed position.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on is projected from a second vehicle.
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising determining the anticipated future whereabouts of the first rail vehicle and determining the at least one free area that can be stepped on and/or driven on from the future whereabouts of the first rail vehicle.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising

   - determining the anticipated future whereabouts of at least one further rail vehicle (20),

   - determining at least one free area (15) that can be stepped on and/or driven on in the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle (20) from the future whereabouts of the at least one further rail vehicle (20),

   - projecting the free area (15) that can be stepped on and/or driven on in the travel path of the at least one further rail vehicle (20) from the first rail vehicle by means of at least one of the projection devices (2a-2h).
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising projecting a signal, which specifies information about a period of time for which the at least one free area can still be stepped on and/or driven on, to the surface of the travel path of the rail vehicle.
8. The method according to claim 7, comprising projecting a plurality of signals specifying information about different periods of time along the travel path of the rail vehicle for which the at least one free area can still be stepped on and/or driven on.
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising changing the intensity of the projection of the at least one free area that can be stepped on and/or driven on.
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free area that can be stepped on and/or driven on signals an escape route which is projected in a hazardous situation.
11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising projecting at least one keep-out area that must not be stepped on and/or driven on onto the surface of the travel path.
12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising projecting a visible signal about the stopping or departure of the rail vehicle onto the surface of the travel path.
13. A rail vehicle (1), in particular a tram, comprising

    - a projection device (2a-2h), configured to project a free area (6, 7, 8, 9) that can be stepped on and/or driven on onto the surface of a travel path (10) of the rail vehicle (1),

    - a control device (30), which controls the projection of the free area (6, 7, 8, 9) onto the surface of the travel path (10) depending on the current and/or future state of motion of the rail vehicle (1).

Images